Magic

Magic are largely unexplained manifestations of power, which are often linked to the Gods, Spirits, or perhaps a more sinister force which seeks to influence our world.
Though magic was present in this world before the great event known as The Melding, it was a shadow of what mages are able to accomplish now. After the worlds collided, it became much more common for a person to learn to gain control over a certain measure of magical power. Some, extraordinary cases, were even born with powers lying dormant inside of them.
The use of magic, however, lies under heavy scrutiny. The Cantraian Church, for instance is of the belief that Magic is the work of Devils and Demons, who wish to influence mortals for their own sinister plans. Because of this, The Church is extremely apprehensive of magic, and the use of it often results in the execution of the person performing it. As a response to the rising threat of magic, the Church has revived the The Inquisition, which seeks to keep a tight watch on the use of magic and eradicate it completely wherever possible.

Origin of Magic

Though its exact origins are unknown, it is said that originally, magic was the power belonging to the Gods or Elder Spirits of Creation as they were when the world was created. After the Age of the Gods, when they departed the world and creating mortals to take their place, magic could be harnessed by these mortals in ways not unlike what mages are doing now, however, since the Weave stemmed from the Spirits themselves, it slowly weakened and degraded in their absence, causing it to eventually nearly stop existing as it did during the Age of Man. Though magic was still present during this time, its power was so severely weakened that it was almost exclusively used for long rituals of divination or contacting the spirits for (pseudo)religious purposes.

The power of naming

The name given to a person at birth has power, as a naming serves as a person's introduction to the spirits of the world. As such, when a person's connection to the spirits is stronger, and able to cast spells, they are also more susceptible to any interference with that bond. When a spellcaster's full birth name is spoken in front of them, they will find that their powers are greatly diminished for a small period of time.
Because of this, many mages will go through great lengths to keep their name a secret, lest it be used against them.

Types of magic

Magic can be divided into two categories: Arcane Magic and Divine Magic.

Arcane Magic

The most prominent form of Magic on the continent of Velandris. Manifestations of this kind of magic vary wildly, but are often harmful or utilitarian in nature. It appears to come from an inherent understanding on Magic on behalf of the caster. A caster of Arcane Magic manipulates The Weave in a way to suit their needs. Many practitioners of this type of magic gained this knowledge by long and arduous study. Generally a person casting in this way will be referred to as a Wizard, regardless of race or gender.
A second, rarer and arguably more dangerous variant of the Arcane spell caster comes in the form of Sorcerers. Sorcerers are often born with an inherent understanding of manipulating The Weave, or gained it by some kind of drastic, magical phenomenon during their life. For example, a child born during an exceptionally stormy night may be imbued by the primal powers of nature, and be bestowed with inherent magical powers, which they have not have had to study for. Instead, they simply know how to manipulate the world in such a way that produces spells. The Church is exceptionally wary of spell casters of this variant, as they believe they pose a great threat to society, as their powers are often wild and uncontrolled.
Another way of acquiring this knowledge is through the help of an otherworldly Patron. Little is known about the rituals surrounding this, or the beings willing to bestow magic upon their charges, though a caster of this nature is often referred to as a Warlock or Witch. Should the Church learn of a person who acquired magic in this manner, they will often do everything in their power to capture or eliminate the person in question, as this directly stands in opposition of their entire notion of the Virtues of the Gods.

Divine Magic

Divine Magic is much rarer in Velandris, especially among Human society. Spells of Divine nature can be harmful, but can also bestow a myriad of boons upon a person, including a rapid miraculous healing of the body and soul. Divine magic usually only occurs if a person is blessed by a certain Deity, Saint, Spirit, or embodies the principles of a certain celestial entity to a point where they start manifesting powers of their chosen patron. In general, a person gaining magic in this manner would be called a Cleric, though if their powers are gained through an exceptional understanding of, or affinity with Nature or a Spirit attributed to it, they are often called Druids. As such, many Keepers are also Druidic in nature.
Due to the fact that these powers are often granted by an otherworldly entity, it is often very difficult to distinguish from the way Warlocks & Witches gained their powers. As such, Divine casters often fall under the same persecution as Arcane casters, even if their ideals and intentions appear to align with that of the Church.