Primal Magic
"I am but a part of the forest, and the forest a part of me."
At the foundation of all planes lies the lifeblood of both primalism and existence itself—the Leylines. A vast, interwoven network of energy, these cosmic threads stretch taut across the fabric of reality, forming the very framework upon which the planes rest. Through their veins, the nourishing ichor of the Sourcewell flows, sustaining all that is. And for those attuned to their resonant song, the Leylines are more than mere conduits—they are the path to true harmony with existence itself.
Primalism
Those who harness the powers of primal magic, often called primalists, connect deeply with nature to understand its needs. Through both physical cues in the environment and an empathic bond with the natural world, they learn how to nurture and protect it. Those who actively corrupt nature’s sanctity or threaten to disrupt its delicate balance are met with rejection at best, and may be slaughtered by the wilds at worst. Druids, kineticists, rangers, and even some sorcerers are all considered practitioners of primalism.
Orthodox Leylines
Orthodox Leylines, or simply Leylines, are thin and nearly imperceptible to those without a connection to nature, lie beneath the surface of every plane, their presence mirroring the flow of life itself. Each Leyline ultimately traces back to an Evergate, a conduit through which positive energy from the Sourcewell flows. In this way, if the Sourcewell is imagined as a great waterfall, the Evergates serve as its largest rivers, while the Leylines are the finer streams that branch off of the Evergates into the planes, sustaining them with vital energy. Most Leylines are considered orthodox, naturally forming where life flourishes and unraveling into frayed remnants where it wanes. Though as nature wanes, so too do the Leylines they draw from, but it is exceptionally rare for a primalist to be without a Leyline to tap into. A rare few Leylines have been altered by greater forces—often by entities beyond the natural order. These Deviant Leylines, imbued with immense power and potential, carry both great promise and peril for those who fail to respect their power.
Deviant Leylines
As rare as they are precious, Deviant Leylines are conduits of immense power. They arise when an Orthodox Leyline is inundated with an overwhelming surge of energy, absorbing and redirecting a portion of it to form a singular, deviant thread. These Leylines can embody the essence of any magical tradition—some pulse with the astral might of the cosmos, others resonate with the elusive energies of the occult, some are suffused with a fragment of divinity, while others overflow with nature’s raw vitality. While primalists can only attune to those infused with familiar energies, practitioners of other mystical arts can harness Deviant Leylines aligned with their own disciplines, greatly amplifying their abilities and unlocking extraordinary potential.
The World-Base
The Leylines' reflection of life is no coincidence—while life itself nourishes their creation, their very presence strengthens and connects all forms of life wherever they are found. For those with an affinity for primalism, it is possible to directly tap into this connection. Known as the World-Base, this network can be envisioned as the collective web of Leylines within a plane. When a primalist immerses themselves in it, they often describe the experience as a deep dive into the natural world, where, for brief moments, a profound link forms between the caster and the life around them—be it friendly or otherwise. This bond responds to the caster’s will, provided they remain in nature’s favor. While not everyone is born with an innate connection to the Leylines, every living being holds the potential to awaken this power. However, scholars and druids alike continue to debate the precise methods for unlocking this awakening.
Absence of Leylines
A primalist is rarely without their Leylines—they are an ever-present force, a constant companion, and a formidable power. However, it is not impossible to sever a primalist from their source of power. With sufficient expertise, one can create Tributaries where life does not flow, rendering primalists powerless on these planes. While Tributaries are typically short-lived, the most infamous example is the Anchor Plane known as Galzahad, which is home to massive, artificial Leylines pulsing with souls and energies that are anathema to nature itself. Primalists who must venture into such realms are forced to commune with the World-Base, temporarily offering themselves as a living Leyline. This process, while often overwhelming on most planes due to the surging life forces, serves as a vital conduit on places like Galzahad, establishing the necessary connection to the flow of power.
Language of the Wild
The constant hum of the World-Base is like a language in its own right, akin to a beautiful birdsong. Those who wield the power of nature often come to understand this language on a deep, beyond-intuitive level, mastering its nuances and even expressing its rhythms and flows through physical script. As druids are the most recognized speakers of this "wildsong," the language is sometimes referred to as Druidic. However, other nature devotees may also come to understand it, often drawn into its resonance by the will of nature itself.
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