Magic
Magic is the blanket term for the purposeful manipulation of natural and supernatural energies by individuals or groups for the purpose of influencing, altering or creating items, effects or events that would not exist otherwise. The concept of magic is extremely broad and very difficult to define, but it is a nearly universal concept and its real presence within the world is as undeniable as any other concept one might consider.
Generally speaking, there are real but unseen energies that exist all through the world and well beyond what is generally understood to be "reality". These energies are as varied and diverse as the matter that they are a part of. There are energies that exist and influence outside of material objects, as invisible and immeasurable as the wind, but every bit as influential and effective as the wind. The energy that takes a tiny seed and causes it to grow into a mighty plant. The energy that causes the light of the sun to warm your skin, or the winter wind to cool an entire continent.
Magical ability is the seemingly inherent or learned ability to practice upon those many energies and to manipulate them into purposes or effects that benefit the practitioner. To concentrate the energy found in a tiny flame to a point that can ignite a candle, or an unlit fireplace, or an entire forest is simply a matter of degrees of control and understanding.
The practice of magical abilities seems to coalesce into several related but separate forms of practice. The most common form of magical practice is the use and manipulation of the elemental energies. These are the energies most often directly related to earth, air, water, and fire. The next most familiar magical practice is divination in all its various forms and practices. Divination is the ability to read the ebb and flow of these natural energies as they manifest in countless ways around us to see or understand past, current or even future events. Other schools of magical practice include enchanting, conjuration, and (according to some experts) even alchemy and healing.
Other, less common practices are seen as dark or forbidden arts and include such disciplines as blood magic and necromancy. Typically, these are considered dangerous because they nearly always require the use of the blood, flesh or soul of a living creature (or once living creature) and carry a high risk to all involved.
