Conduits

Within the Arcana, Conduits are the primary and most essential tools used to focus and cast magic, acting as channelers that direct aether through the human body and into a specific, studied spell. These magical instruments come in various forms — Staffs, Wands, Grimoires, Scrolls, and enchanted Items — each uniquely suited to a mage’s affinity or casting style. Without a Conduit, the raw flow of aether is often unstable or unfocused, yet not impossible. Through Conduits, the abstract power of magic is shaped, refined, and unleashed with precision.

Each Conduit is more suited to specific affinities and spellcasting ways, which attune to the human body and the aether of the world in different manners to achieve the desired form of spellcasting.

The main Conduits in the Arcana are as follows:

Wand:

The Wand channels magic by drawing from the concentrated aether within the user’s dominant side — the same wellspring of energy that enables fine motor skills, dexterity, and instinctive action such as writing or combat. By linking to the central nervous system, the wand taps into this natural imbalance of aether — a surplus of magical energy more potent on the dominant side of the body. This subtle connection allows the wand to gather, focus, and direct aether with remarkable precision, making it a favored Channeler for quick, efficient spellcasting and highly responsive magic.

Grimoire:

The Grimoire channels aether through the human faculties of reading, writing, and cognition. Whether its pages are inscribed by the caster or by arcane scholars of the past, each spell written within becomes a conduit for thought-driven magic. By focusing their aether through memory, comprehension, and articulation — either spoken aloud or whispered internally — the mage activates the spells stored in the Grimoire. This Channeler excels in casting magic that draws upon the mind’s aether, ignited by the vivid mental reconstruction of spell structure, word, and meaning. In this way, the Grimoire becomes not just a book, but a living extension of the caster’s intellect and mastery of magical language.

Staff:

The Staff serves as a bridge between the aether of the world and the body of the caster. Shaped like a walking stick, it channels energy not from within, but from beneath — drawing raw aether from the earth itself, then guiding it upward through the staff and into the caster’s arm. It is a conduit of communion, binding the living to the non-living, forging a sacred connection between the soul of the mage and the soul of the world they walk upon. Because of this deep-rooted link, staffs are capable of casting powerful, sweeping spells, often tied to nature, elemental forces, or magic of immense scale — a resonance born from the harmony between being and dwelling. 

Enchanted Item:

Enchanted Items serve as one of the most versatile and unpredictable types of Channelers. These conduits come in many forms — objects either naturally saturated with aether or infused by magical means — and are often tied to the unique properties of the item itself. Rather than drawing from generalized elemental affinities, Enchanted Items channel magic in highly specific ways, granting casters access to specialized spells that align with the nature of the item. For example, a Scovimancer wields an Everpepper, a rare, spice-laden fruit brimming with aether, to conjure burning, scalding magic without ever needing to study the Fire Affinity. Each enchanted item is its own spellbook, allowing those who wield them to bypass traditional study in favor of attunement, experimentation, and creativity.