Magic

**Magic** is an invisible energy all around us, everywhere in the world, that only some people know about. It is called different things by different groups: magic, **aether**, **spirit**, **root**.

## Description

There is no single school of thought about this energy, this magic. Some think it's an element, others think it's a natural resource. The only universal truth about magic is who, or what, can access it and how. The dead have the most access, and supernatural creatures have the next closest connection. But the living must borrow, bargain for, or steal the ability to access and use this energy. One group called Rootcrafters believe in balance, that magic is not theirs to own, so they preach borrowing. Another group called Bloodcrafters believe there is value in binding magic to their bloodlines permanently and they usually access magic through theft.

## Aether

The Order call magic aether. They believe it is an active, mutable, ambient element in the air. According to the texts of the Merlins, aether is at its core and in its very fundamentals, a type of physics. Earth, air, water, fire, aether, or medieval alchemists called it "**quintessence**." Aether cannot be created or destroyed, only infused into a body or manipulated into an object temporarily. William describes aether as being "a bit like a cell signal, hard to get in a metal box."Bree describes the feel of aether as cold and soothing. It can make Onceborns feel dizzy the first time they experience it.

### Facts

* "**Mage flame** is the byproduct aether creates when it's called into a solid state. Legendborn cannot wield aether in its mage flame state. Awakened Scions and Merlins can call aether for various uses.
* Silver conducts aether best.
* Iron negates aether.
* It burns when there's too much of it too fast.
* Aether is richest closer to the earth.

## Aether Laws

1. Aether cannot be created or destroyed, only infused into a body or manipulated into an object temporarily.
2. The dead have the most access, and supernatural creatures have the next closest connection. But the living must borrow, bargain for, or steal the ability to access and use this energy.

*It was previous thought that Bree defy this rules, until it was found out she was bloodmarked.*

## Bloodcraft

Bloodcraft is a form of magic that involves taking aether from the world and tying it to yourself and your bloodline, hence the term "Bloodcraft." This is done without payment of equal weight though, and magic always requires payment. So, the magic takes its payment by shortening a Bloodcrafter's lifespan considerably in what is called the Abatement. Bloodcrafters are considerably more powerful than Rootcrafters. However, Rootcrafters don't have to face Abatement.

### Practitioners

* Legendborn
* Merlins
* Vera's daughters

## Root

Rootcrafters call magic root. They borrow root temporarily because they believe that root is not for people to own. It is a balanced form of magic. They make offerings to their ancestors so that they will share root with them for a time. Most often, Rootcraft is passed from mother to daughter. Rootcrafters have been hunted by the Order for decades.

### Types of Rootcraft

* **Wildcrafter:** can manipulate the energy found in growing things like plants, herbs, and trees.
* **Reader:** can see people's auras, and thus their emotions, intentions, and abilities.
* **Medium:** can channel the dead.
* **Memory Walker:** can astrally project themselves into the memories of their ancestors, who they can interact with in a limited capacity.
* **Healer:** can heal others and themselves.
* **Prophet:** can use root to see the future.

## Aether Color

* Blood Red - Bree’s Mage Flames
* Silver Blue - Legendborn and Merlins
* Green - Shadowborn dust
* Yellow - Rootcraft
* Gold - Ancestors (Volition)
* Silver Gold - Faye’s bracelet

## Rogues

Rogues are people outside the Order that use aether. They have been hunted by the Order for decades. Being a rogue magic user is incredibly dangerous.

### Practitioners

* **Warlocks**: Humans who bargain for their powers by making a deal with a demon. They sell a few years of their life, firstborn child, or their soul in exchange for gaining some of the demon's abilities.
* **Sorcerers:** All cambions are sorcerers.
* **Witches**
* **Winos**

## Magical Artifacts

* **Merlin Jackson's manacles** (Salem, MA, 1692): Can be enchanted with aether to restrain people, especially aether users that are not a part of the Order. Allegedly only used by less powerful Merlins.
* **Void Cuffs** (*cyffion gwacter*): When enchanted by a sorcerer, they block the wearer's ability to sense or call aether or use it to shift forms.
* **Excalibur** (*Caledfwlch*): Arthur's magical sword that was created by Merlin. It's an aether weapon that's so strong it is permanently corporeal, and every time a Scion of Arthur wields the sword, its power magnifies exponentially.
* **Serum:** The Regents have created an inheritance-blocking serum to use on Scions and Squires to suppress their abilities. it's some sort of gene-blocking serum. It can be injected or put into food. However, if given too much, it could be fatal.

## Shadowborn Gates

Shadowborn Gates are portals that demons use to travel to the human world. Gates can only be closed or open with demon blood or half-demon blood. A Gate looks like a shining veil at least twenty feet across and is taller than a man. There’s a roaring sound and then a thick tearing sound when they open.

Ogof y ddraig, Cave of the dragon, under the Bell Tower they are tons of Gates. Merlins sealed them hundreds of years ago, but they can be reopened, like when Lord Davis and Isaac did it.

## Dark Casting

The Line of Morgaine uses dark casting. It involves Shadowborns, Gates, and demon blood.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 *Bloodmarked*
2. ↑ *Legendborn*