Components

## General Overview

   While raw magic can get you far, many spells and potions require extra ingredients in order to work. These ingredients are used for a myriad of reasons, ranging from a simple object to help focus magic to allowing someone to cast something far beyond their natural capabilities. These ingredients are known as components.

   In theory anything can be a component, so long as it's utilized correctly. What works for one spell may not work for another, such as using a ruby instead of a diamond. Some things can easily be swapped out for something similar, like using human blood in place of Kodin. It all depends on the specifics of the spell. Kind of like baking, in a sense. Sometimes it's ok to mix things up, while other times it's better to stick to the recipe.

   Generally speaking, components are expendable ingredients. Very few can be reused over and over, and those that can are almost always part of a very low powered spell. Once the spell is cast, the component will be used, and whatever’s left afterwards expels itself as remnant. This remnant can later be used to track what spell had been cast, as the specific components left behind are usually a pretty good indicator. Its easier to track a spell with components than it is to track one without them, although both can be accomplished with enough training.

## Metals

Metals are a fairly common component in spell casting and artifact making, but when it comes to potions it’s very rarely used. Pure metals, meaning metals that aren’t created by any sort of mixture, are known to channel magic similar to how it’s able to conduct electricity. Not only that, but depending on what colour of magic is used different metals can have different effects. All variants of magic have a “favoured” metal. Purple favours silver, red & blue favour gold, and green favoures copper. That being said, any metal can in theory channel any type of magic, just with varied results. Sometimes you have to use an unfavourable type of metal to achieve the desired result.

In general Metals are used when precision is of the utmost importance. Using it in a magic item will keep certain aspects of the enchantment locked in the correct place. For example, lining the top of a scepter with silver or gold would prevent the active spell from effecting the grip; preventing the user from being affected. It can also be used to transfer magic from one place to another.

## Gemstones

   If there’s one thing magic loves, it’s bouncing off of things. The more it’s able to move around, the more powerful its effects will be. Because of this, gemstones and crystals are often used to amplify the effects of magic. They’re used in spells, artifacts, and potions. Gems with crystalline structures in them are more effective in amplifying the power of magic, and different structures affect magic variants in different ways. Much like metal, each variant of magic has its own favoured gemstone.

   In general gemstones are created when minerals are heated and condensed over a very long period of time. Because magic ambiance can be found inside the soil itself, trace amounts of magic are condensed into the gems as well. Finding a magic’s favoured gemstone is easy, as more often than not it’ll be the same colour as said variant. Rubies are favoured by red magic, while lapis is favoured by blue, as a vague example. That being said, overall gemstones are heavily used with Green magic. Seeing as it's by far the most common and most abundant type of ambiance, almost every gem imaginable has at least a little bit of it trapped inside.

## Animals

All creatures with souls have a mana pool, which means all animals are tied to magic in some way shape or form. That being said, because of the sheer variety of animals in Mirror Domain it's extremely difficult to pinpoint what effects they have under general terms. In general, if there’s a rumor surrounding a certain animal there’s probably a reason behind it. Lucky rabbit’s foot? Yep. That’s because there’s a vague purple influence. A snake eating it’s own tail representing the life cycle? That’s because they’re tied to blue. How strong these pulls are vary by species, but it’s a pretty good rule of thumb.

Generally speaking anything related to the blood, bones, or flesh of an animal is tied to red magic. It’s especially prominent in Demon Summoning, as matter cannot be created from nothing. Changing reality, like red magic is known to do, is exactly that. It’s changing something from one form to another. Offering a sacrifice like a corpse or blood allows that organic matter to reform itself into the new body of a summoned demon.

That’s not to say every animal part is tied to red magic or demon summoning. Things like feathers and fur are used in all variants of magic. Animal parts are known to soak up magic and store it temporarily before it can be expended. Animal parts are also used commonly in potion making. Fats, blood, and eggs act as a great binding agent when mixing a spell.

## Plants

   Much like how gemstones absorb ambient magic, plants also absorb ambiance. But unlike gemstones, plants grow way faster and are able to absorb far more magic than a gemstone ever could. Plants are most common in potion making. Occasionally they’re used in spells, especially spells that require more magic than an average caster would find worth using, but they’re almost never used in the creation of artifacts. The shelf life of most plant products don’t last long enough to make it viable.

   Plants are very heavily tied to blue magic. It’s one of the most compatible variants with life after all. The blue magic in plants is part of why things like trees are able to live so long. It’s also why many plants are able to survive with very little water, as water is something Mirror Domain lacks. Not only that, but because many plants have medicinal properties without the aid of magic, adding it to the mix only makes them more effective in healing wounds or curing disease. Plants are almost universally associated with blue magic, even if they can hold other variants.

## Misc.

   While the items listed above are the most common spell components, there’s a myriad of different items in existence that can be used as a magic component. Sometimes certain pre-made items are used as a spell focus, as the materials they’re composed of are already tied to the items listed above. There’s also a fair bit of natural materials that are used in spell casting; such as water, fire, sand, oil, minerals, etc. Sometimes a certain item just reacts with a certain type of magic for seemingly no reason.

## Spells vs Potions

While all forms of magic can use components, different kinds use them differently. What works for a spell may not work for a potion, and what works for a potion may not work for an artifact. This is partly why mages tend to specialize in one field, as learning the conversions for each and every spell can be difficult.

Spells are by far the most versatile form of magic. Nearly all of them are discharged instantly, meaning there’s no need to worry about anything spoiling or rotting. They can use just about any form of component with little issue, as spells are usually channeled from the inside out and don’t require ingesting anything. Because of this, spellcasting is generally considered to be the easiest form of magic to use. Even Tinkers or Alchemists learn basic spells when they’re first starting out, as knowing the basics helps them greatly in their fields.

Potions are a bit trickier. Because they need to be ingested in order to work, great care must be taken to ensure the target doesn’t get sick, or worse, after drinking it. Not only that, but potions aren’t always consumed right away. Many of them require some sort of preservatives or a special container to store it in to prevent spoiling. In general potions avoid gemstones or metals, as neither are food products, but on occasion one may require a sprinkle of gem powder or some iron filings. Something small enough to safely pass through the body. That being said, some potions are meant to harm someone. Potions such as these have less care put in to their components, as safety isn’t a concern.

Artifacts and Trinkets are usually pretty versatile in terms of what can or can’t be used to construct them. That being said, most people stray away from using perishable plant or animal products as it greatly limits the shelf life of their creation. On occasion something like a bone or dried fibers are needed for artifacts, and these items usually do just fine so long as the owner of said artifact takes good care of it.