Wyr

"With this blessing, we gain the power to impose our will upon nature. It is our most sacred duty, and with it we must always carry out heaven's mandate - to preserve and cultivate."

- the Magus of Liyru

Wyr, meaning "life", is the arcane power that runs over, through and under everything. Sometimes (and somewhat inaccurately) referred to as magic, mortals harness it through the power of runes, imposing their own will briefly upon it. If Wyral is considered a creature, then wyr is its lifeblood, lending beauty to the frozen wastes, majesty to the crashing waves, and prosperity to the rolling fields. Where it cannot flow, the world withers.

The Wolves' Gaze

Many people believe that the Great Wolves choose children at birth. Indeed, there is no visible logic behind who develops wyrcores - the organs modified to allow wyr to be directed. But while certain families have more mages than others, one does not need to have mage parents to become a mage. Perhaps to draw the Wolves' attention, one must possess especially strong ambition. Parents of eventual mages often struggle more than usual, as their children may sneak out at night to watch the stars, steal and hoard precious stones, or play with fire - always straining to explore a facet of the world.
Humans often manifest as mages before the age of ten (perhaps the human body is more eager to open itself to wyr because it is usually so fully closed ikayal tend to manifest after the age of twelve. Manifestation is the point at which the wyrcore opens fully, exposing a child to the flow of wyr and allowing them to pull on it. Most new mages have some instinctive knowledge of how to use their power, but without the knowledge of runes, they are severely limited until they find tutors.

The Wyrpaths

"Fragments of the Wolves' masteries dwell within us, waiting to be unleashed. Even in Their absence, we bear Their ideals."

- the Magus of Liyru

Every magical creature is connected to one of the Great Wolves. This is the connection which allows one to control a single aspect of reality: light and fire, water and ice, and so on. Each Wyrpath resonates best with those who unconsciously aspire to certain 'ideals'. Of course, these 'ideals' may be expressed in an infinite number of ways. One earth mage might pursue 'stability' through healing or construction, while another might do so by hunting down threats to said stability. A sun mage's search for 'truth' might manifest in, ironically, a talent for illusion (which requires a deep understanding of the deceived), or they might dedicate their lives to guiding others.

Runes

"The Just Stormbreak Wolf believes in order, yet mortals are chaotic. Runes bridge this chasm, honing our will and focus."

- the Magus of Liyru

Intent is the most vital part of using and directing wyr. It requires energy to take wyr from the environment and direct its flow according to one's desires - but mortal minds are notoriously unfocused. Stray thoughts, environmental distractions and more can interfere with the intent that a mage imposes on the wyr they use, sending castings awry. The vast majority of mages cannot cast at all without some sort of external focus; their will is not sufficient to properly direct wyr.
Runes, therefore, are vital for any mage to learn. Often called 'the language of the Wolves', they are symbols drawn during castings that each have certain effects. Technically speaking, it is unclear whether the lightning rune is actually required to summon lightning - can a simple arrangement of strokes instruct wyr in such a manner? Regardless, the assigned meaning of a rune allows the mage to focus entirely on what they wish to do, and the wyr responds in force.

Infusion and Wyrfauna

"But where should this mastery end? Is the change of other creatures mortal creativity, or arrogation? The Wise Zephyr Wolf's wisdom is unclear to those in the hurricane's midst."

- the Magus of Liyru

Infusion is the process of imbuing an object or being with an enchantment. The normal method is to first write down the constituent runes, and then to append the basic activate rune. One should then cast this and direct the flow of wyr into the intended object, upon which it becomes usable without re-casting. The main drawback to infusion is the need for it to be done prior to use, and the long delay required to activate enchantment. However, it allows even non-mages to access complex castings - whether flameless lanterns or nexus carriages.
Wyrfauna and wyrflora are creatures who have been infused with wyr. Most often, this occurs when an organism encounters a careless casting (though some mages conduct intentional experiments). The uncontrolled wyr induces changes in the organisms that can be inherited. Usually, it also makes the organism harmful for mortal consumption, hence why earth mages do not attempt to magically speed up crop growth. The enchantments also grow and change with their hosts; the most striking case of this is the Westerwoods, where a small number of enchanted saplings grew to change an entire forest.

The Currents' Weave

Wyr is not spread equally across the world, and it is ever-changing. It runs like swift water, and will not be constrained. Some places in Wyral act as 'linchpins'; they have an abundance of wyr that never wavers or departs. The City of Liyru is one of these places: known for its prowess in the arcane arts, it lies at the junction of two major ley-lines, lavishing it with all kinds of blessings. Conversely, some places are naturally low in wyr, like the desolate Araen Wastes. These areas are still not unlivable, though - not like those which are devoid of all wyr.
It is unnatural for any land to be shunned by Wyral's lifeblood. The only such places are those in which the Ending lingers, and the earth has long forgotten that devouring blight. The Ending consumes wyr wherever they clash, and thus twists anything it touches: plants, animals... people. Ikayal, who cannot live without wyr, die when over-exposed to this corruption. Humans are corrupted instead. Whatever caused the Ending's emergence must have destabilised something vital at the heart of the world...

Conducive materials: copper

Type

Metaphysical, Arcane