Progressive Arcanum

[TheHangedMan]

I wanted to see if there was anyone interested in (another) school of magic-esque RP. Of course, in an effort to make this an individual and special RP, I've tried fleshing it out a bit.

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Premise:

In a Continent called Feledia, on a country known as Lismos, despite looking much like our Middle-Ages, the country of Lisomos is plenty more prosperous than our own counterpart at that time. This is due to the discovery and constant research of Magic. While the study of science has not been stunted (thus leading to several discoveries such as gunpowder and steel) Magic has had a 5000 year head start, meaning that in the society of Lismos and other neighboring countries, Magic is more useful and thus more important than science.

In response to the need of society for magic, plenty of countries have established many Academy's in an effort to increase the population of competent Magic-users, known at large as 'Magestrava' or 'Magestravii' in plural. The quality and curriculum of each Academy vary, but the particular focus this time is Aledine Public Academy.

It is well known in Lismos as being a both a school of ill-repute, and one of the only Academies that teaches regular people alongside the Magestrava. They do not study magic of course, but instead focus their time on general studies such as politics and economics.

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The RP is centralized around the life of these students and (possibly) teachers as they go about their day-to-day, not so normal, lives.

Important details specific to the RP:
[indent]

Detailed magic system (but I won't be too strict on this)

Various and specific styles and branches of magic.

Teamwork, social-standing, and interaction is important.

A detailed back-story is essential. The reasons for your character learning magic is essential at some points.

Lots of random NPC's will pop-up to mess with your character (generally controlled by me, though you can do the same if necessary for character development)

Well, this is the general idea. I might make some changes according to public opinion (assuming this even gets popular enough to start xD) So what do you guys think? Too much or too little?

[Traitor]

TheHangedMan said
Detailed magic system (but I won't be too strict on this)

Various and specific styles and branches of magic.

Intriguing. Depending on how exactly these two points turn out, I might be in for it.

[xxTripwire]

I may very well be interested, too. How many people are you looking for?

[jetipster]

Subscribed with interest

[Sam12435]

Yo. My interest has been peaked and I would like to throw my hat in the ring. Sounds like a good concept to me.

[Leotamer]

Sounds interesting, do Fay exist and if so, to what extent.

[TheHangedMan]

Oh, wow I got replies xD

Anyway, since it seems I've garnered some interest, I'll elaborate a bit more now (I'll probably add this on the mainpost later):

On the magic system:

There are four basic units or energies of magic. Each energy has a specific use., and spontaneous use of it without purpose is known as magic.Magistraava are humans that can access and mold these energies for a specific use. This is commonly known as spellwork or spell casting.
The four units of energy are collectively known as the Maian. They are:

Xi - Physical energy that boosts the power of the body or powers raw spells that interact with the physical world. It is generated from the heart and overuse of it could cause heart-attacks or fulbody paralysisl-

Sakra - Energy for the mind that is needed for things like clairvoyance, mindreading and telepathy. It's source is from the brain, and overuse of this Maian can cause insanity or blindness.

Karma - Nature energy that is required to cast elemental spells. Overuse can cause liquification, spontaneous combustion, petrification, dehydration and others.

Mana - Known also as Supremes Maians or the supreme energy, Mana has no other use asides destroying the other three energies and recycling them into new forms. No living creature can use Mana without side-effects, as it destroys all the energy in your body. The source of Mana is said to come from the stars, but no-one is quite sure of it.

I'll add more info such as beastiaries and magic styles later.

[Zmerr]

interested in a non-magic, weapon-specialized character? maybe a teacher?

[Komamisa]

You've captured my interest. I've a student in mind!

A set of questions, though:

• You have illustrated rather clear cut risks/prices involved with the over-utilization of a magic source, is learning how to efficiently draw on energy so as to delay/mitigate the consequences part of the curriculum? Rather, the over-usage of Xi can cause heart-attacks and full body paralysis, but would sufficient training mean that a magician can use progressively greater Xi based spells, with significantly less risk? Or do Magicians have set potentials where they'll have to do as much as they can with whatever amount of energy they have?


• Does magical energy in enough (or any) quantity have tangible form/affect their surroundings? For example, does a powerful Xi user have a visible aura, or a Sakra user of particular acuity unconsciously emit a sort of mental pressure/burden upon those around them? Would places with high amounts of Karma would have strange effects on the flora and fauna? I figure a place saturated in Mana would look incomprehensible, though, being a point where energy dies and is reborn.
  
  Ultimately, I'm asking if it's possibly like Rukh of the Magi series of Manga/Anime, where magical energy (it's more like Life Energy) takes the form of butterflies made of light, where only those with Magical Prowess can see them unless they're gathered in rather extreme amounts.


• Slightly less complicated, can the energies be mixed to gain varied results? (I am really avoiding a "Will it blend?" joke, here.)

[TheHangedMan]

Zmerr said
interested in a non-magic, weapon-specialized character? maybe a teacher?

Non-magic students are very much welcome. Take note, however, that if you're a battle oriented kind of RP'er, or if you're character gets in to fights a lot, no-magic users are an at immediate and steep disadvantage. As for weapons, there are such things as enchanted weapons, but those are generally expensive and rare to come by. Non-magical weapons consist of medieval weapons up to and including the musket.

Also, non-magic students are usually scholars that are interested in politics and economics. Otherwise, they are training to become Knights.

Komamisa said
You've captured my interest. I've a student in mind!A set of questions, though:

Valid questions, Anyway, to answer them:

Much like exercise, the more you train with it, the better you get. So yes, people that train with the different energies can use them more efficiently.

For Xi and Sakra, there are no visible effects to their surrounding no matter the quantity. This is because this is an energy that comes from and is controlled purely by the one who generates it. It's different with Mana and Karma though, because they are what is known as Outer Maians and large quantities of the do affect their surroundings.

Good question. This is the basis of spellwork. To create a spell, you absolutely have to mix them. For example, to creat a simple fireball, you have to balance a mix of Karma, Xi, and Sakra. Why? Karma is so you can effectively dye your spell so it can become 'fire', while Sakra is the sort of 'blueprint' for your spell, and is needed to give it specific instructions and shape, and Xi is needed so the spell actually comes to life and so you can control it; essentially, Xi is the fuel of the spell. There are of course, exceptions, but I'll get on to that later.

[Komamisa]

Thank you for your detailed reply. I quite like how you've envisioned your magical system, so count me as definitely interested! It really fits well with how I've always liked magic.

I notice that the magical terms are of Asian/Eastern influence rather than those of the much more common Western schools of magical theories, does this apply to elements as well (i.e. Earth/Wind/Fire/Air/Void[Mana] or, perhaps more fittingly, the seven chakras)?

Though I realize the definition of elements may be more flexible as you did mention "Various and specific styles and branches of magic".

[TheHangedMan]

Komamisa said
Thank you for your detailed reply. I quite like how you've envisioned your magical system, so count me as interested! It really fits well with how I've always liked magic.
I notice that the magical terms are of Asian/Eastern influence rather than those of the much more common Western schools of magical theories, does this apply to elements as well (i.e. Earth/Wind/Fire/Air/Void[Mana] or, perhaps more fittingly, the seven chakras)?
Though I realize the definition of elements may be more flexible as you did mention "Various and specific styles and branches of magic".

Nice to have you on board with this :)
The styles and sources of magic were definitely inspired by Eastern, but there is a good deal of Western magic in here as well. Ultimately, however, I am trying to go with an original feel.

Now, as to the different styles of magic:

Alchemy - The simplest and most straightforward branch of magic. It's focus is on give-and-take relationships between materials and their effects. Students of this branch create potions or enchanted items, usually en-mass. Advanced studies of Alchemy work with living objects, and intertwines commonly with Necromancy.

Outsorcery - Study of magical energies and how they are used to affect the physical (hence, outside) world. Elemental manipulation, barrier creation and healing magic fall under this branch of magic, as does Teleportation and bodily augmentation, such as Reinforcement.

Insorcery - Study of magical energies and how they affect the mind (hence, Inside). Mind-reading, Clairvoyance, Farsight, Hypnosis, and other related magics fall under this branch of magic. Insorcery also teaches different ways to counteract and create barriers versus forces against the mind.

Necromancy - a fairly difficult and advanced branch of magic. Necromancy focuses on the study of magical energies and non-living and living organic beings. Not illegal, but novices are discouraged from practicing it because of the many ways your spells can go wrong.

Automancy - Study of how magic is used to manipulate non-organic structures. Students of this branch are usually expert magic puppeteers, or fortress or castle builders. A popular branch of magic because of its low-difficulty.

Pythomancy - Study of magical beasts. Actually not a branch that uses magic, but is still classified as one, nonetheless. Normal students are welcome to take it (provided they are ready for the risks)

Ouramancy - Study of Supreme Magical Beings (commonly known as Divine Spirits or Gods) and Lesser Magical Beings (commonly known as Cursing Spirits and Devils). Note that this is a rarely studied branch because it takes talents to interact with either Being.

Akasha-Deviancy - Study of the Universe and how to manipulate it. The highest-class of magic. A theoretical branch only.

Uploading other details later.

[TheHangedMan]

Double post :P

[ViridianHue]

Very intriguing. Interested. :)

[Zmerr]

when will we know who's in?

[Imperfectionist]

Oh, I like this! Count me in, one hundred percent. Most of my preliminary questions seem to have been answered already, but I have a couple:

1. So, I get that we're students in this academy and all, but I'm guessing there's going to be some kind of conflict that comes up at the beginning? In my experience, academy-style RPs die faster than mayflies without a story that draws the characters together... Not necessarily having something for them to fight, just something for them to do other than go to class and have schoolyard drama. I'm just saying, if it's only supposed to be about personal discovery and enlightenment through magic... It might not work out.

2. Most the magical disciplines are straightforward enough, but does Ouramancy include, say, speaking to the dead ("human spirits")? Maybe just restless spirits trapped on the physical plane? And, which of the energies would be expended by speaking to a Divine Spirit or a Devil? Sakra?

[TheHangedMan]

Imperfectionist said
Oh, I like this! Count me in, one hundred percent. Most of my preliminary questions seem to have been answered already, but I have a couple:1. So, I get that we're students in this academy and all, but I'm guessing there's going to be some kind of conflict that comes up at the beginning? In my experience, academy-style RPs die faster than mayflies without a story that draws the characters together... Not necessarily having something for them to , just something for them to other than go to class and have schoolyard drama. I'm just saying, if it's only supposed to be about personal discovery and enlightenment through magic... It might not work out.2. Most the magical disciplines are straightforward enough, but does Ouramancy include, say, speaking to the dead ("human spirits")? Maybe just restless spirits trapped on the physical plane? And, which of the energies would be expended by speaking to a Divine Spirit or a Devil? Sakra?

Good questions, again. To answer:

Yes, there will be conflict early on, and it most definitely will get worse from there. Anything else would be spoiling :)

Yes, Ouramancy includes speaking to the dead, which are technically classified as 'Lesser Magical Beings'. Ouramancy is hard to study and rarely has adept students because it takes a certain 'talent' to use it. The energies involved are Xi, Sakra and Karma, but only Ouramancers are born with the ability to utilize them in a way interact with Divine Spirits or Demons.

[Imperfectionist]

Hmm, I suppose it's because those beings are composed of the energies? It requires all three, because that combination is what makes them Magical Beings... Or something like that, I'm sure.

Anyway, I would love to play an Ouramancer, then. Are there any superstitions surrounding them, or downsides to using the magic that could play into a character background? And what about religious groups in Lismos? Are there any who look at godspeak as blasphemy, or anything like that?

[TheHangedMan]

Imperfectionist said
Hmm, I suppose it's because those beings are composed of the energies? It requires all three, because that combination is what makes them Magical Beings... Or something like that, I'm sure.Anyway, I would love to play an Ouramancer, then. Are there any superstitions surrounding them, or downsides to using the magic that could play into a character background? And what about religious groups in Lismos? Are there any who look at godspeak as blasphemy, or anything like that?

Right on the mark. You need control of those energies to interact with Magical Beings. Sakra to imagine their shape, Xi to give their shape form and substance, and Karma, because they're huge chunks of Karma in reality.

If you decided to play as an Ouramancer, your character will be extremely specialized, and will probably be useless in all other branches asides from the simplest ones. Ouramancers are generally regarded as 'priests' because they can communicate with Divine Spirits that can affect the land or banish Devils that cause chaos, so they're generally well respected.

As for religion, there are branches and pantheons, but generally, worship is tied to the land, rather than a single belief. Think tribal worship over Christianity.

[Komamisa]

Ah, random question, in the character sheets, do you have any issues with manga-style art? I ask ahead of time so I can plan my appearance section accordingly.

TheHangedMan said
Yes, Ouramancy includes speaking to the dead, which are technically classified as 'Lesser Magical Beings'

Which leads me to a thought (pardon the following mess): in some Eastern lore, ancestral spirits for some bloodlines occasionally garner enough power/prestige to be considered as minor guardian deities (even as "minor" deities, this still implies a certain amount of power exceeding that of lesser demons), usually having to do with burial and rites traditions, along with a historical connection with the supernatural. I might be looking into it too much, but as a tie-in with Necromancy, could that mean beginner-level Ouramancers might be able to act as spiritual mediums for their bloodline's ancestors, should their history be strong enough; would those strong familial traditions/connections in mysticism affect their chances of being born with an Ouramancer's ability?

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To note, I'm currently planning on someone that specializes in Outsorcery, with a great deal of interest in Pythomancy. Expect backstory tie-ins as to why~