Magic Concepts

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Suggested Audio

Wizard's Tower

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Scrolls shuffle and roll within Albert's arms, his eyes lingering on the spacious courtyard and his feet catching on the the steps of the large estate. As Albert waits before the manor doors, he reviews what he knows of this illustrious family. Albert is scrawny, unathletic and gangly with dangling blonde curls and attentive blue-green eyes. An oversized pack hangs on his shoulders, stuffed with more scrolls peeking out the top, and another satchel is slung over his shoulder. While he appears anxious and timid, one can see the intelligence in his eyes alongside strong percipience. The doors swing open and an elderly woman of impeccable stature eyes Albert.

Oh?

Evelyn hums with a befuddled expression

You couldn't possibly be the tutor I requested, you're far too young!

I-I'm sorry if my age disappoints you, your Grace.

Albert's words tumble out quickly and he gives her a short bow, brushing off her tone

But I assure you I'm fully certified by the college! I have been b-blessed with Kanilwyr's Binding and am familiar with every document in the royal library. I am particularly well versed in magic classification, concepts, history-

Ah!

Evelyn interrupts his rapid rambling

You must be Sophia's boy.

Evelyn looks him up down, causing Albert to stiffen

I suppose she'll be more comfortable with someone her age...

Evelyn sighs

Come along!

Albert stumbles after her, still reeling from her overwhelming presence. They enter into the library and a girl his age, as Evelyn had stated, stares out the window with a contemplative gaze.

This is my granddaughter, Tia.

Evelyn introduces her, the pride behind this statement never waning.

Tia shuffles up from her seat and Albert gives Tia an appropriate bow of his head. Peculiarly, Tia imitates the gesture.

No, dear!

Evelyn corrects her and Tia blinks

This is one of your tutors, um...?

My name is Albert Monet

Albert responds politely

We'll be going over magic concepts and history. Can I ask where your current understanding is?

I, uhhh...

Tia quickly grows embarrassed, squirming and hesitant

I know everyone has two racial magics but that's... about it?

Tia admits

Albert eyebrows shoot up and his mouth hangs open. He had never met a peer with so little knowledge of magic but as Tia's discomfort burgeons further, due to his astonishment, Albert tries to reel in his reaction.

Tia

Evelyn explains, a bit curt

Was raised overseas, in Nippon. I'm afraid you'll need to start from the beginning.

Nippon?

Albert gasps, dropping a number of scrolls in astonishment

He mumbles a small apology and tries to scoop them up quickly. Tia stoops down and gives him a hand, much to his surprise, with a warm but nervous smile equipped.

The Celestial Archipelago is such a mystery!

Albert breathes once his scrolls have been recovered

I would be fascinated to hear-

Evelyn clears her throat and he drops silent reflexively.

Tia has a tight schedule, I'm afraid, so I must ask you keep on task.

Albert replies with a meek nod and Evelyn's attention shifts to Tia, smiling at her granddaughter and speaking in a sing-song tone

I'll leave you to it then!

Albert finds himself releasing a quiet sigh as she exits the room.

I'm sorry.

Tia apologizes swiftly, staring after the woman

I don't know why she was so rude to you!

Albert shakes his head as he sets his bag down and lays his parchments on the table.

It's fine, my Lady.

Albert dismisses in a weary tone

It was all perfectly acceptable for a woman of her-

Tia snickers into his words and he freezes.

I'm sorry, I don't think anyone has ever called me "lady"

Tia's laugh is breathy

Please, just call me Tia!

Albert blinks hard at her before squinting, unsure of what she is playing at.

I... I'm just a scholar...

Albert tries to explain but Tia stops him

I don't care about all that

Tia assures him

At least when it's just the two of us, please, act the same as you would with anyone else. All of that... stuff... is too exhausting!

Albert eyes her, calculating how he should respond. Tia takes a seat at the table into his silence and scoots her chair forward, producing strident scraping. There is a brief silence but as Tia looses another unsteady smile, Albert can see she is just as anxious as he if not more.

Oh!

Tia squeaks with realization

And if you wanna know about Nippon, I don't mind talking about it. It was my home...! But we should focus on all this first.

Tia titters watching him try to stifle his excitement at the prospect

Okay...

Albert agrees, clearing his voice and joining her at the table. She gives him that sunny smile again.

So... the beginning?

He asks, receiving a nod from Tia.

Albert plucks up one particular scroll, rolling it out over the table. Ten circular symbols are arranged into two columns. Just below each symbol are five linear monograms for each aspect while one additional monogram sits above—the names of the elements themselves.

Are you familiar with the Erlithmanil?

Albert asks her. She bounces her head back and forth as she considers

The Elements?

I've heard their names before but... no, not really. My mom used to...

Tia frowns before continuing

I've heard some legends and stories but I don't remember the details. I've never had a head for these things.

Albert nods back to her and begins the lesson.

There are ten primary elements and a handful of minor ones.

Albert explains, his tone that of one accustomed to narration

Each element has its own consciousness. They were the creations of Luxis, god of life, and Azryth, god of death. These elements, the Erlithmanil, created Emynea. Each of them are the embodiment of or the personification of certain phenomena.

He taps the two columns and pauses to allow for questions. Tia appears mystified.

They are living elements, once considered gods.

Albert simplifies and this seems to register better

Some of them had children, the Aethid, which are the minor elements representing forces such as magma, sand, storms and even the matron of the Accian royal line, Sylthari the Celestial.

These elements actually exist?

Tia tries to clarify

They did have physical bodies once, yes. A long time ago.

Albert confirms

Accia, this floating city, was originally their home and they walked the world gifting humans, beasts and plants with their power. That is how each of us has racial magic. We inherit these abilities from our ancestors who were "blessed" by the elements. We can inherit two blessings which blend together as our magic form.

He pauses as Tia starts making mental connections, her gaze drifting.

"Used to"

Tia quotes him

What happened?

That is a lesson unto itself...

Albert states, restraining a sigh

I'll go more into those events in another session. It's a bit complicated and there are contradictory accounts... but knowing the Erlithmanil is an important foundation to understanding most magic and history.

What are these then?

Tia asks, her fingers tapping the monograms

Those are the aspects of the Erlithmanil.

Albert replies

Each element has five aspects. These divide the different pieces of the element they embody. Most are physical while other are mental. These aspects have their own elemental planes, linked to the physical world through various portals, but only those with Step manifestations can travel the planes directly. Nearly all of our inherited magic draws from a corresponding plane and it is our connection to them which enables our racial magic.

Albert pauses, Tia appearing a bit confused again

I'll draw them out for you but don't worry about memorizing them all right away!

Tia watches as Albert lists the elements, their aspects and what they all represent for her plainly.

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Zalikar—Darkness Dark Aspects Azowyr Shadow Vokda Void Siptalis Despair Felryth Fear Irkath Unknown

Lithmor—Light Light Aspects Kalitho Color Rithaldis Radiance Mpertem Joy Rylmar Hope Kanilwyr Knowledge

Wylrith—Water Water Aspects Ithisda Liquid Iska Ice Vapri Vapor Siryl Sea Lothvem Love

Ferith—Fire Fire Aspects Flithmar Flame Emryl Heat Shil Ash Corrust Explosive Zithvek Anger

Rylis—Air Air Aspects Oksi Gas Yrisni Wind Sonildaz Sound Fliris Movement Charnos Innovation

Ylithuum—Earth Earth Aspects Gokmar Mineral Oril Soil Martor Metal Gokrilvek Gravity Elbixur Tradition

Dalyeric—Decay Decay Aspects Ithkor Fungi Torith Poison Veksit Disease Bulok Bug Krithda Order

Raegeric—Energy Energy Aspects Beranok Electric Ylixa Chemical Ralgot Magnetic Ranalis Mind Elbixur Chaos

Lunil—Fauna Beasts Aspects Maralith Mammal Riptalis Reptile Iliog Amphibian Lishil Fish Besida Bird

Fliral—Flora Plant Aspects Barnok Crops Maroksi Grassland Torrym Forest Ithgalem Aquatic Lithyr Flower

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Tia scans over the list and Albert gives her the illustration to keep.

There are many theories, mysteries and philosophies studying and attempting to understand the intricacies and nature of these aspects and how they relate to each other...

Albert's speech quickens again as he rambles

But the important part for you to understand is how we name and classify all racial magic using these aspects. There are far too many potential forms out there to name them all individually, though some cultures have certainly tried, so instead we focus on the two abilities one can inherit individually. First by aspect and then by manifestation. For example,

He pauses and Tia looks up at him

Your family is famous for having Maralith's Form or "Mammal Form" meaning you can take on mammalian features—a minx specifically.

What kind of magic do you have?

Tia prods, catching him off guard

I've inherited Kanilwyr's Binding and Sonildaz's Will.

Albert explains and points to the aspects in his diagram

Meaning I have "knowledge binding" and "sound will". The second term in the classification describes how the connection can be used, its manifestation. Like aspects, there are both physical manifestations and mental manifestations. Some of these are common while others are more unique if not incredibly rare. The rarest kinds are far more powerful and complex but tend to only surface in specific bloodlines. Body manifestations are an excellent example, considered the ultimate expression of an aspect!

But...

Tia circles back

What does that mean, "knowledge binding"?

I have the ability to perfectly remember all information and knowledge I come across.

Albert clarifies and Tia raises her brows

I can see it clearly in my own mind and can pull it forward as needed, including my own memories. For example...

Albert points to another scroll

I know every word in this scroll and all images within without ever having to open it again. Essentially I collect knowledge by "binding" the memories to my mind.

No wonder your tutoring me!

Tia states matter-of-factly

That's brilliant!

I-I mean

Albert stumbles over his words, blushing

It isn't really any good in a fight...!

Eh

Tia shrugs off his self-dismissal

You can do a lot of good with that kind of ability. Unravel the world's mysteries!

Tia exaggerates and tugs on her ears

I look pretty cool but yours seems way more useful!

Y-your family's magic is renowned for it's combative potential…! But…

Albert mumbles, and looks at his scrolls again, trying to refocus on the lesson

There are a few manifestations that are present for every aspect. Auras are a good example.

Tia's ears pop forward, she had heard "aura" being mentioned before

An aura allows the caster to generate, summon, or radiate their aspect within a certain distance of themselves but the effects will fade when the caster loses concentration or runs out of energy.

Energy?

Tia questions, still tripping over the terminology.

Magic energy, to be specific.

Albert explains and his hand lands over his own chest

We all have an inner well of this energy which draws from our lifeforce. How large this well is differs person to person.

I never knew there were words for all of this!

Tia chuckles but tries to refocus, falling silent

Different people use these abilities it in their own way.

Albert continues

And for some elements an individual will summon a specific kind. Metals, minerals or plants are a good example. Gokmar's Aura allows the caster to summon a given kind of mineral. Whether this is cloaking their body in a specific gem, summoning granite barriers at a distance or flinging rocky projectiles at targets depends on the person and how they wield their aspect. Every aspect has an aura, even mental aspects.

Baa-chan says I have an aura?

Tia notes

But I don't remember which kind.

U-um...

Albert stutters

Unless the aura comes from your mother, you likely have Beranok Aura from your father. Although its not unheard of if you manifest Flithmar's Aura from your grandmother...

Tia snaps her fingers hearing the name.

That was it, Beranok!

She enunciates but pauses

You know my father's magic?

Yes, I've read many records and reports on military operations.

Albert explains readily

Your father was an active and vital agent of the kingdom for many years—legendary even among Generals! Masterful in ambush tactics. He even secured the most vital victory against Zhongguo!

Albert rattles off, getting lost in his explanation again

Tia listens to him vacantly, as if listening to the exploits of a stranger.

I... still have a hard time imagining my father as a soldier.

Tia admits when Albert pauses

He's just a gentle goofball!

Albert wonders if they are speaking of the same man, finding it hard to believe the fierce strategist he read about could be gentle or goofy.

So

Tia sighs

How does one.... "manifest" an aura?

You... you haven't used it before?

Albert tilts his head into his inquiry and Tia dons the same squirmy, discomfited demeanor she displayed earlier.

I used it once, on instinct.

Tia admits, letting her markings appear and running a charge over her hand

But I haven't been able to use it on purpose.

she frowns at his growing confusion, already tired of explaining this to everyone she meets

In Nippon

Tia repeats with a sigh, keeping her explanation brief

People keep their magic hidden.

She's expecting more blatant distaste as she slides her gaze to Albert but has to smother a laugh instead at his fascinated stare.

What a curious way to live...

Albert notes thoughtfully

Our lives are completely defined by our forms here. I can't imagine hiding them away.

Tia shrugs, grateful at least for his lack of malicious scrutiny.

It does make being here pretty exciting!

Tia's laugh is slight and tentative, dissipating entirely as her eyes catch on Albert's scrolls

If not a bit alarming to find how little I know.

Albert appraises her before speaking.

You're going to have a really hard time of it going forward.

Albert agrees

So let's dive back in!

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