There was a saying among ancient mages, "You command what you understand."
The Mer, or Elves in the modern tongue, studied the workings of the mind, what in modern times is called psychology, and as such, their magic allowed them to control the power of the mind, including many of what we call psychic powers.
The Men, primitive at the time, studied the elements, and as such gained control over them.
The Dwarves, masters of mining and crafting, studied the structure of materials, and gained power over that structure through Alchemy.
The two great flying races, Dragons and Wyverns also learned to use magic, but used it in radically different ways. The Dragons studied the forms of the various creatures of the world, in modern times Biology, and gained the power to take on the traits of other creatures, or in some cases their forms. The Wyverns, however, were only concerned with power, and as such gained control over energy in its many forms, both Biological and mundane. While the Wyverns continue to haunt the skies, searching for prey or enemies to do battle with, many Dragons chose to take the forms of the other races of intelligent beings and live among them. Along with their ability to halt the aging process after maturity, as turtles do naturally, their command of biology has lead to them being known as the wisest of the races, and are often seen in the courts of rulers.
Just over one hundred years ago the island of Trisara was discovered. It was heralded as a land where all races could learn to live together, but sadly that hasn't been a complete success. The Hundredth anniversary celebration of the founding of the city-state of Paragon begins soon. The city boasts a ruling city council made up of all major races, save Wyverns, and one of the most beloved security forces in the world, gaining their funds not from the people, but from a sales tax on the merchants and from the various leaders in the city who donate to the guard in order to boast that they care more about the people than their competitors.
Unknown to them, however, an army of Wyvern have teamed up with Bandits and have gathered 50 miles to the East. Using dirigibles to bypass the walls, they plan to sack the city of its riches, using what they gain to conquer even more.
---
You don't have to stick with the ancient distinctions in magic, though. There's no reason a Mer can't learn to conjure lightning, or a Dragon to do Alchemy, it's just considered core education to know the basics of your race's magic type. Magic is a school subject, like Math, Languages, or Science.
Just for the record, I referred to Mer, Men, Dwarves, Dragons, and Wyvern as Major races. There are also minor races which generally lack the technology, magical prowess, or intelligence to function among the other races. For example, Giants aren't very bright, though they can work simple metals and have some rudimentary magics. Lycans (Wolfmen) are tribals who use bone, leather and stone to craft, and their magic is rare outside of the healers and spiritual leaders. While we can deal with minor races, it isn't on the same level as the other races. In fact, a few thousand years ago Men were considered a minor race by the others.
Feel free to play as one of them if you want. It would be interesting.
The Mer, or Elves in the modern tongue, studied the workings of the mind, what in modern times is called psychology, and as such, their magic allowed them to control the power of the mind, including many of what we call psychic powers.
The Men, primitive at the time, studied the elements, and as such gained control over them.
The Dwarves, masters of mining and crafting, studied the structure of materials, and gained power over that structure through Alchemy.
The two great flying races, Dragons and Wyverns also learned to use magic, but used it in radically different ways. The Dragons studied the forms of the various creatures of the world, in modern times Biology, and gained the power to take on the traits of other creatures, or in some cases their forms. The Wyverns, however, were only concerned with power, and as such gained control over energy in its many forms, both Biological and mundane. While the Wyverns continue to haunt the skies, searching for prey or enemies to do battle with, many Dragons chose to take the forms of the other races of intelligent beings and live among them. Along with their ability to halt the aging process after maturity, as turtles do naturally, their command of biology has lead to them being known as the wisest of the races, and are often seen in the courts of rulers.
Just over one hundred years ago the island of Trisara was discovered. It was heralded as a land where all races could learn to live together, but sadly that hasn't been a complete success. The Hundredth anniversary celebration of the founding of the city-state of Paragon begins soon. The city boasts a ruling city council made up of all major races, save Wyverns, and one of the most beloved security forces in the world, gaining their funds not from the people, but from a sales tax on the merchants and from the various leaders in the city who donate to the guard in order to boast that they care more about the people than their competitors.
Unknown to them, however, an army of Wyvern have teamed up with Bandits and have gathered 50 miles to the East. Using dirigibles to bypass the walls, they plan to sack the city of its riches, using what they gain to conquer even more.
---
You don't have to stick with the ancient distinctions in magic, though. There's no reason a Mer can't learn to conjure lightning, or a Dragon to do Alchemy, it's just considered core education to know the basics of your race's magic type. Magic is a school subject, like Math, Languages, or Science.
Just for the record, I referred to Mer, Men, Dwarves, Dragons, and Wyvern as Major races. There are also minor races which generally lack the technology, magical prowess, or intelligence to function among the other races. For example, Giants aren't very bright, though they can work simple metals and have some rudimentary magics. Lycans (Wolfmen) are tribals who use bone, leather and stone to craft, and their magic is rare outside of the healers and spiritual leaders. While we can deal with minor races, it isn't on the same level as the other races. In fact, a few thousand years ago Men were considered a minor race by the others.
Feel free to play as one of them if you want. It would be interesting.
