Harrison DeVries Writing

How Magic Works

Magic is not an uncommon thing to run across in the world of Hailgalad. While its users have wained in both power and number, many still have abilities and use them regularly. The first important thing to understand about magic is that there are two types: Knowledge and Faith based magic. This will be discussed in further detail later in the post.

It is widely known in the world that most people have the ability to cast spells and enchantments. There are, however, varying proclivities for those skills. Whether is be from cultural upbringing or regional location, some people have less of an aptitude for magic. What is more, the longer an individual goes without any training or magical influence, the more this ability dwindles within them. That is why children raised in any of the many magical orders of the world are almost always able to use magic. 

Another aspect is the talent within. Again, this comes from upbringing and background. For instance, the humanoids in the world known as the kindred are an ancient people that differ standard humans. They have a longer lives and a deeper connection to nature and are thus more predisposed to have skill in magic. There are some great mages of the past that had less of an amplitude for magic, but this is where training and determination factor in. You cannot just be skilled after all!

Finally, we will discuss the cost of magic. Casting takes a toll on a user’s mind and body. People are not an endless well of energy and this applies to magic. Thus, endurance builds over time the more the user works at their craft. It also builds commensurately with their physical fitness and mental aptitude. Younger people often have strong bursts of magic, but it is more uncontrolled. Older people can use their skill to outmatch a younger, more energetic mage, but their power does not last quite as long and they will tire. Many believe that for a mortal human whose life can span into the nineties to early hundreds peaks magically in their middle years. In their forties or fifties they still have the stamina and youthful vigor while being able to rely on skill to outclass young mages. 

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Knowledge Based

Magic users who rely on knowledge based magic spend much of their time reading from tomes, taking influence from nature, and learning from a master. This is a learned skillset where the mage draws upon the world around them to use their power. This path often takes a longer time to master due to its requirement that the user has a deep knowledge of the natural world and their balance within it. 

The powers most often associated with this type of magic is manipulation of the elements (water, ground, ice, fire). They are also known to connect with animals and even gain complete mastery over them. Knowledge based magic can also fortify one’s self and others with strength and resiliency. 

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Faith Based

While faith based mages must study tomes and apprentice from another, it is critical that their magical power draws from the divine. While this is not always the case, faith based users tend to have more natural talent, or so it seems, since their worship utilizes power from a specific deity. There has not, however, been any definitive truth on whether one way of magic is more powerful than the other. 

The powers most often associated with this type of magic is divine light and holy fire. These can be devastating attacks on a field of battle and work best against the dark powers of the world. These attacks are often shown as gold or silver light. Another common faith based magic is healing and protection. These mages can heal people by emitting a green light from their hands. They can also cast shields to protect themselves and allies from attacks. 

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Regional Variants

Magic is used different in various parts of the world. While there are detractors from the following regions, this is largely what you can expect from the majority populations of these peoples as it relates to magic:

• Ashshadow Kindred: These people live in the wake of the great volcano, Infiertree. In the days of old, it erupted and covered the Dayleaf Rainforest, known for its lush sunlight groves, in ash and fire. The forest darkened and its name was changed to Ashshadow. Now, its people are forever marked by this catastrophe. Many of these kindred have skin that looks scorched, but it does not cause them pain. These folk are instead imbued with incredibly powerful fire magic that can be wild in nature. These roots cause a knowledge based system that runs through their blood and heritage. Although, there are some zealots that worship a fire god they call Heatornun who they say dwells within the volcano. These kindred are much more prone to use faith based holy fire magic than their fellow people.

• Hailgalad: Hailgaladrians originate from herdsfolk and are thus more drawn to magic relating to animals. Many users can channel magic to bolster their strength. Others have a deep connection to animals. In most cases, this is with horses, but others are known to befriend bears, lions, and other beasts. Some even ride them into battle such as the great general Baldric who rides his bear, Garnothred. In addition to these people, there is a large contingent of faith based users who call upon Areadel, their patron deity to cast divine magic. 

• Ironwood Kindred: The Ironwood Kindred rely on knowledge based magic to craft incredible weapons and other works out of ironwood. Other than for the skills of building, magic is not widely used among their people. 

• Kaboutia: Much like the Ironwood Kindred, the Kaboutians use much of their magic to enchant weapons and create great works. Many also use magic to bolster their strength in battle. While this may seem like knowledge based magic, it is actually divine. Their patron, Kimbaldo, is lord of craft and study souls and these people call upon his power in the world to create this magic. 

• Kuinan: The kuinan people most often use knowledge based magic that can conceal themselves. This skillset is set to good use in their pursuits as thieves and assassins, but it was born out of a need for survival. Living amongst goblins and raiders in mountain country, they needed to be able to hide from foes. These skills have kept these people from being wiped of the map many times over the years.

• Merrian: These aquatic people are masters of the ocean. They can travel at great speed and have the ability manipulate water. Some of their most powerful shamans are known to change the weather. These folk draw upon their connection to nature and heritage in a knowledge based system to cast this magic. 

• Northfolk: The northfolk rely on ancestral knowledge based magic to bolster their berzerking attacks in battle. There are also fruidic shamans in their ranks that ice magic and can fortify troops who head into battle before them. This magic is largely knowledge based, but some shamans are known to draw upon Parton deities to cast their magic. Some of this faith based magic can even venture into the realm of darkness in the confusing of pestilence and other unsavory calamities.

• Sarisa: in the desert seas, the elements are paramount of people’s minds. With this, magic users in this region have a strong relation to manipulate the sand and water. This power is largely driven from knowledge based magic. 

• Vaelora: The golden empire’s patron god, Vaelentros, is the chief of the divine order. This heritage brings an overwhelming amount of faith based users. They cast divine spells that protect their allies and bring devastating destruction to their enemies. 

• Goblins and Trolls: These creatures for the most part do not have much affinity for magic. There are some goblin chieftains who can bolster their strength with magic and others who are shamans that possess a poison base magic, but these individuals are rare. 

• Necrotic and Dark Mages: Not all magic is inherently good or even neutral. There are those who use magic for evil purposes. Reanimating the dead or the telltale grey glow of dark magic draws diving power from the Duyrkan, the disgraced evil god of the divine order. He was cast out from the presence of the other gods and lurks in the shadows. Either through enslavement or enticement for power, this god has acolytes who draw upon him with the hopes of bringing ruin to the world.