Magic is an essential part of the fantasy word, and is also present in the Many Isles.

The Weave¹

Magic is a physical representation of things from another dimension, the Weave. It is from a completely different universe named Pruth-Henkuk.

A tiny part of this world can be entered or called upon through the Weave. It is a non-physical layer that overlaps with Ochebana, a realm of essence that can only be entered with a soul. All things in the material world are reflected there, and are bound to the essence of the Weave.

Interacting with the Weave. Most magic-users apply specific mantras (spells) that channel some of the Weave's energy and cause it to burst forth in the material world. Accomplished mages can feel the Weave to a certain distance around them, especially spotting spots drawing energy from it or Connected points. More powerful spellcasters, called seeing casters, can actually look into the Weave. The image they see is thwarted by their own perceptions - one might see the reflection of a forest as a mystical fey place, while another could see skeletal trees - but magical links and living souls manifest visibly, often as light or little flames. Seeing the Weave can help casters form their spells, as they can see the Weave reacting to their movements before the spell is actually released. For example, a wood elf would see the thrumming of the Weave as it spins around her coaxing hand, pulling light out of a tree that shrivels up and burns while a ball of fire erupts in the material world.

It is impossible to create material directly from Weave energy; however, to some degree of precision, Weave energy can be applied to bringing about transformations in the material world. For example, steam can be created by condensing surrounding humidity, and healing can be performed by encouraging body processes such as stimulating immune systems or blood clotting. It is also possible to transport matter through Weave Connections, though - except for very short distances - this requires serious infrastructure, like large fixed portals.

Using the Weave

There are two ways in which the Weave can be used to affect the real world, two kinds of magic: creation and transmission.

Creation. This is the act of pulling energy across out of the Weave, essentially "creating" it out of thin air.

Summoning energy, however, strains the essence of the summoner. An artifact that produces lighting can do so only a limited number of times before its connection to the Weave is so weakened and torn that it must wait for the links to reform.

The Weave can usually repair its strains by itself, but big holes caused by massive overuse can remain open for centuries or longer, manifesting as "antimagic fields" in the physical realm.

Connections / Translocation. Instead of pulling at the Weave and tearing it apart, another magical art is to transfer energy or matter through the Weave instead of the physical realm. Paired points, typically gemstones - with the sort determining the type of energy it can transfer - can ingest one kind of energy on one side and release a completely different energy over a certain distance from its Connected gem. In general, Connection is done by pairing two essences in the Weave and then transporting something through the Weave between these two paired items.

Translocation of matter can be done through powerful Connections such as ones of rare permanent portals, or through weaker links. Some spellcasters can teleport themselves or other matter to arbitrarily Connected points a short distance away; these "Connections" are very short-lived, typically lasting no longer than the actual translocation. It is also possible to Connect the actual matter with a gem, and draw the matter - even living - to the gem over a certain distance.

Connections between one point to multiple others are possible, but very difficult. Mortal arcana barely attained this art at its peak; in Oshmondu, the Dwarves discovered how to create communication fugues in 250 OW. Mostly, such networks were restricted to deities and similar supernatural phenomena.

Stable Connections, such as properly built energy Connections between gems or permanent portals, operated with little to no Weave straining. Others, however, could cause serious straining and only be used for small amounts of time. This included virtually all mortal teleportation. In some cases, the straining occurred around the spellcaster; in others, it resulted in the Connection being permanently torn, and often the two items suffering serious damage.

Articles

Further Sources

Magic Systems

Grand Guide