XI. Magic:

As she chanted, we felt a tenseness in the air, as if some network of invisible strings were being slowly drawn taut. While the Klacktrich raged upon Kiervane, she strove to master the tiny lightnings that had begun to dance upon nearby surfaces. Suddenly, in a flash of blinding azure brilliance, the snakes of energy leapt together into a shrieking strand of light which bit into the Klacktrich - and though it survived, it graced us the moment we needed to get past the infernal thing. - Trinith Jaerfeme, Ithrynxii journalist

Magic is an incredibly dense topic; our goal here is to set forth some guidelines regarding how magic is dealt with in Hrielith. All living things comprise a sort of energy network - a vast web of interconnected beings. This network often has vast amounts of 'excess energy', which can be drawn upon and used to shape reality, in various ways, according to the skill of the shaper. The Weave is in constant flux, based upon variables often argued over by sages and theurges alike - but it is a fact that the results of magical practices vary with the Weaveweather.

Most magic is either elemental, or faith-magic. It is rumored that there are dream-magics, illusory magics, and many other forms as well. Elemental magics use the power inherent in the elements as their source, while faith-magics rely upon the spiritual balance of the caster.

Magic is by nature unpredictable - though there is also some consistency to magical experience as well. There are many hundreds of cultural paradigms that have arisen to describe, celebrate, or explain magic - both mystically and theoretically. Most spells, once committed to memory, are easily cast upon oneself or another target, provided one has the required skills and powers.

Magics are divided, for reference, loosely into the following types: Protective Curative Waymagics Divinatories Enhancing Elemental Dark. It is rumored that other types of magics exist as well, current research supports this idea.

In Hrielith, most beings are capable of learning at least some basic magical passes. Some skillclasses, beings, or races excel at magic, whilst a few are actually incapable of creating it. Theurges are the most powerful users of magic, followed perhaps by Alchemists. But most classes can learn enough magic to be more than useful, and a few commoners have become famous for their skill and wisdom regarding thaumaturgic arts.

There exist artifacts which contain instances of spells or other magics lost entirely to time - such things may be unique and contain energies of unknown power.