Laws of Magic

"This is a time of great change in your life, in a lot of ways. Discovering the seed of magic in you is just another one of those changes. But like those other changes, it's a good thing in the long run, even if you find it embarrassing now!"
Arnold Vank, Magic And You: A Learning Guide For Ages 12 - 18

Manifestation

The Laws of Magic

1. Magic is a form of energy. It can neither be created nor destroyed, only redistributed.
2. Not all magic is the same.
3. The energy a user may draw from whatever affinity resonates with them can be stored and then used to perform magic.
4. There are two predominant categories for magic. Natural magic and urban magic. Natural magic is based around the earth, or the sea, or wilderness. A natural aligned user will be at their strongest and most comfortable in nature. Clean environments and untouched locations are favoured. These users will usually practice earth magic, water magic, weather magic, or other forms that require a connection to the planet.
5. Urban magic is based around cities, or industry, or sentience based activities. An urban aligned user will be strongest and at their most comfortable in cities. Busy streets and developed land are favoured. These users will usually practice electric magic, music magic, mechanical magic, or other forms that require infrastructure or many people.
6. Places are alive. Named places are stronger, and can begin to form consciousness. The longer a place has been named, the stronger it gets.
7. Networks in these places, specifically urban environments, of any sort- organisations, gangs, and communities- are like veins in a city's body.
8. A user will become aware of their connection to magic in one of many ways. They may find themselves under threat and instinct intervenes to save them. They may be tested for it. They may find themselves in a place perfectly attuned to their affinity, and like a lightning rod, have magic drawn to them.

Affinity

A user's affinity is their natural power source. They draw energy from its presence, and can intentionally use these sources as batteries, draining them and refilling their own tank. Users will have one affinity they are naturally drawn to. If they practice and work hard they can eventually learn to pull energy from other sources, but will not be revitalised by their mere presence.

How Magic Works

A user attempting to perform some kind of active magic comes in stages. 1. Gathering sufficient energy for the action desired. The larger the action, the more energy required. If the user is near a source of energy, they will be able to achieve more. Otherwise they will draw on their own store of energy.
2. A visualisation or willing of the action to happen.
3. Either success, or re-attempt.
For example, picking a lock. The user may attempt to manipulate the metal of the lock to open, using a small concentrated amount of force, or- if metal is their affinity- make it move. A user may also try and melt the lock, or blast it apart, if they do not have the delicacy for manipulating it. Some kinds of magic are passive. A user may subconsciously heal themselves if they are hurt, for example, or attempt to. Also, if very close to the source of their affinity, they may find themselves expending excess energy by scrying or other less controlled actions.
There are more complex forms of magical actions that need preparation or spells of some description. This would cover trying to summon creatures, or cause a large change. Then spoken words direct the attempted action more clearly. Users tend to work with standardised versions of the spells because well used words have power, but as long as the meaning is the same a powerful user can say what they like.
If a user is attempting a spell that requires more energy than they have, they may use ‘sacrifices’ that match their affinity or the form of the spell- this can be anything from setting a fire to feeding entire people to the energy.

Type

Metaphysical, Arcane