The Volei

The Volei (pronounced, [Vól-ey]) is a magical force that suffuses and flows through Valmautéra. It is an echo of the raw creation energies that gave rise to the cosmos and is the manifestation of the natural laws that govern the universe. This magical energy flows through and influences the heavens, the earth and all living things. These flows range from tiny, barely perceptible trickles to raging torrents, and all creatures innately feel their presence.
The vast majority of sentient beings on Valmautéra are able to exert some form of control or influence over the Volei, much like placing a hand into a stream to direct some of the flow of water. As such, innate and natural magic is at the hands of almost every race and every person in the world. However, the eddies and currents of the Volei are strong and unpredictable. An inexperienced and unskilled magic user can, while attempting to light a candle, incinerate themselves in a towering vortex of flame or even freeze themselves solid as they plunge the area around them into a biting polar cyclone. As such, many societies have an aversion to magic use.
Those who are able to harness the power of the Volei can perform incredible feats of magic. Whether through careful study, innate talent, inborn affinity or a pact with a powerful entity they can direct the raw energies of life and creation to shape the world around them.

Aspects of The Volei

The energies of the Volei are comprised by many individual threads or currents, each taking on an aspect of creation or destruction - life or death. Those practiced in delving into and manipulating the Volei are able to navigate these individual currents and pick them out from the background, drawing on and shaping those to realise a specific effect on the world around them.  

Life, Death and The Volei

All life comes from, is sustained by and returns to the Volei. Where the flow of raw magic is weaker, life struggles to take hold, plants wither, wildlife recedes and people feel a terrible sense of malaise. Where the flow of raw magic is strong, life flourishes, plants blossom, wildlife thrives and people feel a greater sense of wellness. This is contrasted with the impact of the strength of the Volei on The Temblor, where places subject to unexpected, wild surges of magic or persistent high strength flows are prone to earth-rending upheavals that can swallow large portions of earth - whole settlements - into The Shattergloom.
It is not widely known or understood that the soul of a creature is a living knot of magic, anchored in the Volei and tethered to the material plane. As creatures are born their bodies are imbued with souls, drawn from the flow of elemental creation magic. As creatures die, their souls return to the Volei. Though an incredibly difficult feat, through resurrection magics, lost souls can be recovered from the flow of the Volei and returned to living bodies (or other vessels). Likewise, death magics can force souls out of their bodies back into the Volei.

Type

Metaphysical, Arcane