Weavetearing

A Weavetearing is a violent magical event that occurs when too much magical energy has been drawn from a specific part of the weave, causing such a sudden dip in the weavecurrent that it makes a small tear in the fabric of reality. Weavetearing is a common and natural occurrence that happens in nature millions of times a day. Usually, these small weavetears are caused by natural phenomena, magically-attuned creatures or very commonly, powerful spellcasters.
On a small scale affecting a healthy portion of the weave, this is typically momentary. The weave tears, then pulls itself together, correcting itself. In much rarer circumstances, weavetears become more stable and thus, more persistent. Drawing on or spewing out extraplanar energy, the effect can last anywhere from a few minutes to a few centuries. Very occasionally, weavetears are significant and stable enough that they become essentially permanent. These persistent rifts drain or project energy in or out of the plane they reside on, playing part in a delicate balancing game of energy and force across the many planes. If big enough these tears can allow physical matter or worse, creatures and monsters through, acting as a portal to often dangerous planes of existence. 

Definition

Arcanologists debated hotly following the Great Aresian Weavetear of the defining features of a weavetear. They were partially understood before the catastrophe, but very poorly documented. As insurance bills mounted, damages were counted and lives were lost, the public's fear increased and it was quickly realised a firm definition needed to be recorded.
Also important to forming a firm definition was the ongoing debate surrounding weavetears in magical circles. Some Sedian arcanologists argued that potentially dangerous spells such as teleportation circles or permanent portals could be considered forms of weavetears, and were no less dangerous and parasitic. It was argued for some time that a talented wizard could drain energy from one plane to another using a permanent portal, and that all permanent portals across the country should be closed. Many of these researchers had the motive of keeping the large weavetears open for their studies, and were quickly disregarded. After a day-long court debate before the Minister of Magic and the High Minister, the council ruled on the definition of a weavetear.
A weavetear is defined as:

A physical fissure in the weave that draws or ejects energy from one planar space to another uncontrollably. It must be significant enough a disruption that is measurable via Arcane Sampler, detectable using magic, or is visible to the senses.

This definition excluded teleportation circles, as they do not physically alter the structure of the weave. Normal portals were excluded, as they do not transfer energy unless directed.

Types

Energetically Profitable / Energetically Lossy:

All weavetears can be broadly grouped into two basic types: energetically profitable or energetically lossy. These terms are relative to the plane the examiner defining them. Energetically profitable weavetears draw energy from another space into the defining plane. Energetically lossy weavetears draw energy away from the defining plane.
The discovery of the energetic shift of energy caused great panic to researchers when discovered. Some experts still theorise that an imbalance of predominantly energetically lossy weavetears will inevitably cause the heat death of the material universe, and that spellcasting speeds up this inevitable fate. However, modern popular theory is that weavetears are important to the balance of interplanar energy, and act as a kind of metaphysical osmosis to keep energetic homeostasis.
A North Osmeni paper in 13,001 SA drew from their last five censuses, which occur every 10 years in North Osmen, as well as recent data collection on weavetears and surveys of coastal life. Years where there were more energetically lossy rifts detected were followed with increased documentation of Chaosmarked children, as well as increased sightings of spark jellyfish. The paper speculated that the correlation may be indicative of a universal balance mechanism, as chaos sorcerers and creatures such as spark jellyfish produce weavetears naturally. The paper was not definitive, and the paper has lead to funding a century-long similar study to further research the correlation.

Momentary Shift

A momentary shift is a tiny weavetear, often caused by a sudden spike of magical energy in a "bruised" portion of weave. This is very common where there has been a large surge in high-intensity magical use in a small area, for example during war and battle, or during practice in an arcane teaching environment. So small they are often not even noticed, these weavetears appear as "blip" of detectable energy, allowing very small amounts of light, gas, sound or energy to pass between planes. They may appear as a tiny flash or sparkle of light, a crackle in the air, glimpse of a smell or sound of another place, or a slight puff of breeze. They may or may not be visible, and are often mistaken for other normal phenomena of magic, such as arcing electrical energy or sparks. Momentary shifts occur hundreds of thousands of times in a day across the globe during the normal expenditure of magic and energy by nature, creatures and spellcasters. They are also created by natural creatures, such as spark jellyfish and chaos dragons.

Notable Shift

Following the "Three and Three Rule", a notable shift is a visible weavetear, at least 3 inches long or wide, that occurs for more than 3 seconds. Commonly produced as a side effect of chaos sorcery, they are usually noticeable in a quiet space. Most commonly manifesting as a visual flash or a crackle of noise, they are often nicknamed a "chaos-crackle". They are considered insignificant energetically, and are typically non-dangerous.

Weave Lightning

Weave lightning is a more significant common weavetear, but is still typically non-dangerous. Weave lightning is defined by a sudden "crack-like" flash of light, colour or other visual phenomena that appears in the space around a spellcaster or trigger. It can look like lightning in the air, but lasts longer and holds its appearance for several seconds before fading away as the rift repairs itself. The visual element is often accompanied by a loud crack or bang sound, and less commonly a strong smell from the connecting plane. Lossy weave lightning may appear as black, void-like cracks in space, accompanied by a sound like whistling wind, and a draining aura.

Twistertear

A rare and destructive form of weavetear, twistertears are uncommon and thankfully resolve themselves quickly. Twistertears look like small, twisting tornados and drain or project energy at a terrifying rate. A combination of high energy and highly unstable structure, twistertears occur when the weave is pulled in two different "directions" at once, usually by the clash of two extremely oppositional forms of magic or energy occurring in a very damaged portion of weave. Lossy twistertears are less destructive, and appear black or grey and are accompanied by a high-pitched squeal that is loud enough to deafen. Sucking up energy and matter in their paths (converting the matter into energy as it goes), they usually last between 1-15 seconds and destroy anything in their wake. Profitable twistertears "spray" energy from their connecting plane outward, and can appear very bright or hazy. While usually this spray is converted and manifests as force energy, depending on the connecting plane, it can have other effects. Twistertears presumably connecting to the hells have been known to superheat the air around them, vapourising everything in the vicinity, for example.

Rift

"Rift" is the term commonly used for permanent or semi-permanent weavetears of considerable size and duration. Rifts are usually large and stable enough to travel through physically, and their energy effect is significant and cause for concern. In theory, all rifts will close themselves in time, but many rifts are held open for extended periods as the energy passing through them continues to impact the integrity of the weave. Many of these rifts are visible to the naked eye, or are able to be perceived with other senses. Sometimes, they can be opened underground or underwater, and go unnoticed for a long period. Some have persisted long enough that ancient cultures build structures around them, protecting them as sacred portals to other realms or closing them away to prevent visitors from dangerous parts of the universe.

Causes and Risk Factors

The actual mechanism behind the formation of weavetears is still not entirely understood. Despite there being solid theories, the weave is nearly impossible to observe in real time, and therefore incredibly difficult to study with any kind of certainty. That being said, it is thought that weavetears occur when magic flows with a combination of high power and high velocity through the energetic bonds that make up the weave. Like electrical wire melting when too much current passes through it, the weave disintegrates under this sudden surge of pressure and is unable to compensate, causing further collapse in a localised manner.
The weave is not physical or solid in any sense, and this explanation doesn't truly encapsulate the complexity that goes into the process behind weavetears, but allows researchers to have some basis to work with.
Certain forms of magic, methods of casting magic, and ingredients involved in spellcasting are thought to be higher risk. These factors allow higher-energy magic to work in a more sudden, surging fashion, and has been shown to affect the weave chaotically.

Sorcery

Sorcery is thought to, in general, be more high-risk than wizardry, pact-work or spiritual magic. It is theorised that this is because the large amount of magic contained inside the body of a sorcerer in a highly condensed form being expressed through such a narrow conduit (the practitioners themselves, with no runic expression and little ingredient work) causes a higher magical pressure. Chaos sorcery is even higher-risk, as the outcomes of the magic are unpredictable and the practitioner has no way of properly limiting their magical output at any time.
As an extension of this, metamagic is considered incredibly high-risk. Metamagic works because the practitioner is able to distort the weave to do their bidding in a way that breaks the rules and laws of standard magic, and this causes great stress and pressure on the weave itself.

Haematic Magic

Blood magic is well known for its ability to burn out practitioners' neurons and cause gradual insanity, and it is thought that the same high-surging magic factor is what burns out neurons as quickly as it does weave bonds. Blood mages are not born with inbuilt protections to their own magic as sorcerers are and while they do commonly use runic expression, it's incredibly difficult to master in a reserved way. Haematic magic is one of the most high-risk forms of spellcraft that one can practice, and is banned for this reason among others in many countries across the world.

Transmutation

Transmutation magic in general is found to be slightly more high-risk than other spells. Because there is usually an excess somewhere along the line when transforming matter, that energy is dissipated into the weave.

The Great Aresian Weavetear

The Great Aresian Weavetear was a disaster caused by the sorceress Corrana, deliberately, as a display of the power of born magic. Originally starting her young life as an independent Sedian politician advocating for the rights of sorcerers and in particular, chaos sorcerers, she became enraged by her constant rejection. Her spiral of insanity that lead to the disaster and the destruction it caused brought in demands for even more control on sorcery across Sedia, and a ban on practising chaos sorcery altogether.

Weave Reinforcement and Repair

Since the Great Aresian Weavetear, research into weavetears amplified and much has been uncovered about their properties and mechanisms. From this research, methods are being developed that will allow specially trained wizards to perform bindings which may help strengthen damaged or bruised portions of the weave, and with development, may even potentially allow for manual healing of weavetears.
None of this is well structured yet, and most rituals of this degree require more magic than an average professional in wizardry can manipulate safely, leading to questions of whether the risk of mass energy manipulation of this kind outweighs the benefit. Some researchers believe the best way to handle weavetears is to let them run their course.

Type

Metaphysical, Arcane