Circles & Spheres
The Arcane Cycle
The concept of 'circles and spheres' has existed among Allegran scholars for so long that it easily predates the Allegran Accords and even the walls of Etude itself. Ever since the first shaman raised their arms skyward to gesticulate with athame or wand, the people have believed in unseen forces that push and pull entire cultures towards either prosperity or chaos. With centuries of practice and hypothesis at their disposal the cyclical nature of metaphysical laws has remained a layered mystery that only becomes more complex as more is learned.
One of the largest variables when handling large quantities of Arcana is the ritual site itself. Dark-Heart & Bright-Soul orbit Kaos and their influence is mutable based on countless other possible factors that can often limit the capacity of a single individual. At specific times of year when the two heavenly bodies are in precise positions, many mages have found their ability to manipulate the metaphysical stymied to the point of panic or the reverse - a simple spell is amplified a thousand-fold and wreaks havoc on those unprepared for such a surge.
Modern human understanding has expanded rapidly under the guidance of the Dannamore and the protection of the Allegran Accords. Most knowledge is held in the tomes and ledgers of scholars that study the world around them and but even practical applications of the simplest technology can have unpredictable and far-reaching consequences for those who try and fail to exploit something they cannot hope to control.
It is a closely guarded Dannamore theory that the deaths of two prominent students several decades ago was due to an unexpected surge in the 'circles and spheres' being accessed. The two eldest sons of Mansa Herone Cleft both died while under supervision while performing a simple arcane ritual as part of their education. This had long-lasting political repercussions and can still barely be explained.
Manifestation
When various circles and spheres are in alignment the tools used to manipulate arcana are often infused with strange supernatural qualities such as emitting heat or radiating cold, producing strange sounds or light of various colors, an inexplicable change in weight, or items can even seem to thrum or vibrate with energy when held.
Most noticeably, many 'magic circles' function best during specific times of year, a specific season, or during types of weather. Similarly to the tools being used, the carved or painted symbols often emit bright colored light and it's common to hear a deep hum or something akin to distant thunder. Though this is not uncommon the science of trying to somehow link a ritual-site with powerful 'circles and spheres' is unpredictable. There are a handful of researchers at the Dannamore who believe the scale is as important as the location but are also confident that there are still outside factors that have yet to be identified.
Type
Natural
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