Magic Basics
The most comprehensive study on how magic works was done by Balthazier Voldr in The Treatises Arcana.
Below is the current body of knowledge on the extents and limits of magic on Muum:
What Magic Can Do
Here are the extents and limits outlined by Balthazier in his Laws of Magic:
Magic Can...
- Move physical materials
- Induce chemical reactions (such as fire)
- Abet bodily processes
- Move and spend energy
- Connect consciousnesses
Magic Cannot...
- Create energy
- Change the laws of physics
- Affect anything out the current moment in time
- Create life
- Restore life and consciousness to someone who has already died
Controversy
The Kaelic Temple takes exception to the idea that time magic is impossible, given that Onn is known for his prophecies. This has led them to censor and even ban the Treatises Arcana in most incarnations.
There is also the question of Homunculi, which seem to counter the idea that magic cannot create life from wholecloth. Current scholars at the University of Obsidian believe that homunculi are not a contradiction, but rather a convincing simulation of life.
Types of Magic
There are three widely accepted categories that magic use falls under:
Material/Physical Magic
Material magic involves the manipulation of matter.
Manifestations:
- Elemental Channeling (House Mekulet and the Wights)
- Enchanting
Psychic/Mind Magic
Mind Magic is any discipline where magic is used to affect the mind or consciousness, of either oneself or another.
Manifestations:
- Telepathy/Mindlink (House Voldr)
- Empathic Communing (Wilder Tree-Talkers)
- Bonding (Muroti)
Life Magic
Life magic involves the direct manipulation of Lifeforce.
Manifestations:
- Healing (House Sheyla and Et'en Ritual Magic)
- Necromancy (Theoretical. See: The Deathmage)
Source
Magic is, in Balthazier's estimation, life given physical expression by way of willpower. It acts like a chemical reaction on a substance that cannot be measured or physically interacted with. Suffice to say that it is closely tied to lifeforce and consciousness.
Life is magic, in the most literal sense of the phrase.
Alternate Explanations
Kaelic Gifts
The Kaelic Temple claims that magic is a boon of the gods. Therefore, trying to define it is absurd, as it is beyond mortal ken.
Magical Power Source
Psychic Synchronicity
Ritual Leader
Inzalu Substance Theory
The Inzalu claim that magic is substantive, made up of tiny particles of Godstone that reside in every living being. Their claim is that life and consciousness are a result of that substance, rather than magic being a product of life, as the Triamics believe.
Access
Innate
Most practitioners of magic inherit particular abilities, such as the inborn elemental channeling of the Wights and all three Great Houses of the Triamic Empire passing down their particular abilities. All known bloodlines across continents came into their abilities at or slightly after ce 1965 / 1593 BEC, leading to this time period being called The Awakening.
According to Balthazier's findings, all lifeforms have some innate magic in the form of Lifeforce; however it is only these particular bloodlines that seem to have the ability to access it, as most people do not have any means of using their innate Lifeforce outside sorcery (see below).
Groups with Innate Magical Abilities
- House Sheyla - Healing
- House Mekulet - Elemental channeling (single element)
- House Voldr - Telepathy
- Wights - Elemental channeling (all elements)
- Some members of the Wilders - Nature communing
- The Muroti- Animal bonding
- Wraiths - Unknown, believed to have mindlinks and telekinesis
Ritual
Ritual is the means by which multiple people can direct their innate Lifeforce to magical means. The specifics of the ritual itself do not matter, as long as the ritual has the three following elements:
(see below)
The minds of those involved in the ritual need to have their willpowers merged in a way that mimics a telepathic link without actually being one. This means that those involved must be essentially thinking the same thing. This is usually accomplished by way of music or mass chanting.
Once synchronicity is achieved, one leader must extract the magic from the power source and use their willpower to direct the mock mindlink in using it.
Enchanting
Enchanting is the ability to imbue objects with magical properties. They can carry the magic themselves or simply work as means of the user directing their innate magic (called "windows"). Most enchantments fade over time unless fed Lifeforce (as is the case with highly illegal blood-drinking weapons) or imbued with Godstone.
Sorcery
Sorcery is the practice of casting magic from a power source without using innate abilities or ritual. Such a feat usually requires a large source of magic, thus it is historically equated with blood sacrifice and is therefore taboo in the Triamic Empire.
Necromancy
Necromancy, officially, Does Not Exist.
However, old stories abound of great heroes defeating an ancient mythical figure known as The Deathmage. This mage, according to the legends, repeatedly built up armies of undead warriors to take over territory, people, society, what-have-you. The undead armies never tire, never feel pain, and never die, and only a blade blessed by the Temple may defeat them, leading to engaging tales of unlikely good triumphing over great evil.
Other sorcerers have attempted to learn necromancy, but with little success.
Power Sources
Magic is a chemical reaction that requires a magical power source. Casting magic will drain that power source; the more magic used, the faster it will drain.
Law 1: Magic requires a power source. There are no exceptions to this.
Lifeforce
The most common and (arguably) the most natural source is the user's Lifeforce. This is what innate mages use for their own magic. Thus, overextending themselves can leave them feeling tired to the point of passing out, or even death. Lifeforce replenishes naturally in a living creature, and thus casting in this manner has no adverse longterm consequences.
Lifeforce is released at the point of death. For that reason, blood sacrifice is a well-feared (and taboo in most places) method of extracting another's Lifeforce for the purpose of magic. This practice is banned in most civilized societies, although Et'cha still practices ritual animal sacrifice.
Blood and Other Organic Materials
A user's lifeforce is carried strongest in their blood. Therefore, blood can be extracted for magical use without harming the subject. However, magic by blood alone will be weaker than using pure Lifeforce, and the Lifeforce in the blood will begin to fade as soon as it is extracted.
Other organic materials (such as hair, leather, clothing, and even wood) can retain some Lifeforce and can therefore be used as a small power source. However, time is a large factor, making most organic materials unusable as a power source within a few weeks.
Godstone
See: Godstone.
Godstone is concentrated magic given substance. It is volatile and highly dangerous to handle, but is highly prized for the fact that it never depletes as a power source. It is extremely rare.
Type
Metaphysical, Arcane
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