Magic
is an integral part of the world, the elements of magic exist as an
ethereal mist that tends to form in clumps of similar energies in
particular areas. Many creatures and plants draw on this energy
passively, occasionally expending this back into the world as it is
used. However it can have far more impact it it is manipulated
correctly, either by taking advantage of the effects of an abundance
of one energy in an area or by directly controlling it. For example
areas with a high rainfall likely have a large concentration of water
energy, when this build up is too much it rains and the energy is
dispersed over a large area to slowly pool back together resulting in
more rain. It is unknown just how many elements exist, you can use
different elements to achieve similar effects making the tracking of
the elements tricky, but some areas may be almost devoid of an
element entirely.
Some
individuals are born with the ability to manipulate the flow of
magical energies, while few in number the power they command is
immense. Mages, as they are known can pull the energies surrounding
them through themselves to convert it into useful effects, for
example drawing cold energies to throw as shards of ice. Simple
spells can be cast with relative ease, and more advanced ones can be
committed to memory with years of training. However lost tend to use
complex rituals to cast spells of imminence power taking days of
preparation and hours of concentration to cast. Also after a spell is
cast and the element dissipated, it becomes harder and harder to use
spells of the energy until they have been drawn back together. One
skill that is commonly use by Mages is self transformation, it is
reasonable simple to commit a form to memory and really the limit of
the form is the casters imagination, even if they tend to show traits
of the caster unless great effort is used to change them, but this
magic can uses any magic energy making it very useful.
Another
way to utilise magic is in the form of magical receptacles.
These are made by grinding down minerals that are magically receptive
adding them to sand and melting the whole thing into glass that is
then poured into shapes. In order for the receptacles
to do anything, runes must be carved into them, the most common one
is “absorb”, this will slowly pull magic of any sort into it
until it can no longer hold any. This allows it to to letter be
released at a moments notice, this can be done by a Mage, breaking it
or adding a rune that allows non magical people to activate it with
practice. This energy is the same as normal and can be used to
anything it would commonly be used for. When used the receptacles do
have a tendency to break, but another form of use exists. Silver is
very magically conductive, meaning that items made of sliver can use
magic from receptacles, this is much gentler process and is far less
likely to break the receptacles.
The
last commonly used use of magic is mostly used without the knowledge
that it is magic. Plants, animals and minerals are all tied to the
same forces as magic, each possessing some magic. However some have
more than normal, for example most healing plants will be drawing
more magic than others. Mostly this is used day to day by people with
some understanding or herbs, but an alchemist understand far more,
knowing that they can effect the body in remarkable ways. While the
uses of this is limited to a personal level for most, it can give
Mages an internal store of magic for a short while. However the
location of plants and animals will be directly linked to the magic
in an area, potentially limiting the use of alchemy in Mage. It is
commonly used to enhance the body, or hinder in some way.
