Science of Magic

Give me a magician who can tell me exactly how they do what they do, and I'll reward him my kingdom

— King Edven of Heights circa 872 TF

The art and science of magic is a topic that has many texts written about, especially within Olivia where the study of magic has given rise to a number of Academies. It is still not exactly understood, but a great deal of advancement has occurred in recent centuries thanks to the "rational method", depicted by scientists. A scientist in magic is referred to as a Fostologist.

History

The history of Fostology first found itself in the Alkemists of old Ou in Olivia. The Alkemists recognised that special effects could be imbued to a person by ingest certain plants and minerals, treated through various methods of burning, distilling, boiling, freezing and mixing. This was considered to be blessings from the gods, remnants left by the Titans. Hence materials were often categorised into five collectives, depending on which of the Titans' domains it belonged to.
As time went on, Fost was understood to have an affect on concoctions - those better attuned to Fost felt stronger effects from these potions and solutions, and certain areas they worked better.
Magicians didn't emerge until close to 400 TF, where some records speak of Alkemists who managed to observe effects with these materials by "altering" the Fost around them. The art of manipulating Fost, or Fostrendering, was recorded as occurring small bouts.

Alkemy

The Alkemy being magic recognises that certain minerals and chemicals, that are agitated by Fost, produce certain natural phenomena. Some materials have no 'agitated' effects and are considered 'fostdead'. Materials can be combine to combine their effects, leading to complicated magicks being possible through knowing which materials are necessary. This lends to magicians often needing stores of materials or carrying a component pouch to assist.
It is theorised that the Sjichan exist through long-term agitation of certain chemicals, eventually producing sapient spirits, but this is not proven.
Some of the known minerals and associated effects are as follows:

Mineral/Chemical	Titanic Association	Spiritist Association	Effect
Acid (citrus, vinegar)	Fedeus	Cysgud	Evocation of lightning and storms
Air	Fedeus	Abren	Evocation of water and rain
Alcohol (Nymffa)	Anima	Abren	Accelerated healing
Aluminium	Inertia	Carrec	Dulling of gravity
Amber	Fedeus	Cysgud	Evocation of lightning and storms
Antimony	Alea	Dowydden	Light
Arsenic	Alea	Unos	Slow healing
Ash	Momenta	Tan	Evocation of fire
Bismuth	Inertia	Carrec	Slow movement
Calcium	Anima	Abren	Numbness
Clay	Inertia	Carrec	Elasticity
Coal	Momenta	Tan	Evocation of fire
Cobalt	Momenta	Carrec	Attraction
Copper	Fedeus	Cysgud	Evocation of lightning and storms
Gold	Inertia	Unos	Slowing of time
Iron	Inertia	Carrec	Speed
Lead	Alea	Unos	Fost dulling
Mercury	Alea	Unos	Transformation
Nickel	Momenta	Carrec	Attraction
Obsidian	Momenta	Tan	Evocation of fire
Onyx	Momenta	Unos	Dimming of light
Pearl	Alea	Dowydden	Light
Phosphorus	Momenta	Tan	Evocation of fire
Platinum	Alea	Dowydden	Light
Salt	Fedeus	Cysgud	Vibration
Sand	Momenta	Dowydden	Weakening of material
Silver	Alea	Dowydden	Resistance, hardening
Sugar	Anima	Tan	Pleasure
Sulphur	Momenta	Tan	Evocation of fire
Tallow	Momenta	Carrec	Evocation of fire
Tin	Alea	Carrec	Sound and light
Water	Anima	Abren	Accelerated healing
Zinc	Fedeus	Tan	Evocation of cold

Fostrendering

Certain species and ethnicities have better "attunement" to Fost than others. Some areas are also more concentrated with Fost. These are two factors that can affect the abilities of a magician or "Fostrenderer". This is why a magician or Fostrenderer will often attend specialist academies that sit in places of higher concentrations.