Numen (ˈnuːmən)

Magic on Eivrall is a phenomenon that I have been analyzing for years. The spiritual energy known as numen, which flows through all of creation, gives rise to the manifestation of magic. Xoxtris, the Almighty Darkness, granted this power to the universe when it was first formed. Numen ebbs and flows through each living being, affecting their connection to the arcane, and is present in varying levels in each individual. Thus, each person's magical capability is predicated on the amount of numen they possess. However, there are those few unfortunate individuals who are not blessed with any numen and lack any connection to this power.

As a doctor in a world that blurs the lines between science and magic, I have come to understand that magic is the channeling of emotional energy and inner power into tangible forms, such as electric, kinetic, chemical, and even nuclear at its most powerful. Magic, at its core, is the practice of using one's own inner energy to shape the physical environment. There is something else that permeates each cell, a type of electrical charge like our bodies produce naturally. I believe this to be numen, the source of our magic. Much like mitochondria transforms resources from the environment into usable energy, our numen transforms hormones or chemical responses from the brain into magical energy. That energy then flows through neurons and is released like a neurotransmitter.

It is important to understand the delicate process of how the body metabolizes food and emotions into energy. Every individual can store and release varying amounts of power, though none are limitless, and it can get stronger with use or weaken with disuse. Just like a muscle, magic must be exercised but never overtaxed, or else the consequences can be dire. To ensure safety, I must caution my patients against overtaxing their energy capacities. Misused, their energy could be destructive to their bodies.

I have observed the catastrophic effects of overexerting magical energy. The symptoms are all too familiar: severe pain, blinding migraines, a blistering sensation throughout the body, and a deep weariness. Such exhaustion can make one apathetic, leading to depression with suicidal ideations. The only way to replenish energy stores is to allow for natural regeneration, so it is important to use magic sparingly. Otherwise, these effects can be too much to bear.

The symptoms of overexerting oneself after the natural energy stores have been depleted are insidious, and it is usually too late for treatment by the time the patient shows up in my office. The body of these poor souls will get so desperate for energy that it begins converting the vital essence of other living creatures to replenish its own stores. This is not just a danger to their minds and souls, but it can even convert their dearest friends and family into lifeless husks. As a doctor, it is my duty to warn my patients of the dire consequences of over-exertion if they hope to avoid becoming leeches themselves — a powerful reminder to temper magical usage with common sense and the practical application of mechanical solutions. In addition, I must remain ever vigilant to find and root out any who have already succumbed to this grim fate.

- Doctor Quade Alcantar, Observations of the Arcane

The Foundations

Numen is believed to operate on four levels of existence, known as the Four Foundations of Magic. These foundations are linked to four different aspects and forms of magic: Vitalism, Energetics, Axiomancy, and Supernalism.

Vitalism: This type of magic is utilized more intuitively. It pertains to life and being and can be used to either protect or harm. Vital magic encompasses healing, fertility, growth, and protection, among other forms of life-force magic. Because its efficacy is dependent on the organism's vitality, it is more effective in healthy and robust organisms than in sick or dying ones. While it can be extremely dangerous, it is also one of the most potent forms of magic.

Energetics: This type of magic is applied deliberately. It encompasses fundamental, basic forces and principles and is based on the movement of energy, with a focus on controlling and harnessing that energy. Depending on how the energy is focused, energetic magic can be used to either heal or harm. It is more versatile than axiomatic magic, but also more difficult to master.

Axiomancy: This type of magic is ubiquitous and plainly observable. It has a direct influence on the tangible and physical world. For example, the law of gravity may be altered, allowing one to levitate themselves or objects. Theurgi might also alter the speed of light to create illusions or make objects appear to move faster or slower than they do. Despite being the most limited type of magic, axiomatic magic is the most reliable and predictable.

Supernalism: This is the most rare type of magic and is more enigmatic and mysterious. It effects both cosmic forces and the psyche. It is one of the most powerful and dangerous foundations of magic since it can be used to create spells that affect the thoughts and emotions of others, and it is heavily regulated by governments or other authority figures. It is also rare and highly desired because it is both the most powerful and versatile form of magic and the most difficult to learn.

	Vitalism	Energetics
Axiomancy	The tapestry of existence Affects lifeforms and the natural world. Enhances strength and stamina Enhances speed and agility Debilitates or sickens others Communes with and senses life Changes the user's form Restores life, curing disease and wounds	The natural patterns of energy Collect, retain, convert, and expel many energies. Pertains to heat Pertains to sound Pertains to physical force Pertains to light Pertains to electromagnetism Pertains to weight
Supernalism	The flames of perception Have cerebral effects, requiring high psychological fortitude. Senses and manipulates thoughts Senses and manipulates emotions Pertains to memory Pertains to souls and spirits Pertains to dreams Influences the wills of others	The unseen threads of truth Exerts power over the universe and requires total dedication. Pertains to space. Pertains to time Pertains to magic itself Pertains to truth Pertains to natures and essences Pertains to duality and symmetry Pertains to luck

Energy Signatures

Every person has a unique energy "signature" that is determined by their genetics and life experiences, and this signature determines the types of magic they can use and how powerful they can become. Each person's magic is attuned to their energy signature. This signature frequency is what allows someone to tap into and channel the numen produced in their body. It also allows them to identify others' magic and track the use of magic in the world.

Similarly, each type of magic operates within its own frequency range, and if a person's energy signature falls within the range of a particular foundation, they can use that type of magic. For example, if a person's energy signature falls within the range of vitalism, they would be able to use vital magic. If it falls within the range of both vitalism and energetics, they would be able to use both types of magic. It is worth noting that an individual's energy signature is not fixed and can change over time as they age and experience new things. This means that it is possible for someone to gain or lose access to certain types of magic as their signature shifts.

The higher the resonance of a person's energy signature with a particular type of magic, the more powerful they can become with it. This means that those with a higher resonance will be able to access more power than those with a lower resonance, making them more dangerous and allowing them to achieve greater feats. In addition, those with higher resonance can also use larger spells and effects than those with lower resonance due to their increased access to magical energy. This makes it so that the most powerful casters are those whose energy signatures are most in tune with the magic they use.

Numen Reading by Gabrielle Decker

Rankings and Education

Every person is taught basic healing, defense, survival, and offensive techniques in primary school, but because magic cannot be quantified in a general sense, they receive more coaching and etiquette training. Some go on to study for their entire lives and make careers out of their arcane skills, although professional magic requires a great deal of willpower and dedication. Most people are comfortable with their abilities and do not seek additional magical education, especially among the human population.

Magic is not just limited to professionals; anyone with the right training and abilities can learn to harness it. Some individuals are naturally talented and can easily master complex spells, while others may struggle to cast even the most basic of spells.

Still, it is much more uncommon not to have magic, so everyday casters do not hold a title. However, there are four ranks that do exist:

The Challenges of Professional Magic

The amount of a person's magical aptitude varies, so professional magic requires years, if not decades, of practice. To achieve the desired effect, one must figure out exactly where, how, and how much to apply their power, and the specifics differ from person to person. Most people can perform mundane tasks, but those requiring high levels of specialization or surgical precision necessitate not just exceptional self-control but also extensive training.

Errors can have devastating consequences. Best practices, which are general approaches for developing and refining one's own process, are taught in schools and other accredited training programs. Formal teaching, since it is more introspective, demands discipline and perseverance, as well as financial investment. Although most education is free or inexpensive, the tools that are usually recommended can be costly.

Magic, science, and religion are all the same; whether divine miracles, demonic power, or novel theories on phenomena, they can all be recreated by formulae. All phenomena have set rules that can be measured and quantified, and their manifestation may be deduced via magic.

— Professor Aryn Blythe of Taedora University
Sukha, Meshev

Research and Controversy

There has been an increase in research into finding ways to expand the magical potential within each being and whether numen can be replicated or synthesized. Numen storage and effective magical practice are at the forefront of magical research. Despite efforts to scientifically analyze magic, many questions remain unanswered about its nature and scope.

Despite magical research being a priority for most nations, some people seek the elimination of magic altogether, although this is more prevalent in human nations. According to them, the loss of productivity caused by using magic for mundane tasks is not worth the potential consequences; people could accomplish more each day if they avoid the mental and physical fatigue caused by numen depletion. In addition, they assert that their cybernetics can supplement or replace the use of magic in any scenario, and groups supporting this claim have proliferated at an alarming rate.

Applications

Travel

Eivrall's teleportation system is a complex blend of magic and science. The Kaxlese, the creators of the system, use a specific stone called nyerringite as a teleportation medium. These stones can only be purchased through Gateworks, the travel center of Sevangesia, and are enhanced using either scientific or magical means. To teleport, individuals hold the stone in their hand while passing through Gates, and it disintegrates upon reaching the opposite side. The mechanics of transposition are a closely guarded secret, and the Kaxlese use violent means to protect their knowledge.

While transposition is a convenient way to travel, it does come with risks. The most well-known side effect is the creation of a mysterious clone at the time of teleportation. According to the Usage Agreement, it is the responsibility of the individual to kill their doppelganger, and failure to do so can result in legal repercussions or death. A lesser-known and rare consequence of transposition is the reported experience of hearing "conversations" during teleportation by a small number of individuals. The nature and origin of these voices is unknown.

Augmentation

Magical augmentation in the world is a way to enhance physical capabilities, similar to cybernetic augmentation. One form of augmentation is increasing kinetic energy in muscles to improve strength, speed, and impact. The Rani are particularly skilled in this practice and use it in martial arts to gain increased speed. This technique is difficult to master, as directing energy to specific muscle groups is crucial to avoid injury and control of direction is needed to prevent accidents.

Another form of augmentation is directing kinetic energy to arm muscles to increase strength, making it possible to break opponents' arms with a single blow or easily lift and move heavy objects. However, many people choose not to go through the rigorous training required for these abilities and opt for cybernetic implants instead.

War

Heat is utilized for various purposes such as melting or forging metal, making it useful for professions such as blacksmithing and prosthetic creation. However, it also has applications in battle, as many individuals choose to use it as a form of combat magic in the constant battles between corporations.

Battle theurgi often use a variety of weapons and techniques to conserve their magical energy. Some prefer close-quarters combat and use a burst of thermal energy to heat the metal of their swords or cybernetic limbs, creating a hot plasma capable of cutting through most materials. This combined with increased speed or strength can make them formidable opponents in melee combat. There are specialized training schools for this technique.

Others prefer to fight from a distance, heating the air at the tip of a projectile and transforming it into a fast-moving plasma wave to strike opponents from a distance. Another method is to use multiple, faster-moving projectiles.

Protection

Generally, magic is extremely efficient at destroying things, and creating anything out of raw materials increases in difficulty depending on the task. However, while it is not impossible, there are far more people capable of destruction than creation.

Levelers are the most effective type of shield, able to absorb large amounts of damage by dissolving matter and energy into their base molecules. However, they take 20-45 minutes to construct and require a person to devote all their energy and strength to maintain, making them impractical to use in the middle of a battle.

Wards can be swiftly erected and can have up to seven layers, but they still require strength to maintain and take 2-3 seconds to construct each layer. They are mainly used to counter large-scale magical strikes.

Fractives only work against energy and instead of blocking oncoming blasts, they deflect them. They are difficult to cast or manage but are theoretically indefinite in duration.

Flux barriers are the most difficult to construct but offer the best protection by reflecting enemy magical assaults. They require complete focus to sustain but are valuable as a surprise attack or secret weapon.

Wave Goodbye

All shields have one weakness: highly tuned and direct magical strikes known as "waving." Esoti with adequate training in an offensive style of magic can alter the wave function of their magic to negate the barrier's energy, allowing the caster to appear on the opposite side. This is a rare ability and only a few people are known to have achieved this level of control over their numen.

Deleterious Effects

Conditions

Bionumen Pathways Degradation (BPD) is an uncommon genetic condition that results in people being born without numen. Those who have the condition are labeled arcanix. There have been less than 20 people born with this condition.

Rampant Numen Fluctuations (RNF) on the other hand, is a far more volatile condition. People with RNF are unable to control their magic, which explodes from them at random, frequently hurting themselves or others.

Cybernetics

Studies have found that augmentations, or any other significant intrusive modification, disturb the natural flow of numen in the same manner that a blood clot disrupts the circulatory system.  Due to this, the majority of magically active individuals eschew cybernetic enhancement.

Type

Metaphysical, Arcane

Page from Observations of the Arcane by Gabrielle Decker

Spell Schematics by Gabrielle Decker