The Ten Currents

The Ten Currents of Magic are the foundational forces of power in the world of Eryndralis, gifted to its inhabitants by the divine pantheon known as the Broken Choir. These currents—Aeromancy, Terramancy, Pyromancy, Hydromancy, Electromancy, Luxmancy, Vitamancy, Animancy, Psychomancy, and Chronomancy—represent distinct magical disciplines, each embodying a unique aspect of creation. As the legend goes, these currents were the Choir's final gifts before their sacrifice to repel the Endless Maw, a malevolent force that sought to consume all existence. With their sacrifice, the Broken Choir not only protected Eryndralis but endowed its inhabitants with the Ten Currents of Magic and the Aegis Tongue Tongue, a universal language that granted the races the ability to communicate with each other.
When an individual begins to exhibit abilities tied to one of the Ten Currents, they are said to be "mantled" by their gift. This phenomenon signifies that the essence of one of the magical currents has chosen to manifest within them. These abilities often emerge during adolescence, typically between ages 13-15 for boys and 10-13 for girls, though there is some variation depending on the current and the individual. The process is widely seen as both a rite of passage and a heavy responsibility, as the mantled are tasked with learning to wield their gift responsibly.
Many currents also carry the power to summon Elementals through the use of Soulreaved—human souls imbued into materials such as gems, precious stones, and metals capable of holding such energy. These elementals are extensions of the current, designed to serve specific roles tied to their magical discipline, such as protection, combat, guidance, or utility.

The Role of Soulreaved and Elementals

A central aspect of many of the Ten Currents is the ability to summon Elementals through the use of Soulreaved. These Elementals embody the essence of their respective current and serve a variety of roles depending on the wielder’s needs. The creation of Soulreaved involves binding a human soul to a vessel capable of holding its energy, such as a gem or precious metal, by an Animancer. This process, typically reserved for criminals and willing volunteers, can be incredibly painful to experience.
Elementals include:
Aeromancy: Whirlwinds and Air Spirits.

Terramancy: Stone and Earth Golems.

Pyromancy: Flamewraiths and Fire Elementals.

Hydromancy: Water Spirits.

Electromancy: Constructs.

Luxmancy: Light Spirits.

Vitamancy: Vital Spirits. While a Vitamancer does have the ability to summon an Elemental, the Elemental suffers considerable pain during the time they are animated.

Animancy: Animated objects, such as suits of armor or statues.

Psychomancy: Thought Constructs.

Chronomancy: Due to the nature of their mantle, Chronomancers have never been known to summon Elementals.

These entities enhance the capabilities of the mantled, allowing them to extend their influence or provide specialized support in their magical endeavors.

The Legacy of the Broken Choir

The Ten Currents of Magic are deeply tied to the legend of the Broken Choir, the pantheon of deities who gave their lives to protect Eryndralis from the Endless Maw. The Choir’s final act of sacrifice not only sealed the Maw beyond the void but also gifted their creations with the Ten Currents and the Aegis Tongue, a universal language that binds intent and magic.


This legacy serves as both a reminder of the divine sacrifice and a responsibility to wield these gifts wisely. The Broken Choir’s memory lives on in the practice of magic, with each current seen as a fragment of their divine essence, empowering mortals to protect, create, and thrive in the face of challenges both magical and mundane.

Manifestation

The manifestation of the Ten Currents of Magic is both awe-inspiring and mysterious, with varying triggers and signs depending on the individual and their respective current. While much of the manifestation process is studied in humans, the phenomenon in other races—such as the Rathkarii, El'Dar, Ilyx'ori, or Whiskrell—is less understood, leaving scholars with many unanswered questions.

Manifestation in Humans

For humans, the mantle of a current typically manifests during adolescence, with a clear division in timing between boys (ages 13-15) and girls (ages 10-13). The emergence of abilities often correlates with intense emotional or physical experiences, such as moments of fear, joy, anger, or desperation. Signs of manifestation include:
Physical Phenomena: For example, an Aeromancer may unintentionally summon gusts of wind, while a Hydromancer might cause water to ripple or rise unnaturally.

Psychological Shifts: The mantled often experience heightened sensitivity to their respective element or forces, such as a Luxmancer feeling more attuned to light or a Vitamancer sensing the pain or health of those around them.

Attunement: Many mantled individuals report sensations of attraction toward their mantled ability, such as a Terramancer finding peace in dirt or mud, or a Psychomancer becoming intensely affected by emotions of those around them.


The process is not without risks; young practitioners often struggle to control their abilities, leading to accidental harm or unintended consequences. For this reason, those suspected of being mantled are often guided by mentors or trained in specialized academies to refine their gifts and prevent disaster.

Manifestation in Other Races

The manifestation of the currents in non-human races remains enigmatic, with significant differences in occurrence and expression:


Rathkarii: Rathkarii are believed to manifest Terramancy and Pyromancy more frequently than other currents. However, their manifestations often occur later in life compared to humans and are typically associated with rites of passage or significant milestones.

El'Dar: As a race steeped in mystery, little is known about how the El'Dar manifest their mantled abilities, although they have been witnessed utilizing Hydromancy and Terramancy during many encounters.
Ilyx'ori and Whiskrell: These smaller, sentient races rarely exhibit magical mantling, leading some scholars to question whether they can access the currents at all. However, anecdotal accounts suggest that when they do, it is considerably muted in scope than it is with mantled humans.

Type

Metaphysical, Arcane