Leylines and the Rise of Vis
The Broken Circuits of Magic
Before the Spreading of Krét’s Hair, magic in Vericia was abundant, structured, and ever-present. This was due to the existence of Leylines, vast conduits of structured Potentia that wove magic into reality itself. These Leylines served as Vericia’s metaphysical circulatory system, ensuring Potentia could be distributed, accessed, and harnessed by mortals and divine entities alike.
However, after the failed Exodus Ritual and the weaving of Krét’s Hair, Leylines were cut off from their source. No longer replenished by the Rift, their energy stagnated, eventually solidifying into crystallized Potentia known as Vis. This transition fundamentally changed the way magic functioned in Vericia, turning an infinite resource into a finite one, and setting the stage for magical decline.
1. The Function of Leylines Before Krét's Hair
Leylines were not created by any one god but emerged as a necessary function of reality when Vericia was formed. Their role was threefold:
1.1. Distribution of Potentia
- Since Potentia from the Rift does not naturally interact with the physical world, it needed a structured pathway to bind it to reality.
- Leylines acted as this pathway, distributing Potentia in a controlled manner across the world.
- Just as the soul structures Potentia for an individual, Leylines structured it for the planet.
1.2. Integration of Potentia into Matter
- Enchantments, Spell Matrices, and all magical phenomena required structured Potentia.
- Leylines ensured that Potentia could be woven into reality without immediate degradation or dissipation.
- This allowed natural spellcasting, widespread enchantment use, and stable magical ecosystems.
1.3. Regulation of the Lifeweb
- The Lifeweb was an extension of Leyline functionality, serving as a smaller-scale connection of Potentia flow within living things.
- Nature-based magic, divine miracles, and druidic practices relied on Leylines to ensure that their magic did not disrupt natural balance.
2. The Collapse of Leylines & the Transformation into Vis
2.1. The Severance of Potentia Flow
- When Krét wove her barrier across Vericia, it cut off the Rift’s unrestricted flow of Potentia.
- Leylines, which relied on a continuous influx of energy, began to stagnate and degrade.
- The structured flow of Potentia broke down, leading to wild surges, magical instability, and growing limitations on spellcasting.
2.2. The Birth of Vis
- Potentia cannot disappear, but without an active flow, it crystallized into solid deposits.
- These deposits became known as Vis, concentrated reservoirs of latent Potentia.
- Unlike Leylines, Vis is finite and must be extracted, making it a precious and contested resource.
2.3. How Vis Differs from Leylines
| Leylines | Vis |
|---|---|
| Infinite and constantly replenished | Finite and non-renewable |
| Passive magic enhancement | Must be mined and refined |
| Accessible to all magic users | Hoarded by empires, factions, and scholars |
| Functioned as natural conduits | Requires external activation for use |
3. The Impact on the Realms of Vericia
3.1. The Underdark & Leyline Void Zones
- The Underdark was never rich in Leylines, forcing subterranean civilizations to develop alternative Potentia sources.
- The decay of Leylines has weakened natural magical defenses, leading to increased Deep Spawn migrations and instability.
3.2. The Mirrorlands & Spatial Distortions
- Leylines never functioned properly within the non-Euclidean Mirrorlands, but their collapse further warped space and time.
- Temporal anomalies and spatial loops have worsened, making navigation even more dangerous.
3.3. The Hells & Their Broken Networks
- Before their corruption, the Aspects of the Younger Gods maintained Leyline order within the Hells.
- After their fall into Devilhood, the Hells became isolated, fragmented realms with disrupted Potentia flow.
- Each Hell represents a different state of magical failure, from overgrowth (Verdant Maw) to stagnation (The Stillness).
3.4. The Abyss & Leyline Decay
- Leylines once acted as a metaphysical barrier against the Abyss, keeping Kez trapped.
- With their decline, Abyssal corruption has steadily spread, breaching weakened points in reality.
- This explains why Abyssal influence is increasing, despite Krét’s original containment.
4. The Modern Struggle Over Vis
With magic no longer self-sustaining, Vis has become a critical resource, leading to new conflicts and power struggles.
4.1. The Rise of Potentia-Based Economies
- Once an infinite, natural force, Potentia is now a limited, extractable commodity.
- Nations, scholars, and arcane factions compete over Vis-rich regions.
4.2. Remnants of Leyline Power
- Some ancient leyline nexuses remain active, but they are rare and highly contested.
- Secretive sects and lost civilizations may still hold knowledge of functional Leyline magic.
4.3. The Black Market for Vis
- Rogue mages, outlaws, and revolutionaries seek Vis deposits to challenge state control.
- Vis refinement has led to illegal spell-trading, forging a dangerous underground economy.
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