Spirits and Magic
Spirits of magic are creatures of nature. With the exception of Martial, they have a common presence all over Shavirouk and tend to be ignored. The various types of spirit take on different forms and shapes.
Depending on how the individual chooses to practice their particular form of magic, their spirit will change and adapt. The following are the most common classes of magic user, and how they interact with birthright spirits.
Artificer - Contrary to popular belief, Artificers don't actually use magic. Rather, they use advanced technology that can replicate the effects of magic. Examples of these can be found in the Fabrials page.
Bard - These are individuals who have a natural comradery with their birthright spirit. They work together as a pair of friends more than anything else, the magic guided by the bard through communication. The spirit is conscious though not sentient, and as such it is mostly unaware of its connection with the Bard, generally behaving as if in a lucid dream more than being fully awake.
Blood Hunter - These are individuals who have an conscious though not sentient birthright spirit. To gain access to the magic of the spirit, the blood hunter must give up a piece of themselves in exchange for temporary strength or magical ability from their birthright spirit. This is most often done through self harm of the Blood Hunter's physical form. The magic is brought out by careful cuts, or piercings.
Cleric - These are individuals who are powerfully allied with their sentient birthright spirit. Clerics and their sentient spirit generally have similar ideals of right and wrong, and their shared passion grants them power unlike that of most other bonds. The magic is used by a common understanding and goal.
Druid - These are individuals who's own soul has almost melded with their sentient birthright spirit. The two work together so smoothly and naturally that they seem to be almost one, though the spirit is typically stronger than the druid they are bonded to. The bond between the druid and their birthright spirit grants the druid the ability to change form, as well as a powerful connection to the natural magics of Shavirouk. The magic is drawn forth by empathy and connection.
Paladin - These are individuals who swear an oath, or many oaths, to an ideal. This oath sworn to their sentient birthright spirit compels the spirit to grant the paladin a portion of their own strength and power. However, due to the nature of the bond, a broken oath often results in a loss of power as the spirit will revoke the given power when the bond is ruined.
Ranger - These are individuals who have a bond similar to that of druids though inverted. Unlike the bond between a druid and their spirit, the ranger tends to be the more powerful of this paring. This magic is brought through a natural connection between the two.
Sorcerer - These are individuals who are powerfully bonded with their birthright spirit. These bonds start with a conscious birthright spirit, though the sorcerer is typically unaware of the connection. However, the spirit will still be able to grant powerful abilities to their bondmate, even without sentience, reacting to the needs and desires of their bondmate. This bond is one of the most natural and powerful between an individual and an insentient birthright spirit, though potentially one of the most dangerous and chaotic as well due to the general lack of understanding.
Warlock - These are individuals who most often gain their magical abilities from creatures or forces beyond their own birthright spirit. In this case, the warlock's birthright spirit acts as a conduit for power, rather than the source. Due to this strange connection, the warlock is only partially bonded with their spirit, while also being partially bonded with the spirit of another creature.
Wizard - These are individuals who spend much time studying the bonds between birthright spirits and their bondmates, as well as other natural spirits of magic. While the wizard's spirit is insentient, this study allows the individual to gain access to a wide variety of abilities to an extent that many others are unable to reach. The magic comes from discipline and careful practice, allowing wizards to regularly gain access to a much wider variety and more expansive amount of magics than others might.
When an individual multiclasses, this does not change the base nature of their bond with their birthright spirit, rather it is an extension or expansion built on top of this bond. It can somewhat shift the spirit towards or away from sentience or consciousness, though the initial form of the bond most often remains the strongest.
In general, there are 3 main forms of interaction between a spell caster and their birthright spirit; Those who have high intelligence gain their magic from practice, study, and discipline. Those who have great wisdom gain their magic from connection, empathy, and understanding. And those who have natural charisma gain theirs from direct communication, through music, art, discussion, or other similar such forms.
Types of Spirits of Magic
The majority of spirits of magic are conscious though not sentient, behaving as a natural part of the world, like an animal. Each spirit has their own unique characteristics, and are typically named for what it is they most often interact with.Birthright Spirits
Any person born into a nation of Shavirouk, with the exception of the nation of Martial, will be immediately bonded to a Birthright Spirits.Birthless Spirits
Birthless spirits are entities that appear throughout the world of Shavirouk, acting as a part of the ecosystem and surrounding world.Living Spirits
Living spirits are higher entities that are themselves magical. These include creatures such as various demons, celestials, and aberrations.Spirits and Classes of Magic
Those who devote themselves to a certain type of magic, either through study, practice, or oaths, sometimes find they are able to reach a point where they are able communicate with their spirit or those of the world around.Depending on how the individual chooses to practice their particular form of magic, their spirit will change and adapt. The following are the most common classes of magic user, and how they interact with birthright spirits.
Artificer - Contrary to popular belief, Artificers don't actually use magic. Rather, they use advanced technology that can replicate the effects of magic. Examples of these can be found in the Fabrials page.
Bard - These are individuals who have a natural comradery with their birthright spirit. They work together as a pair of friends more than anything else, the magic guided by the bard through communication. The spirit is conscious though not sentient, and as such it is mostly unaware of its connection with the Bard, generally behaving as if in a lucid dream more than being fully awake.
Blood Hunter - These are individuals who have an conscious though not sentient birthright spirit. To gain access to the magic of the spirit, the blood hunter must give up a piece of themselves in exchange for temporary strength or magical ability from their birthright spirit. This is most often done through self harm of the Blood Hunter's physical form. The magic is brought out by careful cuts, or piercings.
Cleric - These are individuals who are powerfully allied with their sentient birthright spirit. Clerics and their sentient spirit generally have similar ideals of right and wrong, and their shared passion grants them power unlike that of most other bonds. The magic is used by a common understanding and goal.
Druid - These are individuals who's own soul has almost melded with their sentient birthright spirit. The two work together so smoothly and naturally that they seem to be almost one, though the spirit is typically stronger than the druid they are bonded to. The bond between the druid and their birthright spirit grants the druid the ability to change form, as well as a powerful connection to the natural magics of Shavirouk. The magic is drawn forth by empathy and connection.
Paladin - These are individuals who swear an oath, or many oaths, to an ideal. This oath sworn to their sentient birthright spirit compels the spirit to grant the paladin a portion of their own strength and power. However, due to the nature of the bond, a broken oath often results in a loss of power as the spirit will revoke the given power when the bond is ruined.
Ranger - These are individuals who have a bond similar to that of druids though inverted. Unlike the bond between a druid and their spirit, the ranger tends to be the more powerful of this paring. This magic is brought through a natural connection between the two.
Sorcerer - These are individuals who are powerfully bonded with their birthright spirit. These bonds start with a conscious birthright spirit, though the sorcerer is typically unaware of the connection. However, the spirit will still be able to grant powerful abilities to their bondmate, even without sentience, reacting to the needs and desires of their bondmate. This bond is one of the most natural and powerful between an individual and an insentient birthright spirit, though potentially one of the most dangerous and chaotic as well due to the general lack of understanding.
Warlock - These are individuals who most often gain their magical abilities from creatures or forces beyond their own birthright spirit. In this case, the warlock's birthright spirit acts as a conduit for power, rather than the source. Due to this strange connection, the warlock is only partially bonded with their spirit, while also being partially bonded with the spirit of another creature.
Wizard - These are individuals who spend much time studying the bonds between birthright spirits and their bondmates, as well as other natural spirits of magic. While the wizard's spirit is insentient, this study allows the individual to gain access to a wide variety of abilities to an extent that many others are unable to reach. The magic comes from discipline and careful practice, allowing wizards to regularly gain access to a much wider variety and more expansive amount of magics than others might.
When an individual multiclasses, this does not change the base nature of their bond with their birthright spirit, rather it is an extension or expansion built on top of this bond. It can somewhat shift the spirit towards or away from sentience or consciousness, though the initial form of the bond most often remains the strongest.
In general, there are 3 main forms of interaction between a spell caster and their birthright spirit; Those who have high intelligence gain their magic from practice, study, and discipline. Those who have great wisdom gain their magic from connection, empathy, and understanding. And those who have natural charisma gain theirs from direct communication, through music, art, discussion, or other similar such forms.
