The Universal Argument
The universe wants to be mundane. Uninteresting and inert. To perform what some call magic, you must argue with it; convince it that you are more powerful than it and that your will should become reality. The more volatility and change you want to create in the world, the harder the fundament of creation strains. It fights back with every fibre of its infinite being, and only the strongest of mind can conjure anything of note. Elves are perhaps an exception- why my race should fare better in this than the lesser races is unknown, but it obviously speaks to our innate superiority and mastery of our own nature. This treatise seeks to examine the implications and causes of Elven magical prowess. -Extract from 'The Nature of Elven Magic', by Beridale, an Elven scholar.Magic, known by some scholars as the Universal Argument, is a broad term that encompasses a variety of abilities, conditions, beings and events across Verrin. In its most simple form, magic is the ability to alter reality beyond what is usually possible, or perhaps even beyond what makes sense within the fundamental laws of the universe. In order to wield magical powers, it is believed that one must have a very strong will. Using magic is tantamount to arguing with the universe, using your voice or actions to coerce the fundament of creation to do your bidding. Whether your will is to conjure a great ball of flame, turn wood into gold or bring the inhabitants of a crypt back to shambling life. In this interpretation, magic is not an 'energy' as some believe, but a extension of a being's vital essence. In effect, the strength of their willpower against the universe made real. The more stubbornly you believe and the unshakable your conviction, the more powerful you will be. The longer an effect is intended to linger in the world, the stronger the will required. To raise the undead to permanent life, for example, is perhaps one of the most difficult magical feats. In the majority of cases, the raised undead will simply return to death upon the death of their conjurer, but not always. Those with an exceptional magical prowess may continue to have an effect on the world for centuries even after their death. A good example is the magical proprties exhibited by the Relics of Ylgrim, or the unique magic of enchantment that is practiced by Dwarves. A theory that has long existed on the fringes of scholarly debate posits that the Universal Argument explains more than just magic. Proponents of this theory believe that the world itself only exists because of the gods' belief and willpower, in the same way that a mortal would conjure a magic spell. They also believe that belief is the axis about which reality turns- if enough people believe in something, it becomes real. Some use this theory to explain the existence of malign supernatural creatures, which may once have only been folk tales. Most Men, Giants and Orcs are not innately able to use magic, and must practice incessantly in order to gain any degree of proficiency. Their competence at 'arguing with the universe' can increase only with practice. Some members of these races can become proficient sorcerors with time, but usually nearing the end of their respective lifespans. Others devote their entire lifetimes to magical study, only to discover that they still lack any magical ability whatsoever. Some Men, however, have an inborn ability for magic that is so powerful it can sometimes be volatile- it is called the Gift. It is believed that the Gift was given to Men by the god Hruntir who watches over his prized creations. Dwarves, who are naturally stubborn and strong-willed, are not able to use magic in the usual sense because of the Curse of Talhukmaz- a mortal Dwarf who wielded a Hargead Ýrna, but lost control of its power and destroyed his race's capacity for spellcasting. Instead, Dwarves enchant items such as weapons with magical power by focusing their willpower into a godforge, while in a deeply meditative state known as the 'smith's trance'. The weapons created with such a forge will bear magical properties such as extraordinary lightness, resilience and an edge that never dulls. Godforge armour will be incredibly resilient and in some cases, completely unbreakable by normal means. The few Dwarves capable of creating enchanted items are very old because it takes a lifetime of practice to perfect the art. The number of the enchantment capable smiths has dwindled over the years, leading many to fear that it may become a lost art.
Type
Metaphysical, Supernatural
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