Magic Stones

Magic stones are a convenient tool for casting and storing magic. Magic runes or circles are engraved in the stones, creating a program of sorts that directs magical energy to perform specific actions when activated. Gems with a crystalline structure are usually used as the base of magic stones. Their structure allowing for the layering of magic circles and thus for more complicated spells to be performed.
Although magic stones started as a way to store spells for quick casting in battle, they have become so much more important in everyday society. The majority of simple magic stones are used for quality of life purposes: emitting light when it is dark, assisting in the movement of water through pipes to create plumbing, and allowing for long distance communication whether personal or a radio network.

Subgroups

By Function

Magic gathering

Gather magic radiation from the surrounding area and convert it to usable magic energy. They can be used to power other magic stones, allowing them to perform without a human to power it.

Utility

Used to perform various tasks and functions that range from the every day to specified. These may allow for long distance communication, keeping warm in winter, or be used for storage.

Assault

The first magic stones were designed for battle use, storing complex spells that would take time to cast and allowing them to be cast almost instantaneously. The layering of magic circles also allows for more diverse tactics.

Protection

These magic stones protect the user by identify signs of hostile magic radiation as an alert system or defend against incoming attacks whether that involves creating a sound barrier or canceling a magic attack.

By Effect

Direct

The functions of these magic stones target one specific thing. This could be to transmit information from one stone to another, attack a specific target, or to move a certain substance.

Area of Effect

The function targets a large area. Complex assault and defense type magic crystals often have an area of effect but other functions could include changing the temperature of an area.

Passive

These stones are mainly used for reading and writing data. The function may record an image or search for traces of a specific type of magic radiation but they do not change affect anything.

Utility

To use a magic stone, you simply need to activate the magic energy within the stone. Because the stone already has already had the spell programmed into it by way of the magic circle, there is no need to do anything else unless it is a more specialized function in which case you may need to set the parameters.

Case Study

Ignition Stones

Design

Ignition stones are a group of magic stone made from a material with a low autoignition temperature. They are used as a weapon to produces fireballs. The stones are engraved in 2 magic circles: one that propels the stone through Anemomancy and another that raises the temperature of the stone to the point of autoignition through Thermomancy.

Use

The stones are thrown into the air and the Anemomancy Magic Circle is activated with a flick of the wrist gesture which provides the direction that the stone will fly. Then, the Thermomancy magic circle is activated by a snapping gesture. These gesture commands are programmed into the stones and may be changed according to a user’s preference.

Ignition Stones were one of the first magical weapons invented and because of their ease of use and power are still widely used in warfare. Newer versions include a Photomancy magic circle which allows the fireballs to act as signal flares by changing the apparent color of the fire.

As a Children's Toy

Due to their popularity, knock-off versions of professionally produced Ignition Stones and are now a popular children’s toy known as BlazeBalls. They are marketed to parents by stressing their ability to teach kids how to use and dodge fireballs through play which could provide useful in the future. Due to their popularity, BlazeBalls has become a slang term for Ignition Stones.

BlazeBalls are made from a substance with a much lower autoignition temperature and a shorter burn time and only a single Thermomancy magic circle is inscribed. This means that they have a much lower energy cost on the user, their travel distance depends on the throwing strength of the user, and the short burn time means that in most cases they will burn out before reaching their target; making them safe for children to play with.

Access & Availability

Simple magic stones such as those used to transmit information, change the temperature, or move water are commonly available and are considered necessities in daily life for those living in urban areas. Others with complex and powerful spells for assault and defense are closely guarded by their owning organizations.

Complexity

The complexity of a magic stone varies depending on how many magic circles its function is composed of. For example, a magic stone whose function changes the temperature of the surrounding area may be made with as few as one magic circle but more may be inscribed to allow for further specified control. Others, like those used to cast large and complex spells, are made of a multitude of magic circles overlayed and combined.

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