The Change

Overview

The Change is a cataclysmic spell in Teralt's history, forever altering the path of mortal life on the planet. Originating from the ambitious machinations of Castor Valensra, this spell was twisted over time, culminating in a world-altering phenomenon.
The casting of the spell that would name it was intially performed by human nobles, before Mordred seized control of the spell, manipulating it and giving it a new effect as a punishment to all humans on Teralt, as they had constantly let him down.

The Role of Castor's Eye

Integral to the last casting of the Change, Castor's Eye served as a powerful amplifier of the magic energy fueling the spell's buildup. This artifact's capabilities enabled the group of nobles that wouldn't normally be able to utilize such a complex and powerful spell to just barely cast it.

Psychological Impact

The Change left deep psychological scars on those that managed to escape. These individuals grappled with the loss of loved ones and suffered from extreme survivor's guilt.
Those altered by the spell suffered damage to their psyche as they were put through immense pain during their transformations. Many of the transformed lost their minds entirely, while some of the more powerful mages that were affected managed to avoid most of these mental alterations.

Eirene: Sanctuary in the Stars

While the magical barriers of Valens, the City of Knowledge managed to fend off the spell's initial assault, they slowly gave way to its sheer power. The Kastir developed multiple methods of escaping Mordred's intentions. One way, which saved many Valenians, was an untested spell that would teleport the residents of the city to the green moon, Eirene. This celestial haven became home to New Valens, the last city of Teralt's humans.

Effect

The primary objective of the original version of the spell was initially for ascension to godhood by Castor Valensra, powered solely by him. However, the spell was warped over time. The version that was eventually known as the Change was used by corrupt human nobles and then altered by Mordred. The Change was designed to siphon life from all the humans it could reach to empower the spellcasters, elevating them to godhood. However, Mordred's modification of the spell instead transformed the nobles into the first Prym'Teev, and humans across the world were transformed into Azher'Tek in a painful process that bestowed the Capability for magic onto any non-Capables. These modified humans were also instilled with an inherent loyalty to Mordred and a craving for knowledge.

Side/Secondary Effects

The most prominent side effect is the transformation of humans into the Azher'Tek, creatures that only vaguely resemble their past forms. This transformation is often painful and can drive many to insanity, especially if their innate magical Capability was initially low or nonexistent.
If the spell were to be miscast, it's conceivable that the transformations could be incomplete or unstable, resulting in physical deformities and unstable erratic magical abilities. The mental toll would be even more severe, leading to complete loss of identity and extreme psychological trauma. There is, however, no example of the Change ever being cast unsuccessfully, and so scholars merely speculate at the possibilities.
The effects of the spell were able to be avoided through clever manipulation of human DNA. The Nak'Shyr managed to avoid the transformation by preemptively changing themselves into a hybrid species of human and Vizier with the help of Vlakis, an Ancient.

Manifestation

When the Change was cast, it was a striking phenomenon:

• Visual: A surge of dark energy from the concentrated ball of power at its origin, followed by black smoke, flooded across the land, visible tendrils of power reaching out of the haze and enveloping the targets it touched.
• Auditory: A warped chorus of the voices of the spellcasters filled the air, but when Mordred seized control, it was replaced by a deep, resonating hum.
• Tactile: A sensation of intense cold following raised hairs, gooseflesh, and an ominous tingling feeling. These were the warning signs that the Change was approaching, seeking its targets.
• Olfactory: The smell of ozone filled the air around the spell's origin before it exploded outwards.

Source

In Castor's version of the spell, it was powered by the mage's own energy. But in the corrupted version that would later be cast by the human nobles, the spell was designed to drain the life force of the humans in the kingdom to amplify itself, only being held in control by the group of nobles' own powers. When Mordred seized control, he powered the spell completely on his own.

Discovery

1. Origins: The spell was initially designed by Castor Valensra to sate his ambition of ascending to godhood, but over time, it was lost and rediscovered.
2. First Caster: The first user of the spell was not, in fact, Castor himself. He was never able to attempt the spell. It was first performed by Erlich Gottlis after he snuck into its creator's chambers, but an enraged Castor slightly manipulated the spell as it was activating, dooming him to a transformation into a warped being instead of the godly form he sought.
3. Evolution: The spell was later rediscovered in parts and pieced together by future nobles, who modified it to meet their designs.
4. Mordred's Alteration: Mordred's significant manipulation of the spell into a worldwide transmutation of all humans marks its most impactful and famous use, and gives it its common name: The Change.
5. Legends: Of course, there are legends of the Change being used in the past. Theories range from the origin of the Vol'Kar to the creation of the Imperfects, as well as oral transmission of its previous forms and usages, but not many records exist to substantiate these claims, with only the spell's most notorious usage being truly proven and remembered.

Casting of the Change

by DALL-E

Material Components

Castor's Eye was used for this spell, as it is an incredible power amplifier. Blood of the first Gaean, father to all Teraltian humans, and the blood of the spellcasters were also used to distinguish the targets to be consumed (all human descendants of the Gaean) and the targets to be raised to godhood (the spellcasters).

Gestures & Ritual

Several individuals were required to constantly channel their magic, with the aid of Castor's Eye, in order to sustain this spell as it built power. Each of them was linked together by an enchanted rope, so that if they were to pass out from the strain, they would still be connected to the others, and would be able to maintain their connection to the spell while they recovered.

Related School

Transmutation, Inculcation, Saturation

Effect Duration

Permanent

Effect Casting Time

Five days

Range

50,000,000 sqft / 4,645,152 sqm initially. Worldwide after Mordred's seizure.

Level

Grandmaster

Applied Restriction

The spell must be cast from a high elevation, such as an incredibly tall spire or a mountain.