Excerpt from:
On Magic - Explaining and Exploring the Impossible by Claudius K. Berling, Imperial Scholar

 

 

 

 

Magic is a single, pervasive energy that permeates the entirety of the world as we know it, as well as its adjacent planes. Its extent and origins are unknown, although it is commonly thought to be infinite in both time and space, varying only in localized concentration. Elven scholars theorize that magic is the attractive force that holds the universe together, and that, without this cohesive energy, all existence would unravel. In the ages before recorded human history, the Elves learned to utilize this force to create changes in the world around them. From that time forward, the word 'magic' came to refer to the aforementioned pervasive energy as well as the use of that energy by sentient beings (formerly only Elves, but now Elves and humans). This duality of meaning is the source of much confusion among those uninitiated in the practice of magic... and nowhere is this confusion more apparent than in the so-called 'types' or 'schools' of magic as described by human practitioners. When referring to energy, there is only one kind of magic. But in the context of manipulating that energy toward useful ends, there are at least six... and possibly eight... different 'schools' or methods by which this may be accomplished. The differences between these methods arise from the simple fact that magic... as it has been explained thus far... is impossible.

Raw magical energy is extremely powerful, so much so that it cannot be used directly by humans, Elves, or any life form native to our world. The Elves discovered that this raw energy could be diluted by filtering it through pre-existing natural substances and/or combining it with other energies. This transformation must be initiated and guided by a sentient mind, which itself (along with the body containing it) becomes part of the transformation process. This process yields a less powerful but infinitely more useful energy, which can then be readily used by the mind that initiated the transformation. The resulting energies are 'colored' by the transformation, making them more or less suited to specific tasks. For example, raw energy that has been filtered through fire lends itself readily to destructive tasks (particularly those involving explosions) as well as the manipulation of heat and cold. The six classical filters are earth, air, fire, water, life-force (or death-force), and demonic. (The last is a special case that will be studied in further detail later). Of these six, earth produces the most versatile energies that are capable of being used for the widest variety of results. Earth also produces the most effective healing spells. Life-force magic (or necromancy) can also produce powerful healing, however these spells usually involve the healing of one entity at the often fatal expense of another, whereas earth-healing spells do not.

Demonic magic is a special case in that the practitioner is only partially in control of his own magic. As previously stated, inhabitants of our physical world are incapable of accessing or using raw magical energy. Inhabitants of other planes, however, are not so restricted. The plane closest to our own is the death-plane, which co-exists so closely with ours that practitioners of death-magic can filter raw energy through it without the involvement of inhabitants of that plane (although this sometimes draws the attention of said inhabitants) In this way, the death-plane serves as simply another filtering element of our world. Planes at further distances, however, are not accessible without help from the local inhabitants thereof. The inhabitants of these distant planes are referred to as 'demons'... although this label is confusing as it brings along many preconceived notions that do not apply in all cases. At its essence, demonic magic is an 'agreement' between the practitioner and one or more extra-planar beings. These beings can access the raw magic and either create effects on the practitioner's behalf, or, more commonly, filter it through their bodies to provide the practitioner with an energy that he can use himself. The practitioner usually must offer something in exchange for this service, however the nature of these deals is beyond the scope of the current work. (The author humbly suggests one of his earlier works: "A Study of Demons" for those interested in further study).

A discussion of demons and magic, however brief, cannot be complete without mentioning another similar type of magic that... as far as we know... does not exist, but can be theoretically possible: Fay magic. In popular mythology, fairies are a race that exists on a plane that irregularly intersects our own. Early writings of both fiction and supposed 'non-fiction' describe fairies as possessing a capacity for magic that dwarfs even that of 'demons'. If this is the case, then they must certainly be able to access raw magical energy for their own use, as most demons can. Whether they can transform this magic for human/Elven use is unknown, but some admittedly obscure Elven scholars do state this as fact. As was the case with demons, a discussion of mythological(?) creatures and their impact on magic is beyond the scope of this work. The author merely presents the possibility in a purely academic context.

With fairies forming a possible and theoretical seventh method of transforming raw magic, we now come to psi-magic... which is claimed by some of its own practitioners to not be magic at all. The power to read minds, influence thoughts, and catch glimpses of distant places is possible in almost all of the 'classic' schools of magic, especially with necromancy, and demon-magic. But nowhere can it be done so easily, so accurately, and without serious consequence than in the realm of the Psis (or Psions, depending on where in the Empire you reside) Many Psis insist that their abilities come from years of study and meditation, without the requirement of outside energies. However, several prominent practitioners have stated on record that there IS magic involved, that the Psis transform raw magical energy using nothing but their own minds... something that not even the Elves have learned to do. Apparently this method operates in such a way that one can achieve results without knowing that magic is being used. The official position of the Imperial Board of Scholars is that Psis do use magic, but of a type that is not completely understood even by those that practice it. The Council of Interdisciplinary Magic, who will have the final say in the matter, is undecided, with the issue currently under debate. The author of this work agrees with the official IBS position, and will henceforth refer to psi phenomenon as magic.