How Magic Works in Eldcolary
After the Great Seal was formed in 1057, humanity lost its connection to the natural magicks of Eldcolary, also known as the Glauxian Weave. Because of this, magic quickly become a thing of the past, until some people living on the outskirts of Eldcolary realized that they could tap into the Great Seal itself to power their magic.
However, this comes at a heavy toll, requiring the magic-user to sacrifice their own blood and soul to the Great Seal in return for this power. Before learning just how much the Great Seal takes, hundreds of newly-fledged magicians lost their lives attempting magic too powerful for their bodies to handle.
This was not the only downside though to one casting magic via the Great Seal. By utilizing the power of the Great Seal, small openings are created for a few seconds, but that is still long enough for horrific creatures to still enter Eldcolary. Once this was realized, a ban was swiftly put on magic. No one was to practice magic due to the cost of human life, and the risk it posed to the stability of humanity.
While this has stamped out magic in all of the larger cities, there are still some who practice magic in secret. These criminals tend to live by themselves or in small clans of other magic users. If anyone else was to catch them utilizing such forbidden knowledge, they would be executed.
With the invention of various cyber augments though now, magic users are better able to hand the toll that the Great Seal takes on their bodies. Powerful spells no longer outright kill a caster, and instead may only weaken them a little, allowing them to stand and fight for much longer.
Mechanics of the Magic System
Casting spells now costs hitpoints based on the level of the spell.
The Great Seal Magic Random Table (TBC)
The Glauxian Weave
Before the Great Seal was created by the Lords of Night, humanity had access to magicks via the Glauxian Weave. The Glauxian Weave took on the appearance of a golden owl who could be seen with outspread wings surrounding Eldcolary. However, once the Great Seal was created, it's loving light was hidden, blotted out by the dripping red of the bloody seal.
Since then, humanity has been unable to access its power, but it is believed that it is still out there, waiting for humanity to return to it and their natural ways. While many in the big cities have forgotten its existence, there are small cults in the south of Eldcolary who actively work to bring humanity back into its power.
Magical Races in Eldcolary
Currently there are only several innately magical races in Eldcolary who are able to access their natural magicks. However, like humans, they must also sacrifice some lifeforce to the Great Seal, though they must only sacrifice half.
These races include:
