Arcane Wielding

Wielding Feature Skills

Wielding

Martial and Wielding Abilities work very similarly, but there are some notable differences. First, spells can be cast in whats known as 'open handed' or 'closed handed. Open handed casting is what might be historically associated with the old spell slinging wizards, using wand and staff and tome to wield terrible magics. This form of magic is not concerned with using martial actions, intead relying on wands, staves, verbal and somantic components to wield powerful arts. Closed Fist Wielders operate more like mana fueled martial artist, taking advantage of the combo system to help reduce the amount of mana used and the casting time.

If the same ability is used in both contexts, it would likely not operate precisely the same. One noticable difference between the two types of wielding is regarding the origins of the abilities. The closed-handed wielder uses their weapon to deliver spells, which requires them to be toe-to-toe with their enemy. For this reason, all close-handed abilities must be nested under a methodology that has 'Strike' as its base. Not only does this mean they have to dedicate more of their time and resources to developing their martial abilities, but they often have to rely on complex custom weapons to augment their wielding abilities. However, as in martial combos, they gain benefit from performing the ritual movements of combat.

Open handed casting is a form of combat casting that relies on intense concentration, runes, wands, rods, components, and other tools to augment the wielder's magics. Open-handed wielding is by far the most flexible of all battle casting as it allows for greater manipulation of casting times alongside to ability to continue casting through combat rounds. Open-handed wielders also enjoy easier access to the resources of mana that pool and flow throughout the world. While access to ley lines and nodes is possible for close-handed wielder's, it is more difficult.

Once an open-handed wielder has begun the process of wielding their magics, any disruption to the process disrupts the spell, at the very least. Disruptions at key moments in spell casting can be critically dangerous for both the wielder and anyone foolish enough to be next to them when it happens. That said, their ability to cast outside the flow of martial combat and access to vast mana reserves allow for unparallelled magical abilities.