Magic

Magic is the term most commonly used for manipulation of the fundamental energies contained within the multiverse. These energies are considered volatile by nature and require patience, willpower, and focus to keep from accidentally harming one's self or others. Magic and its accessibility plays a primary role in Earth-1834 but exists in many others, including Earth-1330.

Those that can harness magic are generally referred to as Mages or collectively as Magi.

Principles of Magic

Regardless of which Earth it is accessed from, magic tends to follow common principles:

• With few exceptions, magic must have a focus (rituals, spoken words, hand gestures, or objects such as wands, staves, etc.).
• Magic is not equal among magi.
• Specialization comes at the cost of generalization.

Broken down more specifically, magical energies are dangerous. Without proper training and instruction, it's easy to unleash these primal forces to the detriment of the mage and those around them. To that end, magic must have a focus. Although foci may differ by geographic region, typically the same results can be seen. Whether or not a mage casts a spell in Latin, Enochian, or Ancient Greek is generally of little consequence to the intended outcome. Likewise, a mage can perform precision movements with an implement such as a wand or staff to duplicate the same effect. The focus is used to direct the energies governing magic into a specific effect.

With that said, access to magic is not equal among its wielders. The strength of a mage is based not only upon the number of spells they know but also the amount of energy they can innately harness. This varies from mage to mage. While there does appear to be some significance of powerful bloodlines in certain worlds, there is simply no guarantee that descending from a strong, magical family will automatically grant access to that same level of power. Conversely, there exists the possibility of a first generation mage that can innately access more energy than someone who comes from a long line of powerful mages.

The more specialized a mage becomes, the more difficult it will become for them to access different types of magic. For example, a mage who concentrates in fire magic, sometimes called a pyromancer, will find it difficult over time to perform other types of non-basic magic. Specialization takes an exceedingly large amount of time of study and practice to be considered a specialist, one must be certified by the corresponding Master within the Council of Thorns. Some known specializations include:

• Specific elements (Earth, air, fire, water, metal, wood, etc.)
• Chaos (including Entropy)
• Divination
• Transmutation (including Alchemy)
• Illusion
• Conveyance (including teleportation and scrying)
• Necromancy
• Healing

Basic Magic

As a mage becomes learned in their craft, certain effects are generally taught first and become part of a mage's basic arsenal. These are generally available regardless if a mage becomes a specialist. Certain magi never progress beyond basic magic. Some of these effects have been outlined below:

• Sense Magic - Magi are attuned to the energies that create and dispel magic. Individual sensitivity to magic can vary.
• Minor Telekinesis - Moving objects less than five pounds is a basic trait of a mage and can often, but not always, be performed without a focus.
• Create Barrier - Magi are able to create barriers of magical energy to protect themselves from harm. The strength of the barrier is directly proportional to the inherent strength of the mage.
• Energy Bolt - Perhaps the most basic use of magic, magi can shape the volatile energies of the universe into a single bolt and unleash it upon an adversary.