Magic in Arlyss

Magic has been practiced by the sentient beings of Arlyss throughout its history and comes in many forms...

Druidic Magic

Druidic magic was first taught to the Elves by the Fey, and helped shape the forest kingdoms that sprawled across the world in the Mythic Age. The magical energy of the druids is pulled from what the elves call "the hedge," which they argue is the very barrier between the material plane and The Fey. Druidic magic not only grants power over nature (including the cycle of life, death and rebirth), but allows powerful druids to open rifts between the material plane and the realm of fey (if the fickle fey folk permit it).
The Gwyllion (hags) of the deep forests are evil practitioners of druidic magic. They were taught necromancy by Arawn (also known as Alaron).

Arcane Magic

Arcane magic was first practiced by the Dragons, who were taught the art by their goddess Tiamat (and Bahamut taught the metallic dragons). The dragon god of death Nergal taught the black dragons necromancy, allowing them to find common ground with the orcs in a later age. In the age of legend, orc necromancers sometimes rode black dragons into battle against the folk of Arlyss.
On the Island of Dragon's end, the goodly metallic dragons taught early Sydonians magic. For this, the metallic dragons were driven from the island by the chromatic dragons. Today, Sydonians believe that magical energy is drawn from something they call the border arcane, a barrier between the material plane and the rest of the cosmos. They also refer to the gift of magic as the Wyrd, or fate.
Some modern Sydonian artificers imbue their craft with arcane magic using sigils and runes learned from wizardry.

Divine Magic

Divine magic has existed as long as gods have meddled in the affairs of mortals. Divine magic is usually spontaneously manifested in mortals and taught through visions or dreams. Few elves practice divine magic, with most elven clerics being granted magic by Myrrdin (god of druids, magic and sorcery).
Sydonian clerics were rare in the days of Old Sydonia, and those who manifested it were called witches and sorcerers and put to death. Arcane magic through study was the only acceptable form of magic. The church of Woden officially accepted clerics as legitimate conduits of the gods after the state reconsidered the power of clerics following their defeat at the hands of Ekoros storm clerics.
The people of Ekoros (himself an early cleric of Hellotia) abandoned the gods of their people when they were guided to the marble isle by Damaios (god of the seas). When they arrived there, they found Damaios and the rest of his pantheon were worshipped by the natives. The Ekorosi adapted this new religion and wholly accepted divine magic (largely abandoning arcana).
The tribesmen of the north have long practiced divine magic and see arcane magic as evil witchcraft not to be trusted. Their shamans are granted powers by the gods they worship, in whose names they live and work. Human sacrifice is occasionally practiced in the north to appease the gods or conjure forth a great burst of magical prowess in battle.
Dwarven clerics and paladins of the Dwarven 3 have long practiced in their mountain halls. With the magic of Úri they bless the forges and enchant weapons and armor to great effect. Their paladins ride great celestial rams into battle conjured forth by Grimni, and advisors to the kings have long been clerics of Alviss the wise.

Other magic

Sorcery, or spontaneous arcane ability, is a more recent phenomenon in Arlyss. Once put to death as heretics, they are now accepted and regulated by the state of Sydonia. They are able to pull from the same border arcane as wizards, but are granted their powers through some magical ancestry.
Most Ekorosi arcane spellcasters are Sorcerers, since wizardry was long ago abandoned on the marble isle. Northern sorcerers are still put to death if discovered, though some try to disguise their gift as divine power.
Elven sorcerers are shunned and exiled from the Great Wood if discovered, since the elves of the Great Wood distrust arcane magic and believe it will ruin the world. Sorcery is so rare in Dwarves that it is not known what they would do with them if discovered.
Warlocks granted fel powers by their patrons are rare and largely kept in secret.
Bardic magic varies in each civilization. Elven bards claim to pull from the magic of creation, while Sydonian bards or minstrels are simply another form of wizardy (taught and regulated in bards' colleges). Dwarven bards are known as Scop and believe their magic to be divinely granted to aid their warriors in battle. Dwarven scop sing songs of praise and past glories and inspire their fellows in whatever endeavor they aspire to. The northmen have adapted this practice and refer to their bards as Skalds.