Magic
Overview:
Magic is subtle and rare. Very few posses the gift, and scholars have not reached a consensus on why or how magic exists. A typical peasant will likely have never seen it in use.
What is known about magic is that it apparently involves the manipulation of life force and the elements. Those with the gift can use an invisible, unknown source of energy to change the Material plane with only thought, motion, and words.
Magical Potential:
Magical potential, Mana, the Power, or simply Magic is the source of energy drawn on by Magic users to manipulate the material realm. Though the nature of this energy is mostly uncertain, there is a large body of knowledge on how it can be manipulated by sentient beings. Those with magical potential can draw energy into themselves, and can learn to siphon increasingly large amounts with practice. This energy can be applied to create fire, light, or even change the weather, to list a few uses.
The best understood magic users are those who receive their abilities from some type of patron. One example are the Warlocks. It has been equivocally established that those who are lucky (or unlucky) enough to contact a druna (an Ethereal Power) and survive can be granted Power to perform acts of Eldritch force. It is thought that the relatively numerous Paladins, Clerics, and Druids all receive their abilities in a similar fashion, though from different entities.
Conversely, little is known about the true nature of Wizards and Sorcerers. These casters seem to have the most "pure" manifestations of magic, in the sense that their ability directly manipulates the elements. How they draw magical energy is a mystery, but there are many prevailing theories.
Theories of the Nature of Magic:
The Magical Wind theory is the most widely accepted school of thought regarding the nature of Magic. This idea posits that the "Winds of Magic" - an invisible force - flow through the world, and that certain folk have the ability to siphon it off. Usefully, it accounts for the fact that certain areas of the world are more predisposed to bearing magic-users, because the Winds of Magic flow more strongly in those regions.
The Souldrawing theory posits that Magic users draw on the souls of animals and plants to cast spells. This theory has many proponents among those versed in Vampire lore, for those foul creatures are able to siphon the life-force of others for their own benefit. The Souldrawing theory assumes that all magic users gain their power in a similar manner.
The Reservoir theory posits that certain individuals are born with an automatically-replenishing pool of magical energy. This energy can be used up throughout a day and is restored during sleep. This theory accurately accounts for the limited number of spells an individual can cast, but does not fully describe why these individuals have the Power, nor where it comes from.
Forbidden Magic: Animancy and Necromancy
Numerous schools of magic exist: conjuration, evocation, enchantment, etc. But none are as mistrusted as Animancy and Necromancy. Animancy is the school of magic concerned with bringing inanimate objects to life - golems, puppets, and so forth. Though seemingly benign, Tyrian inquisitors view this as presumptuous and "playing God". Necromancy is even more despised than Animancy. Though many spells of healing and resurrection technically fall under the school of Necromancy and are well accepted, the school also contains spells able to raise the dead. This act is considered heretical and evil by most.
Magic is subtle and rare. Very few posses the gift, and scholars have not reached a consensus on why or how magic exists. A typical peasant will likely have never seen it in use.
What is known about magic is that it apparently involves the manipulation of life force and the elements. Those with the gift can use an invisible, unknown source of energy to change the Material plane with only thought, motion, and words.
Magical Potential:
Magical potential, Mana, the Power, or simply Magic is the source of energy drawn on by Magic users to manipulate the material realm. Though the nature of this energy is mostly uncertain, there is a large body of knowledge on how it can be manipulated by sentient beings. Those with magical potential can draw energy into themselves, and can learn to siphon increasingly large amounts with practice. This energy can be applied to create fire, light, or even change the weather, to list a few uses.
The best understood magic users are those who receive their abilities from some type of patron. One example are the Warlocks. It has been equivocally established that those who are lucky (or unlucky) enough to contact a druna (an Ethereal Power) and survive can be granted Power to perform acts of Eldritch force. It is thought that the relatively numerous Paladins, Clerics, and Druids all receive their abilities in a similar fashion, though from different entities.
Conversely, little is known about the true nature of Wizards and Sorcerers. These casters seem to have the most "pure" manifestations of magic, in the sense that their ability directly manipulates the elements. How they draw magical energy is a mystery, but there are many prevailing theories.
Theories of the Nature of Magic:
The Magical Wind theory is the most widely accepted school of thought regarding the nature of Magic. This idea posits that the "Winds of Magic" - an invisible force - flow through the world, and that certain folk have the ability to siphon it off. Usefully, it accounts for the fact that certain areas of the world are more predisposed to bearing magic-users, because the Winds of Magic flow more strongly in those regions.
The Souldrawing theory posits that Magic users draw on the souls of animals and plants to cast spells. This theory has many proponents among those versed in Vampire lore, for those foul creatures are able to siphon the life-force of others for their own benefit. The Souldrawing theory assumes that all magic users gain their power in a similar manner.
The Reservoir theory posits that certain individuals are born with an automatically-replenishing pool of magical energy. This energy can be used up throughout a day and is restored during sleep. This theory accurately accounts for the limited number of spells an individual can cast, but does not fully describe why these individuals have the Power, nor where it comes from.
Forbidden Magic: Animancy and Necromancy
Numerous schools of magic exist: conjuration, evocation, enchantment, etc. But none are as mistrusted as Animancy and Necromancy. Animancy is the school of magic concerned with bringing inanimate objects to life - golems, puppets, and so forth. Though seemingly benign, Tyrian inquisitors view this as presumptuous and "playing God". Necromancy is even more despised than Animancy. Though many spells of healing and resurrection technically fall under the school of Necromancy and are well accepted, the school also contains spells able to raise the dead. This act is considered heretical and evil by most.
Type
Metaphysical, Arcane
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