The Gift of Magic
This is a low magic setting. Magic is the stuff of fearful superstitions. Most view magic as a set of unnatural powers that are the domain of gods, demons, and spirits and not meant for mortals.
Player characters have all the spell casting and magical abilities granted to them by their race and class. However, their spell casting abilities are exceptional. The vast majority of their race and class does not possess these abilities. While most people believe in magic, an individual could go their entire life without witnessing actual magic. Player characters will have to be mindful of who witnesses their magic. Does the local lord claim control over all spellcasters? Is the Inquisitorum hunting for witches and devils? Will the local villagers start to venerate the party's healer as Chantrel's true profit?
Magic is a rare and powerful gift to be respected and feared. The gift of magic, or “The Gift” as it is called, is bestowed on very few. In a world where the vast majority of people struggle to raise enough of their crops to survive the next winter and endure the taxes imposed on them by the local lord, the thought that certain select individuals and creatures stride the land as they please without regard to the laws of man or nature is both exhilarating and terrifying.
The Gift of Arcane Magic
Wizards
The power of wizards is not to be taken lightly. Most have never seen one, and have only heard tales of the power of the king's court mage, or of the wizard-hermit who lives at the top of a mountain. Some, seeking this guarded knowledge, will seek out a wizard to be apprentice to. These rare individuals are the stuff of legend, and finding their lair or sanctum is often an adventure in itself. Some powerful lords keep a court wizard on hand. But outside of the court, the entrance of a wizard into one’s village is a moment of great and terrible awe. Most stay clear of those with The Gift, some will beseech their power, and others will try to drive them out.Warlocks & Sorcerers
Warlocks and sorcerers are even more exceptional individuals, almost the stuff of legend. However, only the most educated will be able to discriminate between a wizard and a sorcerer and most think of warlocks as divine magic users from obscure cults. Some warlocks form small covens scattered over the land.Bards
There are a multitude of performers playing in inns, taverns, theatres, and travelling the long roads from town to town. But, only a few have been bestowed with The Gift, wielding their charms to ensorcle and enchant.Miracles, Great & Small
Divine Magic
Clergy and holy warriors of the various faiths are plentiful, as joining the clergy is one of the only routes into prosperity and education for the common folk. But, only a blessed few called "miracle-workers" or "prophets" can wield the power of the divine. While the working of miracles may help a cleric work her way up the ranks of her order’s clergy, it may also hinder her progress, due to fear and jealousy. As such, magic users have no special advantage or authority in the hierarchy of their religious order. For example, the current Grand Matriarch Mother of The Holy Universal Church is not a miracle-worker and only two sit on The Council of Sacred Mothers.Monks
The powers of a monk do not depend on special dispensations from any god nor The Gift. These powers grow from the grueling discipline and years of training monks subject themselves to. Few choose to leave the walls of their abbeys for any extended period of time. As a result, they are a rare sight, but prompt more curiosity than fear.Echoes of The Past
Magical Items
The legends of The Imperium of Man tell of bountiful magicks, of even the humblest of homes having conveniences and contrivances imbued with magic. But, the knowledge of how to make magical items has been lost. All remaining magical items are all now relics of that far gone age. They are precious items sought by fortune hunters and hoarded by the wealthy. Consumable magic items such as potions, scrolls, and items with charges are especially prized as few have survived.Psionics
Scholars and historians of The Old Imperium have uncovered ancient legends of mind-walkers, individuals with the power to read thoughts and enter the dreams of others. If these powers are more than legends, their secrets have been lost in the ashes of the fall of The Old Imperium.Remove these ads. Join the Worldbuilders Guild