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Formaroth: Magic Guide




(Note: This is not the limit of what mages can do, just a summary of the known, and practised magic in the world.)

Destruction Magic
Destruction is a form of magic that focuses mainly on the offensive use of magic. Mages often use magic in an elemental or primal form. The strength of a destruction spell is based on the skill of the mage wielding it. Like most other magic forms, a destruction spell can be amplified in power and size depending on the amount of mages casting it. The most common ways this form is utilized are as followed:

Force:
The most commonly used form of destruction magic, force focuses around using magic in its purest form. Utilised in battle in the form of basic shockwaves, however, mages can train to use it in more sophisticated manners such as telekinesis. Skilled mages can also vary the size of the shockwaves, even direct them, and use them as a way to cut through their opponents.

Fire:
Another common form of destruction spells, fire magic proves to have the most devastating effects when used on the field of battle. Despite most mages having the talent to create fire with ease, battle mages must train for years to be able to control it effectively, as well as being able to extinguish it at will. Though fire can be effective in a battle it is not all powerful, the intensity of the flames depends on the skill of the mage using it. For example an average mage would have difficulty trying to counter a knight in full plate.

Lightning:
Lightning magic in its controlled form, is difficult, as it needs pure magic to be converted into this fantastic form of magickal energy. This energy is produced, though not limited to, in the form of lightning. Though lightning is an incredibly powerful form of destruction magic, it is wholly difficult to control, and only those of a magister level can direct it with precision. As a result, mages tend to only use this while fighting on their own due to the high risk of friendly fire to their surrounding comrades.

Ice:
Along with force and fire, ice is another common form of destruction that battle mages use. Most mages have the ability to control water via telekinesis. However, during battle this is near pointless. Mages have the ability to change the temperature of different objects including water. Many mages lower the temperature of water until it turns into ice, which they may then use to send deadly sharp ice shards towards the directions of their enemies. Mages also possess the ability to use ice on a much grander scale, however, a large quantity of water must be present. In circumstantial situations, the only water mages have ready at hand, is what they bring with them onto the fields of battle.

Glyphs:
Glyphs are particularly rare when it comes to magic. Due to the complexity of these spells, only the most studious of mages have the ability to wield them. They involve placing down ‘Glyph marks’ (dormant spells) in particular areas, and then setting them off when needed. Glyphs can be put down instantly, but the user has to be close to the glyph ( at least within 100 meters) for it to remain dormant, and even closer to be able to lay it. The number of glyphs that can be place depends on the skill of the magic user.

Restoration
The Restoration School of Magic is the school that the majority of mages enter into, for it provides essential skills. As such, there are mages that operate as healers, and doctors. Restoration involves healing individuals, and repairing wounds. Restoration magic is capable of healing all manner of wounds, from a small cut to a broken bone. The more skilled the mage, the more severe of a wound they can treat and heal. Restoration magic can also be used to bring life back into dead plant vegetation, for example: if a village were to suffer a loss of crops due to disease or drought, then hypothetically, a mage could resurrect said crops (however this would require a large number of mages for a long period of time). Mages can bring life back into people as well, however, what they bring back are monstrous, and soulless, nothing near to what those that inhabited that body before. As such, "Necromancy", as most call it, is forbidden, and next to no one in Formaroth knows how to perform such a spell. Restoration can also be used to enhance a living being; for example: large quantities of mages, when together, are able increase the total yield of crops, and increase the the size of plants, nearly doubling or tripling the size of the original plant; though this depends on how long magic is spent on the plant. This magic can also be used to enhance people as well; however, most of these attempts result in abominations, and like necromancy, they are forbidden by the Mage's Circle.

Illusion
Illusion magic is one of the most commonly practised forms of magic among mages, and it is the most common type of magic that mages learn once they arrive at the Circle. However, not many mages continue to learn it to a effective proficiency. Basic illusions consists of nothing more than a few party tricks capable of entertaining people, but not capable of fooling them for long. Advanced illusions can only be pulled off by master's in this field of magic. These illusions require a large amount of intelligence, and imagination. At this level they are able toproduce illusions so powerful that they are able to fool people into believing it is real. These illusions can play tricks on the target's sight, hearing, and in some cases, even smell. As influential as these spells may be, they are not without their limitations. For example, depending on the complexity of illusions used (as well as the size), it is more likely that the illusion will be recognized. Depending on the intelligence of the target, whether they are a Mage or a Mundane (people that do not practise magic), the easier it is for the illusion to be seen. Any physical contact with said illusions will confirm them to be false. Mages who operate as spies or assassins employ the use of illusion magic for obvious, and practical reasons.

Summoning
Summoning magic is a skilled form of magic that only a select few can master. These spells involve summoning shades. Shades are semi-astral beings that are only present in Formaroth as long as the mage whom summoned them are alive. It is unclear what shades are, or where they came from, as the first mage who brought such magic to Formaroth was an elf, who was just as unclear of the shades origins as the Mage's Circle were. Only the High Mages of the Elven Imperial Court know of the shades origin, and it is highly unlikely they will share such secrets anytime soon. Shades appear in the form of an animal. The animal, depends on the mage who summoned them, and varies per mage. The choice of the animal that the shade will appear depends on the following: the mage's personality, appearance, morals, etc. These shades can be used for a wide range of tasks; scouting, entertainment, battle or even simple companionship. Depending on how powerful a mage is, the more shades they can summon (though the highest known number anyone has managed is twelve). While the Church of Klebrithy has condemned such magic, claiming that shades are daemons sent into the world by Hystix, it has done little to deter mages bent on summoning a shade as a companion.

Shapeshifting
Shapeshifting is the rarest form of magic, and the School of shapeshifting has the smallest number of students. This is simply because it is the hardest form of magic to manage, and little have what it takes to use the magic properly. Shapeshifting involves changing into an animal of the mage's choice. However, this is no small task. The mage must first study the animal so as to understand it wholly; the way it moves (anatomy), what the animal's diet is, how it breathes, and how it interacts with others of it kind. It can take nearly a year before the user is capable of shapeshifting into a single animal. A majority of skilled mages are put off by this school due to the long learning process. however. those who succeed are noted as being extremely skilled mages, and worthy of respect.

Alteration
Though many mages consider this school to teach the "weakest" spells, the School of alteration offers the widest variety of spells in comparison to any other school. Alteration involves teaching its students spells that will help them in everyday life. These spells can range anywhere between, but not limited to; creating light, improved eyesight, being able to breathe underwater, and even telekinesis.
And this is why I love you guys. I'm gonna catch on my "homework" and hopefully we'll see some changes in the future.

@Leidenschaft I'll take you up on that collab with Jorwen and Leif, if you dig it.
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That would limit Leif a lot. A knife is deadly but its almost impossible to use in a pitched battle due to its obvious limitations. An axe and a knife is a formidable duo if in the right hands though. Plus, two handed weapons are swag. Only dumb peasants don't know how to half-sword and all the cool ways to use a sword. But if you must have Leif use some other type of weapon, it should make sense for a person to choose it. A knife is really only useful if you're in arms reach of another person.

Pulling a knife while having an arming sword as back-up is backwards to me.


Well I suppose in battle, using a dagger as your main weapon, with a sword back up wouldn't be as logical... I just pictured Leif getting all butt hurt after finding out about Sevine x Do'Karth, and A)having his long sword stolen during the festival, and having to use other means available at the time to fight. So, I pictured him originally, becoming more of a stealth killer, or even having him become more of a brawler. In his attempt to forsake his sword, he would develop a sense of "idgaf if I die; gon' kill deez mofos no matter what. Stab in the bloody eye if I have to." But I did want to get him in more scenarios of close quarter combat, and I just felt that the long sword got in the way.

Maybe, if you guys can point in the right direction of resources for using a two-handed long sword, I might keep his choice of weapon and find a way to write about it better. I just want to do him justice as a character, and not have him take a back seat, so to speak.
<Snipped quote by MacabreFox>

It depends. Please, PM me or post here what you were thinking of. If a person uses one type of weapon throughout their entire career as a fighter, they will favor it in lieu of others. A warrior is a pragmatist, I guess, what works and has kept them alive will always be good enough and picking up a sword after only ever using an axe will present just another learning curve to conquer, for example.

At least a tier below Expert level skill could warrant the character from swapping the two weapon types. You'll see Jorwen bring out his seax and shield in lieu of his sword if he thinks it'll be appropriate, but only because he's good enough with both weapons to trust himself doing so.


The problem is Leif. Or at least his choice of weapon that I made for him. I don't like two-handed weapons to begin with, and I find it difficult to write about him fighting in battle. Didn't really see a need to PM, not trying to hide anything. But I'm thinking, have him downgrade to a set of daggers, and go two-handed, or use a dagger as his primary weapon, and keep a one-handed sword for back-up. Thoughts?
@gcold So... Hypothetically speaking... If we wanted to change our character's main choice of weapon(s), could we?
As far as deciding between the outcomes for characters and events, I'm on-board with everyone else. I've never really liked the idea of rolling dice to determine outcomes, however, it's fine to generate statistics for battles, that's the only purpose I see fit for it. Such as determining which army has more people, and which one suffers the most losses, other than that, I don't see a need for it.

I like the idea of a discussion, as it would enable us to produce a more rich story-telling experience. I've always been attracted to that side of role playing, so to speak. That's my two cents at least.
@Mercenary Lord I don't know what things look like for you, if you're busy or not in the big wide world, but I extend the invitation to you. I don't know if The Elder Scrolls is an area of interest to you, but the writing is fun, and the people even more so!
@MacabreFox Also I did the Maths for Mage:Mundane ratio and it came out at 1:500. That means that in every million there are two thousand who have magical abilities.


How many people in the world are there, then? Including, and not including the Elven Imperium?

In Nyhem, there are 100 mages then. 50,000 divided by 500 = 100 mages. Yes?

So... Magi population would be like this:

1. Nyhem: 100 magi
2. Vine: 90 magi
3. Mercy: TBD
4. Andromeda: 60 magi
5. Cawaport: 50 magi

Is that how it figures out to be?
Before answering Shay's question, her eyes narrowed again into dangerous slits, directed towards her brother. She wouldn't have expected any less from Samuel, to intrude on her life, and write in a letter of resignation for her to Mr. Harrison. She wasn't a child anymore, and while her blood boiled like the sweltering infernos of the London factories, she managed to rise out of her chair this time, and push it in, the dangerous glint in her eyes receded, and she could not furnish anymore anger towards her brother for the time being. Of course, she would make sure she would find the time to chastise him for trying to conduct her life. It was a mix of gratitude, one that warranted the need to thank him for helping her, even though she quite literally did not need his help, which he knew the same, and the other portion composed of irritation, for his nosy ways of deciding what was best for her.

"For all this trouble, this new flat better be the real Mcoy, Sam. And I mean, the bee's knees. Or else I'm marching back down to Mr. Harrison's and explaining away your wrongdoings." In truth, any new accommodations would certainly be better than her cramped attic room that reeked of whatever dinner Mr. Harrison cooked for himself that evening at the rear compartment of the jewelry shop; mainly cabbage. And it took hard work to make sure her clothes smelled anything but.

"You'll like it just fine. Oh, before I forget... Here, you'll be needing these to get in as well. I have my own set, so if I don't hear a report or see you 'round here before you're trip out to see the Von Goethe's, I'll pay you a visit." Sam fished out a knotted iron key, and she could tell from the make, in comparison to her own room key in the attic, that if the complex landowner furnished keys of this kind, it had to be a room full of swank.

"Be sure to thank Elousie the next time you see her, she's done the part of helping to furnish your place, and the pantry's are all stocked. Room number is on the key tag there." Flicking ash off the end of his cigarette, he raised the tumbler to his lips, giving a tentative sniff before a slow draught followed.

Snatching the key from the worn table top, Sam caught her wrist before she had the chance to depart , "And... One more thing. Check your nightstand when you get there. You can thank me later for that."

His words were ominous, what had he done that she would have to thank him? Vera could only guess at the surprise that awaited her. Though to be fair, if she knew her brother well, she would thank him the next time she saw him again. With her agitation subsided now, her shoulders drooped as an appreciative smile came over her.

"Right... Before it slips my mind, thank you Sam. I'll be sure to thank the others as well when I find the time."

"Get some rest the two of you." Sam nodded as he raised the tumbler again to his lips, eyebrows raised as if to shoo them away. "And Vera...," he set the tumbler down and cleared his throat to speak, "just take the main road down until you hit the Warington Boroughs. Take a right at the crossroads, and go until you hit the park, make another right, and your flat is in that neighborhood."

"C'mon then Shay. Let's see what Sam and the gang mustered up for me, eh?" While she had not removed her coat upon entering, she returned her cloche to her head and made her way for the door.




January 28th 7:15pm - 213 Rowanoak Lane

The drive over to the borough was quiet, as Shay needed to focus on driving even more so as the weather continued with its now heavy snowfall. Again, the same luminescent glow descended over the city, and even though the sun had set an hour before, the sky above still clung to the sickly orange sheen.

As the Peugeot rolled to a stop, Vera could hardly believe her eyes. She knew the Warington Boroughs to be a neighborhood of affluence, well more so than that of where the Tawdry and Mr. Harrison's were located. The streets were well lit, proffering no chance for any suspicious figures to linger about without being spotted in the bright orange lamplights. Her flat, was a five story edifice constructed of white stone. The windows that peered out at the world were numerous, and in French design, tall, trimmed in white with an arch. Balconies of the same stone material could be seen after the first floor. As Shay came around to let her out of the vehicle, still abstaining to his gentlemanly ways, they strolled up together to the entrance of the building. There, they could simply walk in, and while this bothered her, for ease of access to anyone seeking her ill-will, she found that her nerves were soothed by the decadence of the apartment. This place was nothing like that of her attic flat, nor that of Shay's. Smooth, polished dark floors bore long rugs, decorated Persian floor runners that ran the length of the hallways in opposite ends. Two gold placards directed them which way to go that held engraved room numbers with arrows pointing the appropriate direction. To the fifth floor, so to the right they went, into a door where several flights of stairs led them to the top landing. While holding a pale light to the decadence of the White Star, Vera had to admit, Tommy, and Sam, outdid themselves this time around, or at least in her mind. Throughout the building, the walls were papered with blue and white stripes, and the occasional potted flower, or hanging portrait. When they reached the fifth level, her legs ached, and sweat beaded just under her hairline. Turning right, Vera held the key in hand, glancing down at the key tag to make certain that she read the number right:

Apartment # 538

Sliding the iron key into the bronze plated lock, Vera gave Shay a nervous grin, "Well, here goes!" With a gentle push, she opened the door to her new home, and gasped. Sam had not lied.

A small living room, that could easily hold her entire room inside its walls contained two couches, a coffee table, three living chairs seated before a window. She disappeared quickly, and discovered that the entire place ran on electricity. There was even a telephone and a gramophone, much to her delight. As she went on exploring every nook and cranny of the flat, opening every drawer and cupboard she came across, her search led to the discovery of two bedrooms, both furnished with beds, one twin, and another of a queen, complete with nightstands and dressers. Even more shocking, there were clothes neatly folded inside the drawers. There was a full bathroom, and the kitchen most of all captured her heart. A table set for two near two French windows allowed for a pleasant look into the park outside. The stove still called for wood, but that was no matter. There, in the pantry, as promised, stocked full of food, and several bottles of whiskey, and even two bottles of wine.

"Oh Shay! It's wonderful! What do you think? They've gone and set me up like a Queen of Sheba, they have! What will I ever do with all of this space? And two bedrooms-" Her words stopped short as she came out of the kitchen to find him

"Would you care to stay with me here tonight?" She asked, a soft smile creeping over her red lips. Part of her wanted to return the hospitality that Shay had so graciously shown her, and part of her didn't want to be alone her first night in her new place.
Collab is posted. Cue angry Leif-mode.
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