Nature of Magic and Magic Items

The Essence is magical energy in its purest form. Magic permeates the environment and emanates from living beings, especially sapient and magical ones constantly. Essence is the foundation of all magic as well as a fundamental aspect of being. While the essence of any mortal is virtually limitless in theory, what determines its effect is the ability to extract it. Scholars have determined the existence of three levels for this purpose.

• The first level is called solid or natural, although it is also known as Aura. All living beings use it without exception, although in most cases, it is too weak to be noticed. Its form is determined by the species, although the strength and distribution of that strength vary from person to person. A person with a lot of essence at the natural level exhibits very powerful natural abilities such as enhanced strength, speed, and healing, or in some cases, it can be more spectacular like the regeneration of a troll or the breath of an ash wyvern. This level is not learned but can be trained.
• Then there is the learned or liquid level, also mistakenly called true magic, as mages are its typical users. It can be shaped through years of training but cannot be efficiently used without proper specialization. Since the distribution of essence at each level is limited, learning new forms of magic might require forgetting others.
• Finally, there is the free or gaseous essence, the essence that could be used but isn't used. Because it is a very raw form, it cannot be used without the aid of magical objects; on the other hand, its raw nature allows it to fuel magical objects.

The brain and the soul are essential for working with essence, which limits abilities in the three levels depending on the individual. Some say that strong and independent personalities are better at using essence, and while it's not proven, it is true that the most powerful users of essence have always been more inclined to lead or follow their own path rather than being followers of others. Similarly, just like with muscles, some uses of magic can be depleted if abused, especially those using liquid essence without proper specialization.

Magic Items

There are several types of magic items that are created around the world. They are classified as power and tax on the user.

Essential Items

By far the most common type, these ones are relatively easy to produce and have relatively powerful effects. However, they feed on the gaseous Essence of the users. Using them requires being attuned to them, and there's a variable limit on how many items a certain individual can be powering at the same time. Magic armor and weaponry and most adventurer magic items tend to be of that type.

Magical Structures

These are hard to produce and cumbersome enough to not be able to be carried around like portals and enchanted fortresses. They can be powerful and don't need attunement at all, but their huge size makes them not suitable for adventurers. Some others are giant magic items that creatures can attune to, doing so lets them benefit from a magical effect without having to worry about transporting any gear.

Charms

These are small and weak magic items that don't need a soul powering them. They tend to be practical items, like a gem that glows like a torch, a boat that folds into a box, or a magical lighter.

Consumables

Consumables are short-duration and one-use magical items like potions. They are not meant to last much.

Artifacts

These items cannot be fabricated by mortals and are literally chunks of divine power, pieces of reality, and mythical artifacts. The effects are powerful and unique and more than gear are items with epic sagas associated with them.

Type

Metaphysical, Arcane