Magic Nodes

Believed to be an aftermath of the Titans, Alkeria is pockmarked with invisible but noticeable pockets of Arcane magic. These pockets, or nodes, were first discovered by Xandu as part of his research exploration. He used these nodes to track what he thought was the source, or the most powerful, of these nodes to siphon that magic to himself. Over the centuries, the weaker nodes simply faded while the stronger nodes became noticeably weaker.
Since his disappearance, the nodes have slowly begun recovering their magical affinity. This isn't something anyone would be able to notice overnight, Xandu drained nodes for nearly a millennium, but the nodes are slowly recovering their magic.
In the early days, nodes would exude magic. Magical beasts would use nodes as their lair. Some of the best nodes, deep within mountain caverns would house powerful dragons, elementals, and some even believe the gods themselves. What is indeed known as the the more powerful the node, the more attractive it was, and the law of nature simply meant the more powerful creature that would make it their home.
There are a couple of reasons why magical nodes are so attractive. For one, all magic within a node became more powerful. Fire became hotter, ice became cooler. It was easier to produce more and more powerful effects for nearly any magical ability. It was also more difficult to resist such abilities. All magical abilities become enhanced. A powerful magical creature in its own right would become nearly impossible to defeat in a magical node. The only good thing was that a magical node did not have allegiance to anyone, so other powerful magic creatures could, and would invade lairs to take them for their own. It was a powerful advantage, but also an advantage that was worth taking risks to obtain.
The further out you traveled from a node, the weaker the abilities become until they finally disappear, the distance depending on the size and strength of the node.
The node affects a variety of magical abilities. For spellcasters, they might find it easier to remember spells. Spells cast might inflict more damage and be more difficult to resist. Duration and radius can be affected. Additionally, the nature of the node itself might alter the magical intention altogether to something else entirely. There is one report of a tragedy where a mage was prepping for an assault on a lair, casting a protection spell on an ally. The spell was transformed into a massive fireball that completely wiped out the party.
The existence of a node is unnoticeable to non-magic users. Nodes are rather rare, and known nodes in the wilds are places of constant aggression. Scholars claim that additional nodes have to exist. Some claim that the Academy of Ondizhor is built on a node, and one reason that so many flock there as it's easier to learn. A user of magic might notice this as they were passing through an area and simply found it easier to perform.

Type

Metaphysical, Arcane