The Nature of Magic

Many a tale has been spread of an isolated family allowing their young child to use a magic item or spell they have found without due care and attention. Surges are related to the nature of the magic being used (or attempted to being used) – A fire based spell will typically trigger a fire type surge and ice related item would trigger cold related surge. This is not a hard and fast rule, as with anything in Easthalen, but does seem to be the norm. Surges are rarely the same. Two different amateur magic users will trigger two different, but similar Surges The more power being used, the worse the Surge and the greater the chance of the magic not working in the first place. Surges always occur for those with no training. In some circumstances , Surges have been known to trigger a positive effect, but the chances of this happening seem to be about 1 in a thousand. Surges seem to occur very infrequently for those monsters and animals that use magic. They sometimes do occur, but it seems to be only in areas where there is a high Surge rating in the first place. The majority of animals (especially those that can use magic) avoid these areas by instinct There is a group of people who only job is to deal with surges and the effects they have. They can be thought of as a combination of arcane police and fire fighter. It is an odd settlement that doesn’t have at least once person filling this role. They go by various names which are variations of Arcane Protector and deliberately attacking or harming one of these men and women, of all races and species, is considered a high crime. Surges triggered in the Bleed are always worse. Divine miracles also start to trigger surges within the Bleed as well. Those who follow a god are advised to stay away from the area. Now in a world like Easthalen, magic is a very real and powerful force used by a chosen few. Why don’t more people use it you ask? The main number #1 reason why more people don’t use it is a bit of a paradox. In Easthalen, EVERYONE, can use magic. Well, every adult at least. So why doesn’t everyone use it in everyday life? The main reason is that whilst everyone can use magic, it is incredibly dangerous to do so. A real world equivalent would be like using a dangerous gun without any safety lock. It’s a simple enough principle, but only those with the proper training can use magic without triggering the side effects that magic use has. After all the source of all magic is the soul and mind of a mad god.
The classic arcane magic user like a wizard or warlock is unchanged except in the fact their abilities are to suppress the side effects that occur. Divine magic does not trigger these effects. They can , if they dare risk to do so, cast spells above their level, but they will trigger side effects as well, although by doing so the effect would be less than if someone who had no training was to try.