“Befriend Creature” is a unique enchantment spell with a divisive reputation, its moral alignment depending on the observer’s magical school. Within the elven realm of Enchantment, it is hailed as holy magic, symbolizing a harmonious communion with nature. Elves employ this spell predominantly for interacting with and influencing forest animals, fostering a symbiotic relationship. However, controversy arises when the spell extends its influence to more formidable beasts like Dire Wolves, prompting accusations of evil magics from opposing magical doctrines. Despite the ethical debates, the elves argue that their use of “Befriend Creature” remains rooted in the preservation of nature, maintaining a delicate balance between elvenkind and the majestic creatures of the enchanted forests.
Wiki Category: Magic and Arcana
Magic is a natural, invisible force that flows through the entire world of Xonthian. When the world was built, the gods created everything, using a force so powerful, that its remnants remain behind. That essence is the magic the world of Xonthian uses. Everything is touched with magic in some way.
Magic can only be seen by the trained or attuned. People can be born with a natural attunement, those that are not trained however lose the ability to sense the magic flowing around them. Those that are trained, can wield it to different degrees of success, depending on their abilities, training, and magical sense, or level of attunement.
The trained are taught that magic is broken into Elemental type, and are often taken to specific schools, to learn a single type of magic. For example, the Fire Isle Mages prefer Fire and Earth Elements and spells formed in the destructive schools of learning. The Gatehar Clerics, on the other hand, learn to use Water and Earth Elements from the restoration schools.
Manifestation
Magic energy is neither good nor evil in its pure form. Aether, the makeup of all magic and the bases of its use, can either be tainted to evil, twisting it to cause harm to its caster, or those it is cast against. In the case of Sin Orbs, the purity of magic has become corrupted, and thus they attack anything in sight. Another example is Catt’s ability to influence the magic Aether of a creature, causing it to explode. She is neither good nor evil, so her ability to manipulate the magic any way she wants, could be seen as both good and evil. Scholars have attempted to answer the very philosophical conundrum of Aether and the balance of good and evil in magic to varying degrees of success. But all agree that magic is neither good and evil, but can be tainted to be good or evil.
Localization
Magic is all around the world. However, there are only a few known areas where magic is either tainted, like in the Sands of Time, or in dead zones, such as the Ocean of Mist.
Magic comes with a cost in the form of draining the user’s mental capacity, tiring them out the longer the spell is used, or the greater the spell. Some spells require multiple casters, and in rare cases, even a sacrifice.
Magic can be embedded in objects, however, the natural properties of the item dictate how much magical energy it can hold. Things like material, elemental makeup, size, and purity can affect the type and size of magic that can be imbued. This type of magic generally doesn’t cost anything to use, however, the enchanted item can become corrupted, or act in unnatural ways.
Enchantment
One of the base schools that almost all walks of magic users understand, the Enchantment school of magic has some of the most historically significant spells.
Used by the Kingdoms of both Cettera and Xonthian to great extent prior to the One Hundred Year War, Enchantment Mages were used to bolstering the navy of both kingdoms with powerful cannons. Much of the gardens in both Cettera and Xonthian City use Enchanted waterworks to move water around the city.
Elves choose to use Enchantments that protect, and some of the better known defensive magics come from them, second only to the Dwaven mages who use Enchantments in both defensive and offensive magics.
Ice’s Grip
“Ice’s Grip” stands as a formidable spell exclusive to the skilled spell casters within the dwarven kingdom. Accessible only to those possessing a significant mastery of magic, this enchantment manifests in two distinct forms based on the caster’s proficiency. For adept practitioners, it achieves its pinnacle, encasing the targeted entity in an unyielding prison of solid ice. This potent manifestation renders the victim immobilized, trapped within a frozen cocoon.
Alternatively, when wielded by a less advanced caster, Ice’s Grip manifests as an intense cold, capable of permeating the very core of the target. The inflicted frigidity becomes a relentless assailant, risking the victim’s life if prolonged exposure persists.
Flame Wave
Flame Wave, an exclusive arcane incantation wielded solely by the Fire Isle mages, manifests a devastating surge of elemental fury. Upon invocation, a searing tide of flames, towering at twelve feet in height, erupts in a sweeping cone emanating from the caster’s position. This spell’s origin is steeped in historical infamy, notably employed during the tumultuous events of the Hundred Year War when the Fire Isle Mages orchestrated the cataclysmic downfall of Xonthian City. The conjured inferno serves as both a weapon of conquest and a symbol of the formidable power harnessed by those versed in the incendiary arts. With its capacity for widespread destruction, the Flame Wave stands as a testament to the potency and ruthlessness of the Fire Isle mages, leaving an indelible mark on the annals of magical warfare.
Fireblast
The spell, known as “Fireblast”, harnesses the caster’s mastery over elemental fire to conjure a destructive wave of intense flames. By channeling magical energy through their outstretched hand, the caster initiates a controlled eruption of fire that expands in a circular pattern, engulfing everything in its path. The flames are imbued with concentrated heat, capable of incinerating most materials and causing immediate combustion. The arcane intensity of Inferno Surge ensures that even structures are not immune, sustaining damage as the relentless wave courses through. Masters of the mystical arts wield Inferno Surge with caution, as its unleashed power can reshape the battlefield and leave a blazing legacy in its wake.
Deaths Embrace
Deaths Embrace, the ominous spell wielded by the Fire Isle Mages, is a formidable display of necromantic prowess. When invoked, this sinister enchantment harnesses the very essence of mortality, weaving an ethereal connection between the caster and their unfortunate target. Its potency lies in the chilling reality that the mere touch of the spellbearer is a harbinger of demise. However, a peculiar vulnerability adds a layer of intrigue—its effectiveness hinges upon the unwavering belief of the victim in the sorcerer’s supernatural dominion. Like a shadowy pact, Deaths Embrace demands the acknowledgment and submission of the target to the caster’s mystical authority. Thus, the spell becomes a haunting dance between wielder and prey, where the strength of conviction determines the fateful outcome of the macabre encounter.
Destructive Magic
Destructive magic can encompass all the elements offered within the natural flow of magic. There is no one single school teaching all the spells within the destructive purview. The most well known of the destructive magic is that created by the Fire Isle Mages, however, they are not the only source. It is unknown when the first destructive spell was created, or who created it. Some of the oldest known spells, scrolls, and text tell different stories, so it is not clear where they first originated. The oldest known spell, Fireblast, is a wave of fire the erupts from the user’s palm towards its target. That is not to say that fire is the only element this school uses. Other spell casters such as the elves in Timilik Forest can weave destructive spells from both earth, and water.
Magic
Magic is a natural, invisible force that flows through the entire world of Xonthian. When the world was built, the gods created everything, using a force so powerful, that its remnants remain behind. That essence is the magic the world of Xonthian uses. Everything is touched with magic in some way.
Magic can only be seen by the trained or attuned. People can be born with a natural attunement, those that are not trained however lose the ability to sense the magic flowing around them. Those that are trained, can wield it to different degrees of success, depending on their abilities, training, and magical sense, or level of attunement.
The trained are taught that magic is broken into Elemental type, and are often taken to specific schools, to learn a single type of magic. For example, the Fire Isle Mages prefer Fire and Earth Elements and spells formed in the destructive schools of learning. The Gatehar Clerics, on the other hand, learn to use Water and Earth Elements from the restoration schools.
Manifestation
Magic energy is neither good nor evil in its pure form. Aether, the makeup of all magic and the bases of its use, can either be tainted to evil, twisting it to cause harm to its caster, or those it is cast against. In the case of Sin Orbs, the purity of magic has become corrupted, and thus they attack anything in sight. Another example is Catt’s ability to influence the magic Aether of a creature, causing it to explode. She is neither good nor evil, so her ability to manipulate the magic any way she wants, could be seen as both good and evil. Scholars have attempted to answer the very philosophical conundrum of Aether and the balance of good and evil in magic to varying degrees of success. But all agree that magic is neither good and evil, but can be tainted to be good or evil.
Localization
Magic is all around the world. However, there are only a few known areas where magic is either tainted, like in the Sands of Time, or in dead zones, such as the Ocean of Mist.
Magic comes with a cost in the form of draining the user’s mental capacity, tiring them out the longer the spell is used, or the greater the spell. Some spells require multiple casters, and in rare cases, even a sacrifice.
Magic can be embedded in objects, however, the natural properties of the item dictate how much magical energy it can hold. Things like material, elemental makeup, size, and purity can affect the type and size of magic that can be imbued. This type of magic generally doesn’t cost anything to use, however, the enchanted item can become corrupted, or act in unnatural ways.
Wind
Often regarded as the most elusive and unpredictable of the elemental forces, wind holds a unique place in the realms of magic and magical beliefs. Unlike its counterparts, wind doesn’t conform easily to the structured nature of other elements, making it a challenge for spell casters to harness its power. Yet, the interplay of wind in magical practices, especially when combined with fire and water, unveils a potent synergy that taps into the very essence of chaos and energy.
Wind is often associated with the ethereal and transient aspects of existence. In many belief systems, it is considered a carrier of unseen energies, connecting the physical and spiritual realms. The unpredictability of the wind is seen as a reflection of the capricious nature of fate and the constant flow of life’s energies. Practitioners of elemental magic often view wind as a force that embodies change, adaptability, and the unceasing cycle of creation and destruction.
When wind intertwines with fire in magical rituals, a harmonious yet volatile dance ensues. Fire, with its insatiable hunger and consuming nature, finds an ideal partner in the ever-shifting winds. Together, they create a symbiotic relationship that amplifies the destructive potential of both elements. The erratic nature of the wind fans the flames of fire, intensifying its ferocity and expanding its reach.
This combination is often harnessed in destructive magic, where the chaos of the wind serves as a catalyst for the fiery onslaught. The resultant spells are formidable, embodying the essence of raw power and unbridled force. It is believed that the collaboration between wind and fire taps into primal forces that echo the cosmic dance of creation and annihilation.
The fine balance required to control the chaotic tendencies of the wind demands a high level of skill and concentration. Harnessing this union necessitates an understanding of the delicate equilibrium between order and chaos, creation and destruction.
In various mythologies and magical traditions, the personification of wind often embodies a free-spirited and capricious character. Wind deities are frequently depicted as both benevolent and mischievous, emphasizing the dual nature of this element. Its role in shaping landscapes, carrying whispers of hidden knowledge, and stirring the embers of transformation further solidifies its mystique in the metaphysical realms.
Water
Revered for its association with purity and life, water holds a profound significance in the realms of both physical and magical existence. In the context of magic, water stands as a versatile and fundamental element, akin to the flowing essence of life itself. It mirrors the dual nature of fluidity, embodying both tranquility and power, and serves as a bridge connecting the tangible and the mystical.
Water is often regarded as a conduit for spiritual energies and emotions. Its flowing nature symbolizes adaptability and the perpetual cycle of renewal, reflecting the cyclical nature of life, death, and rebirth. Practitioners of magic harness the magical properties of water to tap into these cycles, drawing on its transformative qualities to facilitate change and growth.
In many belief systems, water is seen as a universal solvent, capable of binding and mixing with other elements. This interplay with other elements amplifies the potency of spells, creating a synergy that transcends individual magical forces. For instance, when combined with fire, water may temper the destructive nature of flames, transforming it into a cleansing or purifying force.
Healing magic, in particular, finds its roots in the essence of water. The element is revered for its purifying and nourishing qualities, making it an essential component in spells aimed at restoring balance and well-being. The gentle, yet persistent, nature of water is thought to wash away impurities and promote healing on physical, emotional, and spiritual levels.
In most belief systems, bodies of water are often considered sacred spaces, acting as conduits for divine energies and gateways to other realms. Rituals conducted near rivers, lakes, or oceans are believed to harness the potent energy of water, facilitating a stronger connection with the mystical forces that govern the universe.
Moreover, the ability of water to exist in multiple states—solid, liquid, and gas—further underscores its transformative qualities. This adaptability is seen as a metaphor for the various phases of spiritual and personal evolution. Water teaches the mage the importance of embracing change and navigating the ebb and flow of life with grace and resilience.