Magic And How It Works
Magic, an essence that flows throughout the world, attracted to focal points of power. It manifests itself in a myriad of forms, each with its own unique characteristics and wielders, though no matter the form it takes, it is the same magical essence at its core. It exists within each person and within nature itself, but for some it flows stronger than others. These are the people who is considered to have a natural affinity for manipulating magic and are often those who take it upon themselves to become mages, the universal term for those who can manipulate magic. Below are the four ways that are used to control magic, with every mage falling into one of them. Though each have associated elements they excel at, a skilled mage is not limited to only those.
Primal magic is the ancient art of tapping into the raw energies of the natural world and it is seen as a harmonious communion with the elemental forces that shapes reality, by those who use it. It draws its strength from the surroundings and the attunement of the user to the world around them, but it is fickle and has a will of its own.
Practitioners
Shamans, druids, tribal elders
Characteristics
Connection with the world and nature, communion with spirits, rituals and ceremonies
Examples
Healing rituals, elemental manipulation, nature-based divination, spirit communication
Known also as runeforging, being runebound and runecrafted sorcery, runeform Is the art of magic mastered by wizards, battle mages and most mages that have been educated in imperial magic academies as is mandatory within the Ni'rral Empire. It relies on incantations, symbols and precise gestures to wield it and often uses focuses to bind the magic to a user, who often has one or more objcts that stores it. Unlike primal magic, it is often associated with scholarly pursuits and urban sophistication despite its forceful ways to make magic obey the users.
Practitioners
Wizards, scholars, battlemages, urban mages
Characteristics
Ancient tomes, intricate rituals, runes and symbols, manipulation through focus objects
Examples
Enchantments, potion-making, combat magic, necromancy
Pact Magic encompasses every other type of magic, as they are granted through pacts with other beings. These can range from the devout worshippers of the gods to deals with beings of the underworld and even other powerful mages. A being can lend magic to another as long as they are sufficiently powerful with it themselves. This allows practitioners of pact magic to harness powers beyond their own and even at times access magic that neither primal or urban practitioners can reach, but often there is a price to be taken for wielding what is beyond themselves.
Practitioners
Priests, warlocks, those desperate for power but without magic
Characteristics
Invocation of higher powers, fulfillment of pacts and oaths, mysterious masters, power at a price
Examples
Miracles, curses, summoning, transformation
Inherent magic is the power possessed by extraordinary beings, such as dragons and other magical creatures. Unlike other forms of magic that must be learned or acquired, inherent magic flows naturally within these beings, manifesting in their very essence and for this very reason, it is out of reach for those who are not these beings, except for the fragments they can gain through pact magic.
Practitioners
Dragons, magical beasts, spirits, deities
Characteristics
Natural manifestation of magical abilities, unique powers tied to species and lineage
Examples
Elemental manipulation, otherworldly abilities, shape-shifting
Primal
To work with the world, so as to request its assistance.Primal magic is the ancient art of tapping into the raw energies of the natural world and it is seen as a harmonious communion with the elemental forces that shapes reality, by those who use it. It draws its strength from the surroundings and the attunement of the user to the world around them, but it is fickle and has a will of its own.
Runeform
To force the flow, so that it obeys.Known also as runeforging, being runebound and runecrafted sorcery, runeform Is the art of magic mastered by wizards, battle mages and most mages that have been educated in imperial magic academies as is mandatory within the Ni'rral Empire. It relies on incantations, symbols and precise gestures to wield it and often uses focuses to bind the magic to a user, who often has one or more objcts that stores it. Unlike primal magic, it is often associated with scholarly pursuits and urban sophistication despite its forceful ways to make magic obey the users.
Pact
To be lended power, from those who command it.Pact Magic encompasses every other type of magic, as they are granted through pacts with other beings. These can range from the devout worshippers of the gods to deals with beings of the underworld and even other powerful mages. A being can lend magic to another as long as they are sufficiently powerful with it themselves. This allows practitioners of pact magic to harness powers beyond their own and even at times access magic that neither primal or urban practitioners can reach, but often there is a price to be taken for wielding what is beyond themselves.
Inherent
When the flow of magic is within, it comes as second nature.Inherent magic is the power possessed by extraordinary beings, such as dragons and other magical creatures. Unlike other forms of magic that must be learned or acquired, inherent magic flows naturally within these beings, manifesting in their very essence and for this very reason, it is out of reach for those who are not these beings, except for the fragments they can gain through pact magic.
