Abjuration

The Most Complicated Magical Field Is Designed To Interact With Spells Cast By Other Spellcasters

Sometimes referred to simply as "Meta-magic", Abjuration is the field of magic that focuses the most of the manipulation and outright cancellation of spells, enchantments, and natural magical expressions. Highly structured, measured, and volatile when performed incorrectly, abjuration is almost exclusively practiced by arcanists from The Collegiate Arcaneenvironment
Abjuration is perhaps the most complicated and therefore difficult magical discipline to study - and few master the field even among the alvain. The difficulty of abjuration is primarily due to the double-complexity of its spells. Typically when an abjuration spell is being cast, it is in direct response to the activities of another being - typically a rival spellcaster - and the abjurer must not only ensure their own spell is performed perfectly, but that it accounts for both the intent and execution of the action or spell being cast by the rival party. This often means that the abjurer is mentally focusing on two separate and counter-intended spells at once - often in the matter of a few split seconds - it quickly becomes apparent why few outside of the halls of The Collegiate Arcane are able to practice - let alone master the precision required for this magical discipline.
Because of this, the performance of abjuration spells is often considered a strong benchmark for arcanists, and "meta-magic" dueling is a common practice with arcanists young and old - where the spellcasters weave increasingly powerful spells and counter spells against each other until one arcanist falters and the (usually harmless) spells take effect. Abjuration also requires a strong foundation in the other magical disciplines, as one cannot effectively counter a conjuration spell without a firm grasp on conjuration magic themselves. Master Abjurers are considered with great admiration and respect, and often count themselves among the most powerful beings in Alwaus.

Examples of Abjuration Magic in Effect

Magical Interference - the most fundamental use of abjuration magic is when a spellcaster attempts to passively stiffen or limit the spellcasting abilities of another spellcaster through various means. This is perhaps the most common use as it frequently seen in most intuitive spellcasters who rely on a more Primal Magic. The exact method of magical interference various from one practitioner to another, but even the clumsiest attempts of interference are enough to cause a distraction or taxation sufficient to risk a spell to be miscast.


Magical Wards & Shields - Another use of abjuration magic that sees play outside of Arcane Magic, protection from various sources of damage is an imperative skill for any spellcaster to know and can often mean the difference between life and death. The specifics of each ward vary from spell to spell, but generally speaking the most specific the spell's protection the more effective it will be at protecting it's ward from external threats. This can represent everything from magical energy being shaped into a shielding bubble to a protective layer of electrons designed to insulate the ward from the electric discharges.


Counterspell - The textbook application of Abjuration magic, a skilled abjurer can cast their own counter-spell in time to immediately cancel the effects of another spell that just been cast - normally nullifying the spellcaster's efforts with a fraction of their own energy. So precise and in tune with the arcanosphere around them, that the best abjurers are quick enough with a counter-spell to border on pre-cognition - cancelling a spell with such speed that it's perceived to be cancelled before it's even cast.


Dispel Magic - Similar in execution to counterspell without the split-second timing required, dispelling the effects of an enchantment or a spell after it's been cast is typically referred to as "dispelling magic" however there are certainly areas of debate as to when a spell is "dispelling" a magical effect or merely creating it's own effect in an attempt to mask the other. Dispelling an arcane shield cast around a rival spell caster is an obvious use of abjuration magic while pulling water vapor from the sky in the form of rain to put out a magical induced fire is certainly within the summoning discipline.