An Introduction to All Things Magic

Magic:

In this world, ‘magic’ is a broad term used to define the mystical and the mysterious, but is crucial to the structure of our realm, considered the ‘seam’ that stitches our reality together. There are 3 main aspects of magic as we know it: Refined Magic, Runic Magic, and Spirit Magic. These aspects are known differently across the world from culture to culture, but there are few who know of them at all. Below, you will learn the nature of these aspects, and the very nature of magic itself—so try not to go mad.

The basic form of magic surrounded by the three aspects.

Basic Magic:

Basic magic is the simplest form of magic in the world. It is magenta in color, with swirl-like wisps that define its shape and movements. Basic magic is the natural form of magic in this world, a perfect balance of all three aspects, coexisting in equilibrium. With this most fundamental form of magic, nearly anything one could imagine can be formed with enough practice, willpower, creativity, and imagination.

Basic Magic is found in every aspect of our world, from living beings to static objects, described as a ‘primordial hum.’ Some beings and objects have a naturally high affinity for magic, though how or what causes this phenomenon is currently under study. Most regular creatures and objects do not have magical abilities, meaning it is harder for them to connect with the latent magic found within them, and are considered ‘non-magical’ by the majority of folk (though we scholars know better).

Proficient magic wielders are able to ‘infuse’ magic into non-magical items, which is how the majority of non-magic users attain such abilities. These items are of great value, though, and cost a pretty penny to those who would wield them. When a magic-infused item is wielded by a non-magical being, the item works as a conduit to further enhance the abilities of the latent magic found within the user.

A unique form of infused object is the ‘spell', a scroll that has been etched with a specific piece of magic. Spells are only able to be used once due to the nature in which they are created, and can be used by concentrating on the words written, or by performing actions described on the parchment. Any magic cast from the hands or from a scroll is referred to as casting a spell.

The Three Aspects:

As mentioned, there are three main ‘aspects’ of basic magic: Refined Magic, Runic Magic, and Spirit Magic. It is unknown by most, however, that these aspects can be removed from the basic magic from to create new genres of magic. All magic as we know it, from life magic to shadow magic, stems from this principal. Listed below is all we scholars of Arden know of the laws of magic.

Refined Magic:

Blue in nature, Refined Magic is the embodiment of the physical realm. This form of magic is crystalline in structure, and represents the following aspects of our world: order, frost, darkness, and stasis. This form of magic is created by taking basic magic and ‘refining’ it into a hard, crystalline form—removing the other two aspects from the basic form. This form drains the user of their energy.

Runic Magic:

Red in nature, Runic, or ‘Chaos’ Magic is the embodiment of the non-physical realm. This form of magic often takes the form of uncontrollable lightning, and represents the following aspects of our world: chaos, heat, light, and motion. This form of magic is created by stripping the basic form of magic from its order, unleashing the raw power found within. This form often damages the user. Traces of this aspect can be etched into ever-changing Chaos Runes to be used later.

Spirit Magic:

Yellow in nature, Spirit Magic is the embodiment of all things both living and dead, physical and non-physical. This form of magic is the most unknown in our world. It often takes the form of swirling, wisp-like energy, and represents the following aspects of our world: control, temperance, shadow, soul, and potential. This form of magic is created by stripping the physical and non-physical aspects from basic magic, and is the most difficult form of magic to learn. From this form of magic stems Healing Magic, Life Magic, Shadow Magic, and Soul Magic. From what we know, this aspect is also responsible for spirits, souls, and ghosts, though this is incredibly murky territory.

And there you have it—a complete introduction to the way magic works in our world. There is of course, much, much more to dive into, though we haven’t the time nor the sanity to do so today. So then, be on your way, and pay attention to the magic you find on your travels with your newfound knowledge of our world.