Regardless of its source, magic is undeniably real in Terradeth. Its presence flows throughout all things and all people, although most will never have to skill to utilize it. Those who can use the magic within them are capable of shaping, creating, and destroying the world around them. By wielding enchanted objects, speaking incantations, keeping familiars, and performing rituals, these mages are able to amplify and focus their abilities.
Mage Hunting
Weapons of iron tend to be effective for cutting through the defenses of a mage, while concoctions of salt, mountain ash, and holy water are capable of temporarily incapacitating a magicians mystical abilities.
Types of Mages
Although all magical paths intertwine and many types of magic are shared by all magicians, most tend to fall within one of several categories.
Though they are the primary targets of Jerum, witches are not well liked in most nations. The vast majority were once peasant women dabbling in magic, attempting to combine old gods and new forms of magic in order to better their circumstances. Now, a great many of them terrorize the world, using blood sacrifices and dark spirits in their sinister rituals. They are on a constant quest for power and care not for who they harm on the way. Despite the fact that there are still many good witches in the world, they all pay for the crimes of the wicked.
Witches tend to specialize in:
Curses/Hexes
Illusions
Bewitchment
Conjuration
Necromancy
Scholars and students, wizards approach magic as they would approach any science. Their days are dedicated to study and experiment, in which they attempt to unlock the mysteries of the world. Although they, as well as all mages, were once considered criminals by the crown. However, King Aurelius keeps a council of wizards close to his side and allows their magical findings to create a more advanced kingdom.
Wizards tend to specialize in:
Enchantments
Transfiguration
Alchemy
Potion Crafting
Energy Manipulation
The Holy Men of their cultures, the magic of shamans and priests revolve around the relationships between this world and the next. They cause change by appeasing supernatural entities through ritual and prayer. They usually use these powers to assure fruitful lives for their followers and to protect those around them from harm.
Shamans and priests tend to specialize in:
Healing
Evocation
Wards
Mediumship
Divination
Animal Control (Shamans Only)
Although elemental magic is very common among mages, Worldly Magicians specialize in control of a single element. These elements are commonly fire, water, earth, or air, but there are skilled casters capable of manipulating less basic materials such as metal, lightning, ink, cloth, plants, and glass. Most casters will only be able to achieve minor feats within a small area, such as conjuring a flame in their palm for light or send a rock flying several yards. However, the most powerful Worldly Magicians with the right conduits are able to call storms, churn oceans, tremble the earth, and summon explosions of fire.
Unlike most magic, Worldly Magic does not depend on incantations or runes. Instead, Worldly Magicians must use physical conduits, such as wands and talismans, in addition to specific hand gestures to manipulate the elements. It is also wise for Worldly Magicians to appease the nature spirits and deities of the area with offerings, as these beings can inhibit or assist in the manipulation of their territory.
Magical Creatures:
Magical creatures such as hydra, wraiths, unicorns, fairies, and griffons exist in Terradeth but are extremely rare due to a millennium of being hunted by humans. The majority live far from civilization where they can live without fear. This does not stop some brave hunters from entering their territories in hope of collecting a magical trophy.