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The Branches of Magic
Topic Started: Aug 31 2016, 03:27 PM (303 Views)
Lilac
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To categorize magic as Cantus and Carta would do the craft little justice. Magic in Esterelf as a whole is complex, varied and broad. Branches and sub-branches are used to classify spells and practices a little more clearly, with each branch used for different purposes. Magic can be categorized several ways: type (Cantus/Carta), use, and nature.

As we've already established the difference with Carta and Cantus, this topic will focus on classification via use and nature. The former is tad more general and focuses more on for what purpose the magic is implemented, while the latter on what its roots and principles are.

For use, there are five classifications:

[*]Destructive: used for the intent of causing damage or harm, mostly in offense.

[*]Manipulative: used to modify, manipulate or change physical properties of objects and beings whether temporarily or permanently.

[*]Illusory: rather than to manipulate physical properties, deception relies on manipulating a person or a group of people's perception of their surroundings and physical properties.

[*]Recovery: used to cure, alleviate pain, protect and defend.

[*]Summoning: a unique magic that creates or summons spiritual beings for assisting purposes.


The six "use" categories are not as often used as this tends to jumble together magic of different natures. Magic of the same "nature" follows the same rules, principles and more often than not procedures, and therefore the nature categories, albeit many, are used more often. They are as follows:

  • Alchemy: the manipulation and alteration of material using magic and energy for a permanent effect.

  • Brewing: a sub-branch of alchemy, that relies on using magic to have natural ingredients conjure a certain effect.

  • Conjuration: the binding, summoning and/or creation of magical beings be they sendings, familiars, etc.

  • Debilitation: used to incapacitate an enemy or harm them over a period of time. E.g. poison, paralysis, petrification

  • Divination: the practice of using magic in order to forecast events, see omens, or look into the future.

  • Elemental: controlling, casting, manipulating and summoning the elements at will.

  • Enchantment: the practice of adding magical effects to inanimate objects.

  • Essential: from the word "essence", refers to the magic using Anima directly.

  • Expiation: directly related to the Expiate, Expiation is used as counter-magic to Cantic spells and for the removal and sealing of Cantus.

  • Force: the manipulation of forces such as gravitational and electromagnetic forces.

  • Fortification: used to enhance and strengthen a person/group of people.

  • Healing: magic used to restore life, heal wounds, alleviate pain and/or illness.

  • Hex: focuses on curses, charms, luck and misfortune.

  • Holy: magic that focuses on seeking divine aid or to repel dark magic such as necromancy.

  • Mental: magic that requires considerable mental focus such as telekinesis, projection, mind-reading, hypnosis, etc.

  • Necromancy: magic related to summoning, binding, controlling and/or resurrecting the Undead.

  • Nullification: A special field of magic that deals with temporary or total cancellation of magical energy. Differs from warding as it does not repel magic but cancels effects completely when cast and can be done more specifically.

  • Transfiguration: the practice of temporarily manipulating appearance or form.

  • Warding: the creation of shields, barriers or buffers in order to protect from magical harm.


The categories by nature, of course, are still divisible by sub-branches and can even intermingle with one another. Therefore, when defining magical skills, please keep in mind how you would classify them.
Edited by Lilac, Oct 1 2016, 12:28 AM.
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