Arcanum (Ahr-kan-uhm)
Arcanum is the most common study of magic in the modern age. It views magic as one of the natural laws, like gravity or magnetism, and seeks to study, categorize, and control magic through the use of spells. Its practice flourished in the Cradle, and has spread across the continent - though it is believed the practice was not a unique creation but rather a methodology that sprung up spontaneously from numerous arcane researchers.
The practice of spellcasting in this school of thought is generally accomplished by the use of rigidly defined and researched spells. Each is partially prepared ahead of time according to exacting specifications. As a result of these complex spells and the spellbooks that contain them, spells can be made to easily reproducible specifications and cast very quickly through the use of gesture, voice, or material components.
Its widespread use has influenced numerous derivatives, but few stray far from the reliable and exacting spells that give such benefits.
Arcanum is the spellcasting methodology that most closely resembles 5th Edition Dungeon & Dragon's spellcasting system. Not all spell casters in this setting use such styles!
Components and tools
Spellcasting with this method takes a very scientific view on magic. Discoveries are vetted, tested, and eventually spread through arcane researchers in the form of spellbooks, scrolls, and arcane theory treatises. New practitioners are taught from the writings of great mages and researchers, and their invented spells handed down and spread over the years.
In order to create such reliable and reproducible spells, arcanum tends to be very rigid. It is difficult to shift or change spell designs, and inventing new spells can take years. Particular reagents are required, exacting gestures, and the proper intonation of vocal components is key. Without them, the entire spell simply falls apart.
Reagents and ingredients can sometimes be incredibly expensive - the most well known of which being the high quality diamonds required for resurrection spells and other powerful magic.
Participants
Arcanum is taught around the continent and even further. Though it is incredibly complex and can take years of study to master even the most simple of spells, it still remains a reliable way of teaching spells to potential practitioners. If one can memorize and fully incorporate the scientific rigor it demands, anyone can learn to cast spells. Numerous arcane universities exist to teach spellcasting to whoever wishes it - and can pay for the incredibly expensive reagents and books they will require to learn.
Unlike some other methodologies of using magic, arcanum can be taught in largely the same way regardless of the student. Obviously, a student might benefit from individual care, but arcanum seeks to bring the power of magic into line the same way, regardless of who is casting the spell.
Observance
Arcanum is studied across the world, and beyond into the planes of the multiverse. However, it is relatively new in the grand scheme of things - far older magic exists, and their practitioners can still be found casting their spells alongside those who have learned Arcanum.
