Schools of Magic

With the rising of unified Spellcraft theory, all spells were categorised and fitted into the following seven schools of magic. This however is a human thought construct created in order to categorise and quantify magic. This however does not describe magic in its entitiy with notable outliers such as Necromancy or the Cleric schools especially.

Since unifying the study of Magic under the IMPERIAL METRIC system during the Spellcraft Revolution at the turn of the 20th century, 7 Schools of Magic exist: Evocation, Transmutation, Conjuration, Abjuration, Divination, Enchantment and Illusion.

## Standard Schools of Magic

### Evocation

The most commonly awakened school in modern Spellcraft, Evocation is a school that manipulates energy. Evokers become the mainstay of the citizen-soldiers, wielding spells of Fire, Earth, Water, and more exotic elements such as Lightning or Radiance. As Evokers mature, they become more specialised in a particular elemental affinity, taking up
specialist equipment, attunement, and contract Spirits. In the media and propaganda, the Evoker is the archetype Mage, the spell-slinging, fireball -lasting Sorcerer of yore, tapping into and drawing limitless power from the elemental planes.

### Abjuration

Abjurers weave spells that protect, block, dispel, or banish. An Abjurer is a common but highly sought after profession. Abjuration made Shielding Stations possible. An Abjurer possesses the unique ability to utilize restoration spells such as De-Curse and the ability to dispense protective AOE combat buffs. Specialists in this field typically contract elementals of earth, ice, and water, all of which are relatively common.

### Conjuration

Conjuration is a school that materializes creatures or materials for the caster. A Conjurer becomes a one-man army after mastering higher tiers of Magic. Through Familiar rituals and or contracting Magical Creatures, Conjurers gain life-long companions that grow with the Mage in power. Due to this advantage, it is not uncommon for Summoners to become several magnitudes more powerful than Mages of the same tier. The disadvantage of Conjuration is the persistent mana drain caused by most of its sustained effect spells and crippling loss of combat potential to specialized Abjuration such as Banish. Certain Conjurers choose to focus on the summoning of items or beings. These valuable individuals are also responsible for the Teleportation Circles around the cities.

### Divination

Diviners reveal information. They are highly prized for their cognisant abilities in detection and foretelling. Many diviners go on to become telecommunication specialists, becoming key intelligence and strategist operatives who serve a multitude of critical roles. Other schools of Divination focuses on disaster deterrence, by reading the threads of time and fate. Despite their lack of offensive capabilities, it is said that the most influential Magi on the United Nations Council is the Oracle of the Acropolis. Though the Divination school has no preference for elemental afflictions, it is a school that synergises well with subsequent studies of other schools. Many Diviners go on to become Magus or Magister.

### Enchantment

The school of Enchantment remains the most difficult and expensive to train of all schools. Capable of imbuing items and buildings with protection, strengthening materials and extending persist phenomena - Enchanters are essential to humanity’s cities. The world's most successful manufactoriums and artisanal workshops are all operated by skilled Enchanters. Unlike regular Mages, many Enchanters seek to master additional schools such as Transmutation or Abjuration for the creation of magical items. A dangerous school within-a-school of Enchanters are those whose abilities allow them to control, manipulate, and glamour the minds of others. Mind Mages are closely watched by government forces, for the misuse of mind-altering effects on others could lead to life-imprisonment or banishment.

### Illusion

Illusion is the magic of mirage, the altering of perceptions to create false visions. Many Illusionists go on to become involved in espionage if they choose the path of the militant. Many others, however, have elected media and entertainment, creating spectacles for adoring audiences, becoming superstars of immense prestige. Illusion spells which deal damage attack the mind directly, creating what is known as psychic feedback.

### Transmutation

Transmutation is an unusual school in that it changes the caster and the objects they touch, manipulating the properties in powerful ways. In the present world, Transmuters become builders, architects, and creators, working hand-in-glove with Enchanters. In combat, some Transmuters choose to specialize in manipulating life itself, changing plants, creatures, and even themselves to become deadly and proficient in the art of war. It is said that Transmuters posses the most versatile school of all and enjoy the most lauded status after that of Evokers. An overall well-rounded School of Magic.

## Non-standard schools of magic

### Biomancy

Biomancy or the Clerical School of Healing Magic has always existed in human history in one form or another. Some say that this was the original 'School' of magic. In Modern Spellcraft, Clerical magic exists between Conjuration and Evocation, and is considered a 'hybrid school of magic'. Exclusively, Biomancy requires Mages attuned to the Positive Energy Plane. The combination of Healing Magic and Positive Energy often shrouds the Biomancer with a 'halo' of sorts.

### Necromancy

The dreaded School of Necromancy was banned after WWI following the Geneva Convention. Currently, the school is studied only by Sects authorised by the U.N, arguing that the study of souls and the afterlife is inseparably connected to matters of faith, culture, and religion. For many scholars, the irony of the matter is that Necromancy is most likely the most ancient school of magic in the world; dating back to the Egyptian Pharaohs, in an age when man first uncovered magic. As such, it is more accurate to say that the summoning, raising, and animation of the dead is strictly forbidden, as much of the old world had turned into ash and cinder following The Great War with the Undead.

### Hybrid schools

Little is known of hybrid schools of magic due to the inherent unwillingness of mages possesing such schools to reveal their secrets. However credible sources state that Gunther Shultz posses such a hybrid school of magic in between Illusion and Conjuration.

### Faith Magic

Another type of magic that predates the current IMS system and which along with necromancy, was invented solely by humans. This type of magic, called faith magic, harnesses the collective belief of a large number of humans, especially within an organized religion, to perform miracles or increase the effectiveness of other spells. Typically, faith magic requires the use of a relic - an object that has been enchanted by a specialized faith caster.

Faith magic is often used in conjunction with biomancy to enhance the effectiveness of healing spells. For example, in the Incan tradition, their king was revered as a god and was able to perform powerful spells of radiating destruction by tapping into the faith of his people. Similarly, knightly orders have their own unique form of faith magic that is distinct from that of healer clerics. Knights cultivate an internal reserve of power, separate from mana, by strictly adhering to a code of honor and duty.

It's worth noting that faith magic is a natural counter to witchcraft and necromancy. Unfortunately, the Chinese People's Liberation Army lacks faith casters, which has resulted in significantly higher casualties on the undead front.

### Traditional magic

Before the Imperial Metric Schools were established, various types of spellcraft were already in existence and some of them do not fit neatly into the categories established by the schools. For instance, the Aboriginal Australians practice dream walking, while certain Japanese traditions utilize the language of the Kami, and Korean shamanism involves forming spirit pacts.

## Demi-Human Magic

### Draconic Magic

It is well known that draconic entities have access to their own Magic system, which can achieve effects that human magic is unable to duplicate. It is rumored that tough the use of the draconic language dragons and their descendants can directly affect the fabric of the world.