Spellweaving

Spellweaving is a rare art; it is the ability of a select few people to generate arcane fields and channel them into useful spell effects, using metabolized thaumic nodules.
Despite the Boshaari's proud boast of an extensive and illustrious ancient arcane culture, the presence of Spellweavers remains scarce within the thaumically dull expanse of the Tau Elpis system - a rarer calling still than Magitek engineers. This scarcity contributes to the divergent perceptions of spellweavers across various regions, where they are either deeply sought after, or regarded with wariness and apprehension.
Successful spellweaving demands the utilization of specialized biothaumic amplifier interfaces, for the background arcane radiation available is often insufficient. However, their use can induce tremendous strain and suffering upon the spellweaver, leading many to abandon the arcane arts. Quite notably, the Boshaari metabolize a small quantity of thaumium in their brain stems, and thus find Spellweaving relatively more accessible. On the opposite end, the Hiderid have seldom succeeded in casting spells, and even fewer have survived such attempts.
Spellweavers are distinct from sufferers of Psionic Metadisease, who can also manifest dreadsome spell effects through processes currently unknown.

Background

In the Pyxis Globula, a few select civilizations lived on worlds constantly exposed to thaumic energy, and where thus able to perform and develop the arts of spellweaving. Over time, as the flows of arcane waned and people migrated to many exoworlds, such abilities became less prevalent and more obscure. Boshaari, in particular, were famed spellweavers; late in the space age, they had taught some capable Mewei their ancient arts.
Following the Great Jump into the Circinus Stream, magitek engineering has remained commonplace amongst spacefaring civilizations, especially in fields where no economic alternative remains : Dive Drive propulsion and power generation. Spellweaving, by contrast, became even scarcer and more occult, but continues to hold a minor place in Tau Elpis societies. Those with high potential are often trained, starting from childhood, to avoid involuntary spell discharges and to cast effective spells. A good spellweaver is always highly sought across most of Tau Elpis, for their esoteric approach to problems can make the difference between failure and success.
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Species	Magically attuned %
Boshaari	15% (called Fae-Touched)
Mewei	1 to 5%
Hhrot	2 to 5% (but most suppress their abilities)
Zaalan	1 to 3%
Hiderid	0.05% (no Adept ability)

. Magically unattuned people cannot use magic or activate magitek (though they can use activated magitek without thinking). This is called arcane-deafness. Without a working amplifier interface, most spellweavers also find themselves unable to cast spells.

Weaving a Spell

Spellweaving is a complex and focused art, requiring precise steps performed in uninterrupted sequence to produce desired spell effects. Two main schools of thought govern spell preparation: Arcanists prepare spells shortly after a long rest by "loading" engrams from a grimoire into their neural amp interface, storing them for future use. Magisters, who specialize in specific and difficult magical fields such as summoning or body-altering techniques, hardwire their neural pathways around select engrams, allowing automatic casting without rest or grimoire. However, this specialization comes with limitations and difficulty to change later on.
To cast a spell, however the preparation, spellweavers release the imprinted engram through their neural pathways while surging arcane energy as a catalyst. Invocations help maintain focus during the taxing process. After casting, a metadimensional thread remains with the caster until arcane energies are fully discharged, allowing for control over targets. Certain metamagic methods and esoteric devices can trace this thread back to its origin.

Psionics

Psionics, a relatively new and enigmatic phenomenon, refers to spell-like effects that manifest without overt spellweaving. Its origin lies in Psionic Metadisease, a neurological and often fatal condition that grants those afflicted with arcane-like powers such as biopsionics, telepathy, and divination. Given its recent emergence and limited documentation before the Oberon Incursion, psionics remains poorly understood as a branch of arcana.
This dreadful condition can affect spellcasters and non-spellcasters alike, though it appears to manifest more frequently in those who lack prior experience in spellweaving. Psionic powers also involve arcane fields, but they differ from meticulously studied arcane spellweaving, in that they do not require bioamps. If anything, many psionics utilize neurodampers to prevent energy burnouts.