Magic

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## What is Magic?

Magic is a force of change, natural in its existence yet born from outside the mortal world. In its natural state, it is wild, chaotic, and uncontrollable. It is only magic flowing across the boundaries of our world and the source of magic beyond that can be controlled by mortal wizards and sorcerers. The two most basic things a spellcaster must have to cast a spell are the ability to channel magic, and the knowledge to control it and form it into a spell. **All magic rituals start a 24 hour cooldown timer unless preparatory rituals that are approved by admin.**

## Channeling Magic

Controllable magic is not so simple a thing to come across in the living world. While it does seep in from somewhere beyond at times, it is utterly chaotic and uncontrollable when it does. True control of magic can only be attained while drawing it from a source of magic beyond the bounds of this world. The nature of that source is, and will likely remain, a mystery, but the methods by which mortals can draw it through from beyond and into this world are less mysterious. All uncontrollable magic is drawn from that source and into this world via a magical conduit. There are two basic ways for a mortal to create and control such a conduit: Through a focus item, and by turning their very soul into such a conduit. Focus items can be crafted even by mundane hands. Stones of power can imbue an item with the ability to become a conduit, and channel magical power through it. This can be nearly any item, from a staff or a sword, to a tome of spells. Those who use foci must learn how to actually use them, as well as study the individual spells they mean to cast. Souls are an incredible harness for magical energy, and as such, one’s soul can be made into a conduit to the source of magic beyond our world.

However, there is no known way for mortal hands to achieve this feat alone, or even at the hands of other mortals. Only powerful beings outside our own world have the ability to shape mortal souls in such a fashion : gods and demons. To shape a mortal’s soul in this fashion is to have it connected to their own. As such, mortals can be seen as sharing a connection with the entity that changed them. This connection can be achieved through a ritual appeal to the entity they seek a connection to. It is entirely possible that an entity may reject such a connection as the gods and deities offering such a connection are often fickle. It is unlikely a deity in the Elven pantheon would accept any mortal to forge a soul conduit with them, as Elvenkind attain their access to magic through their Ki, and have little interest in offering such boons to other mortals. And in the case of a priest, such a god might only accept the most devout of followers to connect to their essence in this way.

## Controlling Magic & Casting Spells

While a focus or soul connection enables the ability to channel magic into this world, there is still a matter of controlling it. Those who use a focus must learn the proper incantations, gestures, or prayers associated with a spell in order to cast spells. Those who use a soul conduit have a much more intuitive access to their magic, but still need to learn the concepts behind the spell to understand how to control the magic they channel. In either case, a rudimentary focus and a fresh soul conduit are not as capable as something more advanced or ancient, and must be improved upon to perform greater feats of magic. See Learning and Advancement in Magic for further details.

## Effects of Magic

Magic has a naturally corrupting effect on this world. It is not necessarily good or bad, it simply inspires *change*. As such, magicians who use a focus for any notable length of time are prone to experiencing some of this change. Quite often only in very small ways, such as oddly glowing eyes, unnatural youth, and such. Some may not experience any change - there is little rhyme or reason to it. Sorcerers who have turned their very souls into conduits, however, will not likely avoid great change. The nature of their change is ultimately dependent upon the entity that turned their soul into a conduit. Kinder and more benevolent entities tend to not change their patrons to great degrees. Though certain entities are known for very particular changes. The four demon lords will quite rapidly change a mortal into a more corrupted version of themselves, displaying demonic features not long after the connection is made.

## Places of Power & Infused Artifacts

Outside of conduits, there is a natural flow of magic into this world. From the smallest trickle to a roaring river, these flows are found throughout the world with little rhyme or reason as to why they have appeared where they did. Smaller flows have little consequence to this world, their trickle too small and insignificant. Around larger flows, material and beasts of this world might find themselves changed, subtly, over great periods of time. Stones and gems foraged or mined from such places can sometimes retain some of this magical power, and have found great value in the magical community as commodities in powerful rituals. Around still larger flows, the amount of magic pouring into the world may affect great change around it. To the extent that even with no control over the flow, a sorcerer can still find their own magic amplified by the overwhelming presence of magic around them. Such great flows of magic into the world are rare, but many are known and control of them is fought over by people for their ability to bring forth the most powerful magics into the world - the common name given to them are Places of Power.