The Eight Disciplines

This referential tome is decorated with various etches and runes in the style of different forms of magic. It is written by a former Sage of the Conjuration, Dolan the Summoner of the Magister’s Arcanum.

Forward
While there are many ways mortals have to cast magic, mastering the weave, utilizing the magic within natural beings, from divine or otherworldly sources, we are able to categorize them into eight different schools of magic. These schools help us to understand the magic better and have created a lasting foundation on which study into the arcana can be found. Many new spells have been crafted by having a deep understanding of the intricacies of magic, and while this tome contains just an overview that scratches the surface of that knowledge, it too will become a foundation on which your understanding of the arcane arts can be built.

It is also important to understand how you interact with spells. As listed above, there are many sources of magic that can be utilized. We often use the term cleric or priest for those who take on divine power, although that term tends to often apply to some we call paladins or warlocks, who get their power from a righteous cause or an otherworldly patron. Even then the lines can be blurred by those we categorize as sorcerers, those who are born with innate power. Sometimes that innate power can be a gift from a god, or some, like those of many of the magi families of Renvere, who have curated a bloodline trait with unique magic that is in many cases nearly impossible to replicate. For many of those not lucky enough to be born into a family of magi, or have the blessing of the divine, our magic comes from hard work and study. Those who walk this path we call wizards, and often they specialize in a single school of magic, which is why the council of the Magister’s Arcanum in Torenvar has a sage for each of these schools. These sages are often considered masters, or archmages, in their respective schools, and in many cases are among the most powerful wizards in the land.

The School of Conjuration
The school of conjurations deals primarily with creating objects, summoning creatures, or in some cases making them disappear. As a conjurer, you favor spells that produce objects and creatures out of thin air. You can conjure billowing clouds of killing fog or summon creatures from elsewhere to fight on your behalf. As your mastery grows, you learn spells of transportation and can teleport yourself across vast distances, even to other planes of existence, in an instant.

The School of Necromancy
In general, think of spells within the School of Necromancy as manipulating the ebb and flow of different creatures’ “life energy”, or the balance of energy between life and death. This can come across in the form of helping resurrection, or draining necrotic damage. The School of Necromancy explores the cosmic forces of life, death, and undeath. As you focus your studies in this tradition, you learn to manipulate the energy that animates all living things. As you progress, you learn to sap the life force from a creature as your magic destroys its body, transforming that vital energy into magical power you can manipulate.
Most people see necromancers as menacing, or even villainous, due to the close association with death. Not all necromancers are evil, but the forces they manipulate are considered taboo by many societies.

The School of Evocation
Casters within the school of evocation unleash a raw magical energy upon their enemies. Whether it be flames, ice, or pure arcane energy, evocators have the potential for great destruction. The evocation school of magic included spells that manipulated energy or tapped an unseen source of power in order to produce a desired end. In effect, they created something out of nothing. Many of these spells produced spectacular effects, and evocation spells could deal large amounts of damage. Many iconic offensive spells such as magic missile, lightning bolt and fireball were of the evocation school.

The School of Abjuration
Magical spells and effects within the school of abjuration are primarily designed for protection and shielding. Don’t be fooled however, some Abjuration spells can pack quite a punch. The School of Abjuration emphasizes magic that blocks, banishes, or protects. Detractors of this school say that its tradition is about denial, negation rather than positive assertion. You understand, however, that ending harmful effects, protecting the weak, and banishing evil influences is anything but a philosophical void. It is a proud and respected vocation.
Called abjurers, members of this school are sought when baleful spirits require exorcism, when important locations must be guarded against magical spying, and when portals to other planes of existence must be closed.

The School of Transmutation
Casters who study within the School of Transmutation are able to manipulate the physical properties of both items and people. This could be something simple – such as turning copper into gold – or could be an advanced spell that turns you into a newt. You are a student of spells that modify energy and matter. To you, the world is not a fixed thing, but eminently mutable, and you delight in being an agent of change. You wield the raw stuff of creation and learn to alter both physical forms and mental qualities. Your magic gives you the tools to become a smith on reality's forge.
Some transmuters are tinkerers and pranksters, turning people into toads and transforming copper into silver for fun and occasional profit. Others pursue their magical studies with deadly seriousness, seeking the power of the gods to make and destroy worlds.

The School of Divination
The magical School of Divination is centered around revealing and granting knowledge and information to the caster. Useful for reading ancient scripts, identifying magical items, and seeing invisible enemies. The counsel of a diviner is sought by royalty and commoners alike, for all seek a clearer understanding of the past, present, and future. As a diviner, you strive to part the veils of space, time, and consciousness so that you can see clearly. You work to master spells of discernment, remote viewing, supernatural knowledge, and foresight.

The School of Enchantment
Spells within the School of Enchantment are designed to manipulate the mental state of the target. This entire school is very similar to hypnotism, where the affected creature may act completely differently than how they normally behave. As a member of the School of Enchantment, you have honed your ability to magically entrance and beguile other people and monsters. Some enchanters are peacemakers who bewitch the violent to lay down their arms and charm the cruel into showing mercy. Others are tyrants who magically bind the unwilling into their service. Most enchanters fall somewhere in between.

The School of Illusion
The School of Illusion is concerned with manipulating the various senses of people and creatures. This could be vision, hearing, or other various senses such as body temperature. You focus your studies on magic that dazzles the senses, befuddles the mind, and tricks even the wisest folk. Your magic is subtle, but the illusions crafted by your keen mind make the impossible seem real. Some illusionists – including many gnome wizards – are benign tricksters who use their spells to entertain. Others are more sinister masters of deception, using their illusions to frighten and fool others for their personal gain.

The Ninth School
Contrary to what the title may have led you to believe, there is an ninth school of magic. Well, it isn’t a school as much as a catchall for anything that doesn’t fit. The ninth school is often referred to as the occult. This tends to be a mix of ancient, misunderstood, or forbidden magic (such as some curses). Practice of the occult is generally forbidden unless overseen by the Magister’s Arcanum Sage of the Occultic or one of their surrogates. This sort of magic is seen as heresy in the Celestine Empire and if you are found practicing outside the empire, you will be excommunicated and if you are discovered practicing within the empire, it is a death sentence. The Magister’s Arcanum operates with special permission from the church to practice occultic magic for the purpose of research and being able to understand the threats it poses. Occultic magic should not be attempted as it is both extremely dangerous to both the user and the general population.