Magic and Miracles

Magic is, to the best of anyone's knowledge, a natural force of the world. Sentient beings can draw from that force to produce varying effects. The Church teaches that magic is from a source of evil, yet accepts the existence & holy nature of what they call "miraculous powers."

## Magic

In the Imperial view, "magic" is all unnatural manipulation of the natural world through spoken spells, thoughts, or simple will. Those who preform such feats or draw upon such power are not tolerated by the church, but that doesn't mean magic isn't used throughout the empire...only that it is very secretive and very rare. Unfortunately, many who do purue the use of magic, do so for untorrid purpose. The exception, in the eyes of Valencia, being the **Valief Runda Elves**, who use magic to harvest Deep Wood. The church still teaches that such magic is not holy, but neither is it evil. Some have questioned whether or not this is for desire to use the Deep Wood rather than actual theology.

## Miraculous Power

The clergy of the Holy Valencian Church believe that through their piety and devotion to the Holy Tirad, they were granted miraculous powers to battle the evils of the magical creatures of the continent. The ***Heilig Priests*** use their miraculous abilities as "exorcists" to battle "all the vile and unholy creatures that pollute our land." ***Shatten Monks*** enhance their physical abilities through the miraculous power flowing through them. The ***Öffnen Monks*** use their miraculous abilities for the purpose of healing. Many of the uses of these miraculous powers require the spoken prayers of the priests/monks.

## Lucid Magic

Some magics are not invisible energies, but physical manifestations. Lucid Magic are rare, naturally occuring physical objects that allow non-magic weilders to create magical effects.

### Ygro

Magical energy manifested as slightly glowing, teal liquid. Ygro can be used in different ways:

1. Simple consumption
	* Although not fatal if ingested, it provides no nutrients or hydration, but will provide a user with an increase to their magical aptitude for a time (until the Ygro leaves the system). Some Horrors have been known to completely subsist on Ygro and survive (the theory is that the magics don't actually keep the horror alive, instead they simply "posses" the horror), greatly increasing many of their horrific abilities.
2. Dyes
	* Certain Elven tribes and possibly Dwarves were thought to use the liquid to dye their clothing and weapons, granting magical effects to each. The dye is not completely permanent but it is very difficult to lose.
3. Tattooing
	* The tattooed individual gains a single, seemingly random spell that can be used without incatation, but it increases the likelihood of developing Magical Addiction 10 fold.

### Eteria

* Magical energy formed into crystals of varying colors. Some varieties are as hard as diamonds while others are as brittle as talc. All varieties are potent in their magical effects, but not nearly as potent as Ygro.

#### Nutritional Information

* Eteria is horrible difficult if not impossible to digest for the human body. Complications of going through the digestive tract can lead to death.

### Deep Wood

* Certain trees, but not all, grown in forest of **Valief Runda** is some of the most powerful magical substance on the continent. It is estimated that the Valief Runda is composed of 2-3% Deep Wood, ranging from Sappling to Ancient Wood. The oldest known Deep Wood tree is the **Imeára Vardarianna**, from which the Rundaians emerged.
* Sheilds and weapons made from the made from Deep Wood are stronger than steel and harder than daimonds.
* The rarity of these trees and their magical properties make them nearly impossible to harvest by normal means. Saws break and explosives seem to strengthen them. In order to be harvested, the Deep Wood tree must be fully mature which can take 50 years from planting.
* The only known creatures that can work with Deep Wood in both harvesting and crafting are the Valief Runda Elves. Due to this fact, the Empire has given them special dispensation to live freely in Valief Runda so long as they provide the Empire with 50% of their production each year. This usually equals about 2,000 lbs of different items (some with martial purpose and others with more mundane purposes, like art).

## Magic Addiction

Lucid magics are extrememly dangerous for humans and can have vary ill-effects. Some of these effects are fairly benign, but others are devistating. Magical Addiction is the physical depndence upon Lucid magic ingestion.

## Magical/Holy Weapons

Most weapons can become imbuned with magical or miraculous power, adding varying affects.