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--- magic [2025/08/17 11:28] – jims
+++ magic [2025/08/17 12:09] (current) – jims
@@ Line 11: / Line 11: @@
 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//:
-There are four basic methods to invoke magical effects -- known as Spell, Rune,
+The difference between arcane and divine spells is probably cosmetic.  Some scholars believe
-Voice, and Psionic magic.  Each is different, yet all four use the same
+that while divine spells include a plea to some divine creature, that plea is for show and
-enigmatic matter/energy form known as [[mana]].  Mana is created and required by all
+the actual magical effect is brought forth in the same manner as an arcane spell.
-forms of life and is in constant motion with the surrounding world.
+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
@@ Line 43: / Line 54: @@
 By a simple mind exercise (reminiscent of psionic magic), a weakening between
-the plane the user is on and the energy planes is accomplished.  Energy is then
+the plane the user is on and the energy planes is accomplished.  This is called
-siphoned from those planes, through the users body, and then (via the gestures,
+the "trigger spell" and is the first skill taught to apprentice magicians.  It
-incantations, and materials), into the desired effect.
+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 other-worldly beings, but also of spell-users on the plane of origin.
+not only otherworldly beings, but also of spell-users on the plane of origin.
-Secondly, since the users body is the focus for the energy, damage could result
+Secondly, since the user's body is the focus for the energy, damage could result
-from over-use.  (However, since the energy is only siphoned via the mental
+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).
+invocation at any time.
-The main advantage to spell magic is simplicity.  Since only a small amount of
+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
@@ Line 64: / Line 79: @@
 By aligning material in a certain way (depending on the material and the desired
-effect), the desired [[mana flow]] is channeled through the material to invoke an
+effect), the mana flow is channeled through the material to invoke said effect.
-effect.  The necessary requirements on the materials and structure cause for a
+The requirements on the materials and structure create a certain frailty to this
-certain frailty to this type of magic, however the separation from the human
+type of magic.  However, the separation from the human conductor allows for much
-conductor concept allows for much more powerful invocations to be accomplished.
+more powerful invocations to be accomplished.
 All magic items are based (to at least a minor degree) on Rune magic in that
-they must be aligned in such a way so as to hold an enchantment. Thus, a spell-
+their materials must be aligned in such a way as to naturally invoke an enchantment.
-magic sword actually has a rune-magic invocation which allows the spell to
+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.
@@ Line 76: / Line 92: @@
 ==== Voice Magic ====
-Voice magic (in its simplest terms) is a specific version of Rune magic.  By
+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 of these invocations are offensive in nature and generally
+The most common invocations are offensive in nature and generally
-involve hitting a target with a concentrated blast of air or some other
+involve hitting a target with a concentrated blast of energy.
-material.  Voice magic is slightly easier than Rune magic, but is limited to
+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.  Certain times, for example, the wind will
+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.
+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.
@@ Line 90: / Line 106: @@
 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
+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
@@ Line 97: / Line 113: @@
 funneled through the user instead of siphoned energy.
-The limitations are clear.  [[Mana]] is very powerful and control can easily be
+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 psionics mind.  Thus, a non-psionic faces little threat from a
+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.  However, a large current can easily damage a person.]
+person.]
 ==== Common invocations ====
@@ Line 124: / Line 140: @@
 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 period of time.
+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 has no effect on mana-based magic.
+energies.  It does not affect mana-based magic.
 **Detect Mana** -- This invocation registers the level of mana in an area.  Note
@@ Line 136: / Line 152: @@
 **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 a infinite progression power siphon).  This will cause the entire
+(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 of a
+During the mana crisis on Earth after the gods fled, this drain was permanent
-permanent nature and so was not used unless absolutely necessary.  Note also
+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
+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
@@ Line 156: / Line 172: @@
 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
+be exposed to sunlight, or else the delicate alignment is ruined and the magic
 will not be invoked.
@@ Line 165: / Line 181: @@
 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
+several seconds or minutes.  Persistent rumors exist about wizards who brought
-forth such a great magic that the area's mana was depleted for over a week.
+forth such great magic that the area's mana was depleted for over a week.
-These tales, however, are dismissed by learned mana-masters).
+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
+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 on the prime world where
+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 works without
+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
+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.
@@ Line 183: / Line 199: @@
 Outside the physical plane of existence is, among other things, a dimension
 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]], [[Ozzie|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 in the
+Next to the spiritual elements, the physical elements are rather insignificant, so
-nature of magic.  The energies are the power behind almost all magic known to
+when combined, they do not assert themselves as do positive and negative energy.
-wizards.  Another power source, called [[mana]], exists, but is much harder to
+During his battle with the [[Godslayer]], [[Ozzie|Lord Ozzie]] powered himself up
-manipulate.  In order to use elemental energy, though, a magician must tap into
+by siphoning off energies from the positive and negative planes -- an ability given
-a small amount of mana to draw in the required amount of energy.  This is called
+to him by the [[Shadowlord]].  However, to rise to the level of the Godslayer, Ozzie
-the "trigger spell" and is the first skill taught to apprentice magicians.  It
+had to drain an enormous amount of energy very quickly.  This left a void in the
-is perhaps the most difficult skill to grasp and is quite probably the cause of
+elemental world into which Shadow was able to move. It is now believed that the
-most spell failures.  Compared to mana, using elemental energy is trivial.
+Shadowlord planned for this scenario all along.
-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. Suddenly,
+Since elemental energies are a key component in spell magic, the Shadowlord's takeover
-when a wizard needed two parts fire and one part water, he got three parts
+had a profound effect on the use of spells worldwide.  While the exact mechanism of
-shadow!  Even though every ounce of energy would still be available, it would
+this effect is still debated, it seemed to arise because the elements were replaced by shadow.
-not produce the desired effect.  //However, within a month of Shadow's takeover of
+Suddenly, when a wizard needed two parts fire and one part water, he got three parts
-the Elements, energies summoned from the elemental world returned to their
+shadow!  Even though every ounce of energy was still available, it did not produce the
-normal state.  Instead of three parts shadow in the above example, the wizard
+desired effect.
-would get two parts fire and one part water.//((WTF? When did I decide this?))
-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]] convened for the first time since the change and
 discussed what had happened.  While no real understanding of the change was
@@ Line 233: / Line 236: @@
 [[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.