Post by VoxHumana on Mar 5, 2014 16:15:20 GMT -5
Yeah, we've got a magic system, big whoop wanna fight about it? Magic is a very big part of Corrupted Existence. It's the power that all human beings now share, thanks to the mysterious "mark of the moon," a crescent shaped mark born somewhere on the body. Where only witches and their ilk could use such power at one time, it is no longer so. With that said, there are three general different kinds of magic which are available for use on this site. Please note that ONLY human characters can use magic. Supernaturals, whatever race they may be, are not capable of such a feat. Instead they use skills, a system which will be discussed in a post to follow this one. So, without further adieu:
Sigil Magic
Sigil Magic is the first, and arguably easiest magic to use and master. It involves the use of drawn glyphs and symbols as the focal point for a spell. Some examples of "glyphs," also known as "runes" are as follows:
Sigil magic can be used for a variety of purposes. The glyphs drawn can be used to create protective shields, ward away evil or attackers, destroy the thing they are drawn onto, or even to enchant an item with certain magical properties. Sigil magic is very versatile, and unlike the other two branches of magic, requires no sacrifice from the person using it. However, it does have its limitations. In general, the power of a spell cast by sigil magic will be much less substantial than one of matching effects cast using Spellweaving (to be discussed later). There is one exception to this rule. Shields produced by Sigil magic tend to be stronger than any that can be created through Spellweaving. In addition, sigil magic can only be used to interact with objects. Not directly on people or anything living. In addition, the effects of a sigil spell only affect the item they are drawn on or the area immediately around it, making their range limited. Finally, the user must study the glyph they intend to use, and master both drawing it and understanding of its purpose before they can use it effectively.
Blood Magic
Blood magic is perhaps the darkest and most foul of the three branches of magic. Where Sigil magic tends to be more aligned with the side of good, Blood magic is most always aligned with evil. It is the most ancient of the three branches as well, used since the time of such civilizations as the Aztecs and Incas. Its method of use is through the literal sacrificing of blood, to acheive various effects. If Sigil magic is magic which affects specific items, Blood magic is that which is used to affect the body. Users can sacrifice their own blood to gain inhuman speed and strength, literally change their physical appearance, or even use their blood as a weapon. While this magic is very potent, and useful for making oneself stronger, it has serious dangers as well. Firstly and most obviously, the sacrifice of literal blood to use it is a heavy cost. The blood of another human being can not be used, only the blood of the caster himself or, in some cases animal sacrifice. Beyond the blood sacrifice needed, many spells cast through blood magic will literally tear the body of the user apart if used too often over time, as the body can not withstand the strain placed upon it. Even if used sparingly, this magic WILL shorten the lifespan of the one who uses it. However, there are dark and terrible things possible through this magic for those who master it. The summoning of ancient and terrible creatures is possible, as is limited control and torture of others by infecting them with the user's blood.
Spellweaving Magic
Spellweaving magic is perhaps the least known and understood of the three branches of magic, and therefore is powerful, and dangerous. While the other two branches of magic tend to have their alignments, Spellweaving is neutral. This is magic which is used to directly affect the world around the user, and is also referred to as environmental magic. It involves the use of spoken incantations to direct magical energy to various ends. Spellweaving goes beyond Sigil magic in both power and versatility. From casting illusions to throwing fire from ones hands, Spellweaving magic can take a variety of forms. It is believed the the Glamour itself was a spell from this class of magic, cast by a master untold eons ago. This magic however, is perhaps the most dangerous of all three to the user himself. It takes a heavy toll on the mental fortitude of the user, and can over time drive him or her to complete insanity. In addition, while it manipulates magical energy to various ends, it draws the power to do this from the life force of the person casting a spell. Once an incantation is uttered and the spell set into motion, there can be no drawing it back, no cancellation. And if the spell requires more life force than the person has, they will die, destroyed by the very magic they meant to bend to their will. Interestingly, use of Spellweaving magic also grants a person a measure of control over their life energy. They can store it in objects and the like, and draw on it at a later date, though it takes some proficiency to do this.
It must be noted that a person, once they realize their magical potential, must chose a path for themselves. Sigil, Blood, or Spellweaving. Once the choice is made, that person can not go back. And they can not wield another of the branches except at dear cost. Even then they can only choose one more, and their control over it will be far weaker than that of their original choice. Be wary human. For should you choose to wield the power of magic, there is no going back. Nothing will be the same. Beyond the dangers of each individual kind of magic, another threat lies before you. Use of magic will draw...creatures to you. Some call them demons, others call them the Eldritch. Whatever they may be, they seek to devour those who would bend magic to their will. The stronger you are, the more you learn, the closer they will grow, hungering for your life energy, your very soul. Tread lightly.
Sigil Magic
Sigil Magic is the first, and arguably easiest magic to use and master. It involves the use of drawn glyphs and symbols as the focal point for a spell. Some examples of "glyphs," also known as "runes" are as follows:
Sigil magic can be used for a variety of purposes. The glyphs drawn can be used to create protective shields, ward away evil or attackers, destroy the thing they are drawn onto, or even to enchant an item with certain magical properties. Sigil magic is very versatile, and unlike the other two branches of magic, requires no sacrifice from the person using it. However, it does have its limitations. In general, the power of a spell cast by sigil magic will be much less substantial than one of matching effects cast using Spellweaving (to be discussed later). There is one exception to this rule. Shields produced by Sigil magic tend to be stronger than any that can be created through Spellweaving. In addition, sigil magic can only be used to interact with objects. Not directly on people or anything living. In addition, the effects of a sigil spell only affect the item they are drawn on or the area immediately around it, making their range limited. Finally, the user must study the glyph they intend to use, and master both drawing it and understanding of its purpose before they can use it effectively.
Blood Magic
Blood magic is perhaps the darkest and most foul of the three branches of magic. Where Sigil magic tends to be more aligned with the side of good, Blood magic is most always aligned with evil. It is the most ancient of the three branches as well, used since the time of such civilizations as the Aztecs and Incas. Its method of use is through the literal sacrificing of blood, to acheive various effects. If Sigil magic is magic which affects specific items, Blood magic is that which is used to affect the body. Users can sacrifice their own blood to gain inhuman speed and strength, literally change their physical appearance, or even use their blood as a weapon. While this magic is very potent, and useful for making oneself stronger, it has serious dangers as well. Firstly and most obviously, the sacrifice of literal blood to use it is a heavy cost. The blood of another human being can not be used, only the blood of the caster himself or, in some cases animal sacrifice. Beyond the blood sacrifice needed, many spells cast through blood magic will literally tear the body of the user apart if used too often over time, as the body can not withstand the strain placed upon it. Even if used sparingly, this magic WILL shorten the lifespan of the one who uses it. However, there are dark and terrible things possible through this magic for those who master it. The summoning of ancient and terrible creatures is possible, as is limited control and torture of others by infecting them with the user's blood.
Spellweaving Magic
Spellweaving magic is perhaps the least known and understood of the three branches of magic, and therefore is powerful, and dangerous. While the other two branches of magic tend to have their alignments, Spellweaving is neutral. This is magic which is used to directly affect the world around the user, and is also referred to as environmental magic. It involves the use of spoken incantations to direct magical energy to various ends. Spellweaving goes beyond Sigil magic in both power and versatility. From casting illusions to throwing fire from ones hands, Spellweaving magic can take a variety of forms. It is believed the the Glamour itself was a spell from this class of magic, cast by a master untold eons ago. This magic however, is perhaps the most dangerous of all three to the user himself. It takes a heavy toll on the mental fortitude of the user, and can over time drive him or her to complete insanity. In addition, while it manipulates magical energy to various ends, it draws the power to do this from the life force of the person casting a spell. Once an incantation is uttered and the spell set into motion, there can be no drawing it back, no cancellation. And if the spell requires more life force than the person has, they will die, destroyed by the very magic they meant to bend to their will. Interestingly, use of Spellweaving magic also grants a person a measure of control over their life energy. They can store it in objects and the like, and draw on it at a later date, though it takes some proficiency to do this.
It must be noted that a person, once they realize their magical potential, must chose a path for themselves. Sigil, Blood, or Spellweaving. Once the choice is made, that person can not go back. And they can not wield another of the branches except at dear cost. Even then they can only choose one more, and their control over it will be far weaker than that of their original choice. Be wary human. For should you choose to wield the power of magic, there is no going back. Nothing will be the same. Beyond the dangers of each individual kind of magic, another threat lies before you. Use of magic will draw...creatures to you. Some call them demons, others call them the Eldritch. Whatever they may be, they seek to devour those who would bend magic to their will. The stronger you are, the more you learn, the closer they will grow, hungering for your life energy, your very soul. Tread lightly.