Magic

## Magical Arts

Magic has been utilised to some degree by most of the intelligent races as far back as some of the oldest written documents that still exist today can reach. This art bases upon one's inherent or acquired ability to manipulate and wield the unseen magical energy that is said to surround us all. It takes many forms such as but not limited to: naturally occurring magical stones, plant-life, beasts or even entire races that carry magical traits as well as artificially created enchanted items, relics, spells and curses.

## Origins

The true origins of magic are unknown, but there are few leading theories.

The Enkadim sorcerers have theorised that magic initially wasn't native to the realm of Invernia, or any of the continents for that matter but that instead it got introduced into the world through some kind of cataclysmic event far in the past. Which resulted in tears and ripples throughout the entire plane of existence, causing it to slowly seep in in some places- while in others it shattered reality itself and created powerful local sources of magic. This theory is accepted by many existing sorcerer lodges from all around the world, yet it has little to no physical evidence to support it.

Another leading theory suggests that the origins of magic are entirely divine. Powerful tools bestowed upon the mortal races by the gods, be it good or evil to wield against their foes in the name of the deity that granted them such a gift. The theory of divine interference is by far the most controversial one, costing the arcane world many bright minds lost due to conflicts with religious orders as well as the other way around. Yet it's a theory that has become increasingly hard to ignore due to increased activity of powerful entities on the continent of Invernia.

The last amongst the most common theories suggests that there is no such thing as magical energy or the divine. But that magic users are themselves a separate species of an ancient nearly-divine race compromised of individuals of varying power. This theory was supposedly introduced by an unnamed cult led by a man who believes himself to be a god, which led to general ridicule of said theory by majority of the arcane and religious world.

## Types of Magic

The main difference between the different types of magic is the way they are materialised and through what means. The main five consist of: arcane, divine, occult, primal and runic. While some argue that there are more types of magic, most agree that they are mostly subtypes or mixes of the main five or are simply too niche to categorize. Very few magic users limit themselves to using only one type of magic as different schools of magic very often have overlaps between two or even three different types of magic while maintaining a focus on a primary one. So while a theoretical paladin might simply restrict oneself to only divine due to their beliefs a warlock might instead even use a mix of three: Arcane, Divine and Occult.

### Arcane

The most common type of magic, relies directly on the inherent or acquired ability of the user to manipulate the magical energy and shape it to their will or magical artefacts that aid in the user's ability to do so. Mostly takes form of spoken or unspoken (depending on the practice) casted spells. Most that practice the arcane are most commonly referred to as wizards, sorcerers, witches or arcanists.

### Divine

Present amongst many of the religious orders that worship the divine. This type of magic relies heavily on one's willpower and the strength of their belief. As far as it's know this type of magic cannot be inherent and can only be bestowed willingly by a powerful god-like being in exchange for worship and servitude. It can take form of simple protective incantations, blessings of weapons and armour but also as far as being bestowed with inhuman abilities. This magic is mostly temporary, used sparingly and often relies on the usage of relics. Despite being most often associated with religious orders, clerics and paladins it is not exclusive to those that only serve kind gods but also to those that serve demons, devils, cosmic beings and malicious deities.

### Occult

Occult covers quite a wide range of magical rituals that often come at a cost and are one of the few types of magic that require no inherent or acquired magical abilities. Despite that they are often used by practitioners of arcane that do not fear it's questionable practices. They are most popular amongst isolated societies, cults and as previously mentioned- practitioners of the arcane but also sometimes divine. It has been deemed unsafe and too unstable to be practiced by most magical societies thus it's users are often shunned and even prosecuted.

### Primal

Primal magic is most likely the oldest type of magic to be ever practiced by intelligent species. It's mostly still used by more primitive societies around the world, widely employed by various tribes and isolated villages. It relies upon one's wisdom and connection to local sources of magic and nature. Due to it's nature it has never been Standardized like the other types of magic and very little is shared about it outside of the closed circles that still use it. Often used alongside herbology.

### Runic

Runic magic has been mainly pioneered by various dwarven and dwarf adjacent societies, It relies upon imbedding various items with magical runes. It's often wrongly confused with the practice of arcane enchantments and while it's true there is an overlap to an untrained eye, runes have been known to last for thousands of years and require little to no maintenance while arcane enchantments weaken much faster and need to be maintained. The practice is a heavily guarded secret of the dwarven Rune-smiths thus it's a sign of great honour and trust for a non-dwarf to be taught Rune-making.

## History of Magic

### Early Practices

Most of the early information of early magical practices has been either passed down through spoken word or written down upon ancient stone tablets or described on runestones found in various places around the world. It most likely took form most similar to primal magic with tribe elders using their ancestral connection to the land to aid their people during tough times. Mainly focused around day-to-day needs, like evoking rain during droughts or dispersing different ailments tormenting their people or animals.

### Standardization of Magical Practices

In the year 456 Before The Storm a grand assembly has been held at the City of Cétaba. It was and still remains the largest gathering of magical practitioners ever held. It began the slow and tedious process of Standardization of Magical Practices, which aimed to write down, categorize and homogenize the way magic was practiced and taught. The process took some of the brightest minds of the magical world next 12 years of repeated assemblies due to splits and disagreements amongst the magical community, especially from the practitioners of the occult, which is said to have later contributed to the denouncement of the occult practices as a whole. This event also led to creation of many of today's greatest Magical Associations or Lodges of Sorcerers as some call them and the eventual separation of the magical world from most other groups due to a rising elitism and separation of interests.

### Prosecution of Magic

The resurgence of magical users has not come without it's downsides. While some assembled to help the common man others began chasing after power, with a never seen before access to magical sources many accidents followed. Peak of tensions has been reached after overblown news of a young sorcerer scorching an entire city by accident has begun spreading leading to many picking up arms against their local societies and lone practitioners which only led to a further escalation when some of them retaliated. The total death toll of sorcerers in purges that followed all around the world is unknown but it is estimated to reach upwards of 8000 men, women and children many of which were innocent and not even associated with the magical world. It was the last nail in the coffin in the process of separation of the Magical World from the common world. In the ensuing years majority of magical practitioners largely began offering their services in secret and away from the eyes of day-to-day life of a common man.

## Magical Associations

Magical Societies also known as Lodges of Sorcerers are associations of practitioners of magic often uniting groups with similar beliefs, interests and ambitions. Some numbering in just a few local members while others in hundreds, spread all around the world. Since their resurgence after the First Magical Assembly most self-respecting ambitious rulers have employed their services either as advisors, court sorcerers or both. They are also known to be responsible for a rise in population of magic users worldwide due to their focus on seeking out magically gifted at a young age and protecting others from possible prosecution.