Magic: Use and Nature

Magic

Seals

All magic in this world is channeled and activated through complex seals that alter a portion of reality. This can be anything from Elemental control, to changing of Physical matter entirely, to the direction of the spiritual world.

Anyone in the world can use a magic seal. They are activated when an individual channels their own spiritual energy through their bodies into the seal, activating the effects. Seals have the same effects from user to user, but the magnitude and effectiveness of a seal is determined by the amount and focus of energy that the user provides. For example, if a common person uses a fire creation seal, it might be to start a fire in the fireplace. But if a trained mage uses the exact same seal, they might create an engulfing inferno.

Generally, seals can be divided into two categories: a "subject" seal and an "action" seal. Most spells require one of each type of seal, the subject indicating what portion of reality is going to be manipulated, an action seal determining how that reality is going to be manipulated. The type of magic is obviously dependent on a seal, but by stacking, combining, or linking seals together, multiple effects can be initiated simultaneously, though the more complex the seal, the more spiritual energy is needed by the user in order for the effects to occur.

Examples:

Fire Seal + Seal of Summoning = Summoning fire from the seal

Fire Seal + Seal of Control = Manipulate shape and direction of existing fire

Fire Seal + Seal of Transformation + Water Seal = Transform fire into water


Seal Creation

Seals can be created by any means of writing: blood, ink, dye, indentation into other matter, etc. A seal's effects, however, can only last as long as the seal is in existence, meaning that certain seals made of certain materials will cause the seals to self-destruct upon activation. Scrolls are a popular way for magic seals to be sold to common users, and in general are considered one-use. After all, creating fire or water or wind from a scroll will burn, soak, and tear the parchment, preventing it from being used a second time.

More permanent formations of seals, therefore, are used in many conditions: engraved onto metal, stitched onto cloth, and even tattooed to the body: though there are obvious side-effects from each of these methods as well.


Stylus Spell

Stylus spell is a special, powerful, and closely guarded spell that allows for the drawing of seals in a temporary, but practically impervious plane of existence. As long as the caster of the stylus spell has sufficient spiritual energy, the seal is active and reusable. This also protects a seal from being ruined by physical means: only another stylus spell can change or ruin a seal created in this manner. Stylus spells are used only by the most powerful of mages.

Diviners

Many seals, by this day and age, are well-known and easily replicated. However, there are still those within the mage community that seek to grasp a more powerful control of reality. These people are called Diviners. In short, they work on discovering new magic seals.

This is done by the use of a divination spell, another closely guarded spell that allows the user to view magic seals in naturally occurring events. So for example, a diviner using a divination spell looking at a river would see the seals for "water" and "control" appearing on the river itself. Of course, it takes a trained eye to see the differences in seals, because even something as simple as a river will have a multitude of seals stacked upon the two mentioned above, such as "gravity" "downward" "cold" "clarity" "size" "longevity" "perpetuity." Diviners hope to see new seals or new combinations of seals to aid in the research.

Diviners are in many ways are like scientists: discovering for the sake of discovery. Diviners are generally independent of any organization, and often allow their research to be used for free, particularly if seals discovered aid the public at large: farming, protection, etc. Usually the most dangerous seals they discover are kept secret.

Of course, there more dubious Diviners as well.

Role of Magic: Culture and Combat

Culture

Magic was once the domain of God. It was wielded by a select few who had the power to transform reality on a whim, to decide who lived and who died. However, as civilization advanced, so did magic's role within it. The advancement of education allowed many to learn through books the creation and function of magic seals, while the advancement of technology removed the mage's combative advantage: difficult to create a spell while bullets are being rained down upon the caster.

Magic then began to advance not in opposition to technology, but as a key component to it. It took on a far more utilitarian role as mankind looked to build ships that sailed the sky and create castles that could not be toppled by enemy battering rams. Technology solved human problems where magic could not, and magic solved human problems where technology could not.

Today, magic is exceptionally commonplace. There is a magic shop in every town. Fire summoning scrolls are as common as using a match, field enriching spells as common as using fertilizers. Only the most rudimentary of magic knowledge is required to own and operate a magic shop for public use, and it is considered a solid portion of the economy. Of course, more skilled mages can become more successful by tailor-creating magic seals to solve particular problems of their customer.

The transformation of reality, however, is not something to be trifled with. As a result there are laws governing the types of magic seals that are available to the public, the most dangerous wielding very high punishments for their sale and distribution. That isn't to say that there aren't those that try, however.

Occasionally you'll run into a person that is afraid of magic. Though there are those afraid of technology...and cats. So anything is possible.


Combat

The combative power of magic is immense, but its speed is slow, and it takes a great deal of time to learn. As such, Magic Combat in its purest form is not a common place occurrence. Since seals have to be prepared or drawn, combat tends to be very calculated, like a game of chess. A sense of strategy and an intuitive ability to predict how the opponent will react is vital for successful magic combat. This, combined with the time required to train, has caused the Principality to choose commonplace swords and guns for their military.

Magic can be a method of combat chosen for Trials and Duels, though again this is exceptionally rare due to the very few magic combatants available. There is a small magic combat training school in both provinces, however. Magic duels do not have any physical contact at all, defeat must be dealt with by the use of magic alone.

In Cilantia, the Principality has a Bureau of Magic which is responsible for investigating illegal sale of magic or the development of dangerous seals. Many from the Bureau of Magic track Diviners to keep track of their developments. Within the Bureau, there are several Combative Mages who work with soldiers to help hunt down these dangerous criminals. The Bureau's mages often specialize in seal destruction and defense.

Magic's presence in combat reaches its most prevalent form in the shape of enchanted weaponry. Items of this nature are very expensive, but also very deadly.