Magic

The universe is a realm filled with potent magics (also spelled magiksWarcraft: Orcs & Humans manualWarcraft II: Tides of Darkness manualWarcraft II: Beyond the Dark Portal manual and magicks,The Sword of KingsTraveler: The Spiral Path, chapter 16 or even called wizardryCycle of Hatred, chapter 8The Well of Eternity, chapter 23Day of the Dragon, chapter 17 and sorcery)The Well of Eternity, chapter 15Cycle of Hatred, chapter 7World of Warcraft: Illidan, chapter 16 and mighty beings. Since the dawn of time, these forcesUltimate Visual Guide have influenced the cosmos, setting the stars in motion and the destiny of countless worlds and mortal civilizations.World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 1
Magical energies are most apparent beneath the earth as well as in special locations - centers of elemental forces, otherworldly powers, and mystical energies. The nature and uses of the forms of magic are vigorously debated on Azeroth, but the magnitude of what magic can accomplish cannot be doubted.
==The cosmic forces==
The First Ones are enigmatic godlike beings who shaped the cosmos and the fabric of all realities. They conceived and put in place the six governing cosmic forces of reality, as well as the pantheons that embody them and the realms that they inhabit.World of Warcraft Devs Talk the New Raid and Mythic+ Score Coming to the Chains of Domination Expansion - "the First Ones, the progenitors who created the Shadowlands and other cosmic realms." According to the broker Al'firim's interpretations of the First Ones' writings, the cosmos began with six forces (or possibly a different number) existing in opposition to each other until they came together (or were brought together) and gave form to a design. Each "architect" gave a portion of themselves, and thus "the pattern was drawn". With a framework in place, all things in the universe came to be, like a fungus growing upon the frame. The six forces were now in balance, and others arose from their intersections—a simple structure growing infinitely more complex.Expedition Report A37J - Part 1 The brokers believe that the First Ones made the endless cycle of Life and Death the central part of their creation.
Name 	Magic 	Pantheon 	Plane 	Zereth 	Lesser powers
Light 	Holy 	Unknown 	Unnamed plane 	Unnamed 	Naaru
Void 	Shadow 	Unknown 	Unnamed plane 	Unnamed 	Old Gods
Life 	Nature 	Pantheon of Life 	"Realms of Life"Inform the Primus	Unnamed 	Wild Gods
Death 	Necromantic	Pantheon of Death	Shadowlands 	Zereth Mortis 	Undead
Order 	Arcane 	Pantheon of Order	Unnamed plane 	Zereth OrdusEdicts of the Prime Designate, Volume 742	Keepers
Disorder	Fel 	Unknown 	Twisting Nether 	Unnamed 	Burning Legion
===Light and Shadow===
Light and Shadow are the most fundamental forces in existence. Although contradictory by their very nature, they are bound together on a cosmic scale. One cannot exist without the other. Pure Light and Shadow dwell in a realm outside the borders of reality, but shades of their presence are found in the physical universe. Light manifests as holy magic, while Shadow (also called the Void) appears as shadow magic.
===Life and Death===
The forces of Life and Death hold sway over every living thing in the physical universe. The energies of Life, known commonly as nature magic, promote growth and renewal in all things. Death, in the form of necromantic magic, acts as a counterbalance to Life. It is an unavoidable force that breeds despair in mortal hearts and pushes everything toward a state of entropic decay and eventual oblivion.
===Order and Disorder===
The forces of Order and Disorder (also called Chaos)Jeremy Feasel on Twitter: "@koldun1029 There's nature magic, like druids use, and light magic, like priests/pallies use. Blood was tortured life. Fel is Chaos." govern the cosmic systems of the physical universe. Order is most commonly perceived in reality as arcane magic. This type of energy is innately volatile, and wielding it requires intense precision and concentration. Conversely, Disorder is manifested as highly destructive fel magic. This brutal and extremely addictive energy is fueled by drawing life from living beings.
It has been hinted that when titans die, their souls would return to their own Order plane.Steve Danuser with Taliesin & Evitel - 00:40:01
===The Elements===
The elements of fire, air, earth, and water serve as the basic building blocks of all matter in the physical universe. Shamanic cultures have long sought to live in harmony with, or assert dominion over, the elements. To do so, they called upon the primordial forces of Spirit and Decay. Those who seek to bring balance to the elements rely on Spirit (sometimes referred to as the fifth element by shaman, or chi by pandaren). This life-giving force interconnects and binds all things in existence as one. Decay is the tool of dark shaman seeking to subjugate and weaponize the elements rather than act in harmony with them.
====Elemental duality====
Elements can influence a variety of emotionally positive and negative states:
*Fire influences passion and fury
*Air influences cunning and madness
*Earth influences stability and stubbornness
*Water influences tranquility and indecisiveness
*Spirit influences bravery and naiveté
*Decay influences efficiency and ruthlessness
===The seventh force?===
A few in-game sources imply the presence of a potential seventh force. The broker Al'firim compiled a report on his findings of a force he refers to as the "fractals". Additionally, a Korthian relic, the Everliving Statuette (item), whispers "".
==Different types of magic==
===Commonalities===
All spells cost a certain amount of mana,http://classic.battle.net/war3/basics/spellbasics.shtml a substance and a magical power resource which casters draw upon when they use magic, which is just a measure of a fundamental power—if mana were water, then for instance arcane would be steam pressure.Dave Kosak on Twitter (2014-04-27) - "Only as similar as, say, water and steam pressure." The existence and mixture of various forces and energies form powerful vortices of mana.Gravity Spiral When they run out of mana, spellcasters can no longer use magic and are left exhausted.Aluneth#SpellsOf Blood and Honor, chapter 2 As magic draws its energy from the physical forces of the caster,Cycle of Hatred, pg. 39 the only way to regenerate the body is by consuming food, especially protein.Cycle of Hatred, chapter 20 They may also drink while resting,Millhouse Manastorm#In the Arcatraz or use mana potions prepared by alchemists.Mana MarketsArathi Donations: Coastal Mana Potion The more a living being's mana is consumed or drained, the more they are weakened,Bait and SwitchTheir Dying Breaths and if abused, it can cause fainting or death.The Last Guardian, chapter 4The Last of the LastOn the Brink (Azsuna) In older times, when magic was less understood and spells required vast amounts of mana to cast, gems were used to store mana for use in complex spells.Alodi's Gems
In the Shadowlands, anima is the source that is drawn upon by its denizens when using death magic, and is comparable to the mana used in the Great Dark Beyond.
There are many different schools of magic, tapping into various cosmic energies and using different methods to sometimes reach similar goals. Most magic spells however require specific components, physical requirements the caster must meet in order to use them. These requirements might be verbal, with the spellcaster using specific words of power, somatic, with the spellcaster having to make motions, or material, with the spell requiring reagents. Some clothes might even be more adapted than others for the casting of certain spells. As such these spells might have different cast times and can even be interrupted by circumstances. Spellbooks are known to describe spells, their effects and their components. Medivh personally had Karazhan fitted with a fully equipped pantry of spell components, including a larder of aromatic and thaumaturgic herbs, and a lapidarium of crushed semi-precious stones.
Failing to follow a spell's components, such as changing a hand-motion or not using a required incense, would most of the times result in failure, with the energies of the spell dissipating harmlessly. Occasionally the energies may go wild and out of control, but usually the only result of a failed spell is a frustrated spellcaster. Changing the incantation or altering the motions isn't also enough to refit a spell for a new activity. Changing an existing spell requires a deep and precise understanding of how it works, and this activity is more dangerous than simply following a list of components, as a failed spell being very close to the final intended spell would lead to the magics trying to close the gap, to make something happen, though then resulting in unintended results or spectacular and dangerous failure.The Last Guardian, chapter 6
Necromancy is the art of "animating unliving flesh" and controlling the dead,Ultimate Visual Guide, pg. 21 which can be empowered by the magic of any cosmic forces.House of Plagues (quest)
===Holy===
Pure Light cannot exist within the physical universe but shades of it manifest as holy magic.World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 1, pg. 10Safekeeping Summoned by emotions,World of Warcraft: The Comic, Issue 22: Whispers willpower or faith in one's ability to do so,Ask CDev - Round 1 the powers of the Light can be harnessed to heal, cleanse, protect, harm, and even restore life to the dead, while being extra efficient against the undead and demons. The Light is often said to bring about feelings of positive emotion—hope, courage, comfort—coming from the "heart."Ask CDev Answers - Round 3 Most of its practitioners are called priests or paladins, devoted to cleansing the universe of darkness. Learning to wield this healing forceBeyond the Dark Portal, pg. 109 takes years of discipline,World of Warcraft: The Comic, Issue 21: Secrets as it is necessary to learn to abnegate oneself through meditation, in order to become conduits for the Light.
====Moonlight====
Moonlight is a type of holy magicAsk CDev#Ask CDev Answers - Round 2 that can be used by the follower of the moon goddess Elune, notably the night elves or the tauren who revere her as Mu'sha in their mythology.
===Shadow===
Pure Void cannot exist within the physical universe but shades of it manifest as shadow magicUr's Treatise on Shadow MagicSafekeepingWorld of Warcraft: The Magazine Volume 2 Issue 1 A source of terrible power, it is the kind of power that comes at a price,Disrupt the Rituals as the very nature of the Void is hostile to what the mortal know as life and sanity,A Thousand Years of War, Part Three – Shadow & Light, pg. 36 and will do whatever it takes to drive them to madness. Although destructive, it can also be used to harm the mind, imparting feelings such as despair, doubt, and panic—emotions based on survival logic. Twilight magic is presumably Old God magic of the void branch.Jeremy Feasel on Twitter: "Old god magic, void I think?" Most common practitioners of shadow magic are called shadowcasters,Shadow Magic shadowmages, or shadow priests.
===Nature===
The energies of Life, commonly known as nature magic, promote growth and renewal in all things. The elements that carve form into the universe are fluid forces of nature. Druids work with the natural life forces of the world,The Sundering, pg. 360: " Druids worked with the natural life forces of the world and who better represented that than Alexstrasza?" and harness the vast powers of nature to preserve balance and protect life.http://us.battle.net/wow/en/game/class/druidLegion Class Preview Series: Druid As druid healing involves life force being drained and transferred,The Demon Soul, pg. 461 - 463 they ask the surrounding nature to lend them their energy in order to cast spells or to aid them in battle.War of the Ancients Trilogy
====Solar magic====
Solar magic is praticed through the use of the solar energy emitted by the sun. It is associated to the nature magic used by druids, rather than the holy magic used by priests and paladins.Don Adams on Twitter: "No, they use solar magic. More comparable to the solar magic used by druids."
====Blood magic====
Blood magic is a form of tortured life magic that uses blood as a power source.Life BloodJeremy Feasel on Twitter On Azeroth, it is shunned by many as a dark and forgotten art, as in that and many other ways, it shares some distinct characteristics with demonic magic.Bloodmage Lynnore#Quotes Someone who practices blood magic is often called a blood mage or blood wizard.Kasim Sharim (quest)
===Necromantic===
Necromantic magic is the manifestation of Death magic, it was developed by the Primus in the Shadowlands and has many functions through the practice of necromancy. Masters of this tainted field of magic can conjure festering diseases, harness the shadows into bolts of incendiary energy, and reconstruct the flesh of undead creatures, allowing them to function again even after the foul monsters have been destroyed.The Schools of Arcane Magic - Necromancy Its most common practitioners are known as necromancers and others include death knights, necrolytes, necrolords, as well as the nathrezim.
====Domination====
Domination is a brand of powerful runic Death magic whose sole purpose is the utter suppression of another being.Grimoire of the Shadowlands and Beyond, pg. 120 Behaving in a matter similar to a language, it alters the victim's thoughts so powerfully that it interferes with their sense of self.Primus dialogue in Zereth Mortis It was originally created by the Primus of Maldraxxus for the purpose of imprisoning Zovaal the Jailer within the Maw.Grimoire of the Shadowlands and Beyond, pg. 116, "[...] the Primus [...] was recently confirmed to be the devisor of the language of Domination - the very force used to bind the Jailer within the Maw" Runeblades infused with Domination are known as mourneblades.An Echo in the Darkness: The Highlord's Vision: 
===Arcane===
Arcane magic is a cold and intellectualThrall: Twilight of the Aspects, pg. 150 on e-book magic that warps time, space, and controls the flow of mana.Legion Class Preview Series: Mage Though extremely volatile, which requires intense precision and concentration, arcane is so similar to an element it might as well be one, for all magical intents and purposes.Jaina Proudmoore: Tides of War Arcane has been described as the "base fabric" of the worldMage-tastic Gizmonitor and can be pulled from ley lines,War Crimes, pg. 359 on e-book channels of immense magical power that course through Azeroth itself.World of Warcraft: Paragons, pg. 584 on e-book
According to Medivh, when a mage creates fire with arcane magic, all they do is concentrate the inherent nature of the fire contained in the surrounding area into one location in order to call it into being.The Last Guardian, chapter 3
====Technomancy====
Technomancy, or techno-sorcery,Ethereal Portal is a form of magic employed by the ethereals, capable of modifying an item's arcane essence or housing items in a pocket dimension,Thaumaturge Rafir as well as opening portals.
====Chronomancy====
Chronomancy is the art of weaving time.Weaver Belmaril#Quotes This discipline falls under the arcanic school of transmutation, and most of its practitioners are called chronomancers.
===Fel===
Fel magic is a destructive form of magic used by all members of the Burning Legion, and often by warlocks and demon hunters among the mortal races. Its use results in the alteration of the individual, or corruption, which manifests as a physical transformation such as a change to an individual's eyes or skin color, or heavy genetic mutations. All demons carry the taint of fel magic within their very blood, allowing them to spread greater evil.Ultimate Visual Guide, pg. 21 Warlocks use life force to power their fel magic.The Comic Volume 4 - Hard Choices: "We will use the injured gryphon's life force to power our fel magic."
===Shamanism===
Shamanism is a deeply spiritual form of elemental magic that involves a connection with both the natural and spirit worlds. Shaman do not normally enslave elementals, but honor them, asking the elements to heed their call. Shaman are not inherently imbued with magic—they harness the powers of the elements through ceremonial totems. Spirit, or Chi as the pandaren call it,Dave Kosak on Twitter (2014-02-21) - ""Chi" is the Pandaren word for "Spirit," same energy that helps shaman heal, etc." is the life force that shaman manipulate.Dave Kosak on Twitter: ""Chi" is just the Pandaren term for the life force that Shaman manipulate. Same stuff. :) Spirit energy is intrinsically linked to the elements—earth, air, fire, and water. This life-giving force interconnects and binds all things in existence as one.World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 1, pg 13. There is a relation to the spiritual magic of shaman and the natural magic of druids, which is why the shaman were able to hear the spirits of Stonetalon Mountains.Shredding Machines
====Geomancy====
Geomancy is a crude form of shamanism.The Old Wizard's Almanac: The Shamanic Races
===Runic===
Runic magic is a magic that employs runes. The vrykul practice a runic magic that even the most experienced wizards find unfamiliar.The Old Wizard's Almanac: Non-Magical Creatures The runes can access various types of magic, such as fel, void, arcane, and death.Dabbling in the Demonic
===Voodoo===
Voodoo is a dark and powerful form of magic, referred to as the "ancient power of the trolls",In Every Dark Corner and practiced by troll shadow hunters, hexxers, and witch doctors. They use mojo in their voodoo.Dungeon Journal entry for Drakkari Colossus A practitioner of voodoo is sometimes called a voodooistVoodooist Timan or vodouisant.Vodouisant's Vigilant Embrace
Hoodoo is also a form of magic used by trolls.Hoodoo Hex (quest)
==In the RPG==
Two categories of magic exist, arcane and divine. Divine magic contains druidism, shamanism, voodoo, and holy light, as well as other religions. Nature is a subcategory within the divine, but a form of it can also be found in arcane as well. Runes are mystically ancient, it is a type of arcane magic, but accessed by more natural means (see Runemasters and Inscribers).
===Arcane===
Arcane, the most common form of magic, comes from the Well of Eternity, which itself draws from the Twisting Nether. Arcane magic is very powerful, but if not used carefully can cause corruption and great destruction.World of Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game, pg. 248-249 Used by mages, wizards, and other sorcerers, such as those of the Kirin Tor, arcane magic is ever present in the atmosphere and accessible to any who are capable of drawing upon its energies. Arcane magics were discovered by the kaldorei and later refined by the high elves of Quel'Thalas and the human nations, and are most commonly practiced by mages.Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game, pg. 150-151World of Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game, pg. 59
===Fel===
Fel energy is arcane magic at its most corrupt. If arcane magic is an addiction, fel magic is the embodiment of the drug at its purest form.Magic & Mayhem, pg. 24
===Necromancy===
Necromancers are capable of reviving living creatures from death to do their bidding as undead servants.World of Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game, pg. 60
===Nature===
Druids derive their power from the earth itself, although they do not require totems to channel energy like shamans. They become agents of nature itself, forming a bond with all beings of nature and pulling their strength directly from that bond.Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game, pg. 154
===Geomancy===
The practice of divination and elemental combat native to several humanoid races of Azeroth. It is similar to shamanism in that disciples of geomancy wield the powers of the earth and encourage respect of earth's spirits. The main difference between a geomancer and a shaman is the method through which the trust of the elements is gained. A shaman speaks directly with the elemental spirits, whereas a geomancer uses rituals, songs, and sacrifices to appease and propitiate the spirits.Manual of Monsters, pg. 79
===Rune magic===
Runic magic was created by the titans. Their creation, the dwarves, quickly mastered the mysteries of the runes taught to them. However, as generations passed, the dwarves forgot their heritage and lost all knowledge of runes and their hereditary powers.
Tauren in Kalimdor rediscovered the power of runes. An ancient race as well, the tauren remembered the myths of runecasting and revived interest in this nearly lost art. The dwarves that came to Kalimdor with Jaina Proudmoore's Alliance Expedition learned tauren runecasting techniques. Tauren and dwarves do not share good relations, but they were eager to share knowledge of runes and titan myths.Magic & Mayhem, pg. 34
===Voodoo===
Voodoo is a strange tribal mix between the power of arcane and divine magic,Lands of Conflict, pg. 117 practiced by witch doctors and shadow hunters. They often combine reagents in a cauldron to create strange brews that most often result in bizarre transformations when consumed. They are widely known for placing hexes to morph victims into various creatures or placing curses.Magic & Mayhem, pg. 55-57Horde Player's Guide, pg. 66-68 The majority of voodoo users are trolls, although other races of the Horde have taken up the craft.More Magic and Mayhem, pg. 8Horde Player's Guide, pg. 67
==Notes==
*The four motifs at the corners of the cosmology chart are identical to the four motifs used in the map of Azeroth after the sundering in . 
==Speculation==
Saezurah, oracle of Zereth Mortis, has idle dialogue that states "Mortis. Lumen. Ordus. Rhythm and structure. (...) Vitae. Umbra. Tumult. Improvisation and possibility." Whether or not these are the names of the other realms of the First Ones has not been confirmed. 
==See also==
*Magic schools
**Magic schools (RPG)
*Magic (dispel type)
*Azeroth magic 
*Gadgetzan Times/A Magical History of Azeroth
*Magic breaker
*The Schools of Arcane Magic
==References==
Category:Game terms
Category:Lore
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