Red Magic is the rawest and most dangerous of the Aspects, embodying unbridled power, destruction, and the force of will. It is a path that demands strength but also wisdom, for its allure can corrupt even the noblest soul. This school of magic does not simply grant power; it changes those who wield it, reshaping their essence in its fiery image. At its pinnacle stands Alzien, a being who not only dominates but seems to personify Red Magic itself, a figure both revered and feared throughout history.
The Nature of Red Magic
Red Magic is tied to the primal forces of destruction and telekinetic might. It is the embodiment of raw, unyielding energy—a force that can crush mountains, incinerate armies, and bend the physical world to its caster's will. Practitioners of Red Magic can summon magical crimson blades, hurl foes with a thought, and wield devastating spells that leave nothing but magic ash in their wake.
Yet, Red Magic is more than a tool; it is a force of transformation. The longer a mage wields it, the more they are shaped by its power. Unlike other forms of magic, where the user bends mana to their will, Red Magic bends the user to its own, making them a vessel for its destructive potential. This gradual transformation often leads to an existential crossroads, where the mage must either exercise discipline to retain their identity or succumb to the will of the Red Aspect, Alzien.
Alzien: The Eternal Manifestation of Red Magic
Alzien is the Aspect of Red Magic, a being that exists beyond mortal comprehension. Scholars believe he is not a singular entity but a recurring manifestation of the Aspect itself. Throughout history, Alzien has appeared time and again, each time brought into existence by a mage who has fully embraced the power of Red Magic. Once manifested, Alzien becomes a force of apocalyptic destruction, and though he has been "defeated" countless times, he always returns, for Red Magic is eternal.
The path to becoming Alzien is one of both power and peril. As a mage delves deeper into Red Magic, they begin to embody its essence. Their physical form may remain intact, but their mind and soul become increasingly attuned to the Aspect's destructive nature. When the balance tips—when the mage fully gives themselves over to the philosophy and power of Red Magic—they cease to be an individual and instead tread the path of Alzien.
This apotheosis is not always intentional. Some mages are consumed by their ambition or desperation, while others willingly seek to bring Alzien into being, believing his return heralds a new era of power and dominance. Regardless of intent, the result is always the same: Alzien emerges, wielding the full might of Red Magic.
Alzien's Legacy
Alzien’s appearances are always cataclysmic. Entire regions have been razed to the ground in his wake, and his presence reshapes the flow of Red Magic in the world. Each defeat is temporary, for Alzien is not a mortal entity but an embodiment of the Aspect itself. He is a reminder of the power and danger of Red Magic, a warning to those who would wield it recklessly.
Practicing Red Magic requires immense discipline, making its users among the most skilled and dangerous mages in existence. Unlike other schools of magic, where mastery comes from study or intuition, Red Magic demands constant vigilance and self-control. Its power is a lifelong test, and only those with unyielding will can hope to wield it without succumbing to corruption.
The transformative nature of Red Magic becomes clear to its practitioners over time. They realize that their power is not their own; it belongs to the Aspect. This revelation often leads to two paths:
Masters of Restraint: These mages develop an iron discipline, using their power sparingly and with great care. They view Red Magic as a tool, not a gift, and strive to maintain their individuality against its overwhelming influence.
Devout Followers of Alzien: Others embrace the Aspect fully, seeing Alzien as a divine figure or ultimate goal. These mages seek to bring Alzien into existence, either by sacrificing themselves or guiding others toward apotheosis. They are zealots, driven by a belief in the inevitability of Red Magic’s dominance.
The corrupting influence of Red Magic often manifests subtly at first—a growing impatience, a hunger for power, or a disregard for consequences. Over time, these traits intensify, eroding the mage’s sense of self. The will of Alzien becomes a whisper in their mind, urging them to embrace their potential and abandon restraint. Those who resist must endure an ongoing struggle, their discipline tested at every turn.
Red Mages in the World
Red Mages are both respected and feared. Their power is undeniable, but their potential for destruction makes them a constant threat. In Salios, where magic is scarcer and more revered, Red Mages are often solitary figures, honing their craft in isolation to avoid the temptations of unchecked power. In Ellusia, where magic flows freely, they are either celebrated as champions or hunted as heretics, depending on their alignment with Alzien.
Notable Red Mages
Alzien: The man for whom the power of the Red Aspect is named after, being the first officially documented case of Crimson Apotheosis. It is unknown by scholars whether his awesome power caused the Aspect's nature to take on his will, even throughout time and space, or if his being was always meant to align with that of Red Magic. This case has long been publicly studied by Synerius.
The Ashen Hermit: A legendary mage who mastered Red Magic but rejected Alzien’s influence, living in isolation to safeguard their wisdom and others in case they succumbed.
The Alzari: A mysterious and shadowy group of zealots dedicated to summoning Alzien, believing his return will help them dominate forbidden magics. They disappeared after a decisive defeat at the hands of Malikor, but dark whispers mention remnants of their influence.
Delgarion of Venator: A warrior-mage who used Red Magic to defend the weak, exemplifying the discipline required to resist its corruption.
The Eternal Struggle
Red Magic is a test of strength, discipline, and identity. To wield it is to walk the edge of a blade, balancing unparalleled power against the ever-present threat of corruption. Alzien’s shadow looms over every Red Mage, a reminder of the cost of hubris and the price of ambition. Whether as masters of restraint or servants of the Aspect, Red Mages shape the world through fire and force, leaving behind legacies as enduring and destructive as the magic they command.
Example Magic
These are some magic spells/effects that a Red mage may utilize. When designing your Red magic, you may consider using these, or making magic inspired by these.
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Combat Spells
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Blazing Torrent
The caster channels fiery energy into a searing cone of magical flames that engulfs everything in its path. Enemies caught in the torrent take damage with a chance to ignite for additional manaburn damage.
Force Strike
Imbues a weapon or projectile with Red Magic, allowing it to bypass most defenses and deal devastating force damage. On impact, it causes a small explosion, knocking back nearby enemies.
Force Burst
The caster summons a burst of arcane power at a focused point, dealing massive damage that can bypass most defenses to a single target.
Rupture
The caster tears a fissure in the ground, sending a wave of redfire and shattered earth forward. Enemies struck by the wave are thrown off balance and suffer both fire and bludgeoning damage.
Red Nova
The caster emits a pulse of magic, dealing damage in a circular area around them and absorbing mana from any creatures that fail an Intelligence saving throw.
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Supportive Spells
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Crimson Surge
Temporarily increases the caster’s physical strength and speed. Additionally, all magic-based attacks deal extra damage for the duration.
Mana Barrier
Creates a shield of crackling red magic around the caster, absorbing incoming damage until your next turn. Enemies who strike the barrier take magic damage.
Backlash Burst
Passive. When struck by melee, the mage's body releases a burst of magic at their attacker, dealing minor damage and pushing them away.
Crimson Resilience
Convert up to 10 points of the caster’s mana into temporary health. Deteriorates over time.
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Epic-Level Red Magic
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Catastrophic Maelstrom
The caster summons a spiraling vortex of magic that pulls enemies toward its center. Those caught in the maelstrom take continuous magic damage and are restrained until they succeed a Dexterity save.
Devouring Magic
Channels a continuous beam of Red Magic at a target, dealing damage while siphoning a small amount of health and mana from the enemy to the caster.
Crimson Rift
Quickly summon a short-range wormhole-based portal between two locations that you can see. The wormhole cuts through the Abyss, which can be perceived by certain cosmic entities. More experienced mages can summon more portals at a time, at longer range, keep them open longer, and avoid the notice of dangerous creatures.
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