Márjx

Flag Shown Above: School of Eñchar Márjx.

## Magic: Overview

The topic of magic, how it is created, what it has influence over, and its current state, is common a topic throughout the series. While varying types of magic exist, such as those taught within the Únoff Unvérnity (Únoff schools) the same principals to magic still apply. The principals are as follows: Magic is *not* created, merely generated. Magic, in its purest form, is a product of an unstable force. And finally, magic is in all things, not matter what it is. The concept of magic has been present within the series since book one, though, as Master Nyota states, magic is the product of condenses thoughts and emotions harvested by a user inclined to magic. Realistically, the book seems to set magic up as some sort of Ch'i while Nyota explains spells as being "created" the truth is that magic within the series is nothing more than energy being manipulated. As such, magic has been described countless times as hot, or almost burning. Most spells within the school of Diśtro Márjx (combat magic) are in fact nothing more than channeling heat from place to another, at varying intensities.

Though, beyond its uses in combat, magic has been shown to heal, or help the sick (Héthteẋ Márjx), create manifestations of thought (Coñjro Márjx), alter the properties of items or nature (Álter Márjx), enrich or empower both people and objects in some manner (Eñchar Márjx), synthesizes or create things (Alcreẋ Márjx) similar to the Medieval ideas of alchemy, and finally, prolong one's life or cheat death (Nekřo Márjx).

Learning how to properly control magic is both a long and extremely intensive process. Each school of course differs in its teachings; some schools within the books such as that of Eñchar Márjx under Sagitta Duscle follow a traditionalist idea of studies and practice taking place within a school of sorts known as a Gyoñsium. While others, such as Svle Nyota's being a more personalized experience within the real world. With each manner, being selected for such schools and being placed under a Master or teacher requires both the skill and the money to do so. While the Únoff society values education, only those with the funds and aptitude are selected for a particular school. Though, as it has been noted within the book, both the schools of Héthteẋ and Alcreẋ seem to take in a larger amount of students, normally leading to a bit of mockery from the other schools as being "Nośton magic" or novice or basic magic. Even still, the truly be skilled in magic an individual needs years of practice and studies, most of which involve learning how to control one's emotions and being able to picture the spell they desire.

## Training (Brief)

The series goes into some detail explaining how one goes from a novice spell-caster to that of a truly experienced mage. While the types of studies are never fully explored, some of the tools for beginner learners are. One such tool is that of pre-recorded spells within scrolls or books. As noted before, magic is both emotion and thought, with too much emotion a spell is hard to control, with too much thought it lacks use. The first step in forming a spell for most Únoff comes from seeing spells in action, though if the learner is unable to truly picture a spell within their own mind reading spells or scrolls enriched with magic can help. The book has shown such a tool several times, each time explaining that a book or scroll enriched with a spell gives off some type of power that can be felt and pictured when the learner's eye are closed and they concentrate. The use of spell writing, as noted by Nyota within the second book is very hard and typically takes a lot out of those who write the spells as a piece of themselves must be written down. Even still, this type of tool has been shown to boost the skill of those not truly magically inclined.

Another tool shown since the first book is that of a Gloftór (*glow-F-tor*) a specialized glove worn by the spell-caster that helps generate a spell once visualized. The Gloftór itself is typically nothing more than a simple leather glove, though encased in the palm is a Kélf stone. Kélf (*K-elf*) stones are natural stones used since the first devún to help those magically inclined with magic. The stones, as they are described in the book, are typically a light blue color, small and give off a distinctive hum when held in the hand. In terms of their use, they are not just for spell-casting, the heat and energy they give off have been used for various simple machines that have led to the Únoff's edge in terms of technology. Notable examples are heaters, sowing machines, and even components in higher technologies such as trains. One school in particular, that of Diśtro Márjx frequently uses the stones and the Gloftór invention to ensure spell-casters do not become fatigued after prolonged spell use in combat. Though, other schools and many Únoffs such as Clover have shown a bit of contempt to the use of such tools as true masters of magic do not need to use inventions such as the Gloftór as it can weaken the caster's learned abilities. Even still, the gloves stand to be a rather useful tool for those learning magic.

Much like the Kélf stones and Gloftór type inventions, there exist other objects for training or empowerment purposes. As all things have been shown to contain magic, the school of Eñchar Márjx for instance, the largest and most attended school of magic, has been known to create various articles of clothing, hats, boots, ect for the use of its trainees. While the magically enriched objects help learners they also serve as a way of practice, and for many help them hone their skills for life served beyond school. A very basic skill for all spell-casters is that of recharging magical items. While a Kélf stone can do this, they too can be depleted. Beyond items, another stone is used, that of a Helió (*he-low*) stone. Unlike the Kélf stones, a Helió stone is very weak in terms of natural magic. Yet, their uniquely glossy, crystallize like shine yields a different benefit. While common electricity and light bulbs do not exist within the series, a Helió stone empowered by magic will glow a bright, typically orangery color, and is normally used as a source of light within many Únoff homes. The charging of both stones and items is great way for those still learning magic to learn how to control the intensity of their magic.

## Hierarchy & Infighting

Not all schools of magic are the same, in fact, most frequently attempts to out do the other in terms of prestige and student population. All manners of Únoff life are ruled by two factors, money and magic (Races) as such, the school one attends matters for all those seeking to have power over their neighbors and one another. Beyond this factor, those in the upper echelon of magic have historically desired the title of Archmage or Capital Mage, the sole authority over all schools of magic and the most influential Master outside of the Márjx Gréftor. As such, each school has its own philosophies of both magic and how it aims to achieve prominence. Perhaps the easiest way to understand each school, is to look at how its students are trained.

Teacher-Student: One teacher, and one to two students. This method relies heavily on in the field work, the application of theory and practice are one. The problem, schools under this magic take much longer to master and typically receive vary harsh criticisms of quality, as all learning is designated by one teacher. Historically, this method is employed when a Head Master of a school takes interest in a selected group of students, either to replace them or to ensure the future of the school's quality. Additionally, this method is reserved for schools of magic that require very intensive training. While head masters do exist, their school does not directly influence the teaching of its members, instead all students will report to the current head master for a test at each stage of their learning.

Trade-School: A very accelerated type of schooling, this form encompasses many teachers and many students, with learning being focused more on practicality than theory. Problem, with such a quick turn out rate, learners are frequently called back to the school for testing, which typically results in students having to repeat certain areas of studying. Though these schools allow students to grow at their own pace, it does vary from student to student.

Military-School: Similar to the Trade-school method. though only used by the Diśtro Márjx school, this method follows a military or combat centered training in magic. Relatively a new school of magic that only officially formed during the Third War of The Three (History) Diśtro Márjx is a very easy to learn magic. Unfortunately, the heavy use of magical tools has resulted in various criticisms by the other schools.

Traditional-Schools: A large and rather impressive building, fitted with heavy influence on the settlement around it, traditional schools of magic have been the historical way of learning magic. While few would dare contest the quality of these institutions, a classroom of sixty to seventy students rotate between several teacher, each focusing on different areas of learning within the school's choice of magic. Unlike Teacher-Student schools, reputation for students is based on completion or attendance, rather than skill or what is truly learned. Even still, this method of teaching has been used since the first Únoff peoples learned the ways of magic.

## Dújarx

Pronounced (*Do-jacks*), Dújarx Márjx are spells resulting from the combination of two schools of magic. These spells are both hard to produce, and very difficult to control, yet the ability to perform such a spell is the requirement of all Capital Mages and Masters within the Márjx Gréftor.

Controversy: While this task has always been a requirement for obtaining the highest title of any mage, many schools within Artésque refuse to accept graduate students from another school. While there exist no true law, there is however an unspoken agreement that any student wishing to achieve such skills be of only the elite classes and very distinguished themselves.

## Márjx Gréftor

The think tank and overseer of all magic are those within the Márjx Gréftor. One of the last remaining buildings within the Oválll the jobs of all mages within this intuition are to both create spells and push the boundaries of perceived knowledge. Notable members to this guild are: Araxie and Morybe-Serbellá. Built atop the largest deposit of Kélf stones, the guild was once the center of all magic, though now stands as just a remnant of powers lost during the last War of The Three. Sadly, despite the Márjx Gréftor's reputation, it is most remembered for the failed creation of the Guardian known as **Clamor Vón Dorñ Morybe-Serbellá the third.**

## Maná

The existence of magic beyond that of the Únoff and the devún has been widely known to those within Artésque. While never directly shown within the series, the use of Kélf stones by the Dẃoff have historically given the ability to use very basic spells. Though, many saw the Dẃoff being able to use magic as a dangerous thing, and so the Únoff imposed strict rules for the Dẃoff and sought to guard the larger deposits of Kélf stones. Of course, many believe this was a drastic move as the Dẃoff do not posses the ability to recharge the magic they use.

Beyond the Dẃoff, the Drágeff, Fraxtón, and Flóff have been known to have influence over magic (Races) though never to the extent of the Únoff.

## *Léux and The Original Stoná*

Two of the most powerful items within Artésque, the Stoná and the Léux act very differently from one another. The Stoná has been known to influence both emotions and thoughts, as seen with the fragmented version of it, however in its full form, the Stoná is so powerful that it is able to psychically teleport whole cites, resurrect the dead, and disrupt natural weather patterns. Its creation is unknown, though it seems heavily implied that the Stoná within the Crystoreeñ is in fact one of many manifestations of the world's magic.

The Léux on the other hand, while it has been depicted as a very powerful weapon and tool for controlling the weather and manipulating the magic of the world, is actually manipulated magic itself. How it was originally created has never been fully disclosed, though how it is operated is. According to what is known from book one, the Léux filters magic through the cloud city of Pegpolis and focuses it within in a small chamber, where it can be manipulated by the chosen Emperor. While created, it can only truly be wielded by a proven Flóff warrior and leader, typically the Emperor. Due to this nature of choosing, much like the Stoná has been shown to do, both items may in fact be manifestations of the world's magic. Which, according to legend is how the world and the Arcx-oTik influence the land (History). Whether or not a Dẃoff object of power exist, one has never come into play within the series, though it is widely believed that the Drágeff posses some sort of power from the world's magic.