Featherstone Scale

The Featherstone Scale - more properly Featherstone's Magical Intensity Measure - is a subjective measure of magical effect developed by Henry Featherstone in the year 1694. The scale is used primarily within the Helgish Empire, although in recent years has gained some currency internationally, and it is well known for Featherstone's whimsical nature and his decision to name each class within the scale for a bird or other flying creature.   The general intent of the Featherstone Scale is to be a useful shorthand for the intensity and complexity of magical effects produced by sapient beings. It is a generally accepted fact that most sapient beings have a comparably sized Vis reservoir bound to their Materia as any other being of their race. However, the instinctive ability to direct the flow of this Vis with any significant focus, reach, and efficiency, varies to a large degree between individuals. The Featherstone Scale allows for comparison between the intensity of effects produced by different individuals - and even different races entirely. Through its method of measurement by comparator, it is also possible to roughly compare the relative intensity and complexity of effects that do not share a common discipline - intensity of a flame in comparison to the bending of light or the lifting of a heavy object, as example. The Featherstone Scale also operates not only as a measure of the intensity of a given magical effect, but as an individual's 'natural class', a proxy for generalised magical ability - the level at which one may produce an arbitrary effect with only moderate training.   For those willing to invest the effort, it is possible to overcome one's present level of instinctive control, allowing for significant improvements in both complexity and intensity of magical effects. This, however, usually involves training at an intense level, and most usually still does not result in the potential reach or efficiency of those with a naturally stronger ability to control Vis flow, or the same variety of discipline. To furnish with example, it is not uncommon for a generally Kestrel class mage to train intensely in a specific discipline until they are capable of producing a handful of magical effects of Falcon or Hawk intensity. Nor is it unheard of for Sparrows and Starlings to train a single narrow ability as far even as Hawk, though this is discouraged in many cultures which see training of those perceived as lower ability as either impractical, or unsettling to the fabric of society.

Measurement

  As there is at present no effective way to directly measure Vis flow and effect in a scientific manner using instruments, magical intensity must be estimated by other means. In the Featherstone Scale, this estimation is made by reference to a standard comparator, which Featherstone has chosen to be the approximate intensity of effects produced by an average human with little training in the relevant discipline. Featherstone labeled this baseline as 'Sparrow' - the scale then tapers down to nothing in one direction, and in the other the maximum perceived intensity increases with every increment in classification, through Starling, Kestrel and so forth. By reference to the common comparator, any given intensity of magical effect can be placed upon this scale.   It should be noted that many effects simply cannot be produced without either great training or natural ability because of their complexity, and so their placement on the scale begins in a higher class than Sparrow. For example even moderate strength enhancement is impractical unless one has trained as intensely as would be required to create a strong flame at some distance from the body, and so body enhancement effects are almost universally classified as Kestrel or higher.

The Scale

The descriptions of effects within this scale are generalised, and apply to any sapient being capable of conscious control of Vis flows. However, specific examples, especially of professions in the mid and higher tiers, should be taken to be a reference to humans unless otherwise specified. This chart does not profess to be a comprehensive list of abilities demonstrated by mages whose natural ability falls into each class.

Class	Description
Sparrow	Effects categorised at the Sparrow level include the most base levels of kinetic effect - the lifting and throwing of very small objects - and the most minor of energy effects, such as creation of a small spark of light at a fingertip, or slow heating of a mass. The vast majority of humans are natural Sparrows, but this is not to say they are incapable of magic. A person generally categorised as a Sparrow may be capable of some useful minor tasks - or as this author has seen before, with intense training they may have a single very narrow skill, honed over many years even to the level of a Hawk. Without access to a Vis store however, the lack of inherent efficiency in Vis flow of natural Sparrows will tend to stymie significant development of abilities.   Note that dwarves theoretically are universally limited to the lower end of this class, but possess a uniquely advanced ability to control Vis flows across miniscule areas, an ability they use to create runes that when supplied with Vis flow, can produce spectacular effects.
Starling	Effects in this class involve a slightly more advanced ability to control the Vis flow within and without the body in comparison to Sparrow effects, and in the usual case include sending out small flows to cause effects a short distance from their creator. Lifting small objects with ease and launching them are kinetic effects in this class. Creation of small energy effects independent of the body, such as a beam of torchlight or localised heating and flame, also lie here. However, these effects will be limited in scope. As such, this class of effects still has little practical use beyond the personal, with the exception perhaps of certain specialist fields.   Most natural Starlings - who cannot progress beyond this level without intense training in a narrow field - do not attempt to do so, either because they prefer to invest their time elsewhere, or because their culture discourages it.
Kestrel	This class is the first for which generalised magical ability starts to become practical, and a person trained in at least one Kestrel level skill may fairly be called a mage. In terms of raw power, Kestrel level Vis control is still somewhat limited - for example energy effects are still localised - but when well directed, Kestrel class effects include temporary minor enhancement of bodily ability, such as increases in strength or visual acuity. One niche Kestrel effect is the detection of Vis flows at a short distance from the body, which leads to the ability to 'see' people without vision.   Moderately trained natural Kestrels are of great use in an industrial capacity, and can often be found employed as boiler mages or performing other industrial tasks. Some few natural Kestrels who find themselves drawn to developing specialised abilities however, become apprenticed in traditionally higher class professions in order to focus on developing their Vis control in a single skill to a higher, often Hawk level degree.   The vast majority of elves - some 90 percent or so - sit within the Starling and Kestrel ranges in generalised ability. The number of humans who reach the Starling and Kestrel range with little training is generally estimated to be approximately 10 percent of the population, with an eighty-twenty split in favour of the Starlings.
Falcon	Advanced Vis control to begin producing complex effects is the hallmark of this class - Falcon class effects include at least the base level of almost every frequently trained skill, and classes above this tend only to involve increases in intensity, rather than entirely new abilities. Direct absorption of free Vis from the atmosphere, illusions involving the bending of light, the healing of wounds, and the transformation - or shape-alteration - of Materia are several examples of abilities for which classification begins at Falcon - albeit in minor ways.   The majority of mages who naturally fall in this category are oftentimes employed in specialist professions, becoming highly proficient in a single field through years of training to attain Hawk or even Buzzard in their chosen skill, rather than demonstrating an array of Falcon abilities. In many nations - including the Helgish Empire - guilds exist for a number of such professions, to guide natural Falcons or higher and try to ensure their talents are developed for positive use.   Some half a percent of the human population are estimated to be natural Falcons - a number which may appear small, but which nevertheless results in a figure of 150,000 or so across the Helgish Isles alone. For elves the number is far higher; around 7 percent if elven censuses are to be believed.
Hawk	Effects of Hawk intensity tend towards scaled up version of those that first become practical in lower tiers. Vis at this level of ability can be directed in streams further from the body, enough to produce effects from many metres away, albeit the strongest of effects still require very close proximity. Enchantments start to become practical as a Hawk ability - refined control of Vis flows allow magical effect to be 'pumped' with Vis such that it continues to maintain an effect for some time after the mage severs the initial flow.   The majority of medical mages are either natural Hawks, or are trained to Hawk proficiency in at least one discipline. Military mages also tend to be natural Hawks, requiring as they do the frequent use of multiple disciplines.   At this level - at least for humans - the limits of Vis flow efficiency tend to be reached and the intensity of magical effects begin to cause rapid depletion of the mage's Anima-bound Vis. Without some training in absorption of free Vis, or easy access to a Vis store, unchecked use of Hawk intensity magics can quickly exhaust and overwhelm a mage.
Buzzard	At Buzzard intensity, kinetic and energy effects are highly advanced - extremely heavy objects may be lifted with relative ease, while small ones may be fired as if from a gun, and raw Vis may even be focused into bolts of light. Control of Vis flow is such that mages may levitate themselves and 'fly' some distance. With much training, body enhancements allow for extremely rapid movement, or the strength of a great beast. Major illusions may be created at this intensity, if only temporarily, such as the rendering invisible of a human sized stationary or slow moving object. Of particular note is the beginnings of transmutation - the altering of the very essence of an object. Vis may also be directed in ever more complex ways for advanced effect, the many varieties of which are outwith the scope of this article.   A number of human mages are natural Buzzards - a few thousand in the Helgish Isles perhaps, many of whom have been trained in the military from a young age. Interestingly, it appears that in mages whose aptitude falls within this range or higher, lifespans begin to extend somewhat. There is as yet no concrete theory on why this is the case.
Eagle	The Eagle class is much like the Buzzard before it. All that is particularly different is the intensity and duration of effects. 'Flight' can become easier and more sustained, illusions can be created and held at speed, transmutation becomes more viable. Mages often habitually cast enchantments at this tier - using their greater control to form self sustaining Vis flows that produce magic of Falcon or even Hawk level until too little of the invested Vis remains to sustain the effect.   There are very few human natural Eagles, but far more among the elves, for whom magical ability appears to naturally increase with age. Human mages for whom Eagle class or higher effects are within reach are often kept under watch by the governments of the nations in which they reside.
Phoenix	The most elite of elven mages often develop the ability to produce Phoenix class effects - seldom do they manage this in more than a single discipline, and even rarer is the human who can do the same. Such effects often require far more Vis than is bound in a single moment to the Anima of a mage; a Phoenix mage could sail a ship through sheer kinetic will, or but would rapidly become exhausted without
Gryphon	Little different to Phoenix, excepting that each discipline is yet further increased in power and range. Reports from those who have seen Gryphon level effects suggest that at this level, the sheer density of power brought to bear can begin to have harmful effects on the Materia surrounding the casting mage. Ability to produce even a single effect at this level is almost unheard of in humans, and extremely rare even among the elves.
Dragon	Mages whose natural affinity for Vis allows them to produce even a single magical effect of this final class are legendary, perhaps literally. It hardly does justice to their power, to refer to what can be produced as an 'effect'. There are even historical accounts of various elven tribes and nations killing youth who begin to show such aptitude that they could rise to this level. No Dragon level feats have ever been seen in human nations in the lifetime of this author. There are rumours that the largest of the dwarven runestones can create effects of this caliber, but they remain as yet unsubstantiated.