Dead Cruiser

Scion: Children of Light - Bronze Age Fantasy Magic Academy

@Obscene Symphony I don't plan for you to be spread across more than maybe two Cults, and there will be opportunities to interact in greater Photep.

Scion: Children of Light - Bronze Age Fantasy Magic Academy

@Achronum A good question, but one that requires a complex answer. Spellcasting can take a variety of forms on Ea, but most of those are what Photepi Sorcerers would refer to dismissively as "witchcraft." Incantations, summoning circles, sacrifices, that sort of thing.

What differentiates Sorcery as our characters understand it is that it uses similar theoretical components, but they exist solely within the Sorcerer's mind. Sorcerers use their will and focus to direct and transmute aetheric energy, and so for them, "spells" resemble formulas or programs that they must perform mentally in order to manifest magical power. This requires considerable mental and physical discipline, somewhat akin to one who practices Yoga as part of their religion. However, these are the basic tenets of Sorcery. You need to be able to do this competently in order to even be considered for induction into the Cults of Heka.

The practices and research that more experienced and powerful Sorcerers engage in are more complex. They frequently study the effect that external influences have on spellcasting; the interplay of the cosmos, Ea, and the Aether. They train vigorously to be able to draw and control more energy from the Aether without overwhelming themselves. They condition their senses to gain more insight into the tides and tempests of the Aether, and what can be learned from their patterns. Larger and more complex spellcraft requires the tools of "witchcraft," but in much more sophisticated forms. Glyphs are designed as aetheric conduits or focusing tools, and can be large and ornate enough to have entire buildings as part of their geometric structure. Incantations are most often used as a means of coordinating the spellcasting efforts of multiple Sorcerers pooling their power for a group ritual. Sacrifices... are the domain of Demonologists, and so are not the concern of bright young Novitiates such as yourselves.

Scion: Children of Light - Bronze Age Fantasy Magic Academy

@Obscene SymphonyIf you want to, sure.

Scion: Children of Light - Bronze Age Fantasy Magic Academy

@SilverPaw In my mind there's little difference between an illusion and any other kind of magical attack. You attempt to manifest it, and it either succeeds or fails. Things like pure mind control are master-level spells that won't be in player hands for a long time if at all. I don't anticipate PvP having much presence in this RP, and I would expect that we're all mature enough to handle IC conflict in a reasomable and empathetic manner.

This is my personal philosophy but I don't really pay particular mind to the idea of being "overpowered" in freeform roleplay like this. RP is based on a social contract; if I can trust you to follow basic rules of RP etiquette, I should be able to trust you not to ruin the game with your character's powers.

Scion: Children of Light - Bronze Age Fantasy Magic Academy

@Cu Chulainn I can't work with the concept as you're currently describing it. I'll give you a metaphor to get across why it doesn't work out. In our world, scientists theorize about the existence of dark matter, but they can't actually prove its existence. Then one day, an undergraduate at MIT shows up with photos of dark matter from a Polaroid camera. When pressed about how this was accomplished, they claim to be a savant.

Does this make my position any clearer? We can work out ideas for your character over PM if you would like.

Scion: Children of Light - Bronze Age Fantasy Magic Academy

Also I would like to point out at this juncture that we're currently suffering from a dearth of female characters. The couple of other characters I've seen, currently waiting in the wings, are also males. While I'm not saying I won't approve of any more boys, a little balance would go a long way.

Scion: Children of Light - Bronze Age Fantasy Magic Academy

@Cu Chulainn The matter of death/the afterlife is a very tricky subject for Sorcerers. Studies into magic relating to the metaphysical nature of death and the potential existence of a soul after death are essentially on the bleeding edge of magical research. Therefor I don't think it likely that a Novitiate would have such a specialization.

Scion: Children of Light - Bronze Age Fantasy Magic Academy

@Crusader Lord
Well, to answer in order...

Treatment of bastard children depends generally on the culture within their community. Photep is a rather diverse place. From a bureaucratic standpoint, single mothers can apply for government assistance to raise children on their own if the father is unknown or denies involvement. Given this, foundlings are uncommon in Photep's sparse orphanages, but they are not unheard of.

Prostitutes and other sex workers have their own Fellowships, and are legally as legitimate a profession as any other.

The Crimson King poignantly has no children, and is not even known to keep consorts. Given that he is for all intent and purposes an ageless and seemingly divine being, he has no need for an heir. "The mountain has only one pinnacle," is a quote attributed to him.

Scion: Children of Light - Bronze Age Fantasy Magic Academy

@Crusader Lord Poverty among Photepi citizens is considered a failing of their local governance, and while not unheard of, is truly uncommon. If someone is falling into poverty due to, say, a slowdown in business, generally their Fellowship will pick up the slack and provide for them until they can support themselves again. Failing that, there are usually social programs in place to keep citizens fed and housed. For someone to completely slip through the cracks, it would have to be a perfect storm of an incompetent or uncaring district governance, a freelance or unskilled worker, an inability or unwillingness to petition to higher government, and for them to go unnoticed by the Khenetai. Definitely uncommon, but not impossible.

Scion: Children of Light - Bronze Age Fantasy Magic Academy

@Crusader Lord Feelings about Tutelaries vary among Sorcerers. Some see them as little more than useful tools at best, and vain, talkative accessories at worst. Some feel that they are a distraction, conveniences that make Sorcerers reliant on them and weaken their fundamental skills. There are others that see them as vital portents, the Sorcerer's future divined through the Aether and cast into living form.

But to be succinct, if your character summoned something off the wall compared to their peers, it would be noted as odd but the significance of it varies depending on the individual.