Akira444
Scribe
Today's entry is about the magic of Terra. If you haven't seen the first two parts of this little worldbuilding series of mine, be sure to check out Fantasia: The World of Terra, and Fantasia: The Inhabitants of Terra.
Magic
Magic is the practice of harnessing spiritual energy that allows practitioners known as magicians to manipulate aspects of reality through the application of spells. Magic encompasses different abilities including astral projection, telekinesis, telepathy, teleportation, and spell casting. It includes the practices of many cultures, nations and religions, as well as many books and writing from ancient times. Depending on the individual, some magicians practice their power by certain belief systems, such as shamanism, voodoo, Wicca, or any number of practices from cultures around the world.
All magic draws power from mana, a metaphysical energy that exists in all living beings and within nature. Magicians are trained to extend their mana beyond their body to interact with the environment and manipulate it.
Due to the fact that all creatures have mana, this subsequently means that all creatures, especially those with the mental capabilities to learn its mechanisms, have the potential to wield magic through study and practice. Nevertheless, all magicians, natural-born or not, are required to study the sciences of the forces that are channeled, not only as a means to better understand them but also as a means to better control them.
Mana
Mana is a form of energy that exists in all forms of life. The specific abilities and their strengths differ from individual to individual and are dependent on a number of factors, such as experience, training, and innate skill. It is the source of magic and an array of other skills.
Skilled users of mana can create their own barriers or even increase their own abilities in some way. Weapons and armor can also act as a conduit for mana, allowing for an even wider range of offensive and defensive capabilities. Mana can be used in its raw form-as pure energy-for a variety of effects. It can be projected as concussive force as well as heat and light. Mana can also be used to create energy constructs such as shields, weapons, domes, platforms, or stepping-stones.
Mana is primarily used to perform magic. There is a deep connection between mana and magic, as magic is merely the ability to manipulate one’s mana to the point where the energy can extend beyond the body and interact with the environment.
Everyone generates the same amount of mana but as the individual trains in the ways of mana control, their bodies generate more mana, like a muscle getting stronger through physical exercise. A consequence of a magician’s training to develop and improve their magical performance is the strength of their mana being greater than that of an average person. This interestingly allows a magician to detect other magicians in close range, which is useful for aiding them in their identification of other mages.
(Note: Being able to manipulate mana does not constitute as magic. Magicians are only classified as magicians because they can use magic on a practical level. There are many martial artists who use mana to enhance their bodies and generate energy without learning magic at all)
Spellcasting
A spell is a general term for an action performed through magical means. They are mainly composed of a somatic element such as hand gestures, but also includes tools such as wands, animal products, powders, incantations, and other similar materials. Different cultures use magic in different ways depending on how the culture has viewed the craft.
Most magic is not performed with external aids like wands or charms, but with the magician's own hands and will. From simple snaps to complicated hand gestures, all movements of the hands are used to harness magical energy and produce magical effects. Furthermore, spells must be cast with action and intent behind them, drawing upon the mage's willpower and focus to cause changes within the world.
But a spell needs something more than hand movements and the proper knowledge of its circumstances. Along with the physical aspects of magic, the psychological aspects of magic are crucial to perfectly performing a spell. Magic is based on something powerful within a magician, much like willpower. It is a focused intensity, a clear view, an unwavering sureness. For the spell to work, it has to be done from the heart. The mage has to have no doubt that the spell will work and needs to intend to do that spell wholeheartedly. Therefore, a mage cannot simply be forced to do a spell.
Most complex works of magic such as those used for healing, curses and invocations require the use of external ingredients such as herbs, candles, incantations, and symbols or tools to focus the intention of the magician, such as wands.
More complex spells and techniques need certain requirements to be met, all of which encompass elements such as location, weather, constellations, and seasons. Master magicians are able to cast more complex and more powerful spells without needing to mentally review the circumstances surrounding it, as they have reached a level of understanding of the forces they are controlling.
Classification
Human magic is generally divided into two categories: the seven Disciplines, and Outer Magic. Disciplines are branches of magic that most spells are grouped into. The seven Disciplines are Physical, Natural, Elemental, Healing, Knowledge, Illusions, and Psychic. Magicians can cast spells of any Discipline, but many are drawn to a specific type of magic. In magic university, mages are tested on their specialty in magic and are personally trained to cultivate that specialization.
Outer Magic refers to magic that isn't part of the seven Disciplines. These fields of magic generally deal with magic belonging to certain cultures such as spirit magic and idol magic, or deals with the manipulation of cosmic forces, such as time or death. Some notable examples of Outer Magic include necromancy, Horomancy, idol magic, imitative magic, and spirit magic.
Types of Magic
Fae Magic
Faeries use their own form of magic that is more powerful and diverse than human magic. This form of magic is second-nature to them, and is done with little to no effort at all. As they are composed of energy, faeries produce powerful magic that is connected to their nature or domain. For instance, the wood nymphs of Hellas practice magic that allows them to manipulate plants, while mermaids practice water magic. God-class faeries like Horus, Apollo and Odin use powerful magic that draws power from not just domains like the sun and lightning, but also from human ideals like music, love and death.
A magician can form some type of contract or agreement with a faerie in order to acquire their power. This is common among many religious sects worshipping god-class fae such as Thor and Aphrodite. Once an agreement has been made, the person is able to use magic related to that fae's domain or nature.
This contract is a mutual agreement, in which the faerie agrees to allow the mage to use their power in return for something from the mage. The terms of such an agreement varies depending on the disposition of the faerie, which can range from something as simple as a piece of clothing or money to something more valuable, such as a body part, a fraction of one’s lifespan, or even one’s soul.
Limitations
Because magic is such a versatile practice, the exact limitations differ between magicians and their individual field of magic and personal skill, but there are some common limitations that all mages have.
Energy: Magic draws upon the magician's mana, their energy. If a mage overexerts their magical capabilities too much, it physically takes a toll on their body causing them fatigue, dizziness, exhaustion, or fainting. It also causes their energy to be depleted, causing the mage to be unable to use magic until it recharges, leaving them defenseless.
Training/skill: The most important part about magic is its proper preparation; magic that is properly prepared allows even talentless middle schoolers to cast spells; the opposite stands true as improper preparation leads to both malfunction and backlash that inflicts damage on the practitioner’s brain.
Reality: A mage’s abilities can change reality, but they must also be grounded in reality. Someone who doesn’t have a firm grasp of the world around them cannot alter it. They also cannot use magic that goes against natural law: resurrecting the dead and time travel are two such taboos that cannot be done with magic.
Psychology: A magician must have a will and confidence in their magic. For instance, if the mage loses confidence in their ability to use magic, such as in the case of a magic related trauma or accident, it can render them unable to use magic permanently.
Magic
Magic is the practice of harnessing spiritual energy that allows practitioners known as magicians to manipulate aspects of reality through the application of spells. Magic encompasses different abilities including astral projection, telekinesis, telepathy, teleportation, and spell casting. It includes the practices of many cultures, nations and religions, as well as many books and writing from ancient times. Depending on the individual, some magicians practice their power by certain belief systems, such as shamanism, voodoo, Wicca, or any number of practices from cultures around the world.
All magic draws power from mana, a metaphysical energy that exists in all living beings and within nature. Magicians are trained to extend their mana beyond their body to interact with the environment and manipulate it.
Due to the fact that all creatures have mana, this subsequently means that all creatures, especially those with the mental capabilities to learn its mechanisms, have the potential to wield magic through study and practice. Nevertheless, all magicians, natural-born or not, are required to study the sciences of the forces that are channeled, not only as a means to better understand them but also as a means to better control them.
Mana
Mana is a form of energy that exists in all forms of life. The specific abilities and their strengths differ from individual to individual and are dependent on a number of factors, such as experience, training, and innate skill. It is the source of magic and an array of other skills.
Skilled users of mana can create their own barriers or even increase their own abilities in some way. Weapons and armor can also act as a conduit for mana, allowing for an even wider range of offensive and defensive capabilities. Mana can be used in its raw form-as pure energy-for a variety of effects. It can be projected as concussive force as well as heat and light. Mana can also be used to create energy constructs such as shields, weapons, domes, platforms, or stepping-stones.
Mana is primarily used to perform magic. There is a deep connection between mana and magic, as magic is merely the ability to manipulate one’s mana to the point where the energy can extend beyond the body and interact with the environment.
Everyone generates the same amount of mana but as the individual trains in the ways of mana control, their bodies generate more mana, like a muscle getting stronger through physical exercise. A consequence of a magician’s training to develop and improve their magical performance is the strength of their mana being greater than that of an average person. This interestingly allows a magician to detect other magicians in close range, which is useful for aiding them in their identification of other mages.
(Note: Being able to manipulate mana does not constitute as magic. Magicians are only classified as magicians because they can use magic on a practical level. There are many martial artists who use mana to enhance their bodies and generate energy without learning magic at all)
Spellcasting
A spell is a general term for an action performed through magical means. They are mainly composed of a somatic element such as hand gestures, but also includes tools such as wands, animal products, powders, incantations, and other similar materials. Different cultures use magic in different ways depending on how the culture has viewed the craft.
Most magic is not performed with external aids like wands or charms, but with the magician's own hands and will. From simple snaps to complicated hand gestures, all movements of the hands are used to harness magical energy and produce magical effects. Furthermore, spells must be cast with action and intent behind them, drawing upon the mage's willpower and focus to cause changes within the world.
But a spell needs something more than hand movements and the proper knowledge of its circumstances. Along with the physical aspects of magic, the psychological aspects of magic are crucial to perfectly performing a spell. Magic is based on something powerful within a magician, much like willpower. It is a focused intensity, a clear view, an unwavering sureness. For the spell to work, it has to be done from the heart. The mage has to have no doubt that the spell will work and needs to intend to do that spell wholeheartedly. Therefore, a mage cannot simply be forced to do a spell.
Most complex works of magic such as those used for healing, curses and invocations require the use of external ingredients such as herbs, candles, incantations, and symbols or tools to focus the intention of the magician, such as wands.
More complex spells and techniques need certain requirements to be met, all of which encompass elements such as location, weather, constellations, and seasons. Master magicians are able to cast more complex and more powerful spells without needing to mentally review the circumstances surrounding it, as they have reached a level of understanding of the forces they are controlling.
Classification
Human magic is generally divided into two categories: the seven Disciplines, and Outer Magic. Disciplines are branches of magic that most spells are grouped into. The seven Disciplines are Physical, Natural, Elemental, Healing, Knowledge, Illusions, and Psychic. Magicians can cast spells of any Discipline, but many are drawn to a specific type of magic. In magic university, mages are tested on their specialty in magic and are personally trained to cultivate that specialization.
Outer Magic refers to magic that isn't part of the seven Disciplines. These fields of magic generally deal with magic belonging to certain cultures such as spirit magic and idol magic, or deals with the manipulation of cosmic forces, such as time or death. Some notable examples of Outer Magic include necromancy, Horomancy, idol magic, imitative magic, and spirit magic.
Types of Magic
Fae Magic
Faeries use their own form of magic that is more powerful and diverse than human magic. This form of magic is second-nature to them, and is done with little to no effort at all. As they are composed of energy, faeries produce powerful magic that is connected to their nature or domain. For instance, the wood nymphs of Hellas practice magic that allows them to manipulate plants, while mermaids practice water magic. God-class faeries like Horus, Apollo and Odin use powerful magic that draws power from not just domains like the sun and lightning, but also from human ideals like music, love and death.
A magician can form some type of contract or agreement with a faerie in order to acquire their power. This is common among many religious sects worshipping god-class fae such as Thor and Aphrodite. Once an agreement has been made, the person is able to use magic related to that fae's domain or nature.
This contract is a mutual agreement, in which the faerie agrees to allow the mage to use their power in return for something from the mage. The terms of such an agreement varies depending on the disposition of the faerie, which can range from something as simple as a piece of clothing or money to something more valuable, such as a body part, a fraction of one’s lifespan, or even one’s soul.
Limitations
Because magic is such a versatile practice, the exact limitations differ between magicians and their individual field of magic and personal skill, but there are some common limitations that all mages have.
Energy: Magic draws upon the magician's mana, their energy. If a mage overexerts their magical capabilities too much, it physically takes a toll on their body causing them fatigue, dizziness, exhaustion, or fainting. It also causes their energy to be depleted, causing the mage to be unable to use magic until it recharges, leaving them defenseless.
Training/skill: The most important part about magic is its proper preparation; magic that is properly prepared allows even talentless middle schoolers to cast spells; the opposite stands true as improper preparation leads to both malfunction and backlash that inflicts damage on the practitioner’s brain.
Reality: A mage’s abilities can change reality, but they must also be grounded in reality. Someone who doesn’t have a firm grasp of the world around them cannot alter it. They also cannot use magic that goes against natural law: resurrecting the dead and time travel are two such taboos that cannot be done with magic.
Psychology: A magician must have a will and confidence in their magic. For instance, if the mage loses confidence in their ability to use magic, such as in the case of a magic related trauma or accident, it can render them unable to use magic permanently.
