Lectio (element)

## Lectio

*Lectio* is a modifier-class element. It allows the user to read/interpret instructions and properly parse them into a usable form. This modifier element is absolutely necessary to interpret magic spells written in any form. *Lectio* depends on your literacy and is the element of knowledge.

## Overview

*Lectio* allows casters to read and understand spells. This can include spells that are written or drawn. However, with *Lectio*, you can parse things that originally are not considered magic into magic spells. This includes sheet music, blueprints, or any imperative statement.

### Behavior

*Lectio* is a passive element--meaning that conspicuous casting is not required. As long as the mage can understand what they are trying to use, *Lectio* will work fine.

### Uses

*Lectio* can be used on:

* Sheet music (used for *Sonus*)
* Electric circuit diagrams (used for *Fulgur*)
* Architectural blueprints (typically used for *Petra*)
* Instructional building diagrams (such as schematics/blueprints)
* Normal words (written: such as from a book or writing in general; orally: such as from a mouth, speaker, or some source of audio)
* Imperative statements (verbal commands in general)
* Instructions (such as a manual, often times this refers to written spells)
* Arrows, or any sort of comprehensible language (often times used to aid *Programma*)

### Additional Notes

*Lectio* should not be confused with *Programma*. The latter allows you to create sequences of casts, while the former allows you to interpret said casts correctly. In other words: *Programma* makes spells, *Lectio* reads spells.

Interpretation of a medium can only occur if, and only if, the mage *can* interpret said medium. For example, if there are words written in order to cast a spell, and the mage who is attempting to cast it is illiterate, the interpretation will not succeed; in other words, the mage will not be able to cast a written spell if the mage cannot read in the first place. Another example would be: a mage trying to use an electric circuit diagram to assist in casting a *Fulgur* spell; they cannot use the diagram if they do not understand said diagram.

### Civilian use

*Lectio* is used regularly in civilian use for spells and there are no restrictions on this class.

## Skills

### Lego - Read

Interpret a medium into something usable in magic.

### Inscius - Ignoring

Prevent automatic casting of spells whenever something is interpreted. This skill is used to directly prevent the mage from immediately casting a spell while they are interpreting something.

## Trivia

* When magic is being taught, *Lectio Inscius* is the first spell that is to be mastered. This is to prevent students from accidentally casting a spell when reading a grimoire or such
* All mages are capable of casting *Lectio*
* Until 3M, the ability to cast magic was tested using *Lectio*. This was accomplished by presenting someone with a simple *Lux* spell and making them read it; the idea was that if they did not cast it then they could cast magic. However, this quickly proved to be ineffective and completely impractical; it was revealed how stupid the concept was, and that it was much easier to just ask the mage to cast a spell they know.