Wordsmithing

There is an art to science, and a science to art. Not opposites, but two sides of the same coin.
— Excerpt from the book "The Art of Linguomancy"

Wordsmithing ("Forgemot" in French) is a practical science that studies and decomposes the Language into syntactic elements called Words. These elements instead define an idea and can manifest in multiple ways, like speech, gestures, opinions or symbols. Words are then forged together into a single sentence, a unique spell called Idiom.
The Words and Idioms used in Wordsmithing exhibit a structure comparable to any spoken or written language, conveying meaning and capable of being organized into more complex ideas, codes, instructions and sentences. However, they function as distinct elements outside traditional spoken languages, with different applications and definitions. Consequently, their usage isn't universal, and not every word from any spoken language can be employed to create a Word or Idiom suitable for Wordsmithing.
Instead, Words are the products of a science, being systematic hypotheses that have been discovered and predicted throughout history ; all in order to refine the ideas and meaning they express. As time passed and the knowledge expanded, definitions have been remade, gestures have become more comprehensive, vocal tones improved in clarity and Words became more precise. Their morphology has been refined through study in order to better encompass the core ideas that they represent, simplifying their usage and broadening their application with other Words. As of today, the vast majority of Words are applicable between each other.
The action of creating an Idiom out of Words is called "smithing". Smithing Idioms is akin to writing literature, typing code, making recipes or composing music. For this reason, the practice of Wordsmithing is not only regarded as a fundamental science, but also heavily ingrained as a cultural art form.
Wordsmithing is a branch of study with many different subdisciplines, defined by the Words themselves. The mastery of even one discipline can take decades of study, similar to a modern university degree or doctorate. While it is possible to learn multiple disciplines in a lifetime, most people tend to focus on a single one.

Life emerges from the Balance. From the Balance emerges the ability to bend destiny.
— Excerpt from the book "The Art of Linguomancy"

The act of smithing Idioms and releasing Flux is a feat only possible by the Balance of all Strata. Manipulating Flux begins in the innermost Stratum, then expands outwards through the others :

First, a living creature harvests energy from the Flux in its own essence.
Second, it channels the idea of the manifestation with its mind and will.
Then, it conducts the energy through its shape and designs the expression with its body.
Finally, once the energy is harvested, the idea is created and the design is built, the Idiom is expelled into reality.

While Idioms are more demanding on the Stratum they draw upon, the entirety of a living being is used in order to channel them. Due to this, Wordsmithing is an interdisciplinary practice, pushing its disciples to their maximum potential.
A talented wordsmith doesn't just have inner strength, willpower or mental resourcefulness ; but is also physically fit, resilient and agile. If any Stratum of a wordsmith is unbalanced or lacking, their overall Flux output suffers as a result.

Words are tools. The only thing you need is to understand.
— Synopsis from the book "The Art of Linguomancy"

An Idiom can be defined by multiple Words, but the only requirement to cast one is by understanding and attuning oneself to the Language. Words define instructions, like grasping the idea of an Idiom, feeling the correct emotion, thinking of the correct manifestation or harvesting the correct energy. As such, Words are not the origin of Idioms, but rather tools helping the caster achieve the consequence itself : they help the caster focus and align their being to the Flux as described inside an Idiom. To put it differently, Words are the recipe, not the ingredients.
A dedicated wordsmith sufficiently attuned with an Idiom would not even need the use of Words to cast it ; an extremely difficult feat, akin to knowing an entire novel by heart, with its length depending on the Idiom's complexity. As a result, complex Idioms necessitate a lot more Words in order to be cast successfully, and novices usually tend to use a lot more Words in their Idioms in order to help them focus better.

Move, speak, think. Focus your being, harness the power.
— Synopsis from the book "The Art of Linguomancy"

Words can take many forms, like symbols, ideas, gestures, state of mind, or emotion. While Idioms can be composed of many different Words depending on their complexity, all of them are defined by two core Words : a Noun and a Verb. Those categories of Words are crucial parts of any Idiom, as they describe its procedure, akin to a cooking recipe.

Noun

Nouns are a core category of Words defining a concrete or abstract energy, like physical elements, concepts, states of existence, and ideas. They determine the energy harvested in an Idiom, helping the caster understand the range and domain of what they cast.
Nouns have been discovered and redefined multiple times throughout history in order to better encompass the ideas that they represent.
Each Noun is composed of multiple sub-definitions called Nuances ; Words defining the different domains of mastery and specialties the noun draws from.

Verb

Verbs are a core category of Words defining a manifestation, like an explosion, enchantment, curse or projectile. They help the caster understand the application of what they cast, and in which way to manipulate the energy to achieve the desired outcome.
Just like Nouns, Verbs have been discovered and redefined multiple times throughout history in order to both better attune their definition to their intended result, but also in order to be applicable with every Noun. Verbs that do not work with every Noun are called Wild Verbs.

When smithing an Idiom, the wordsmith can add specific Words to their Idioms in order to manipulate the desired outcome. They adjust the purpose of an Idiom, akin to cooking spices.

Adjective / Intent

Adjectives are an application of Intents in an Idiom. Intents are a category of Words defining an aspiration, purpose or desire. They can manipulate and alter the way Idioms are manifested, for example by increasing the Idiom's efficiency or divert its resource costs. They help the wordsmith focus and understand the goal of the Idiom they smith.

Nuance

Nuances are unique Words defining the subdiscipline of a Noun. All the nuances of a Noun help define the different domains of mastery and specialties it has power onto. Most Idioms utilize a single Nuance, but some Idioms can fall under multiple.

Finally, some Words do not define anything and only help the wordsmith focus. They are used in Idioms in order to familiarize the wordsmith with its complexity, aligning their being and making the casting possible.

Sigil

Sigils are visual symbols representing a given Word : a Noun, Verb or Intent. Like a coding variable, they act as a suite of instructions and ideas, compacted and engraved into a unique motif.
While their usage isn't necessary to smith Idioms, they greatly help the wordsmith concentrate and focus their Flux into a desired manifestation.

Gesture

Gestures are somatic elements helping the wordsmith attune their shape while smithing an Idiom. Gestures vary widely through Idioms and wordsmiths, allowing them to both channel Flux inside their essence, then conduct it outwards through their bodies.
Any kind of gesture works regardless of the Idiom, so long as it helps the wordsmith clearly understand the intent and manifestation. For example, both a hand flick or a dance can help concentrate a single Idiom, but the complexity of a dance can help the wordsmith attune their being more efficiently, especially on powerful Idioms.
Being a physical element, gestures are especially efficient at focusing Idioms from the Strata of Matter.

Vocalism

Vocalisms are verbal elements helping the wordsmith attune their will while smithing an Idiom. Vocalisms vary widely through Idioms and wordsmiths, allowing them to manifest Flux with their mind by defining tone, emotion and expression.
Any kind of vocals work regardless of the Idiom, so long as it helps the wordsmith clearly understand the intent and manifestation. For example, an insult, a formula and a one-liner can all help concentrate a single Idiom, but the complexity of a complete formula can help the wordsmith attune their being more efficiently, especially on powerful Idioms.
Being a mental element, vocalisms are especially efficient at focusing Idioms from the Strata of Mind.

Perspective

Perspectives are metaphysical elements helping the wordsmith attune their essence while smithing an Idiom. They allow a wordsmith to utilize their worldview, opinion, outlook and state of minds in order to align their being to the Flux.
Perspectives are much rarer as utilizable Words ; they require an extremely specific alignment in order to ingrain the understanding of a Word inside one's soul.
Being a metaphysical element, perspectives are especially efficient at focusing Idioms from the Strata of Essence.

Affinity

Affinities are unique learning abilities tied to the soul. They are Words naturally and permanently engraved inside one's essence at birth. They cannot be altered or removed.
Affinities naturally attune the soul of their bearer to a specific Noun or Nuance. This improves their learning ability greatly, while hampering their ability to grow in other Nouns.
While they are rare, affinities are the only known Words that can help cast Idioms from the Strata of Reality.