Addypòr ([æd:i:pɔ])

Addypòr is a prefix cast and formed the basis of at least two obvious incantations. It was, on the face of it, one of the simplest spells and was originally taught to beginners. Later, as the distinction between Authorised Mage and Unauthorised Mages was set into Qalathian law, Addypòr was reclassified as an intermediate spell. We will come onto why such a basic incantation proved to be so dangerous a little later.

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What Did It Do?

This is explained by translating from Foyiitùn into Common Tongue. Though remember this was a prefix to a full incantation.

• Add: silence, stealth, sneakiness.
• Y: here or there.
• Por: door, gate

Therefore, at its core, Addypòr was a simple "silent door" incantation.
Note: the plural porà would also work against one or multiple doors/gates. For pronunciation, please note that Foyiitùn emphasises shifts from Addypòr to Addŷporà, even though the y would not be written ŷ.
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Simple Variations

Beginner and Apprentice Mages will have learned, either by direct teaching or self-learning, the obvious applications of Addypòr: opening and closing a door silently.

Opening a Door

The Foyiitùn verb to open is leysz [leɪʃ]. As such incantations were used in the moment, the present tense form (for he/she/it and singular 'they') is used, which is leyà in this case. So, to open a door silently, the relevant incantation is:

Addypòr Leyà

or ⁽¹⁾

Leyàdd-y-pòr

Closing a Door

The Foyiitùn verb "to close" is fermasz [feə:mæʃ], for which the correct form is ferma [feə:mæ], making the most elegant form of the incantation:

Fermàdd-y-pòr

Though it was not uncommon for new Apprentices or beginners to use the inelegant:

Por-y-fermàdd

This would work, but only on the smallest, or weakest of doors.

In most cases, the written form matters less than the pronunciation, given that Foyiitùn was predominantly a spoken language, not a written one.

Urgent Emphasis

While the present tense incantation is usually sufficient, if one has adequate levels of Myst Sensitivity, even in the early stages of learning, then it is possible to nearly guarantee the success of the spell by using jéytn [yeɪ:tin]:

Fermàdd-y-pòr jétyn

[feə:mæd:i:pɔ yeɪ:tin]
The Chronicler acknowledges that the longer-form version may seem less practical in an urgent situation. But remember, levels of sensitivity to the Elements, along with experience changes cast potency. Thus an exeperienced Mage would be both more likely to succeed with the "basic cast" and capable of communicating an emergency through their Will alone. Therefore, the longer-form was a fallback taught to newer Mages, not one regularly practiced by longer-standing casters.
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Directing the Cast

While one could be forgiven for thinking the direction of the cast was obvious, this was not always the case.

Simple Cast

Until the reclassification of Addypòr, it was taught to students prior to them finding ⁽²⁾, or crafting, their first brand or branch. This meant that the methodology taught, and then passed down, was the direction of gaze - i.e. you were looking at the door or gate you wished to affect. This would then be replaced by pointing one's brand/branch at the door just prior to casting.
Note: due to the connection to the Elements in one form or another, a "branded cast" was more powerful or more likely to succeed than the "gazing method", at least for most Apprentice Mages. This was true even though the spell itself did not draw on the Elements themselves.

Simple Cast: Limiting Factors

We'll discuss mind cast shortly, but even at its most basic form, Addypòr required the caster to be almost fully-focused on the object of the incantation. Simply looking at it, while the mind was elsewhere, was not sufficient. See here for more detail.

Mind Cast

More complicated, but no less effective was mind-cast. While the words still needed to be muttered, spoken or shouted, it was where the mind was focused, not the eyes, that determined which door to open. Used in this way, a clever Mage could confuse an adversary by seeming to try to open one door, while making an escape (or furthering an attack) through another one.
Depending on the experience and Myst Sensitivity of the Mage, the radius available to them was anywhere between five and fifteen strides (by the average Paràntii measure).

Mind Cast: Limitations

Usually Addypòr was limited to the room the Mage was in, unless one door was already open and another could be seen (or focused on) that was also within range. No recording has ever been made of doors being opened (or closed) outside of the immediate room, or area. And, as with all other varieties of this incantation, any counter-spell or ward - and the strength of that - would limit the success of the spell.

Battlemage

The most complex usage of Addypòr was for Battlemages, whether in defence or offence. Take a Mage assisting in holding back an assaulting army in a siege context. Opening and closing certain doors/gates could trap the defenders further or let in more foes. Similarly, if attacking an enemy stronghold, considered use of Addypòr could prevent reinforcements arriving, or make passage through the fortress easier. In both cases, it may be that multiple doors may need enchanting (or disenchanting) at the same time.
Obviously, these examples have been oversimplified given many cultures also have mages within them to counteract attackers and defenders too. But it does highlight that even a "simple" incantation can be employed in critical and complex scenarios, at least by an experienced Mage.
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Could Any Gate Be Opened by an Apprentice?

In short, no. The types of "targets" that a Mage could open or close was limited by their level of Myst Sensitivity, experience, mental concentration and force of will. As already stated, counter-wards (and who cast them) were often effective.
However, simple doors and gates could be manipulated with relative ease, which leads us to the issue of restricting its use. See the information on the side or underneath.

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Footnotes

1. Foyiitùn's so-called "language smoothing" rules allowed word forms to be rearranged to allow a more fluid form of speech, so long as the "new form" did not change the meaning.
2. Some "brands" were simple items of nature, enchanted as to prevent it from withering and dying. Branches of various trees or bushes were commonly used. This is because they are connected to almost all the Elements.

Article Sections

Related Discipline

All Mages

Related Element

None

Effect Duration

Permanent, until manually - or magically - reversed.

Effect Casting Time

1 Second/Instant

Range

5-15 Strides

Level

Beginner - Apprentice Levels

Applied Restriction

The reason this incantation had to have its authorisation level increased was an increased use for nefarious and sometimes criminal ends. Addypòr's simplicity is its primary danger, because one could silently do almost anything to a door. The scope of this was determined by a guage of Myst Sensitivity and training. However, various outcomes have been attempted by unofficial mages in the past - though no official record exists as to the success or failure of said attempts.

• Burning or Disintegrating it
• Warping it into a semi-sentient lifeform
• Making it, literally, walk away
• Using it to gain access to another's property to steal from it, or attack its occupants
• Opening prison doors (Kaal Navia)
• Raiding the treasury

It is for this reason that most of the official buildings in the capital have a secret ward against variations of that incantation. Within Bezélan past Crystal Circles had overseen the construction of Aszil-Vyai and Beux-Nysz Abodes and wards placed on their doors and storehouses. Due to other priorities taking presidence, this work was never completed in other parts of the city, leaving poorer areas extremely vulnerable to malicious Mages.

Why Regulation Would Fail

If unofficial mages were outlawed, one may ask, why not simply ban the use of Addypòr incantations? While a valid question, the answer is simply that you cannot. Unlike many spells cast through a Myst Sensitive being, Addypòr did not draw on any of the Elements, thus making it nigh impossible for a member of the Crystal Circle to sense its use.
Therefore, all that could be done was to monitor the activity of mages across the Realm and to protect entrances as best as they could.
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