Tiered Pathways

# The Magic System

## Introduction

In a world where magic is a forbidden and secretive art, the few who possess the power to wield it are shrouded in mystery and intrigue. Magic in this world is based on three main concepts: Time, Space, and Plot, each of which is separated into pathways that are tiered from 10 down to 0, with Tier 0 being the most powerful.

To access magic, one must have a strong will and spirit to control it and use it to their will. While in the past, users had to recite incantations from magical scrolls, in the current era, they have learned to use their will, spirit, mental power, and visualization to control the magic without the need for verbal spells. However, there are still rituals and artifacts that can help users amplify their powers, but these are only accessible to those who are in the know.

The churches and deities of Time, Space, and Plot control the information about magic, and after a major event known as the Great Calamity, magic was banned, and the practice became exclusive to a few prestigious schools in the capital.

This is the story of those who possess the power to wield magic, the artifacts that can amplify their powers, and the mystery and intrigue that surrounds their world.

### Analogy

In the magic system, the magic can be compared to water, and the user can be seen as a glass bowl that houses the water.

Magic, like water, can take on different forms and be directed towards different purposes. Just as water can be poured into different containers and used for various purposes, such as drinking, cleaning, or cooking, magic can be directed towards different outcomes, such as healing, protection, or destruction.

The bigger the glass bowl, the stronger the tier/user, meaning the more water in said bowl.

If a user can’t control the water, then the bowl can become cracked and leak water out the sides. This results in loss of control, and the user can go insane and rampage.

## Sources of Magic

The origin of magic in this world is tied to the three gods of Time, Space, and Plot. Magic itself is an innate ability that users can access through their willpower and spirituality, but they require the guidance of the gods and the knowledge of how to control it. This knowledge is found in The Scroll of the Effable, a text created by the Deities to control the use of magic. The Scroll contains information on the pathways, tiers, and spells associated with each type of magic.

Users can access the magic in several ways. One way is through their own innate ability, which is influenced by their willpower and spirituality. Another way is through external sources such as artifacts, rituals, and prayers to the Deities. Artifacts can amplify a user's power significantly, while rituals can help them ascend through the tiers and access more powerful spells. Prayers to the Deities can also grant users more power or help them in their use of magic.

In the past, users had to recite incantations from magical scrolls to access their spells. However, as users became more skilled in controlling their magic, they discovered that they could use their willpower, spirit, and visualization to control their magic without verbal spells. This new method of using magic without incantations has become the norm in the current era.

Overall, the sources of magic in this world are tied to the innate ability of the users, the guidance of the Deities, and external sources such as artifacts and rituals. The Scroll of the Effable serves as the source of knowledge for users to learn how to control their magic, and the churches and Deities control the information about magic to keep it hidden from the public eye.

## Tiered Pathways

The Tiered Pathways is a system that was written on The Scroll of the Effable and a way for users to progress through different levels of power as they gain more control over their own magic. Each pathway is focused on one of the three main types of magic - Time, Space, or Plot - and is divided into tiers from 10 down to 0, with 0 being the most powerful.

Users start at Tier 10, where their power is just above the human level. They must progress through each tier to gain more powerful spells and abilities. As they ascend through the tiers, users must also conduct rituals with specific materials related to their pathway to gain more power and ascend to higher tiers more quickly.

The Tiered Pathways are also closely tied to the Deities and their respective churches. Users can pray to the gods of their pathway to gain more power, and the churches hold the knowledge of the magic system to keep it hidden from the public eye.

### Pathways

Each pathway has three routes retaining to 'The Mind,' 'The Body,' and 'The Spirit.'

#### Time Pathway

* Time Traveler: Has the ability to travel through time.
* Chronomancer: Has the ability to manipulate time.
* Temporal Agent: Has the ability to detect and track changes in time.

#### Space Pathway

* Astromancer: Has the ability to manipulate celestial bodies and the forces of the universe.
* Gravity Master: Has the ability to manipulate gravity and space.
* Planeswalker: Has the ability to traverse different dimensions and planes of existence.

#### Plot Pathway

* Mythologist: Has the ability to tap into the power of myths and legends.
* Fictionalist: Has the ability to manipulate and control narratives.
* Propagandist: Has the ability to influence and manipulate the opinions and beliefs of others.