MAGIC IN VEXIVERSE:

Origins of Magic:

- The origins of magic are from the six primal energies: Air, Fire, Water, Earth, Wood, and Metal, which are each symbolized by one of the Old Gods
[Air: Wyvern ; Fire: Salamander ; Water: Serpent ; Earth: Dragon ; Wood: Ampithere ; Metal: Hydra]

- The offspring of these gods created a host of new energies which make up the remainder of the energies which inhabit the planet. The secondaries energies are listed, represented by the Drakes, but any energies of the third class or lower are not represented by any individual creature

-Energies decrease in strength as they are combined: Primal energies are the most powerful, secondary energies have less strength, etc

- The secondary energies are as follows: [Fire/Air: Lightning ; Fire/Earth: Magma ; Fire/Water: Smoke ; Fire/Wood: Ash ; Fire/Metal: Slag ; Water/Air: Ice ; Water/Earth: Mud ; Water/Wood: Swamp ; Water/Metal: Acid ; Earth/Air: Dust ; Earth/Wood: Stone ; Earth/Metal: Crystal ; Air/Wood: Spores ; Air/Metal: Corrosion ; Wood/Metal: Automation]

-Magic, when used inappropriately, can have disastrous consequences. Long term exposure to magic or even short term exposure to high concentrations of magic can have a disfiguring effect on the body (for those that survive it). Using more Chi or energy than your body is capable of handling can lead to serious injury, disability, death, or, in some rare cases, flesh liquidation

-Slimes are the purest living source of magic in existence, as they are made entirely of magic-corrupted stem cells that can take any formn (to an extent; their shapeshifting is rather rudimentary)

Sources of Magic:

- Magic is capable of being used by everyone, although certain species have an aptitude for specific types of magic and natural abilities vary between species and individuals. Those with so little magical ability that they cannot practice any useful magic are known as Squibs, although being a Squib is of no major societal detriment anymore

-Magic is a force not unlike radiation that exists both naturally and unnaturally in a variety of places. Much like energy, it cannot be created or destroyed, simply converted into different forms and transferred between objects

-Magic can be found naturally in the elements-- it is in this form that magic is at its most pure, as well as in living things in the form of Chi

-Magic can also be sealed in talismans or other objects using runes, which draw magic from other sources and trap them within the desired objects. These runes, which are the basis of spell books, can easily transfer magic between objects and are activated when spoken aloud

-Magic can be channeled from nature via spells, incantations, alchemy, and the like, but the most important way to channel it-- and only way to obtain Chi from oneself-- is to have faith in one's abilities and the action being performed

Schools of Magic:

-A variety of magical schools exist, each with a varied approach to channeling magic. They all focus on a specific source of magic or method of channeling

-ELEMENTAL MAGIC focuses specifically on the "pure" or primal elements, teaching their disciples to manipulate and create these elements for combat and pragmatic purposes. Most students focus on one element in particular, as each requires a special outlook and style. This school trains its students on focus, connecting with the elements, and directing their flow through movement by balancing it with their own Chi

-PHYSICAL MAGIC requires less skill, but is limited in power by its resources. Those who practice physical magic focus on their own Chi, using faith, intent, and balance to heighten their skills. These mages also rely on other creatures' Chi to supplement their own, which they gain by wearing, snorting, or otherwise consuming the flesh of other creatures. Specific parts of specific creatures provide a variety of effects that these mages know well

-OBJECT MAGIC relies on external power sources and is generally the easiest school of magic to learn. Object mages use runes to create reserves of magical energy in objects, which they can then call upon for later use. While the objects (which include talismans, cards, and spells) are quick and easy to use, they are time-consuming to make and cannot be created durin a crisis, as they require focused Chi to complete. Though they often serve as merchants, selling charms and protection to travelers, their power is not to be doubted; some mages can seal entire creatures within these objects to draw on their power

-PSYCHIC MAGIC is all about oneself, using one's own Chi to manipulate the objects around them. Difficult, costly, and dangerous, psychic magic is rare among mages. Though it is powerful, it requires a lot of Chi, which many individuals and species simply don't have. Using psychic magic is often connected with "opening one's third eye" and looking both inside oneself and outside simultaneously

-COSMIC MAGIC is the highest form of magic that exists, drawing on celestial bodies for power and gaining the ability to even alter the fabric of time and space. This form of magic has the highest requirements of initial magic, chi, and ability. Very few are able to accomplish this magic and even fewer try

-NATURE MAGIC is not the same as Wood Elemental Magic, though they appear similar. Nature Magic specifically focuses on connecting one's Chi with other creatures around you. These mages can "lock" or "thread" their Chi with another being, which allows them to steal it to power their own spells, shapeshift, or concentrate the magic into energy they can use for spells. Those in good standing with the land around them can rely on its protection and hide among it

-SPIRIT MAGIC is a bit of a misnomer: it's not magic at all. It uses minimal Chi and does not rely on "magic", only faith. Spirit Mages rely on others to help them, using rituals, chants, candles, and salt circles to summon magical beasts or spirits to do their bidding. Unless combined with object magic, this cannot be done quickly, so spirit mages are not very effective in combat until they make a pact with a spirit or beast to aid them in times of need. Spirit mages generally work in the long term, casting curses and hexes on others which "mark" them as a spirit's next target. Spirit Mages often double as object mages, trapping the spirits they summon in objects and using their rage as a source of Chi. Objects with trapped spirits are referred to as "haunted"

-ALCHEMY is the most scientific of the magic schools and is also, technically, not magic. Transmutation and other principles of alchemy rely on science and measurement in place of faith. Alchemy is technical above all else, requiring research and patience above all, so it is not for those in search of a quick fix. Potions are considered alchemy, and since they can contain magical objects and have magical properties, they are considered "magical". Most alchemists specialize in potions