Basics of Magic
Overview: Magic is the power by which any of Ariael’s races may influence the world around them and the numerous events, which take place by using supernatural forces. At any time during the course of their lives, an individual may bear witness to magical acts. In fact, this is not at all uncommon. However, the practice of magic is rather uncommon. Magic in and of itself can accomplish a number of different things, providing practitioners with power that remains unavailable to the remainder of the world’s population. As a result, magic practitioners acquire a sort of “edge” over other individuals, which they are not typically inclined to share. However, their “edge” comes with a price, for, if the practitioner is not careful, their use of magic may very well lead to their untimely demise. How it Works: Those who do not practice any magical art often do not distinguish between the multitude of magical disciplines, which exist in our world. They will simply label a practitioner a “mage,” “sage,” “witch,” or “wizard” instead of “reader” or “elementalist.” As each practitioner knows, magic is fueled by amra or magical potential. Amra exists within all things, but exists in the highest concentrations within sentient individuals. The second highest concentration is found within the animal kingdom and then the world’s flora, with the least being found within inanimate objects. Amra is the substance which provides all things with their identity and sense of free will. Amra can neither be forged or destroyed, instead, it is transformed from one state of being to another. When it leaves the body, it becomes aila, the base of any spell. (Sometimes referred to magic within the air). Being that amra is a part of all beings, its use in the various magical disciplines forces the user to expel a small portion of themselves. As a result, each time an individual uses magic, they are paying some sort of price, which becomes evident with signs of overuse. Types of Magic: There are two types of magic. The first is earthen magic and the second is divine magic, which often manifests as a simadi mark. Earthen magic is fueled by a practitioner’s amra. The practitioner alters a part of their very being in exchange for their magical abilities, (e.g. persuading someone to do something with hypnotism). Being that an individual is essentially “throwing out” a small portion of themselves each time they use magic, they become subject to the ill effects of overuse. Divine magic, on the other hand, is that of the gods and goddesses of Ariael. On earth, their magic most often manifests in the form of a simadi mark. Most often, those who receive the mark of a god or goddess managed to embody everything the deity stood for, which earned them their mark or marks. One of Ariael’s deities will “brand” one of their followers, which offers them a connection to the power and dominion of the god or goddess who gave them their mark. Each mark has its own size, shape, and appearance, and will appear on a different portion of the follower’s body depending on who gave them the mark. The marks may be forced upon individuals and may conflict with their values and personalities. Most often, the mark will take the form of a curse in such cases. Those who earn the mark of a god or a goddess are often “gifted” with a simadi that has positive effects and works well with their personality and values. Depending on the type of mark that is awarded to any individual, the mark may be passive, take effort to use, have positive effects on the wielder, or harm the bearer. Note: Those with the same type of simadi mark will be able to sense when other bearers are near. They may not know precisely who bears the mark, but they will know that there is another of their kind. Cursed individuals, on the other hand, may always be discerned by those with a positive mark from the same god or goddess. Multiple Disciplines: Some practitioners choose to practice only one form of magic, as it allows for them to truly master their craft. Other mages choose to “mix and match” magical disciplines, using them to accentuate the effects of one another or to broaden their understanding of the world. At other times, they are practiced so that the wielder will know how to counteract different forms. But most often, it would seem as though practitioners are drawn to the power that magic provides. Initiation: One’s initiation into a magical discipline varies depending on, which discipline a practitioner is trying to learn. Some may have to undergo a very specific ritual, as is the case in elementalism, while others may simply have to study books, teaching themselves until the magic manifests. Divine magic, on the other hand, cannot be taught. Instead it is earned through gameplay and awarded to an individual by a god or goddess. General Guidelines: It is unlikely that a mage would be open about their use of magic. Magic use is uncommon, and many races view it as one of many taboos. Those who use magic have likely spent a good deal of their lives dedicated to learning about their discipline, studying it long before they were very initiated. After their initiation, they tend to practice when they are able with the knowledge that their use can seriously injure if not kill them. Given the shroud of secrecy that surrounds magic, it is unlikely a practitioner would teach another person what they know. However, there are schools of magic where players may learn certain disciplines (for a price). If a player is unsure of what is necessary for initiation into a magical form, they should ask a founder or other storyteller for assistance. In many cases, the storyteller will have to moderate a thread for the initiate. Although a mage both studies and practices magic, they will not know everything there is to know about magic. They will probably know the basis of all magic and how their own form of magic works, although, they will know very little if anything about other forms. However, every mage will be aware of the fact that every discipline has its pros and cons. Each magic carries its risks, and may lead to an untimely death, or other physical, emotional, and spiritual changes within their person.