Philomancy

Philomancy is one of the twelve schools of magic that are practiced on Phaldorya. According to the guidelines of the Mages' conclave, all wizards and magicians accept to learn and focus on one specialty only. A wizard that explores all the paths of his school, often, will be able to achieve much more than the typical spells of that career. Strongly interwoven and supported by Fand's cult in its earlier times, this school of magic is focused in the detection and manipulation of emotions. Expert philomancers will be able to make someone fall in love or in hatred toward the caster or, even, someone else; they can command a target to do something they wouldn't do, although they cannot impose self-harm or something that will go against the foundations of the target's moral.

The seven known circles and typical spells

Cantrips

The most basic level of magic knowledge aren't even classified in a circle, controlling a small quantity of magical energy the caster will be able to achieve a simple effect. Typical abjurators' cantrips are Read Magic, Daze, Arcane Mark and other similar applications.

First circle

With a small amount of practice and concentration a wizard will be able to control enough magical power to cast simple spells such as Cause Fear, Charm Person, Hypnotism and Sleep.

Second Circle

As the ability of casters to tap into the magic energy increases the effects produced by their spells become more significant. Typical spells of the second circle are Daze Monster, Hideous Laughter, Scare and Touch of Idiocy.

Third Circle

Accessing the third circle of power Philomancers become able to control sufficient magic power to induce someone to follow a course of action of their choice. Enchantments in this circle comprise Deep Slumber, Heroism, Hold Person, Rage and Suggestion.

Fourth Circle

Acquiring the control of the fourth circle of power allows philomancers to make a monster believe they are allies. Furthermore, will allow them to create more effective commanding spells such as Charm Monster, Confusion, Crushing Despair and Lesser Geas.

Fifth Circle

The fifth circle grants the ability to give permanent effects to spells, furthermore the caster gains skills to immobilize monsters where they stand. The list of spell includes Dominate Person, Feeblemind, Hold Monster, Mind Fog, Symbol of Sleep and Permanency.

Sixth Circle

The sixth circle of power consent casters to generate commanding spells that will affect in the same moment a larger number of targets. The list of the spells in this circle includes Geas/Quest, Greater Heroism, Mass Suggestion, Symbol of Persuasion and Symbol of Fear.

Seventh Circle

The seventh circle is the most powerful re-descovered so far, the philomancers will be able to drive insane a target. Spells in this circle comprise Mass Hold Person, Insanity, Power Word Blind and Symbol of Stunning.

Access & Availability

A wannabe magician, who wants to learn the ways of Philomancy, has first to pass the test to get admitted as a student in the Mesmerizing Tower of Alambar. This was the second school of magic to be opened after the Great War of the Mages, but the lobbying by Fand's clergy played a significant role to grant the acceptance of the magician Hekelis' petition by the king's council. The population feelings in regards to Philomancers are strongly divided, because some of them are surrounded by appreciation and respect, but nobody has ever forgotten that Aitor Salgado was originally a Philomancer. For this reason, the Inquisition monitors closely the magicians who elect this path for their career, assuming that the past has given sufficient clues indicating that Philomancers cannot be trusted.

Discovery

Philomancy is, equally to the other magic disciplines, as old as time, before the Great War of the Mages it was common for wizards to cast very complicate spells and control vast amounts of magical energy. Although, the conflagration permanently changed the aspect of Phaldorya and lot of the knowledge of magic was lost and had to be researched anew, presently seven circles of magic power can be controlled by the most powerful magicians. The legends give account of the exhistence of twelve circles of magic, even if there may be more.