Magic

"*Perhaps magic was once a mighty force in the world, but no longer. What little remains is no more than the wisp of smoke that lingers in the air after a great fire has burned out, and even that is fading. Valyria was the last ember, and Valyria is gone.*"
―Maester Luwin to Bran Stark[src]

**Magic**, known as **the higher mysteries** to the Order of the Maesters, was a supernatural force in the known world. It was a rare phenomenon—rare enough that some doubt its existence and potency. Practicioners of magic were known as **warlocks**, **witches**, or ***maegi***.

## Description

The strength of magic in the world appeared to be directly tied to the existence of dragons. Dragons themselves were magical creatures, so the strength of magic waxed and waned with the number of dragons alive at any given time. However, and perhaps as a result, magic in general began to lose its strength and prominence after the Doom of Valyria.

Magic itself was a mysterious phenomenon, understood by few, even among those who practiced it. The supernatural force seemed to be rooted in blood, death, and life. In Westeros, magic was mythical, used by so few that it was believed not to exist at all. It was more prominent in Essos, the birthplace of the dragons, in places such as Qarth and Asshai. Magic did not seem to be an inherent trait, but rather a skill that had to be taught in these places.

## Powers and abilities

Depending on what kind of magic one was trained it, the ability to cast spells granted one a variety of supernatural abilities. The following are several types of magic that could be found in the known world:

* **Elemental control:** Firemages and red priests were able to manipulate the element of fire. They could ignite flames, ignite their weapons, and increase the intensity of already-burning flames. Dragons could breath dragonflame. The Rhoynar were able to manipulate water in much the same way, while the Others shaped their weapons with potent ice spells.
* **Divination:** Red priests and priestesses were famous for being able to see visions in fire. Other magic practitioners could see the future of a certain individual by consuming their blood. Certain people in the North could use a powerful form of divination called greensight, while members of House Targaryen experienced something similar in their dragon dreams.
* **Skinchanging:** An exceeding rare ability found in only one man in a thousand in the North. Skinchangers could inhabit the body of an animal, see through its eyes and control its actions.
* **Necromancy:** A taboo magic, necromancy allowed for the resurrection of the dead. Certain red priests could preform this ability, though it was exceedingly rare. The Others, particularly Night's King, could also raise the dead as wights.
* **Glamoring:** Red priests and priestess could, through the use of a ruby, twist light ad shadows around a person to change their appearance.
* **Blood magic:** Blood magic was also taboo and was among the darkest and most dangerous abilities.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 *A Clash of Kings*, by George R. R. Martin
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 *A Game of Thrones*, by George R. R. Martin
3. ↑ *A Storm of Swords*, by George R. R. Martin
4. ↑ *The World of Ice & Fire*, by George R. R. Martin
5. ↑ Interview with George R. R. Martin on *A Song of Ice and Fire*
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 *A Feast for Crows*, by George R. R. Martin