Astral Magic

Astral Magic, also known as Ley-magic, is an ancient and mystical force that courses through The Known World, intricately connected to the Cosmic Etherium and the Astral Filament. This unfiltered, pure magic is often referred to as Astral Magic.
Ley-line magic is the unification of all types of magic, merging the diverse magical energies from various sources into a single, harmonious force. Just as different wavelengths of light combine to form white light, ley-line magic integrates different schools and forms of magic, creating a pure and potent magical current.
Magic in the Known World is divided into two primary types: Divine and Arcane. Elemental and Nature magic, as part of Divine Magic, draw power from natural elements—Earth, Air, Fire, and Water—as well as the inherent life force of the natural world. When these forces are combined in the ley-lines, they create a balanced and stabilized form of energy, amplified and enriched by the convergence of all other magical forms. Arcane Magic involves the manipulation of the fundamental laws of the universe. When channeled through ley-lines, Arcane magic gains a refined and amplified potency. Even Necromancy, a branch of Arcane Magic that deals with the essence of life and death, becomes purified and stabilized within ley-lines, mitigating its typically chaotic nature.
Ley-lines serve as channels that harmonize these varied magical energies, preventing any single type from becoming too dominant or unstable. This integration ensures that the flow of magic remains balanced and beneficial to the world.

The Cosmic Etherium

The Cosmic Etherium is the source of all harmony within the Materium. It is a realm of order and serenity, where the laws of reality and nature draw their essence. This plane is characterized by formations of mirror-like crystal structures that flow seamlessly through each other without collision, symbolizing perfect balance. The Etherium’s environment is filled with diamond-like floating landscapes, bismuth mountains, diamond plateaus, and glass planes, creating a surreal and breathtaking vista. There is no wind, and gravity is only relative to the many large floating isles of clear crystal that drift serenely through the Etherium.
Magic within the Cosmic Etherium flows in controlled streams of finely-tuned ley-line energy. This magic is harnessed by mystics and martial artists who seek meditative rest and contemplation. Attuning oneself to the Etherium requires aligning one’s chakras, a process that, when completed, allows individuals to hear a faint, oscillating choir during meditation—a sign of the realm’s resonance and the individual’s deep connection to it. This harmonious state of being is said to enhance one's magical abilities and bring about inner peace and clarity.

The Astral Filament

The Astral Filament is a natural, magical barrier that prevents most beings and energies of extra-planar realms from crossing into the Materium. It is intricately connected to the ley-lines, acting as both a conduit and a protector of magical energies. The ley-lines draw their power from the Cosmic Etherium, channeling it into the Materium, while the Astral Filament ensures that this power is balanced and does not become corrupted or destabilized. Severe damage to the Filament naturally heals over time, but larger 'wounds' take centuries to mend. This layer is nearly impenetrable from the outside, though some energies can more easily cross the Astral Filament than others. Some realms ignore the Filament completely, creating points of vulnerability where extra-planar entities might intrude.

The Leyblessed

The Leyblessed are individuals who have become infused with Astral Magic through their profound connection to the ley-lines. This rare blessing can occur either by being born under the alignment of the Matron's Hand constellation—a celestial event where an array of Astral Crystal shards in the cosmic Void orbit each other and align perfectly with the world—or through significant life events that awaken this latent potential later in life. The probability of being Leyblessed at birth during an alignment of the Matron's Hand is approximately 1 in 100, while the chance of this infusement emerging later in life is about 1 in 1000.

Leyblessed individuals often exhibit physical manifestations of their connection to ley-line magic. Their veins may glow faintly with a soft, shimmering light, particularly visible in the dark or during moments of intense emotion or magical exertion. Their eyes might have an ethereal quality, reflecting the colors of the ley-lines or even appearing to contain a swirling, star-like pattern. In addition to these characteristics, the unifying nature of Astral Magic can cause other physical side effects. Some Leyblessed have prismatic iridescence to their skin, making it seem as though their skin reflects all colors of the spectrum. Others might have hair that shifts colors, changing hue with their mood or the time of day. The unifying magic can also lead to more androgynous or hermaphroditic appearances, blending features typically associated with different genders. Additionally, some Leyblessed develop eyes that resemble the night sky, filled with tiny, star-like specks that twinkle when they speak or cast spells. Their voices might carry a melodic resonance, an underlying harmony that is soothing to hear. These individuals may also emit a faint, comforting warmth, as if their bodies are always slightly heated by the magic within them.
The rarity of the Leyblessed makes them figures of great interest and sometimes fear. They are often revered as powerful sorcerers or sages, sought after by scholars, rulers, and adventurers for their deep understanding of and ability to manipulate ley-line magic. However, this attention can also bring danger, as those who wish to exploit their powers for their own gain may seek them out.

Type

Metaphysical, Astral