Magic

Magic is the ability to reshape the world through supernatural powers, allowing for the natural laws of the physical world to be broken. Supernatural beings and even ordinary humans are capable of using magic, which manifests in a variety of different forms. Ultimately, all magic is drawn from the Ether, the realms of infinite possibility that lie beyond the physical world.

## Overview

The essence of Creation is divided into two primary forms: Oneiros, the substance of pure thought, and Corpus, material matter and energy. The Ether, the realm of spirits beyond Earth, is almost entirely composed of Oneiros, as are the beings which inhabit it. As such, it is possible for beings of sufficient willpower to shape the Ether around them, altering the Oneiric patterns present.

Earth, or the Tellurian, the physical realm, is composed entirely of Corpus, material matter and energy, and due to its more static nature, is bound by static physical laws. In order to alter the immutable physical laws of the Tellurian, beings residing on Earth must draw upon the Ether, and use the Oneiros present there to alter the Corpus of the material realm.

Different magical beings draw power from different areas of the Ether. Ghosts are bound to the Underworld, vampires to the Umbra, skinchangers to the Neverlands. Each such being is at its most powerful when in one of these realms, more easily able to shape it to their will.

## Forms of Magic

### Legerdemain

Main Article: Legerdemain

Legerdemain, sometimes derisively called "hedge magic", is magic that can be performed by any being upon the Tellurian realm. Believed to have been born over millennia of concentrated focus and belief (perhaps with some assistance from Mages), legerdemain takes the forms of consistent, rigidly performed rituals, be they in the form of shamanistic rites or recited prayers. The common element in Legerdemain is that it has some sort of ritualistic element, generates a consistent and rigid effect, and does not require any particular supernatural affinity to use. As a result, it is one of the primary tools for mortals who combat the supernatural without becoming it themselves. It is not known exactly where in the Ether Legerdemain draws power from, but it is theorized to draw upon the Astral Chaos.

#### Alchemy

Main Article: Alchemy

Alchemy is one of the most common forms of Legerdemain, and involves otherwise mundane (or not so mundane) ingredients being combined to make substances which produce supernatural effects. These most commonly take the form of potions that alchemists may consume in order to temporarily bestow supernatural abilities upon themselves, though other alchemical products also exist.

### Chimeric Magic

Chimeric magic is employed by Chimeric spirits, native to the Ethereal region known as the Chimer, the Realm of Dreams. Chimeric power relies upon raw imagination and emotion, drawing upon oneiric substances from the Chimer or directly from the minds of nearby Tellurian beings. This makes Chimera especially adept at distorting perceptions and twisting emotions, but also causes them to be bound by a number of strange and seemingly arbitrary rules.

### Numinous Magic

Numinous magic is wielded by the spirits of the Numenor, embodiments of wild creatures and the natural elements. Numina wield powers that are organized based on the conceptual aspects of nature, such as hunting, fertility, etc.