Ordered Spellcraft

Original users: Jinn

Current users: Spirits, Faye, Magical Beasts

Ordered Spellcraft or Arcane Magic is the type of magic that can only be performed by supernatural and preternatural creatures, namely the majority of spirits, faye, and magical beasts.

Species that can perform arcane magic also have inherent abilities that resulted from magoi being naturalized into their genetics and biochemistry, creating biomagical molecules. That is to say there are magic-like but natural actions they can do without actual spells. This is often called Innate Magic to make them distinct from actual spells.

The appearance of spells can be observed in any number of ways such as puffs of smoke, bolts resembling lighting, energy rays, glittery sparkles, or things spontaneously happening.

Natural beings (like humans) are incapable of directly ordering mana to manifest as spells and effecting the physical world and its laws. They can however make use of materials and devices (like a wand) that can pull of the indirect manipulations possible with spell-craft.

= Applications =

By being able to converse with and give mana special orders, it allows them to reproduce natural phenomena or create those that manipulate or run counter to everyday occurrences. It affects the caster’s world mainly by bending the current physical laws like the traditional idea of magic. The major limit is that Users are limited to defying the laws of physics, and cannot rewrite or manipulate universes themselves, save for artificially created pocket dimensions. (Gravity still pulls down, even if it takes a really long time to do so. Unless gravity in a confined area is reversed, then vice-versa). Arcane Magic can often disregard certain observed scientific laws such as thermodynamics and energy conservation based on the users intent, but only as long as the spell is in effect or the source of it is supplying.

Arcane magic is traditionally defined by spells designed for these purposes:

Divination- Gathering information, sensing the future, immediately relevant events, or sending the senses beyond their usual range

Elemental- Manipulating the various forces or materials of nature in multiple ways

-Fire (Heat) -Electricity/Lighting

-Water -Metal

-Earth (Mineral) -Sound

-Air -Natural(Organic)

Mentalism- Powers affecting the minds and emotions of others.

Nature-power over or using the physical abilities of plants, animals and the like.

Summon-Having assistance from others or the creation of a servant or companion and their movements

Transmutation-Turning something into something else or altering its properties

Dark Magic-Giving misfortune to the opponent with the intent of benefiting the user.

Light Magic-Fortunate or beneficial effects and purposes.

= Spell-casting and Preparation =

When it comes to preparing or casting spells, there are various ways to go about doing it.

Sign

Tracing a symbol or mark in the air, creating a path for ley lines and runes for mana to quickly flow through and activate when synchronizing with the caster's will.

Gesture

Physical movement ranging from simply pointing to grand sweeping movements.

Dance

Require specific body movements and rhythms to be activated, often calling forth emotional drive from the caster.

Ward

Geometric rituals, traced shapes and diagrams to function. Most symbols create a focal point of ley lines which collect mana into potential energy.

Component

The material (or immaterial like sounds) ingredients you need to call forth a spell.

Incantation

Words or a phrase, which must be completed in their entirety for the magic to activate. The length of the incantation generally corresponds to the power of the spell itself – a spell with a short incantation has a weaker effect, and so on. Mantras are primarily used as spiritual conduits, words or phrases that instill concentration in the mage. Many mages use mantras as a focal point. The mantra can be any kind of phrase or even nonsense, as long it is a source of comfort and comes naturally to the mage.

Lyrical

A spell that works via music: playing a certain song or a magical instrument that causes a spell-like effect to happen, often calling upon strong emotions.

Focus

A focus is distinct from ingredients by being a reusable tool for doing magic. Most often they have materials that resonate with vibrations in mana such as gemstones or contain the organ of a supernatural/preternatural creature.

We often have to make a distinction between preparation and activation. Both still use the above the list of components, but some of them may only have a role in creating a spell, while other will serve as a trigger to make it go off.

Spells do not necessarily need to be cast as soon as they are created. If a spell for the user to hold onto a spell after construction to be used later, then it can have a construction method that takes very long such as Ritual Magic (explained later), and still allow for spells that are cast instantly when they are needed, or to be used for fast-paced magical battles.