Magic in the Phantasmagoria
Magic was never bestowed as a gift to all of humankind, nor was it discovered by a particularly adventurous woman or spectacularly clever man. Instead, magic came slowly into the world, granted to each person according to the favor he or she earned with the gods.
As one might expect from the embodiment of fate and destiny, the two gods were careful with the limitations they set on the magic, wary of the potential disorder or imbalance that such gifts could bring to the universe.
Yet, as they did not create humans but instead were tasked to simply watch over the universe, they did not know the magic would not end with the person who was blessed with it. They soon discovered, though, that when one places an immortal force in a mortal vessel, the immortal force will find a way to survive. Magic did just that as it continued through the family line.
Unable to fully strip away the magic from humans, the gods instead kept watch on the magical casting those who were too powerful, too obvious, or otherwise too disruptive to the Way of Things into the stars or forests.
And as is the way with humans, history progressed and the world turned on (with the gods' selective intervention), so that magic became nothing more than a story as generations past.
There are a few who discover their magical gifts, a smaller number still who have heard the stories of the Astrae and Silvan and turned devout, and an even smaller number who recorded the secrets of magic and the deeper truths of the universe. This group is called The Phantasmagoria, and even amongst magicians and acolytes of the gods, their existence has become a mere myth.
THE 3 COMPONENTS OF SUCCESSFUL MAGIC
There are three tenets of successful magic: energy, time, and ability.
The more of each that you have, the better you'll be.
A STUDY OF MAGIC
Very few theorems of magic have withstood the decay of time, but there are three that are well known and passed around from magician to magician.
Magic cannot alter time nor its effects. (i.e. Fortune Telling, Resurrection)
Magic is neutral. Its users are not.
Magic cannot be destroyed, only contained
While there are more laws of magic out there, they are only known at an individual level or by those in the Phantasmagoria.
Each person gifted with magic finds that their magic takes one of three forms: kinesthetic, noetic, or dynamistic. While the words "form" and "type" and "kind" are more frequently used, one can think of this as the means through which a magician channels their magic. In that way, a more apt description might be "conduit."
Kinesthetic magic is also referred to as "body magic." This magic allows the magician to manipulate their body in unique and otherwise impossible ways.
Kinesists draw their power from their physical energy and may feel physically exhausted or sore after doing magic. In order to channel this magic, most kinesists must perform a hand motion in order to activate their manifestation. This magic can only be transferred by an exchange of blood.
Kinesthetic magic is regarded as the most versatile sort of magic as a kinesist can master multiple manifestations if they wish. Popular manifestations included: sleights, escape artists, and contortionists.
Perhaps unfairly, kinesthetic magic is also seen by some as "weak" magic since it only affects the magicians and kinesists tend to be more casual magical users.
Kinesists are the most common type of magician, as 5 out of 10 magicians are kinesists.
Noetic magic is also referred to as "mind magic." This magic allows the magician to manipulate their own or others' minds.
Noetists draw their power from mental energy. Many beginners need great focus & even as they advance the skill, a person may become too mentally exhausted in order to access their magic. A noetist must use language in order to access their magic, generally through spells or another type of verbalization. The better the magician, the less this is needed. This magic can only be transferred by a verbal oath.
While less versatile than kinesthetic magic, noetists are typically inventive with how they use their manifestation and are able to achieve a variety of desired affects. Popular manifestations include: illusions, telekinesis, and mentalism.
Noetic magic is frequently regarded as the most useful magic.
While technically the second most common type of magician, due to their tendency to rationalize, noetists are the least common active magician. 2/10 magicians are noetists
Dynamistic magic is also referred to as "heart magic." This magic allows the magician to manipulate their environment in spectacular ways.
Dynamists draw their power from their emotions, and depending on the strength of their feelings, they may have fluctuations in power. As a result, dynamists frequently use a centering device to calm the more volatile nature of their magic. Historically, a wand has been a popular tool, but recently rings have proven more practical. This magic can only be transferred by stealing the centering vessel.
Dynamistic magic is the least versatile magic, so magicians tend to specialize in one specific manifestation. Popular manifestations include: aerialism, pyrotism, and animal manipulation.
Dynamistic magic is regarded as the most "brute force" magic.
Dynamistic magic is technically the rarest form of magic, but due to how hard dynamistic powers are to ignore and their link to the magician's emotions, almost every dynamist becomes a magician. As a result, they are the second most common type of magician. 3/10 magicians are dynamists.
On the Differences Between Form & Manifestation
It should be noted that a form of magic describes the way a magician performs magic and not the type of magic they can do. There are many different ways to achieve a certain manifestation.
For instance, a kinesthetic aerialist controls her body in magical ways to complete the tricks. A dynamistic aerialist controls the air around her body to complete the tricks.
On the Transference of Magic
Magic adds weight on the mind, body, and soul, and as such, one must train and gain strength in order to be able to withstand more weight. (This is why masters are able to wield their own magic so easily, the weight has become lighter on them.)
If a person attempts to steal or otherwise transfer magic to themselves and they are not strong enough for the magic, they may collapse under its weight and die.
Receiving magic is also similar to a blood transfusion in that a noetist do not suddenly become a dynamist if they are willed a dynamist's magic. Instead, they simply have more magic to access in the way they know how (noeticism).