Legendworld
© 2001-2004 Copyright: Dean Tersigni

Magic

Ęther

Ęther was something that The Great Spirit created as a form of structure even before he created the Angels. It's a powerful energy force that all things give off. The more ęther something gives off the more powerful it usually is. Angels gives off massive amounts of ęther, where wrim give off much less, humans give off even less, and rocks give off hardly any. Ęther is also the cause of mana. Mana is the useable form of ęther which can be formed into physical magic. Ęther is changed into mana and then used by a spell caster which turns the mana into energy or matter. When the energy or matter dissipates, it turns back into ęther.

Mana

A natural conduit of ęther into a mortal is called mana. Mana is a person's individual collection of ęther that they are able to work with. Mana can be consumed through the use of casting spells and needs to be regained through the course of time. Resting is a good way to get mana back into the body. Mana is only given to some mortals. The wrim have a large amount of mana, as do dragons. Fay only have a little. Humans and ogres have none. Although ęther is one force, mana is split up into nine different types. Even races without mana can acquire it through the use of reagents.

As you can see from the diagram there are nine types of mana. The circle is laid out where the far side of the circle carries the antithesis of each type. The opposite of fire is water, the opposite of metal is nature, etc. Mind stands alone in the center for the opposite of a thought, is just a different thought.

Each type of mana carries with it two properties as well. Whether it's behavior is that of order or chaos, and whether it is a positive or negative force.

Mana Type Behavior Force
Essence Chaos Positive
Nature Chaos Positive
Water Order Positive
Wind Chaos Negative
Void Order Negative
Metal Order Positive
Fire Chaos Negative
Earth Order Negative
Mind Both Both

Reagents

Through the consumption of certain reagents mana can be produced. Reagents allow beings with little or no mana to harness ęther so they can cast spells. Reagents are not that difficult to find, but only the highest quality reagents can be used. Mandrake root, for example, contains a fair amount of mana, as does ginseng. These, when used in a certain way, release mana into the wielder's body allowing them to use the contained mana. Thusly humans can use magic provided that they have the right reagents. The reagents are different for each spell, as certain reagents are needed for certain types of spells. Spells that cause healing require reagents like aloe, water, and ginseng. Spells that create magical wards and protections need reagents like garlic, salt, and metallic ores.

Clerics

Not all magic is taken from reagents or personal mana. Devout followers of angels are sometimes bestowed mana because of their faith and deeds towards their particular angel. Even races without natural mana have the ability to derive mana from angels. The angels who feel that their follower has done good works for them will give them a minute amount of mana (which is a large amount for mortals) for them to cast spells that fit with the angels mythos. These clerics have different titles in their cultures. Some are called priests, some are called shamans; some are known as healers, while others are simply called clerics.