Magic
Magic is a type of energy or force that is produced by the Source. Its interactions with Creation often produce supernatural results, beyond what would be considered natural.
Creatures, from Gods to Mortals can harness and channel Magic to produce magical and supernatural effects through the art of Spellcasting. Some creatures are even innately magical or have innate magical abilities, allowing them to produce magical effects naturally, as part of their biology, like how a Fire Dragon can breathe fire.
Table of Contents
The Source
The Source, sometimes called the River of Magic, is one of the primal cosmic forces of the Universe, similar to the flow of Time. It is a constant stream of Magic that flows through almost every aspect of the Universe, invisible for the most part. Spellcasters and innately magical creatures can draw on the Source, harnessing and channelling it through them to produce magical effects.
The Source is intimately tied to the Primordial Goddess Hekate, who is the embodiment and personification of the Source, and the Goddess of Magic.
Spells & Spellcasting
Spellcasting is the art of harnessing and channelling the Magic produced by the Source. Spellcasting is used by creatures to produce a vast range of supernatural effects that would be beyond what they would naturally be able to do.
Unlike creatures with innate Magic, Spellcasting requires the use of Spells to produce their desired result. Spells are incantations or runic formulas, that when used in combination with Magic that has been harnessed by a Spellcaster, are capable of producing specific magical effects. To produce a different effect requires the use of a different Spell.
Spell Incantations
Each Spell requires a different incantation, which is a combination of words, gestures and materials, known as components. The incantation dictates the effect, area of effect, distance and even target of the Spell, with an incantation having to be changed in accordance with a different desired result.
Many Spellcasters use a Focus to help channel Magic, such as a wand or staff. A Focus usually replaces the need for material components in Spell incantations.
Spellcasting incantations use their own language, unique to Magic, and shared among all Spellcasters. These words have power and can not be used in casual conversation, as each word represents the true nature, or essence, of it's subject. The exact wording and tone of this language directs the Source to produce the desired effect. This can also be used in a written format through the use of magical runes.
Different Spellcasting practices have their own unique “dialect” of this language, and the different Schools of Magic also have specific sets of words and runes that are utilised in their Spells. Understanding this language allows learned Spellcasters to quickly identify Spells and their effects, even if they have never encountered them before. It even allows Spellcasters to create and develop their own Spells. Arcane Runes are also inscribed on Magic Items in the process of Magically enchanting them.
Channelling Magic
Spellcasting also requires the user to channel Magic from the Source, allowing it to flow through them, in order to fuel their Spells. The more Magic an individual can channel through them, the more powerful of a Spell they can cast. But this comes at a cost, Spellcasting is exhausting, and the more Magic you draw upon the more energy your body expends. Pushing these limits too far has a chance to kill you.
But like a muscle, it can be trained with practice, allowing an individual to develop their magical strength and endurance, allowing them to channel more Magic, and both cast more Spells, as well as more powerful Spells.
Spell Levels
Spells are often categorised with levels to help Spellcasters gauge what type of Spells they are capable of casting. The higher the level the Spell is categorised as, the more Magic is required in order to cast it.
After the creation of The Divine Gate, Mortals are only capable of channelling enough Magic to perform Spells upwards of 9th level, with Spells of 10th level or above lost to The Fall of Arcanum .
Spellcasting Practices
The art of Spellcasting is split into three distinct practices, each categorised by different techniques and ways of channelling Magic. These practices are categorised as Arcane, Divine and Primal Magic.
Arcane
Arcane Magic is the practice of drawing Magic from the Source, usually directly.
Arcane Magic is the most common Spellcasting practice, yet is considered the most difficult to learn.
Divine
Divine Magic is the practice of drawing Magic from a Divine source, like a Deity. Divine Spellcasters usually channel Magic through their Divine source, instead of channelling it directly from the Source.
Spells cast through Divine Magic usually take on aspects of the Divine source the Magic was channelled through.
Primal
Primal Magic, sometimes called Druidic Magic or Elemental Magic, is the practice of drawing Magic from the natural world or the Elemental Planes. Instead of directly channelling Magic from the Source, Primal Spellcasters channel their Magic through the natural Magic that permeates all living things. Primal Spellcasters may also channel their Magic through either an Elemental entity, or from the Elemental Planes itself.
Spells cast through Primal Magic usually take on aspects of the natural world or aspects of the Elemental source the Magic was channelled through.
Spellcasting Origin
Spellcasting is further categorised by how Spellcasters acquire their Magic. While the most common way an individual can get access to Magic is through years of study, some Spellcasters are able to cast Magic innately, and others can be gifted access to Magic by an external source.
Study
Study is the most common way people learn how to cast Spells. This process involves years of training and practice to learn how to channel Magic and memorise all the complex rules and spell incantations. Anyone, no matter their background, with enough time and training can learn to cast Spells through diligent study, though it sometimes comes easier to some than to others.
Innate
Some creatures are able to innately cast Spells, they do not require years of training and are instead infused with Magic, which courses through their very being. Innate Spellcasters are biologically capable of channelling Magic, with incantations coming to them naturally, like an instinct, instead of having to be memorised. Some innate Spellcasters are even capable of casting Spells, or creating Spell-like effects, without the need for incantations.
Gifted
Some powerful entities are capable of gifting the ability to cast Spells to individuals. These Spellcasters, sometimes called Warlocks, can cast spells with very little practice or training, closely resembling those who are able to cast Spells innately. Warlocks channel their Magic through the entity that gifted them their Magic, commonly called a Patron, similar to how Divine Magic operates, with Spells cast by Warlocks usually taking on aspects of their Patron.
Gifted Spellcasting usually comes at a cost. Since a Warlock's Magic is channelled through their Patron, unlike with Divine Magic, a Warlock's Patron controls their access to Magic, and can take it away at any time. Because of this Warlocks usually act in the service of their Patron, or their risk losing access to Magic.
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