The Field

> "*This is the Field, my child. Feel it in your veins, your bones. It is more than just power. It is life itself.*"
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> —Unknown Elven Sorcerer

The Fields of Magic, often shortened to 'the Field', is the common term for the magical lifeforce that infuses all of Tyrrell and many of the creatures that call the planet home. Despite being an intrinsic part of life and the ecosystem, it is poorly understood by scholars and its mechanics only loosely defined.

The Field itself is generated from the Leylines; great strings of magical energy that flow through the deep underground of Tyrrell. The Leylines generate a field of magical essence that ripples outwards, enhancing the impact of natural phenomena like accelerated plant growth. The Leylines and the ecosystems above them are intrinsically connected in a symbiotic relationship. The Field strengthens the environment and the ecosystem’s growth reinforces the Leylines’ stability.

It is in these Field rich areas where the Elderkin have built their great nations, as their biology allows them to attune to the Field's energies, drawing strength and sustenance throughout their long lives. However, due the recent rise of human-led industry and the subsequent damage to the surrounding ecosystems, some Leylines have withered or snapped entirely, resulting in a devastating loss for the environment, the local Elderkin and the Field as a whole.

## Forms

The Field, in its purest form, is invisible to mortal eyes, even in close proximity to the Leylines. Similar to magnetism, it moves in unseen waves throughout the world, bypassing most physical matter directly. However, its effects and strength can be felt and measured, akin to radiation levels.

### Aurite

When the Field is condensed to a strong degree, typically around the Leylines directly, it is able to transition into a physical, solid form. This state of the Field is known as Aurite, glowing amber crystals found deep underground. Aurite is far too dense to be attuned by a sapiant mind directly, but it is utilized in a number of processes and doesn't lose strength when separated from a Field rich environment.

### Spirits of Nature

On the surface, the Leylines lie too deep to manifest something as solid as Aurite. However, in vibrant natural environments, the Field can condense into a gaseous, fluidic state. These are known as the Spirits of Nature, sometimes call the Fae. Most are not intelligent, but expressive and emotional, communicating by feeling rather than words.

### Fielded Souls

In a matter similar to the Spirits, when the Field is condensed within the body of an Elderkin for a prolonged period of time, the energy within suffuses and blends with their body and soul. When the Elderkin dies, this Fielded energy remains within the body, able to be manipulated by highly skilled individuals. Whether the soul itself remains within this Fielded energy or passes on is a matter of scholarly debate.

## General Attunement

### Access

Almost every creature across Tyrrell can be affected by the Field, and any sapient mind has the potential to attune to it. However, actually doing so depends on many biological and mechanical components.

The primary factor is the level of training and focus needed to master the flows and movements of the Field itself. Though the methods vary, all require a great amount of time and diligence. This has severely limited the Field's usage for the Lesserkin, especially humans, as their short lifespans restrict the amount they are able to learn.

Humans and Lesserkin are also limited by the Leylines themselves. As their lands tend to be ones left uninhabited by the Elderkin, due to having a weak Field and fewer Leylines, their ability to draw in the Field is severely hampered.

Biology and lineage is also a key component. The Elderkin posses a natural and biological ability to attune to the Field, the strength of which varies by bloodline. Though some possess little ability above the intrinsic benefits, this connection makes training and their ability ceiling far higher than any Lesserkin.

This subconscious attunement is also the main source of the Elderkin's longer lifespans and supernatural health, stamina and endurance. In fact, in areas were the Field is weak, most Elderkin will gradually lose energy and strength, with prolonged exposure shortening their lifespans.

### Intrinsic Benefits

As soon as a creature attunes to the Field, by conscious focus or natural ability, they will experience a rush of energy which pulses through their whole body by way of the nervous and circulatory systems. This rush relieves the body of pain, increases overall strength and stamina, heals light wounds near-instantly, and gives the user a greater sense of focus and awareness of their surroundings.

As mentioned, the Elderkin and other magical creatures gain these benefits simply by being in a Fielded environment. It is also the furthest ability most human sorcerers will reach, lacking the strength, willpower or time necessary for further skills.

### Risks

One potential risk of attuning to the Field is the danger of blazing out. This can happen if an individual consciously attunes to the Field for too long, or draws in more power then they are able to handle safely. Essentially, they absorb more energy then they are capable of holding. This force must then be released, often resulting in an explosion of energy, killing or severely injuring the individual involved.

This danger is particularly relevant for the Dwarves, as many of their underground nations run in close proximity to the Leylines. Even their natural attunement can pose a danger if they draw too close to the Leylines proper for an extended period of time. As such, many have developed techniques using the Runes to redirect the denser Field through inanimate tools and weapons.

## Fielded Arts and Uses

* *The Simple Arts*

* *Spellcraft*

* *The Runic Arts*

* *Soul-Fusing*

* *Spirit Speak*

## History

The Field was first discovered by the Forgotten at some point before the First Age, during their search for ascension and power. This discovery came in the form of the Gates, rare locations where the Leylines intersect extremely close to the surface. Whether the Field itself pre-existed or was created after the Gates were opened is unknown, and debated by historians and scholars.

Regardless, after the Gates were opened, the Forgotten were corrupted by the power unleashed, becoming the ‘dark forces’ within. The Elderkin managed to cordon off the areas and seal the Forgotten away.

After this, Tyrrell was forever changed. The Field seeped deeply into the land, either for the first time or to a much larger degree than ever before, impacting all of nature and any creatures walking Tyrrell. Some of these sapients, the Elderkin, learned how to manipulate the Field and used it to carve out their empires and their territories, subjecting the Lesserkin as they went.