Schools of Magic

When one draws upon the raw arcana that makes up the weave, they alter the properties of this arcana in order to cast a spell. The various spells and magical effects that are cast this way are grouped into distinct categories based on their similarities. These categories are referred to as Schools of Magic. There are 8 traditional schools of magic, that is to say these are among the oldest and most thoroughly explored schools; apart from that there are also 2 contemporary schools of magic which have only recently been discovered and therefore there is still much that is unknown about them.

## Traditional Schools of Magic

### Abjuration

Abjuration spells tend to be protective in nature, spells within this school usually create physical and magical barriers, negate magical effects or physical abilities, harm and hinder trespassers or banish targets to different planes of existence. Abjuration spells that negate magical effects or spells do so by dispersing arcana therefore destabilizing the targeted spell.

### Conjuration

Conjuration spells have traditionally been distinguished by their ability to summon creatures and bind them in service to the conjurer, however, its applications extend far beyond this. Conjuration spells can also be used to create or summon objects, and also encompass teleportation.

### Divination

Divination spells usually grant the caster the ability to perceive information, whether through the ability to read a creature's mind, discern a creature's location or discover long lost secrets. Some divination spells grant the caster brief glimpses of the tapestry of fate, granting vague visions of possible futures.

### Enchantment

Enchantment spells influence the minds of creatures, allowing the caster to affect their behaviour. The effects of these spells range from subtle charms to spells that allow the caster to puppeteer their target.

### Evocation

Evocations spells manipulate the raw arcana in order to create physical effects. While these effects are stereotypically thought to be destructive by nature, evocation spells can also aid in healing by accelerating the healing of injuries.

### Illusion

Illusion spells manipulate the target's senses, they deceive a creature into seeing, hearing or feeling things that aren't there or hinder a creature's ability to perceive something.

### Necromancy

Necromancy spells directly manipulate the energies of life and death, while they are traditionally associated with the resurrection of undead, they also include a variety of spells which reinvigorate, drain the life essence of another creature, and bring the dead back to life.

Sanguimancy is a sub-school of necromancy which involves the use of blood as a spellcasting component in order to produce a potent magical effects. Practiced blood mages are known to channel their own essence into the casting of these spells. This sub-school of magic is commonly seen amongst vampires, with many of the creatures possessing a keen understanding of this magic.

### Transmutation

Transmutation spells allow the caster to change the physical properties of a creature, item or environment. These effects vary from changing one material to another, bolster a creature's strength or change a creature into a different form.

## Contemporary Schools of Magic

### Dunamancy

Dunamancy is an ancient school of magic, however studies into this school of magic are fairly recent. This school of magic deals with the manipulation of dunamis - which is based on potentiality and actuality. This school of magic involves the manipulation of these fundamental principles and is heavily tied to the tapestry of fate itself, with many believing that mastery of this school of magic may allow the caster to manipulate fate itself. It is also heavily theorized that this school of magic is utilized by divine beings although the extent to which this is true is currently unknown.

There are currently two accepted sub-schools, these being chronurgy and graviturgy. Chronurgists are capable of altering the pace of reality. Using their understanding of dunamis these wizards can alter the flow of time. It is also theorized that with sufficient mastery one may be able to travel through time, however it is unknown what consequences may arise as there have thus far been no reported successful instances of time-travel. Graviturgy is a bit more of a niche sub-school, with very few active practitioners, however it deals with the manipulation of matter and the forces of gravity with graviturgists possessing the ability to increase or decrease the effects of gravity, as well as manipulate polarity and magnetism to empower their magical abilities.

### Psionics

The most recently discovered, and most oft misunderstood school of magic; psionics is a branch of magic which deals with the manipulation of the power of one's mind. This school of magic is unique in that it does not rely on the weave, rather a psion ignores the weave entirely and instead draws power from the astral sea, although the reason is mostly unknown.

It is also important to note that psions manifest their abilities in unique ways, with many different types of psionic disciplines existing, however, they are also capable of mimicking the effects of other spells. Psionics are also a school of magic that one cannot really learn, rather a person is born with the ability to manifest psionic powers. Similar to sorcerers, the way in which these powers awaken and how they manifest differs from one individual to another. A person's psionic awakening is normally a traumatic experience, this is due to their reliance on their mind as the focus of their powers. Because of this, their powers are directly tied to their mental state, and are heavily influenced by their thoughts.