Namarin Magic Cycle

The Namarin Magic Cycle is a semipredictable cycle of magical storms and corresponding radiation on the continent of Namarin, which is unique in all the world. The cycle generally tracks with magical buildup on Synarxes; that is to say, when Synarxes has abundant magic, Namarin will typically see less storms, but when Synarxes' magic levels are low, Namarin is struck with an abundance of magic. The cycle is also tied to the fact that Namarin does not have the same levels of negative magic as the rest of the world- this is because the continent is not connected to the shadow dimension and there is no corresponding spillover.

Neutral-Cycle Effects

The Namarin Magic Cycle, henceforth referred to as the NMC, is usually in a neutral cycle phase, corresponding roughly to 7 or 8 years of each decade. These years are defined as times when Namarin's magic levels are at a roughly average level. While such as phase would be considered low in most of the world, on Namarin it is the norm, due to the continent being a Low Magic Zone. During this period, the weather is normal, and the typically dry Namarin climate is present on most of the continent except the unaffected (in terms of aridity and weather) far west.

Low-Cycle Effects

A low cycle occurs perhaps once a decade, and is defined as a period of exceptionally low magical potential for the continent, even when considering Namarini norms. Such a cycle has little to no affect on the weather, and most denizens of the continent barely notice it due to the lack of magical applications. However, the low cycle can actually cause magic to totally run dry, ruining even the most simple magical contraptions; this helps to reinforce the lack of magic in use on the continent. A low cycle typically corresponds to periods of extreme magical concentration on the continent of Synarxes, which will then build up further unless dispersed. This can actually lead to prolonged low-cycles, and though they actually occur only once every few decades, these cycles can last for several years due to the magical concentration principle.

High-Cycle Effects

High cycles typically occur once or twice every decade, with varying intensities. Caused by drops in overall magic on Synarxes and (usually) concentration of negative magic, this can cause the positive magic to "puff" back out towards Salazuir, thus striking magic already being drawn into Salazuir. Such a magical explosion can seed local clouds with magic and create a magical radstorm, a profoundly concerning phenomenon that flips the wind directions usually present in the region and sends vast storms of magic to pummel Namarin until the magic is used up. These events strike Namarin with high levels of magical radiation, causing sickness, death, and famine as crops wilt and die. These periods also coincide with extreme weather thanks to the flipping wind directions, causing flooding and mudslides in vulnerable locations. However, with their magic vented, the storms die out over a few weeks, and the wind currents will return to normal after several months. The rest of this cycle is the slow flow of magic back to Synarxes, leaving Namarin once more in a neutral cycle.

Impact on Nature and Communities

Many species on Namarin actually rely on these furious high magic radstorms to complete their ife cycles, and even more rely on the regular rains they bring to irrigate the vast deserts of the continent. This means that as the storms fade, the deserts of Namarin typically bloom with new life and for a short time there is a boom in both flora and fauna. However, as water and magic both fade out, the deserts slowly return to their normal state and the excess animals die off as their populations return to normal. This means that any sentient communities which are sufficiently prepared can reap great rewards by taking advantage of the increased hunting and gathering prospects, especially considering many of the plants are rare species only found in the aftermath of of High-Cycle Event.

The NMC is considered a double-edged sword by most of Namarin's denizens. on one hand, it can bring death and destruction, especially to whichever poor region is the epicenter of the event. However, the NMC can also bring great wealth to a community and allow them to overpowers neighbors weakened by disaster. Mages can also take advantage of the event to temporarily increase their powers and cast powerful workings. In fact, mages remain valued on Namarin for this very reason. A mage that has been trained can help to ward a community from many of the secondary effects of the high cycle, though there is nothing they can do to help with the initial strike of magical radiation, since their powers only kick in after it hits.