Thaumaturgy

Thaumaturgy is the ability of some people, referred to as thaumaturges, to manipulate energy as it relates to certain kinds of physical matter or processes. There are multiple branches of thaumaturgy, each of which is centered around a specific form of physical matter or chemical process. These branches of thaumaturgy allow for different abilities related to the specific matter or process that the branch is centered on.

The abilities that result from practicing thaumaturgy can be split into two groups: passive and active thaumaturgy. Passive thaumaturgy refers to the effects of thaumaturgy that occur without conscious effort on the part of the thaumaturge, while active thaumaturgy refers to the thaumaturgical abilities that do require conscious effort.

## Use

### Active Thaumaturgy

Active thaumaturgy requires a conscious effort on the part of the thaumaturge, and typically requires rituals, symbols, and/or verbalizations. These rituals, symbols, and verbalizations are used to focus thaumaturgical energy in order to manipulate the related matter or chemical process. Thaumaturgical scientists have developed specific rituals and symbols that are the most effective in producing results, although individual thaumaturges will often make changes in the rituals they use to better suit their tastes or abilities. The main purpose of vocalizations is to focus the thaumaturge and as such, the exact language the vocalizations are made in is irrelevant to the effectiveness of thaumaturgy. For this reason, most thaumaturges choose to make the vocalizations in their native languages, and some of the more practiced thaumaturges are able to perform thaumaturgy at equal levels of efficiency without any vocalizations.

### Passive Thaumaturgy

Passive thaumaturgy does not require any sort of conscious effort from the thaumaturge, and thus does not require any of the rituals, symbols, or vocalizations that active thaumaturgy requires. Most forms of passive thaumaturgy is constantly being "used", although in most situations, the impact of the passive thaumaturgy is not significant to be immediately noticeable.

## Branches

There are many branches of thaumaturgy, with some more common than others. Note that the following list is not a comprehensive list, and there are a multitude of branches that are not included.

* Pyromancy - centered on the chemical process of combustion, most commonly in the form of fire
* Hydromancy - centered on water and its various forms
* Aeromancy - centered on the physical qualities of the atmosphere of Assur
* Electromancy - centered on the presence and motion of electric charges
* Ferromancy - centered on the various forms of metal
* Geomancy - centered on the solid terrestrial surface of Assur
* Biomancy - centered on the biological processes of living organisms
* Hemomancy - centered on the blood of humans and other vertebrates

## Opinions

Opinions on thaumaturgy and its use vary widely. In several countries, such as Teivos, thaumaturgy is accepted and is a part of daily life. Other countries, including Midav, have outlawed the use of thaumaturgy entirely. However, the majority of countries, such as Ilotana, lay somewhere in between, where thaumaturgy is not outlawed, but also is not a part of everyday life.

Individuals have a variety of opinions on thaumaturgy as well. The majority of people do not have strong opinions about thaumaturgy or its use, but there are several notable groups who profess significant views on thaumaturgy. Many groups in nations such as Teivos believe that thaumaturgy is beneficial to society and support its use. However, some groups, like the Servants of the Stav, are against the use of thaumaturgy, and in some cases, are openly hostile to thaumaturges.