How does magic work?

There are many types of magic, however, there are two fundamental frameworks: The Cosm and The Infinite, followed by divisions of the frameworks that can be separated into different magical arts. The spells and effects that are caused by these magical arts can be organized into eight magical 'schools', which will be described.

The Cosm is the magical framework of the Timeless Void. There is only one division pulled from the framework, with no true subdivisions, Elder magic. Elder magic, also referred to as Cosmic magic, is ancient and almost extinct on Elorae - it is the raw energy used by the beings known as Ancients that created substance out of the void, the shapers of the cosmos. Additionally, it has the innate ability to dominate minds, and psychically manipulate it’s surroundings, including things composed from the Infinite. There are instances of spellcasters able to naturally manipulate the Cosm from birth in this fashion, however it is extraordinarily rare. These people are known as Psions. Psi magic is not a subdivision, rather, it is an art of Elder magic manipulation. For all but the most elite sorcerer, or those without a natural-born gift, it is entirely out of reach. To the common eye, Elder magic looks primarily black with some traces of purple, blue and dark gold.

A sorcerer peers into a landscape infused with Elder magic.

The Infinite is the magical framework birthed into being by the leader of the Ancient creators of Elorae, Aghor. Infinity magic is the magic pulled from the framework that may be used in any way the one harnessing it wishes, if sufficiently powerful. The Infinite was created by Aghor to divorce their heretical creation of Elorae from their kin and origin. The Infinite suffuses everything and can be divided into many different magics. In high concentrations, the Infinite is dangerous. There are places in the world where the Infinite coalesces - the most well known being The Confluence, and the old leylines of the deep Nexus. To the common eye, raw Infinite magic is vibrant green. Often, the Infinite may be referred to as The Infinity, or other names, that colloquially refer to the same magical framework.

Most prominently there are five divisions of The Infinite. First, there are the two immaterial properties of Temporality (Time) and Dimensionality (Space). Second, there are the material properties of The Dark, The Light, and The Primal. Immaterial properties deal with the non-physical, such as spacial distortion and the manipulation of time, while material properties deal with the physical; physical light and darkness, souls, the elements, and living beings. The Dark and Light are relatively straightforward - they are two sides of the same coin, and a pure duality - one may not exist without the other. The Primal is multifaceted and constitutes a vast range of magical arts.

Many flavors of Dark magic exist, and though historically it has been infamously used for evil, nothing about the Dark is inherently malicious. A Dark magician may revere the night and the calm that it brings or the cold of the shadow against the heat of the blazing sun. At its best, Dark is the energy of calm, peace, and respite. At its worst, Dark is the energy of fear and horror. Dark magic can further be broken down into divisions such as Shadow magic, the art of controlling shadows and warding against the encroachment of light, Death magic, the art of harming or ending life, and Black magic, the esoteric arts that deal with negative energy - a black magician may agitate fears, anxieties, or doubts.

Many flavors of Light magic exist, and again, though historically it has been used for good, nothing about the Light is inherently benevolent. A Light magician may revere the day and the motion that it brings or the warmth of the sun against the cold of shadow. At its best, Light is the energy of warmth, hope, and life. At its worst, Light is the energy of oppression and blind devotion. Light magic can further be broken down into divisions such as Radiant magic, the art of controlling rays of light and warding against the encroachment of the dark, Life magic, the art of growth, healing and restoration, and White magic, the esoteric arts that deal with positive energy - a white magician may calm fears, anxieties, or doubts.

A priest wreathes himself in Radiant magic.

Primal magic is the domain of the magic of the elements, of flesh and bone, and generally, aspects of the physical world. The elements of Primal magic are the same as the elements of the natural world. They can primarily be broken into four divisions: Fire magic, the arts of controlling flame, Earth magic, the arts of controlling rock and soil, Air magic, the arts of controlling wind, and Water magic, the arts of controlling currents and rain. Different elements may be combined to create new magics, just as the elements combine naturally, into six sub-divisions such as, Fire and Earth creating Lava magic, Fire and Air creating Lightning magic, Fire and Water creating Steam magic, Water and Air creating Ice magic, Water and Earth creating Mud magic, and Air and Stone creating Sand magic. Primal magic is also the domain of any magic that manipulates the make-up or nature of fauna, it can be further broken down into divisions such as Blood magic, the arts of manipulating the blood from living creatures, Beast magic, the arts of shapeshifting and animal empathy, and Spirit magic, the arts of shamanism and communal with souls. Again, as in the Light and the Dark, Primal magic is not inherently good or evil.

Throughout the ages, a host of new Magics have been created through combinations of magical divisions with many more yet to be discovered. These are known as Mixed magics (the mixed elements are also considered Mixed magics). Some examples of Mixed magics are: Death magic and Life magic creating Undeath magic practiced by necromancers; Life magic and Earth magic creating Green magic, the arts of plant growth and influence over flora, commonly practiced by Druids, sometimes in conjunction with Beast magic; Death magic and Blood magic creating Plague magic; and Death magic and Green magic creating Rot magic.

Practiced sorcerers may have spells in their repertoire that are from many different types of Magics. Others may specialize into specific Magical practices. Though there are many magical divisions, spells may be organized into the following eight classifications, or 'schools':

Abjuration

is a school of magic that focuses on warding and shielding spells.

Can be flavored with specific schools of magic. Ex. air shield, water shield, dust shields.

Conjuration

is a school of magic that focuses on transporting creatures and objects.

Primarily Dimensionality. Sometimes Primal magic.

Divination

is a school of magic that focuses on perceiving the flow of time, distant locations, or uncovering secrets.

Primarily Temporality. Sometimes Dimensionality or Spirit magic. Can be flavored appropriately with other Magics.

Enchantment

is a school of magic that focuses on altering the minds and emotions of creatures.

Primarily Black magic. Sometimes White magic.

Evocation

is a school of magic that focuses on using energy to harm or protect creatures.

Primarily Primal magic (mostly elemental). Sometimes Radiant magic or Shadow magic.

Illusion

is a school of magic that focuses on fooling the senses to perceive the unreal.

Primarily Black magic. Sometimes Shadow magic and White magic.

Necromancy

is a school of magic that focuses on harnessing the power of life and death.

An array of Dark magic and Light magic practices.

Transmutation

is a school of magic that focuses on altering the physicality of creatures and objects.

Primarily Dimensionality and Temporality. Sometimes Primal magics.

With all of these generalizations, there are of course exceptions.

Now that we know the structure of magic…

How is magic learned and accessed?

The Infinite can be accessed by anyone, as every soul is connected to it. One’s aptitude for manipulating the Infinite and bending it to their specific desires in different ways is based on their innate abilities (spellcasting ability). Those with gifted intellect may learn how to manipulate the Infinite through study, gathering a deep understanding of its arcane structure through practice. Those who follow the wisdom of a Divine may read religious texts to gain knowledge on how to shape the Infinite. Others may have a heightened, natural gift for molding the Infinite.

Manipulating the Infinite taxes the spellcaster and temporarily frays one’s soul. As souls are linked to the Infinite, when one manipulates the Infinite their soul interacts with it. Too much spellcasting will weaken your soul until you can no longer manipulate the Infinity. One must rest before further manipulation.

An assassin siphons the soul of his victim using Death magic.

Does the Infinite have a will?

The Infinite is not intelligent, nor does it have a will of its own. It is simply the aetheric structure that composes all matter on Elorae.

Is there a limit to the potential of magic?

There is no ceiling to the potential of Elder magic or Infinity magic. Elder magic was used by the Ancients to shape innumerable planets in the Celestial Abyss. The Infinite magic has been displayed to be boundless in potential, as showcased by the castings of ‘Infinity’ at the turning of the ages.

How are spellcasters perceived?

The perception of spellcasters varies greatly based on region and magical practice. Life magic is generally well regarded while Death magic is generally reviled. Black magic is generally outlawed in major cities, while White magic is welcomed. Certain clans and types of peoples may put different value on their spellcasters - some may be heads of society and cultural leaders, while others may be shunned or exiled.

There are certain places well-known for their focus on certain Magics. The Great Forests of Hesk are the ancestral home of druidism and Green magics. The Circle of Sorcery in central Ilium Aghor carry the legacy of the ancient Aghorians and their mastery over Temporality and Dimensionality. The Cult of the Aspected Flame in the desert city of Sarantara are venerated wielders of Fire magic. Many more examples await discovery.

Why haven’t powerful spellcasters taken over the world, or destroyed it?

They have, historically. The greatest sorcerers with the largest souls have ascended to Divinity after the death of Aghor at the hands of the Godform. Sorcerers who have ascended to divinity and became Divines have amassed religious followings and have caused great catastrophe such as Horlg’s Cleansing, scorched lands to cinder such as in 'The Burning’ of Izil the Firelord, and have conquered entire continents such as in The Savagery. Even before the reach of Divinity, great wizards have done great and terrible things, and before that the Draconic Empire lorded over meek humanity with elemental mastery. However, the deeds of the Divines are the tales of legend, and though legends exist, the vast majority of spellcasters will never reach Divinity.

Just as there are evil powers that use magic for destruction, there are benevolent powers that use magic for restoration. The ages are a growing history of this dichotomy.

A great dragon incinerates an army using Fire magic.