Decaying Magic
While decaying magic is a universal phenomenon, even on planets such as Earth that do not have overly visible magic, each planet has its own type of magic that broadcasts an extremely different experience when a creature with a high amount of magic in its body dies. Every species, every person, and every place deals with decaying magic, even if they don't know it. In most places, it is known for its sickly sweet or perfumey smell, but Terra sets itself apart through its pungent, savory smell that breaks vampires and feels like a cardboard factory from Dukinona.
Properties
Material Characteristics
Decaying magic is similar to spellwork. It is mostly shaped like the creature that died, but, depending on the concentration of magic the creature had in its body, it can appear translucent, solid, or simply a slight glimmer in the air.
Life & Expiration
While magic decays at around the same rate of an organic corpse, magic maggots, a magic-consuming creature found on highly magical planets such as Terra, can break the decaying magic into a usable form of energy.
History & Usage
Cultural Significance and Usage
Some cultures, usually more underground than any main cutures, use the decaying magic left behind by their recently deceased loved ones in 'soul resurrection' rituals. These rituals tend to be more symbolic than efficient, for they 'free the soul from the decaying bonds to the secular world'.
Refinement
While magic maggots can refine decaying magic into biomechanical energy, there are certain processing plants, often found in Strix with one or two in Flora, that can convert decaying magic into crystalized magic, of which can be consumed to restore magical enegy at the risk of developing Mana Organs.
I loved your article and it was really interesting to explore the concept of magic decaying like organic matter, especially idea of maggots that break it down faster. It would be great to dedicate an entire section about the maggots and other decomposing species (I saw that you also mentioned plants that do the same). This would help the reader to really understand what happens and allow you to explain more about these species. For example; paragraphs to explain what is happening, the different species, and the end product. Additionally, I would love to know more about the rituals - what happens (how it is used) and who participates. However, your initial idea is great!! Feel free to ask me about anything else.
I'm glad you enjoyed the article! I definitely want to write the articles in the future, so thank you for reminding me about them!