Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- magic [2007/01/05 00:57] – jims
+++ magic [2025/08/17 12:09] (current) – jims
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-====== Overview of Magic ======
+====== Magic ======
-[[start|Back to start page]]
+//Note: This article discusses magic independent of game terms.  Nothing here should
+be taken to contradict or override the game rules!//
+//Common Knowledge//:
+Some believe that magic is a natural force that has existed since the creation of the universe.
+Others believe it was a gift bestowed by the gods when the mortal species were created.
+Regardless, it is a force that allows people to perform amazing acts -- both for the betterment
+and detriment of those around them.
+There are two distinct groups of magic: Divine and Arcane.  The former involves the spellcaster
+"asking" some divine entity to bless them with a magical effect, while the latter has the
+caster invoking the magical effect themselves.
+//Expert Knowledge//:
+The difference between arcane and divine spells is probably cosmetic.  Some scholars believe
+that while divine spells include a plea to some divine creature, that plea is for show and
+the actual magical effect is brought forth in the same manner as an arcane spell.
+The counter-argument is that divine spellcasters often do not study arcane principles
+before mastering their spellcasting abilities.
+While Spell magic is the most common form, there are three other less common ways to
+invoke magic -- known as Rune, Voice, and Psionic magic.  Each of the four is different,
+yet all use the same enigmatic matter/energy form known as [[mana]].  Mana is created
+and required by all forms of life and is in constant motion with the surrounding world.
+Since mana is very difficult to manipulate directly, wizards over the millennia have
+developed "shorthand" methods that use as little of this potent energy as possible.
+The most common mechanism is to use a "pinch" of mana to open a portal to the
+elemental world and then siphon in elemental energy to produce the desired effect.
+//Hidden Knowledge//:
+Due to the relatively low levels of mana on the [[prime world]], a
+[[wall|"wall around the world"]] exists to concentrate the mana in a relatively
+small region.  Whether the gods built this wall or it predates them is a matter
+of considerable theological debate.
+The prevailing theory about the wall's function is that it brings mana from the
+outside world into the "central" disk.  The effect is to decrease the overall mana
+level outside the wall, yet make the inner world very rich in magic of all types.
+(See [[Cosmos]]).
+----
+A brief overview of the types of magic follows:
+==== Spell Magic ====
+By a simple mind exercise (reminiscent of psionic magic), a weakening between
+the plane the user is on and the energy planes is accomplished.  This is called
+the "trigger spell" and is the first skill taught to apprentice magicians.  It
+is perhaps the most difficult skill to grasp and is quite possibly the cause of
+most spell failures.  Compared to mana, using elemental energy is trivial.
+Once triggered, the siphoned energy is then channeled through the caster's body,
+and via gestures, incantations, and materials, into the desired effect.
+The limitations are obvious:  First of all, since the invocation involves
+extra-planar activity, there exists the possibility of attracting attention from
+not only otherworldly beings, but also of spell-users on the plane of origin.
+Secondly, since the user's body is the focus for the energy, damage could result
+from overuse.  However, since the energy is only siphoned via the mental
+triggering effect, it is quite easy for an out-of-control user to abort the
+invocation at any time.
+The main advantage of spell magic is simplicity.  Since only a small amount of
+[[mana]] is needed to invoke the cross-planar siphoning, it is a significantly
+easier skill to learn than Rune, Voice, and Psionic magic.  While an intelligent
+person can learn basic spell magic over the course of a few years, most cannot
+fathom Rune, Voice, or Psionic magic -- ever!
+==== Rune Magic ====
+By aligning material in a certain way (depending on the material and the desired
+effect), the mana flow is channeled through the material to invoke said effect.
+The requirements on the materials and structure create a certain frailty to this
+type of magic.  However, the separation from the human conductor allows for much
+more powerful invocations to be accomplished.
+All magic items are based (to at least a minor degree) on Rune magic in that
+their materials must be aligned in such a way as to naturally invoke an enchantment.
+Thus, a spell-magic sword has a rune-magic invocation that allows the spell to
+remain in effect indefinitely.  Also, alchemical enchantments such as potions
+are a limited form of rune magic.
+==== Voice Magic ====
+Voice magic (in its simplest terms) is a variant of Rune magic.  By
+vibrating (aligning) the air in a specific manner, magical effects are invoked.
+The most common invocations are offensive in nature and generally
+involve hitting a target with a concentrated blast of energy.
+Voice magic is slightly easier than Rune magic, but is limited to
+quick, non-complex invocations.  Voice magic is also the only known magic to
+occasionally be invoked by nature.  At certain times, for example, the wind will
+howl through mountains, making such a sound as to invoke a magical effect.
+Usually, these natural magics take the form of enormous visual displays similar
+to the Aurora Borealis on Earth.
+==== Psionic Magic ====
+This is another specific version of Rune magic in that the magical effects are
+invoked when the brain is structured in a certain way, and a triggering thought
+process is done.  However, this magic is also unique in that the body and mind
+are used as a gateway for the energies.  Unlike spell magic, though, this energy
+is not siphoned off of another plane, but instead comes from [[mana]].  Thus,
+psionic magic is a combination of Rune and Spell magic, where pure mana is
+funneled through the user instead of siphoned energy.
+The limitations are clear.  [[Mana]] is very powerful, and control can easily be
+lost.  Unlike spell magic, though, there is no trigger effect to control the
+energy.  If an invocation goes astray, the user could be severely damaged.
+Combat using psionic magic is also very specific.  Offensive maneuvers using
+this style are almost exclusively based on overloading the sensitive patterns
+within another psionicist's mind.  Thus, a non-psionic faces less of a threat from a
+psionic attack.  [A terrestrial analogy would be electricity: A small electric
+current can do tremendous damage to electronic devices such as computers, while
+that same amount can do no damage at all to a non-electronic device, such as a
+person.]
+==== Common invocations ====
+**Detect Magic** -- This invocation simply detects weak spots between the user's
+plane and the energy planes.  It registers the intensity of the energy being
+siphoned, as well as showing the form of that energy in this plane.  This latter
+feature is how experienced wizards can determine the nature of a magic item or
+spell.  Note that since this invocation detects weaknesses between the energy
+planes and the user's plane, its use (like that of all spell magic) on other
+planes is dependent on their proximity to the energy planes.
+**Dispel Magic** -- This invocation patches over weak spots between the energy
+planes and the local area.  Since it stops the flow of energy, it disrupts
+spells likewise.  Note that this invocation has no effect whatsoever on the mana
+level and so does not affect any of the other types of magics.  Some types of
+spell-invocations have built-in safeguards where another trigger effect is
+automatically started when the siphoned energy stops.  Thus, the spell is only
+inactive for a short time.
+**Identify** -- This invocation is essentially a fine-tuned detect magic.  It allows
+experienced wizards to examine in detail the exact specifications of siphoned
+energies.  It does not affect mana-based magic.
+**Detect Mana** -- This invocation registers the level of mana in an area.  Note
+that when used on a spell-magic invocation, it may register an identical level
+for widely different power levels since mana is used only as a trigger.
+**Dispel Mana** -- This complex (and extremely difficult) invocation removes all
+mana from an area.  The most common method is to use up the mana very quickly
+(such as with an infinite progression power siphon).  This will cause the entire
+area to be devoid of mana for a few moments (until replenished by the flow).
+During the mana crisis on Earth after the gods fled, this drain was permanent
+and so was not used unless absolutely necessary.  Note also
+that spell-magic uses only a minor trigger effect, and once it is in effect the
+siphoned energy keeps the spell active.  Thus, if the mana is removed, spell
+magics already active will be unaffected, though new spells cannot be cast until
+the mana is replenished.
+**Magic Suppression** -- This invocation constricts the flow of siphoned energy to
+an area.  Thus, most spell-based magic will fail to work in that area.  Even the
+"protected" types of magic with re-triggering will fail to work because the area
+will not let any extra-planar energy through.  This is a very dangerous effect
+for spell-users, but presents no threat to mana-users (such as psionics).
+**[[Underdark]] Magic Items** -- The dark elves are quite fluent with rune magic and
+use it frequently to construct their "magical" daggers, swords, and cloaks.
+These items, being based on Rune magic, do not register on a detect magic and
+cannot be dispelled.  It is rumored that some Drow know Voice magic as well.
+Since sunlight has a decaying effect on the materials used, these items cannot
+be exposed to sunlight, or else the delicate alignment is ruined and the magic
+will not be invoked.
+==== The Mana Flow ====
+By using too much [[mana]] too quickly, the mana in an area can be depleted.  Most
+of the time, the mana is restored to an area from the [[mana flow]] while the
+invocation is active.  However, occasionally, very powerful mana-wizards have
+generated enormous invocations that have depleted the mana in an area for
+several seconds or minutes.  Persistent rumors exist about wizards who brought
+forth such great magic that the area's mana was depleted for over a week.
+These tales, however, are dismissed by learned mana-masters.
+The mana flow is simply the flow of [[mana]] from one place to another.  What is
+unusual about it, though, is that it follows specific patterns based on terrain.
+Weather causes some variation, though this is usually negligible.  The end
+result is a web-like pattern of mana intensity all over the globe.  Where the
+lines of the web cross, the mana is rich.  Between the lines, the mana is
+weaker.  With very few exceptions, there is no place in the prime world where
+the mana is too weak to cast a spell-magic trigger.  Thus, spells work without
+variation worldwide.  Mana-based magic, though, is sensitive to this flow, and
+some powerful invocations may not work in the shallow "troughs" of this web.
+==== State of Magic after III:1108 ====
 Outside the physical plane of existence is, among other things, a dimension
-called [[Cosmology#Elemental|"The Elemental World"]]. This is not a planet as we
+called [[Cosmos#Elemental|"The Elemental World"]]. This is not a planet as we
-know the it, but instead an enormous storehouse for the six elements: the four
+know it, but is instead an enormous storehouse for the six elements: the four
 physical elements (Air, Earth, Fire, and Water) and the two spiritual elements
 (Positive and Negative, also called Good and Evil).  Underlying these six
-elements is a special mixture of all which is called Shadow.  Next to the
+elements is a special mixture of all, which is called Shadow.  (Not to be confused
-spiritual elements, the physical elements are rather insignificant, so when
+with the Shadowfell).
-combined they do not assert themselves as do positive and negative energy.
-During his battle with the Godslayer, Lord Ozzie powered himself up by siphoning
-off energies from the positive and negative planes - an ability given to him by
-the Shadowlord. However, to rise to the level of the Godslayer, Ozzie had to
-drain an enormous amount of energy very quickly. This left a void on the
-elemental world into which Shadow was able to move. It is now believed that The
-Shadowlord planned for this scenario all along. It is not known, however, how he
-knew that Lord Ozzie would come to need that much power.
-Back on the "prime world", the elemental energies played a key role
+Next to the spiritual elements, the physical elements are rather insignificant, so
-in the nature of magic.  The energies are the power behind almost all magic
+when combined, they do not assert themselves as do positive and negative energy.
-known to wizards.  Another power source, called mana, exists, but is much
+During his battle with the [[Godslayer]], [[Ozzie|Lord Ozzie]] powered himself up
-harder to manipulate.  In order to use elemental energy, though, a magician
+by siphoning off energies from the positive and negative planes -- an ability given
-must tap into a small amount of mana to draw in the required amount of
+to him by the [[Shadowlord]].  However, to rise to the level of the Godslayer, Ozzie
-energy.  This is called the "trigger spell" and is the first skill
+had to drain an enormous amount of energy very quickly.  This left a void in the
-taught to apprentice magicians.  It is perhaps the most difficult skill to
+elemental world into which Shadow was able to move. It is now believed that the
-grasp and is quite probably the cause of most spell failures.  Compared to
+Shadowlord planned for this scenario all along.
-mana, using elemental energy is trivial.  Almost all magic, therefore, is
-based on the following two-step process: 1) Use mana as the trigger spell to
-draw in a certain amount of a certain type of elemental energy and 2)
-Manipulate that energy to produce the desired effect.
-The problem seemed to arise when the elements were replaced by shadow.
+Since elemental energies are a key component in spell magic, the Shadowlord's takeover
-Suddenly, when a wizard needed two parts fire and one part water, he got
+had a profound effect on the use of spells worldwide.  While the exact mechanism of
-three parts shadow!  Even though every ounce of energy would still be
+this effect is still debated, it seemed to arise because the elements were replaced by shadow.
-available, it would not produce the desired effect.  However, within a month
+Suddenly, when a wizard needed two parts fire and one part water, he got three parts
-of Shadow's takeover of the Elements, energies summoned from the elemental
+shadow!  Even though every ounce of energy was still available, it did not produce the
-world returned to their normal state.  Instead of three parts shadow in the
+desired effect.
-above example, the wizard would get two parts fire and one part water.
-However, this did not seem to solve the problem and wizards around the world
+In late March 1109, the
-continued to struggle with their spells.  In late March, 1109, the [[council|Council of Wizards]]
+[[council|Council of Wizards]] convened for the first time since the change and
-convened for the first time since the change and discussed what had
+discussed what had happened.  While no real understanding of the change was
-happened.  While no real understanding of the change was agreed upon, an
+agreed upon, an edict was issued which stated (in part) that "The magic change
-edict was issued which stated (in part) that "The magic change appears
+appears permanent and that all spellcasters should learn a new Trigger Spell".
-permanent and that all spellcasters should learn a new Trigger Spell".
+However, since no details of this new Trigger spell were supplied, the
-However, since no details of this new Trigger spell were not supplied, the
 membership has been left to fend for themselves.
 Many magicians have been unable to do the required research to replace their
-spells and so have effectively lost their powers.  In addition, many magic
+spells and so have effectively lost their powers.  In addition, many magic items
-items used the same two-step process and so have been altered irrevocably.
+used the same two-step process and so have been altered irrevocably. The
-The frustrating thing is that they remain magical at the same level that they
+frustrating thing is that they remain magical at the same level that they were
-were before, but they no longer do what they did!
+before, but they no longer do what they did!
-Mana itself remains unaffected by the Shadowlord's takeover and so any magic
+[[Mana]] itself remains unaffected by the [[Shadowlord]]'s takeover and so any magic
-that used mana exclusively is just as potent as it was before January, 1108.
+that used mana exclusively is just as potent as it was before January 1108.
 Psionic powers and certain artifacts are the best examples of this situation.
-[[start|Back to start page]]