Magic System

## The Basics

Magic is in everything, the air, the earth and within certain Races. Gaia, or as she is more commonly known, 'Lady Magic', is the Deity that the Races pay homage to in thanks for their access to the magic.

There are several ways for magic to be harnessed, but in the first instance, the user needs to have the ability to do so.

This is more common in the Elven Race, as they are a naturally magical race, whereas Beastfolk typically have a Shaman, or Weatherwitch, meaning there might be up to 3 Magic Users in each Beastfolk Tribe.

Within the title of Magic User, there are several Class Types, and certain Class Types have subclass types.

A strong Magic User, be they a Wizard or a Paladin, may be able to use Magic unaided, with nowt but their own ability, but some may only be able to 'unlock' their full potential with the aid of Runes, Stones or Staffs as an amplifier.

## Who Uses It

Not everyone is able to use Magic, and not everyone with magical ability is able to utilise it in any significant way.

Elves and Dwarves are naturally magical creatures and all Elves and Dwarves have at minimum a latent magical ability that is used to extend their lives.

Magical ability, and affinity, pulls a Magic User towards a certain Class Type and within those Class Types there is a typical power level, but that does not mean that two Wizards are exactly the same, nor that a Wizard or a Warlock are naturally stronger or weaker than the other.

Magic does not typically alter the appearance of the user, however it has been known for the likes of Eldritch Knights that they develop an ethereal glow under their skin the more they use their ability.

Magic is known as Magic. There is no intentional difference between what it is called by the Races, however a translation discrepancy may occur between languages.

## Origins

With the creation of the Alistora, it became apparent that there was an unknown force within the earth and atmosphere of the continent.

Chaos and Phanes could not harness this ethereal power and when they attempted to, Gaia manifested and took this force under her guidance.

The origin story is essentially the same for the Races, although with different Deities.

## The Magic

Magic is used for healing, combat and certain professions (such as Alchemy and *Smithing*), even though there are non-magic users that use mundane means to achieve a typically inferior result. But for many, the mundane is the only option.

Magic manifests dependent on its use. Combative magic is typically undetectable unless one is trained to know how the magic feels, whereas Healing magic can manifest as calming colours and a warmth felt throughout wherever the recipient is being healed. It can also be dictated by the use and the power of the magic being channelled.

Strong, and sometimes highly trained, magic users are able to sense someone else's power, or if magic is being used, but generally most magic users cannot sense it unless it has a physical manifestation.

### Limits

Magic users can experience magical exhaustion if they either attempt to channel too much for their bodies, or drain the immediate vicinity too much. It depends on the magic being cast and the intent behind it.

If a user experiences magical exhaustion it is normally rectified by rest and, dependent on the extent of the exhaustion, either themselves or their surroundings, possibly through abstinence.

### Training

Each Class Type has a Guild that the Magic User must be affiliated with to gain the necessary schooling and understanding of the magic they are able to harness.

Some Users might be too strong, or have higher aspirations, for a small, local Guild and at which point they would have to apply to a Guild located in a Citadel, where there are greater resources to harness their powers, or even attain the desired sub-class type.

It is possible to be self taught in magic, with the use of texts, tomes or familial stories, but it is not advised for it is more common for those that are self taught to either damage the natural magic almost irreparably, or for them to enter a dangerous level of magical exhaustion.

## Knowledge and Regulation

Everyone in Alistora is aware of magic, even if they are unable to harness the power.

The Guilds were initially put into place to regulate Magic and the training therein of its users. This was born through the greater variety of Races in earlier times. It was not uncommon for there to be Human as well as Elven Paladins for example, so the need for regulation was greater.

Each Guild has its own uniform, and in some cases tattoos, to easily identify its members.

## Belief and Prejudice

Magic is part of the Elven way of life and provided it is not used for Necromancy, it is accepted and encouraged in those able to enter the honoured ranks of the Guilds.

Beastfolk revere their magic users for they are few and far between. In a typical tribe of 50 members, there is normally 1 or 2, or in very rare occurrences 3, magic users per generation. The *Shaman*, and *Weatherwitches*, hold a place high in their tribal society, sometimes held in higher esteem than the tribe chief.

As a whole, the only time magic is frowned upon is if it is used to harm another outside of war-circumstances or in the rare circumstances a *Necromancer* is born and comes into their powers.