Magic of the Divine

Magic is what bridges the gap between humans and the Divine

Written by Sir Bressler

Magic Is Ancient

Magic along with other supernatural entities was once more common in the world, but eventually the use of magic was sealed away by the Divine along with any other magic creatures into the Spirit World. In 1888 magic returned suddenly when mages began appearing, magical creatures followed and after the year of the black sun, they became commonplace again as the barrier with the spirit was only a veil now. Most magic is gifted by the Kami on behalf of the Divine, although with some exceptions.

Types of Mages

Noble Mages

Noble Mages were originally given their magic by the Kami which become a genetic trait due to how they gave them magic and is passed down through the generations. Over time this trait has seeped into the general population, and thus commoner mages were created, sometimes called bastard mages due to the sometimes believed the origin of being from the nobility's illegitimate offspring.

Yokai Mages

Yokai mages like noble mages are based on genetics, thus certain families are more likely than others. However, with far longer mage lines nonmagic family Yokai has the gene for magic far more than their human counterparts. Similarly, still, the Yokai gives typically credits the Kami and the Divine for their mages.

Monk Mages

The most uncommon method is done through decades of studying and meditating within the natural world to become consciously aware of the Divine's essence which powers magic itself. This is exceedingly difficult, and most who try will fail, and even should they succeed are typically less powerful than their Yokai and Human Noble mage counterparts who were studying actual magic.

Source of Magic

Magic is powered through using the essence leftover when the Divine created the world, while these permeate the entire world, it is difficult to tap into as such most mages use the energy from their souls, known as chi. Chi is the flow from one's soul which permits a sentient mind and provides life force to the body, and a mage can tap into this to power magic. Despite being connected to their soul, this isn't too dangerous depending on context as a mage will pass out their body and mind are deprived of chi, and chi naturally regenerates. While it may be hard a mage can take some energies of the divine from the surrounding area(more plausible in the spirit world) and convert it into chi.

Spell Casting and Paper Charms

Magic is performed using two methods, spells and charms. Spells are active magic abilities that a mage does through mental effort and/or physical effort. Paper Charms are small sheets of magically imbued paper which when activated can replate a magical effect based on the writing and mages skill level, because of this Paper Charms are fairly versatile and are a magical discipline in of themselves.

Instinctive Magic Casting

Magic can be used instinctively, although it's limited to only the five elements. Because Magic is tied to the soul, strong emotion can allow an untrained mage to do magic which can have tragic results, usually, this is commoner mages.

Disciplines of Magic

Magical abilities are categorified into five groups of similar abilities with one of the five elements being represented and controlled in each group which is called Disciplines. These categories roughly represent the division of the Divine's creation: life, energy, matter, forces, and spirit.

Magic Disciplines Interaction

by T4bits

The Disciplines are related in two ways represented through a generating cycle where a magic discipline directly benefits another, and the overcoming cycle where discipline is stronger against another which can be overcome through a difference of skill.

Life Magic

Life Magic allows the user to manipulate biological creatures in various ways, from boosting one's own physical endurance and strength, to healing and conducting operations on living creatures, to even genetic engineering. Life Mages can directly control the element of wood. Life mages are usually found as doctors, surgeons, and researchers, and some basic abilities for healing and self-enhancement are common among other types of mages and are extremely difficult to master to the requirement of extensive knowledge of biology.

Physical Energy Magic

Physical Energy Magic allows the user to control kinetic energy as telekinesis, prokinesis, and cryokinesis. Fire is the representative element of this discipline and is the only one that the mage can create out of nothing. Fire Mages are the most combat-focused, but the wide range of uses of telekinesis gives them far greater uses through paper charms.

Transmutation Magic

Transmution Magic allows the mage to alter the forms/structure of inorganic objects of equivalent weight. Transmutation allows the mages to create better metals, alloys, and various other construction materials. Like historical Alchemy, these mages will be skilled in making potions, often combining this with Life magic to effect organic objects and living creatures. Transmutation magic is represented by earth and its related elements that have a variety of uses by themselves. Transmutation Mages are found in various constructions and skilled craftsmen.

Electromagnetic Energy Magic

Electromagnetic Energy Magic allows the mage to control the various forces associated with Electromagnetism, mainly electricity, magnetism, and light. Metal is the represented element and can control most metals and alloys, as long as they do not contain synthetic. Metal mages are involved in various areas, from cyber warfare, and plenty of advanced technological applications of magic.

Spirit Magic

While the other disciplines of magic involving manipulating existing physics to some degree, spirit magic is the manipulation of spirits, souls, ghosts, wraiths, demons, and indirectly magic itself. Spirit magic allows the mage to create Seals, bindings, and barriers that affect only spirits, ghosts, and souls effecting mages more. Spirit mages can banish spirits and ghosts into the spirit world, and temporarily remove their souls from their bodies through astral projection.Spirit Mages can strengthen the Veil to the Spirit world, preventing traveling between the two, see through the veil, and travel to the spirit world. Spirit is represented by water which represents the flowing nature of the souls and spirits. Spirit mages are mostly used against supernatural creatures and against other mages.

A Basic healing wood paper charm.

by Mike1027

by Mike1027

An Light fire paper charm which is often used to light homes.