Magic Concepts
Scrolls shuffle and roll within Albert's arms, his eyes lingering on the spacious courtyard and his feet catching on the the steps of the large estate. As Albert waits before the manor doors, he reviews what he knows of this illustrious family. Albert is scrawny, unathletic and gangly with dangling blonde curls and attentive blue-green eyes. An oversized pack hangs on his shoulders, stuffed with more scrolls peeking out the top, and another satchel is slung over his shoulder. While he appears anxious and timid, one can see the intelligence in his eyes alongside strong percipience. The doors swing open and an elderly woman of impeccable stature eyes Albert. |
Oh? Evelyn hums with a befuddled expression You couldn't possibly be the tutor I requested, you're far too young! |
I-I'm sorry if my age disappoints you, your Grace. Albert's words tumble out quickly and he gives her a short bow, brushing off her tone But I assure you I'm fully certified by the college! I have been b-blessed with Kanilwyr's Binding and am familiar with every document in the royal library. I am particularly well versed in magic classification, concepts, history- |
Ah! Evelyn interrupts his rapid rambling You must be Sophia's boy. |
Evelyn looks him up down, causing Albert to stiffen |
I suppose she'll be more comfortable with someone her age... Evelyn sighs Come along! |
Albert stumbles after her, still reeling from her overwhelming presence. They enter into the library and a girl his age, as Evelyn had stated, stares out the window with a contemplative gaze. |
This is my granddaughter, Tia. Evelyn introduces her, the pride behind this statement never waning |
Tia shuffles up from her seat and Albert gives Tia an appropriate bow of his head. Peculiarly, Tia imitates the gesture. |
No, dear! Evelyn corrects her and Tia blinks This is one of your tutors, um...? |
My name is Albert Monet Albert responds politely We'll be going over magic concepts and history. Can I ask where your current understanding is? |
I, uhhh... Tia quickly grows embarrassed, squirming and hesitant I know everyone has two Kaithur but that's... about it? |
Albert's eyebrows shoot up and his mouth hangs open. He had never met a peer with so little knowledge of magic but as Tia's discomfort burgeons further, due to his astonishment, Albert tries to reel in his reaction. |
Tia Evelyn explains, a bit curt Was raised overseas, in Nippon. I'm afraid you'll need to start from the beginning. |
Nippon? Albert gasps, several scrolls slipping to the floor amid his astonishment |
He mumbles a small apology and tries to scoop them up quickly. Much to his surprise, Tia stoops down and gives him a hand with a warm but nervous smile. |
The Celestial Archipelago is such a mystery! Albert breathes once his scrolls have been recovered I would be fascinated to hear- |
Evelyn clears her throat and he drops silent reflexively. |
Tia has a tight schedule, I'm afraid, so I must ask you keep on task. Albert replies with a meek nod and Evelyn's attention shifts to Tia, smiling at her granddaughter and speaking in a sing-song tone I'll leave you to it then! |
Albert finds himself releasing a quiet sigh as she exits the room |
I'm sorry. Tia apologizes swiftly, staring after the woman I don't know why she was so rude to you! |
Albert shakes his head as he sets his bag down and lays his parchments on the table |
It's fine, my Lady. Albert dismisses in a weary tone It was all perfectly acceptable for a woman of her- |
Tia snickers into his words and he freezes |
I'm sorry, I don't think anyone has ever called me "lady" Tia's laugh is breathy Please, just call me Tia! |
Albert blinks hard at her before squinting, unsure of what she is playing at |
I... I'm just a scholar... Albert tries to explain but Tia stops him |
I don't care about all that Tia assures him At least when it's just the two of us, please, act the same as you would with anyone else. All of that... stuff... is too exhausting! |
Albert eyes her with distrust, calculating how he should respond. Tia takes a seat at the table into his silence and scoots her chair forward, producing strident scraping. There is a brief silence but as Tia looses another unsteady smile, Albert can see that despite her friendly facade she is just as anxious as he if not more. |
Oh! Tia squeaks with realization And if you wanna know about Nippon, I don't mind talking about it. It was my home...! But we should focus on all this first. |
Tia titters watching him try to stifle his excitement at the prospect |
Okay... Albert agrees, clearing his voice and joining her at the table. She gives him that sunny smile again. So... the beginning? |
Albert plucks up one particular scroll, rolling it out over the table. Ten circular symbols are arranged into two columns. Just below each symbol are five linear monograms for each aspect while one additional monogram sits above—the names of the elements themselves. |
Are you familiar with the Erlithmanil? Albert asks her. She bounces her head back and forth as she considers The Elements? |
I've heard their names before but... no, not really. My mom used to... Tia frowns before continuing I've heard some legends and stories but I don't remember the details. I've never had a head for these things. |
Albert nods back to her and begins the lesson |
There are ten major elements Albert explains, his tone that of one accustomed to narration These elements, the Erlithmanil, created Emynea. Each of them are the embodiment of or the personification of certain phenomena. They were the creations of Luxis, god of life, and Azryth, god of death. |
He taps the two columns and pauses to allow for questions. Tia appears mystified. |
They are living embodiments of nature, once considered gods. They are also the source of all elemental magic! Albert simplifies and this seems to register better Some of these entities had children of their own, the Aethid, which are the minor elements representing forces such as magma, sand, storms and even the matron of the Accian royal line, Sylthari the Celestial. |
These things actually... exist? Tia tries to clarify |
They used to have physical bodies, yes. A long time ago. Albert confirms Accia, this flying city, was originally their home when they walked the world gifting humans, beasts and plants with their power. That is how each of us has kaithur, inherited from our ancestors who were originally "blessed" by the elements. We are each born with two blessings which blend together as our magic form. |
He waits as Tia starts making mental connections, her gaze drifting |
"Used to" Tia quotes him What happened? |
That is a lesson unto itself... Albert states, restraining a sigh I'll go more into those events in another session. It's a bit complicated and there are contradictory accounts... but knowing the Erlithmanil is an important foundation to understanding most magic and history. |
What are these then? Tia asks, her fingers tapping the monograms |
Those are the aspects of the Erlithmanil. Albert replies Each element has five aspects which divide the different pieces of the element they embody. These aspects each have their own elemental planes and nearly all of our inherited magic draws from a corresponding aspect. It is our connection to these aspects which enables our kaithur! |
So that's where our magic comes from...? Tia mutters |
Yes! Each of us is born with a connection to one or two aspects. We channel that power with our energy and how we can wield that power is also genetic. Albert confirms, musing on the best way to proceed as Tia appears a bit overwhelmed I'll draw them out for you but don't worry about memorizing them all right away! |
Tia watches as Albert lists the elements, their aspects and what they all represent for her plainly |
       
Dark Aspects
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     Lithmor—LightLight Aspects
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   Ylithuum—EarthEarth Aspects
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   Raegeric—EnergyEnergy Aspects
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 Fliral—FloraPlant Aspects
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Tia scans over the list and Albert gives her the illustration to keep |
There are many theories, mysteries and philosophies studying the intricacies and nature of these aspects and how they relate to each other... Albert's speech quickens again, prattling on about a subject he clearly enjoys But the important part for you to understand is how we name and classify all kaithur using these aspects. There are far too many potential forms out there to name them all individually -though some cultures have certainly tried- so instead we focus on the two abilities one can inherit individually. First by the aspect someone is connected to and then by manifestation, by how they can use that connection. For example, |
Tia glances up from her note taking |
Your family is famous for having Maralith's Form Albert explains Or "Mammal Form" meaning your magic form has mammalian features—of a minx specifically. |
What kind of magic do you have? Tia prods, catching him off guard |
I've inherited
Kanilwyr's Binding and Sonildaz's Will Albert explains and points to the aspects in his diagram Meaning I have "knowledge binding" and "sound will". The second term in the classification describes how the connection can be used, its manifestation. Like aspects, there are both physical and mental manifestations while others are more unique if not incredibly rare. The rarest are far more powerful and complex but only surface in specific bloodlines. Body manifestations are an excellent example, considered the ultimate expression of an aspect! |
But... Tia circles back What does that mean, "knowledge binding"? |
I have the ability to perfectly remember all information and knowledge I come across. Albert clarifies and Tia raises her brows I can see it clearly in my own mind and can pull it forward as needed, including my own memories. For example... Albert points to another scroll I know every word in this scroll and all images within without ever having to open it again. Essentially I collect knowledge by "binding" the memories to my mind. |
No wonder your tutoring me! Tia breaths matter-of-factly That's brilliant! |
I-I mean Albert stumbles over his words, blushing It isn't really any good in a fight...! |
Eh, not everything is about fighting! Tia shrugs off his self-dismissal You can do a lot of good with that kind of ability. Unravel the world's mysteries! Tia exaggerates and tugs on her ears I look pretty cool but yours seems way more useful! |
Y-your form is renowned for it's combative potential…! But… Albert mumbles, and looks at his scrolls again, trying to refocus on the lesson There are a few manifestations that are present for every aspect. Auras are a good example. |
Tia's ears pop forward, she had heard aura being mentioned before |
An aura... Albert explains, picking up her interest Allows the caster to generate, summon, or radiate their aspect within a certain distance of themselves but the effects will fade when the caster loses concentration or runs out of energy. |
Energy? Tia questions, still tripping over the terminology |
Magic energy, to be specific, is what fuels all magic. Albert explains and his hand lands over his own chest We all have an inner well of this energy which draws from our lifeforce--our soul. How large this well is differs person to person. |
I never knew there were words for all of this! Tia chuckles but tries to refocus, falling silent |
Different people use these abilities it in their own way. Albert continues appreciatively And for some elements, each person will manifest a specific kind. Metals, minerals or plants are a good example. Those with Gokmar's Aura can summon a given kind of mineral. Whether this is cloaking their body in stone, summoning earthen barriers at distance or flinging rocky projectiles depends on the person! |
Baa-chan says I have an aura? Tia notes But I don't remember which kind. |
U-um... Albert stutters Unless the aura comes from your mother, you likely have Beranok Aura from your father. Although its not unheard of if you manifest Flithmar's Aura from your grandmother... |
Tia snaps her fingers hearing the name |
That was it, Beranok! She enunciates but pauses You know my father's magic? |
Yes, I've read many records and reports on military operations. Albert confirms readily before rattling off, getting lost in his explanation again Your father was an active and vital agent of the kingdom for many years—legendary even among Generals! Masterful in ambush tactics. He even secured the most vital victory against Zhongguo! |
Tia listens to him vacantly, as if listening to the exploits of a stranger |
I... still have a hard time imagining my father as a soldier. Tia admits, catching him off guard He's just a gentle goofball! |
Albert wonders if they are speaking of the same man, finding it hard to believe the fierce strategist he read about could be gentle or goofy. |
So Tia sighs How does one.... "manifest" an aura? |
You... you haven't used it before? Albert tilts his head into his inquiry and Tia dons the same squirmy, discomfited demeanor she displayed earlier |
I used it once, on instinct Tia admits, her hand gleaming yellow as she runs a charge into her palm But I haven't been able to use it on purpose |
Tia frowns at his growing confusion, the gears visibly turning in his eyes as he tries to decipher her. Tia has already grown tired of explaining this to everyone she meets. What was once a basic componant of her every day life now only serves to intensify the feeling of being foreign--a feeling she had hoped to leave behind. |
In Nippon Tia repeats with a sigh, keeping her explanation brief People keep their kaithur hidden. |
Tia hesitates to see his reaction, expecting more blatant distaste as she slides her gaze to Albert. But she has to smother a laugh instead thanks to his fascinated stare. |
What a curious way to live... Albert notes thoughtfully Our lives are completely defined by our kaithur here. I can't imagine hiding them away. |
Tia shrugs, grateful at least for his lack of malicious scrutiny |
It does make being here pretty exciting! Tia's laugh is slight and tentative, dissipating entirely as her eyes catch on Albert's scrolls If not a bit alarming to find how little I know. |
Albert appraises her before speaking |
You're going to have a really hard time of it going forward. Albert agrees So let's dive back in! |
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