V. Magic & Castes

[Toots the Wizard]

Magic & Castes

balance of magic In the Mysticverse, magic is commonly referred to as Mysticism. The word 'magic' refers to any culmination of mystic energies, which are invisible until harnessed and manifested into a particular form by someone able to harness magic. Almost all people in the Mysticverse are able to use magic, and those that cannot are looked down upon as second-rate. All magic is split into six different dimensions: elemental manipulation & conjuration, manifestation, augmentation, glamour, and misfit. Magic of each dimension is doled out evenly throughout the Mysticverse's residents, which balances out the amount of unstable energy that freely floats through the atmosphere. At this point, the high amount of magic flowing through the atmosphere is only kept in check by the amount of people who keep it moving. Magic energy left stagnant causes chaotic effects and produces strange creatures, so the Mysticverse who likely implode or erupt in fire or be plagued by terrifying creatures if all people were to stop using magic. Elemental This dimension includes two sub-dimensions, manipulation and conjuration. The element dimension is made up of the traditional elements of fire, water, earth, and air, but is not limited to those four. All physical substances can be considered elements, for the purpose of defining elemental magic. There are those that can only control fire as lava, water in its solid form, or earth limited to certain varieties of mineral. Then, there are those that combine elements, such as in weather manipulation or steam manipulation. Some magics involve the manipulation of more abstract concepts that loosely relate to the four elements, like blood, temperature, bones, saltwater, or toxins. Manipulation A dimension of magic focused on the control of a particular element. This means that the user can only control the element, as opposed to create it. The user can typically control the element without touching it, focusing on the substance and moving it mentally. Conjuration A dimension of magic focused on the creation of a particular element. This means that the user can only create the element, as opposed to control it. The substance can be formed a small distance from the user, but the user cannot necessarily control its course after it has been conjured. Manifestation This includes abilities relating to the creation of temporary life or form. This can include outer manifestation, like necromancy, which involves the reanimation of dead entities, summoning, which involves the manifestation of creatures from other realms, or animation, which involves bringing inanimate objects 'to life'. This can also include inner manifestation, such as shapeshifting, temporarily changing features of one's appearance, or growing extra limbs and appendages. Augmentation This includes abilities relating to the permanent enhancement of a natural skill. This can include enhanced strength or intelligence, and is a magic that is rarely obvious to the naked eye. Augmentation also deals with motor skills, allowing a person to breathe under water, fly without wings, teleport, regeneration, run at impossible speeds, or have heightened senses that allow them to notice or observe things normal people might not. This dimension also allows characters to have additional bodily functions, like spitting venom, growing fangs, or producing a prehensile tail. Augmentation is often the reasoning behind child prodigies and geniuses, as their advantages are entirely powered by magic rather than serendippity. Glamour This includes abilities relating to illusions or deception. This can include causing another person to see the user as something they are not, the creation of objects and people that are not tangible (but may be perceived as tangible to others), or forcing a person to feel a false emotion. Though glamouring is often used as a form of persuasion, a person can theoretically be made to believe they are experiencing pain, giving it combative qualities. Misfit This includes abilities that do not fit in any of the other dimensions. It is the dimension all residual magic energies are eventually recycled into. Sometimes referred to as 'chaotic,' misfit abilities range from restoring a person's life force to giving them temporary wings to enchanting weapons so that they blind a person on contact. The possibilities for misfit abilities are endless. castes All people into the Mysticverse are split into castes based on their magic potential. There are three castes, and each of them has a different level of respect. The castes are universal and understood by all residents of the Mysticverse, as embedded in time as racial prejudice or the events of the ages. Mundane The Mundane receive the most flack of the three castes, for being born without a single drop of magic potential. However, the lack of respect given to Mundane is not entirely baseless; it is rumored that the amount of magic use in the Mysticverse is currently the only thing keeping the energies from stagnating. Mundane are not without their place in society, however. They hold down regular jobs, usually dealing in a craft, and prove themselves by mastering less magic-oriented vocations. Potentiali Potentiali are the most abundant caste, and rightfully so. They keep the world spinning (figuratively) by using magic in day-to-day activities. All Potentiali are born with one innate ability, which usually manifests itself either with time or through the introduction of a catalyst that holds high magic power/an area with high magic density. Though they do possess magic, they are usually looked down upon by the High-Born. High-Born High-Born are the paragons of society in the Mysticverse. They hold the highest salary jobs, all positions of repute, and are the star students of the Academy for Gifted Mages. Most High-Born are gifted with two innate abilities, which come to them much sooner than Potentiali and do not require they be awakened by a catalyst. High-Born often look down on both Potentiali and Mundane for their lesser abilities.