The Two Traditions
The Elan within a human is many times more potent than elsewhere in the world. This makes the methods used to manipulate it different than manipulating Elan from a source not human. This has given rise to two different traditions of magic use throughout Orrus: Intrinsic and Focal. While the methods used have similarities, it is extremely difficult to grasp and master both traditions. Each school teaches its students in its own way, but there are universal regulations that, by law throughout Serrus, the schools must abide by.
The Intrinsic Tradition
This tradition teaches students how to manipulate the Elan of the world around them. Practitioners of this tradition can hurl fire, use buffets of wind to fly, walk on water, control beasts, and many other amazing feats. Casters that follow this tradition are called anything from Mages, Magisters, to Wizards and Sorcerers. The correct term for a fully sanctioned Intrinsic caster is called a Theurgist or Thaumaturge. Intrinsic casters tend to be observant of the world around them and respect all things to an equal degree.The Focal Tradition
This tradition teaches students how to manipulate the Elan within themselves and other human beings. Most of their spells enhance, modify, or change their own bodies, but other spells are used on others, such as healing, enhancing, draining, or charming. Divination spells also fall under the Focal tradition. Casters that are of the Focal tradition are commonly called Adepts. Focal casters tend to spend time meditating on The Creator, the limits of their psyche, body, and soul as well as sharpening their perception.Our ability to manipulate the Elan does not come without a price. It is extremely taxing on our bodies and souls, for we manipulate the very fabric of Orrus which our Great Creator shaped when the world was primordial and young. Do not, in a show of pride, assume you have mastered its secrets. This would surely be a deadly folly leading to your death or the deaths of others.
