Guide to Enhiarg

1.9 Magic

Magic is a special substance whose streams permeate the Infinite through and through. Studying magic enables one to influence the surrounding reality in a number of ways.

How Does It Work?

The caster draws pure (raw, faceless) magic from the nearest surroundings and weaves it into spells, that is manipulates it in various ways, altering its properties, molding it to fit his purposes. This process involves his body and soul, both of which provide magic-capacity and -conductivity, enabling the caster to accumulate and control a certain amount of magic substance. Both of these parameters may be heightened through training, but not tremendously so. As for artificial attempts at "raising the bar", those tend to lead to grievous consequences.

Magic should not be confused with creatures' spirit-based abilities. A Lierae does not use magic when weaving a lightning bolt, nor does an Alae merchant-telepath when pawning off some dusty ladies' accessory on his client. The force of their spirit affects the surrounding world directly, without the medium of magic.

Ideology Mages

Whereas regular mages must tap into the field of magic surrounding them or draw on the reserves of their own body to weave their spells, ideology mages, or rather their souls, themselves serve as the source of the sorcery.

Their ability to produce spirit-based magic stems from the uniqueness of their worldview. For ideology mages, magic is more than simply the means for easing their life, turning a profit, or securing power. Magic is the chance to transcend the bounds imposed on creatures by the creators. It is medicine for the Universe, an instrument for restoring justice, in part by curbing the gods' ability to dominate mortals by rule of force. Burning with a longing for freedom, to transform the Infinite and master their own destiny, souls of ideology mages weave special spiritual structures around themselves that enable them to convert Im-a to pure magic.

And yet, sadly, it would be a grave error to lump all ideology mages together with champions of the downtrodden and the dispossessed. Indeed, many of them want freedom solely for themselves, and don't hesitate to oppress other, less magically gifted creatures, no worse than some cruel deity or corporeal tyrant.

Among all ideology mages, Methrion the Source is probably the most distinguished and eminent.

Magical Objects

Magical objects are very common in Enhiarg. They are utilized by all—from street sweepers to archmages.

The vast majority of objects come with internal reservoirs for magic accumulation. Some are disposable (one example could be a cheap crystal with visual illusions for your party), while others can be used many times. The latter kind splits into two categories: those that require manual reloading (either independently or by a specialist), and those that replenish their magical reserves automatically, drawing raw magic from the environment and converting it to suit their owner's purposes. Finally, the most valuable objects further contain portals linking them to one of the magic reservoirs (dense clusters of magic from the various corners of the Infinite), thus making such an object's power virtually inexhaustible.

Magic Sources

Initially, the quantity of the magic substance in the Infinite was extremely limited, being a kind of byproduct of creation. For the vast majority of worlds, creators were unwilling to grant their "children" the gift of magic; therefore, all the miracles of those times were spirit-based influences. The situation changed fundamentally after the arrival of the <s>local Prometheus</s>—Methrion the Source, whose efforts led to a veritable deluge of magic into the Infinite. To this day it continues pouring in through the floodgates of his crippled soul...

At this time the Infinite features a rather fancifully arranged magic-circulatory system. Currents of raw magic flow out from a singular source, splinter off, dive into portals and burst into worlds, imparting the gift of sorcery to billions of creatures, fueling icy spears and flaming arrows of warring armies, accent lightning on building facades and dryers in laundry rooms.

And yet, magic is by no means present on all worlds. In some cases the rivers of magic have yet to reach them, while in others they circumvented the worlds altogether for reasons unknown. And then there are the worlds on which, driven by varying motivations, the local gods or creators prefer to keep magic out. Several of Mercurion's dragons are actively working on correcting the situation, deeming it an honor to continue Methrion's cause (and, if the rumors are true, keeping him under their protection).