MAGIC

Here are compiled the various interesting magical abilities and powers that our wonderful members have created as well as a short explanation of what magic is capable of in Senidar. We’ll start with the latter.

What is magic and what can I do with it?

Senidar does not yet have a basic explanation for exactly where magic comes or even how to define it. Oh certainly, many people have answers; a tribe in the north might claim it’s a gift from their ancestors, a scholarly mage might claim to have some logical source discovered and a priest might claim it is a gift directly from his god. In fact, despite a great understanding of manipulating and controlling it, no source for magic has been determined in Senidar’s modern age. It’s not even certain if there’s one true source, or if its origins are as unique as each individual that wields it.

Magic takes many many forms. There is truly no limit; one could spend eternity documenting all of its many manifestations, only to have a new generation extend their task infinitely. There are some basics to magic; many mages seem to be able to do a little bit of everything, from wielding fire and lightning to conjuring water to lifting things in the air with their mind. Nonspecialized magic such as this is commonly taught in basic courses at Basteel as an introduction and as a way to begin teaching students focus and control. Some magic users continue on in this course, having no specialized magic of their own. Despite not having their own unique method of harnessing magic, these people are hardly unlucky; they find themselves almost infinitely flexible, their arsenal of spells limited only by how much they are willing to learn. Magic users such as these are simply known as ‘taught’ magic users.

A significant portion of other users have their own unique form of magic, referred to as ‘natural’ magic. Natural magic is not always completely original. For instance, it can run through bloodlines, passed on from parent to child. Some natural magic greatly resembles magic that can be taught. A natural wielder of the element of fire might have many abilities that appear mostly identical to a mage who has studied how to control flame. Still other examples of natural magic are completely one of a kind and irreproducible through teaching. Generally, natural magic users will experience their abilities inevitably, some even without knowing it. Despite their magic being a part of themselves, they benefit from instruction just as much as taught wielders do. Like any magic users, basic teachings often go a long way to make sure they don’t hurt themselves or others with their abilities unintentionally. Natural magic users have many unique and strange abilities, but they tend to have more difficulty expanding their horizons towards other forms of magic. Certainly, with effort, it is possible, but it will never be as effortless as manifesting their born powers.

Of course there exists magic that falls into neither category, magic that a subject isn’t born with nor learns in the traditional sense. Magical artifacts, for instance, fall into this category; some have magical powers when utilized, and some grant magical powers.

So, what can you do with magic? Well, what can you think of? Within reasonable bounds of power, your character can adopt just about any magical style or ability you can imagine. Don’t be afraid to be creative, a flavorful style of magic can add a lot to what could otherwise be a normal character. As with anything, some people excel at magic, and some people do not. Elves all have some capacity for magic, no matter how small. There isn’t a single elf that cannot be taught a spell or two, if they do not have natural magic. Humans run a wide range when it comes to capability. A significant number of humans can’t even make a spark, while there are those who could rival the most powerful elves. The most powerful wielders can bring to bear positively devastating powers, tearing up the earth and calling lightning from the heavens. The weakest can do little beyond lighting a campfire or bringing a pen to their hands from a few feet away.

Magical Styles

To help you out in creating your character, here are a few styles of magic to inspire you. Use them, build on them, or ignore them. These are merely examples to give you an idea of the power that runs through Senidar and its people.

Fire Magic

Simple, truly, fire magic is controlling fire through your will. Manifesting both as taught magic and natural magic, it ranges from wielding flame in such blunt methods as throwing fireballs and making explosions to acts of such finesse as putting out a single candle from across the room. There are many different fire styles, and no one fire mage is ever guaranteed to have the same tricks up his sleeve as the last.

Physical Magic

An incredibly broad magic, it encompasses just about any form of power that goes hand and hand with the physical body, most commonly in the form of martial arts. Physical magic is what allows a warrior with a pointy piece of metal to slay a dragon. Just as with styles of martial arts, there are many different forms of this. A barbarian warband might consist of several warriors or draw on bestial strength through animal totems or sheer rage. An order of knights might teach their initiates how to draw on superhuman powers through strength of will and discipline.