Magical Paradigms

A paradigm, or tradition, is a set of rules and rituals used by a spellcaster to perform magic. Many of the traditions are interrelated, and it is a little more complex than a hierarchy, but some researchers are interested in discovering these connections. It is a particular pursuit of the Order of Aleftav to study the fundamentals of magic, as their order grew out of an older tradition that was neither quite divine nor academic.

Alchemy

When the average person thinks of a wizard they think of wizards locked up in their towers doing research, and the wizard they envision is almost always technically a student of Alchemy. Although that same average person would associate Alchemy solely with potions - and possibly, turning base metals into gold - it is the ancient art of Alchemy that has lead to the modern, 'academic' style wizard that the world knows and loves now. The study of Alchemy is that of studying the natural laws of metaphysics and learning how to manipulate them to achieve your desire.

Innate

Some people and other creatures just seem to be born with magical powers that they draw on almost instinctively. Many spellcasters who call themselves 'sorcerers' start out this way, although they usually supplement their natural talent with Alchemic study. Some have also branched out to study other kinds of magic, but this is rarer.

Spiritual

The earliest kinds of magic are based on religious traditions, and even the rites, rituals, and prayers learned by clerics can be said to be an extension of traditions that began with shamans imploring spirits. Typically the ritualist calls upon spirits to aid them, but they need not necessarily venerate these spirits. Some traditions involve binding and commanding demons while warning against their wicked ways. Extreme caution is meant to be taken when dealing with such spirits.

Deific

A sub-heading of spiritual, this type of magic is tied to a specific entity. Most clerics and warlocks fall under this category. The range of effects that are able to be produced are more limited than other kinds of spiritual magic, and casters who allow themselves to call upon spirits other than their patron are usually able to achieve a slightly wider variety. Since beseeching an entity opposed to your deity would upset the patron, they still typically restrict themselves to allies or servants of the deity.

Natural

The magic of the druids, also harnessed by some rangers. A druid doesn't usually classify this as magic. To them, it is mostly about being so in tune with the natural world that they can communicate with it and ask it to aid them. Some researchers wonder if this still a sort of unconscious deific or spiritual practice.

Witchcraft

Witchcraft seems to have grown out of mostly natural magic, but has a tad more spiritual practice in it. Witches often do call upon spirits in their rituals, but they are also more likely to know what herb to make tea out of to cure your ills than they are to use healing magic, for example.

Bardic

Bardic magic grew out of the intense study of psychology. Music is a major area of research in bardic magic due to its power over the psyche, but being able to use the bardic paradigm is not limited to musicians.