On magic and its applications

Magic, sorcery, spellcraft. The application of the higher mysteries has been a fascination for most peoples since the dawn of time. In Arglalis, research into this field dates back to before the coming of the Isidorian Empire, the ancient Mithradians, and even the line of the Elven High Kings.

While the forces behind the use of the arcane aren't bound by physics, their effects can be. e.g. A fireball won't burn a mage's hand when he casts it, but it will eventually run out of fuel if it doesn't hit anything. Likewise, someone clever can outwit a careless sorcerer by, say, sticking a metal rod in the ground if someone is casting a spell related to lightning.

-Souls and magic

All living creatures have souls; these are the central driving force behind the functioning of the body. If the body ceases to function, the soul will most likely slip beyond the veil, though there are those who managed to remain, either as ghosts, having stored their soul in an artefact or another body. Magic itself is across the world, like background radiation, existing in varying degrees of strength and accessibility. All souls possess some magical potential, though the power to actually draw upon and apply said power or to cast it is much rarer.

All mages must be born with the innate ability to actually cast the magical energies they have in their possession. Their training thus revolves around the general safety of casting and the teaching of how efficiently to draw upon said reserves. Casting can be done by hand or by the speaking of words but can be made more effective.

-Spells and enchanted items.

Most mages can inherently cast a few spells by nature, though they aren't the most effective, nor will they always give the same outcome. Spells, and by extension spellbooks, are there to standardise most magic and to make certain they will give the intended effects. Spells are said by uttering words of power; to say a word of power, one must be able to cast magic and have the intention of using the word for its intended purpose. If you say it without having the intention of casting, it won't manifest.

To focus and amplify the spell, the caster can make use of enchanted wands, staffs, rings or amulets. These enchanted items can help to channel and enhance the magic being cast, increasing its potency. To create these items, a magic user pours in some of the energy of his innate reserves, which naturally regenerate. Alternative uses of such jewellery are to store additional magic reserves if the maker believes that to be necessary.

-rituals

On occasion, it is decided that a larger spell is necessary for whatever purpose the mage has in mind; in this case, a larger group of wizards can convene to conduct a ritual. Which can last as long as a few years. The forms of the rituals can vary; some are akin to religious services, others more like academic debates, and others again can be of a darker purpose, like a sacrifice.