"A fascinating piece of history, forged by the combined intellect of some of Teralt's greatest minds...
But there is always more to know, Traveler."
Purpose
The document was written with the intent to instruct future potential mages in what is and is not known about the world's magical functions.
It is restricted from the general public and only exposed to those students that have shown enough promise in their studies that they may be entrusted with such knowledge, as learning these laws often leads to dangerous experiments.
Historical Details
Background
This document represents the combined knowledge of magic users across Teralt. Though not all information regarding magical knowledge is contained within, it is the largest known compilation of arcane law.
The document was written in parts by Castor Valensra. His notes were later expanded upon and compiled into one reverential archive, which was signed by all living members of The Kastir.
Castor's Notes
by DALL-E
History
Originally, Castor's notes were not available to anyone, even his beloved cousin. They became accessible to the Kastir that were closest to him after he began his instruction in magic.
After Castor's ascension to godhood, his notes were compiled into the Edicts, and were stored away within the innermost chambers of The Citadel. They would be shared only with ratified members of the Kastir, and only the most promising students.
After The Change, when Valens was abandoned, Pasma Tash took the Edicts with him to Jada, the City of Glass, where they would be locked in Mordred's Gallery.
Since the fall of the City of Glass, however, the whereabouts of the Edicts are unknown.
Edicts of Arcane Law
I. The Essence of Capability
To harness the life force of Andromeda, one must possess the innate Capability. Magic, a pervasive force, emanates in waves from all entities. This allows one to sense the omnipresent magic, its ebb and flow akin to ripples in a pond.
In keeping with this analogy, larger "waves" diminish smaller ones— the more potent the mage, the weaker their perception of these arcane currents. The Vol’Kar, renowned for their complete lack of ability, exemplify this principle in their acute magical awareness.
Adept mages may diminish their own arcane emanations through deep meditation, thus enhancing their perception of others' magical ripples.
Capability extends to Access, Affection and Absorption: that of feeling the arcane ubiquity; influencing the magical energies around oneself; and siphoning that power from artefacts or, in rare instances, from other Capables, thereby augmenting one’s own power.
II. The Mandate of Control
Interacting with magic necessitates Control. The Morilanic tongue, the purest conduit to Teralt's essence, is a linguistic gift of birth. Its usage, however, depletes one's vitality. Mastery over Morilanic demands precision in intent, as words bear manifold meanings.
Each practioner of Morilanic is bound by a celestial limit, a finite number of words they utter per incantation. This restriction can be flexed slightly, with much effort, but the increase to the word limit is minimal, at best.
Speaking up to one's word limit will leave the Capable feeling incredibly drained. Exceeding this limit, though highly discouraged, can be done with effort, but can lead to dire consequences. These can range from temporary loss of magical abilities to the irreparable fracturing of one's arcane essence— a fate worse than the included possibility of death.
Divine Magic, performed and bestowed by celestial beings, circumvents Morilanic norms, but exacts greater tolls, offering more specified powers.
Relic Magic harnesses the latent powers of enchanted objects, each with its unique function.
III. Amplification and the Art of Magic
Temporary amplification of Capability and Control is achievable through energy absorption. A prime illustration is the use of Castor's Eye, a relic designed to bolster magical prowess in those who can access Teralt's energies.
Morilanic, the initial step in mastering Teralt's magic, can be transcribed in any script, provided the mage comprehends both the script and possesses sufficient Morilanic Control. This knowledge includes an understanding of the vibrational nature of magic, enabling unique applications such as mental casting or written enchantments.
Morilanic lexicon allows for the fusion of words, creating complex meanings with fewer utterances. Mastery in intent remains paramount, as exemplified in the word Valens'Ra, a combination of Valens ("Knowledge / Wisdom") and Ra ("King / Guardian")
IV. The Diversity of Magical Talent
Some individuals are born with singular abilities, offering unique avenues for Control. An illustration is the Gaean's prophetic vision, the origin of which is unknown.
Conversely, certain individuals may inherit limitations, impending their magical capabilities. A notable example is Ancient Masragot's inability to move under observation.
V. The Resonance of Magic
Magic 'vibrates' when manipulated. Profound understanding of these vibrations (Resonance) unlocks novel magical techniques. The world itself resonates differently, with more potent mages creating larger disturbances in the fabric of reality.
Mages can mask their presence within Teralt's Resonance or diminish their own magical ripples through focused meditation and inner stillness. This can be refined into a natural instinct, which allows the mage to operate normally with reduced innate Resonance.
VI. Classifications of Magic
Manipulation: Alteration of existing entities.
Transmutation: Transforms entities into new forms.
Conjuration: Brings forth entities from nothingness.
Transportation: Facilitates instant relocation of one's self, teleporting them to a target.
Divination: Reveals distant or hidden truths.
Inculcation: Influences the mind of a target.
Saturation: Imbues objects with energy or sparks reactions.
Revocation: Counters and nullifies spells.
Deprivation: Drains magical energies.
Ascension: Purely theoretical. Elevates one to godhood.
VII. The Toll of Magic
Magic consumption depletes the caster's energy. To fortify this energy, arcane practices akin to physical exercises for muscular strengthening are essential. Each magical class impacts the mind's energy differently, necessitating specific exercises.
Casting unfamiliar spells or using unpracticed magical classes results in heightened energy depletion. For instance, Lord Tash's creation of a Magus induced a coma due to his inexperience with the spell's specifics.
Similarly, unfamiliar uses within a known class can also strain the mage, as seen in Lord Valensra's initial trials with Inculcative Magic.
VIII. The Consequence of Power
Excessive exposure to intense magical energies can have profound physical effects. This phenomenon is evident in the hair loss experienced by warped beings, such as Ancients.
Proximity with an Imustone often results in debilitating magical side-effects. Direct contact is ill-advised.
IX. The Red Moon Anomaly
During the rare celestial phenomenon known as the Blood Moon, marked by the deep crimson hue of Inanis the White, becomes a time when these established laws of magic are temporarily warped or ignored, leading to unpredictable and often perilous outcomes.
This celestial event empowers some Capables with heightened abilities, while others find their magic unruly and perilous.
Mages attempting to harness this volatile magic risk grievous harm, as the unpredictability of their powers can turn agains them, making even the simplest spells dangerously capricious.
Thus are the known laws of magic as dictated by the Lord Castor Valensra and his followers. Let them stand as a warning to those Capables who dare tread the path of the arcane, and a guiding hand to those cautious scholars.
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