by Magic in Esterelf
Magic is an ability possessed by humans whether Carta user or Walpurgis. It refers to the conjuring, manipulation, restoration, or alteration of worldly properties through one of two magical sources: Lei or Cantus. Humans are capable of using magic due to the nature of their souls, or Anima. Anima allows them to use magic sources as a conduit to something they will, which in turn is referred to as a spell. Magic is used in various ways by humans. While many of its applications are associated with combat such as destructive and defensive spells, it has practical, cultural, and spiritual properties. Magic will often be used in order to improve one’s daily life such as making tasks easier, as a means of livelihood, scholarly pursuits, or in order to make connections with the divine.
This section will go into the two main types of magic: Canta and Carta.
Canta: The Innate Magic of Witches
Canta refers to the form of magic utilized by Walpurgis. Walpurgis, being humans born with an innate magical energy called Cantus, cast Cantic spells by means of sheer will. In contrast to Cartic users/mages, Canta requires no magical charges and relies sheerly on the aptitude of its user to utilize Cantus to bring about desired effects efficiently.
Cantus Usage and Limits. Those who can use Cantus have less limits when it comes to magical access. So long as they know how to cast their desired spells, they are technically capable of casting magic. Canta does have its drawbacks, however. A Walpurgis’ Cantus will have its limits before a caster becomes too fatigued to cast spells. In addition to this, overexerting one’s Cantus can lead to one corrupting thier Anima. Walpurgis that are capable of using Cantus therefore have to understand when to stop casting magic and let their Cantus recuperate or recharge. A user’s Cantus limits are entirely based on skill and experience. Similar to exercising a muscle, constant practice and use can help one’s Cantus handle magic casting of higher power or frequency.
How Spells are Learned. Spells are learned by Cantus users by means of exposure. Cantus can be considered a “sensational” magic wherein one’s understanding of the property or effect they want to cast helps them will it into existence. For instance, if a Cantus user wanted to learn a fire spell, they have to understand what fire looks and feels like. Similar to art, while anyone can draw a fireball, a person who has references would be able to draw a fireball with more detail. A person who is more accurate in the spell they desire will have more powerful and effective spells. As such, many users of Cantus will be focused on specialties such as a single element or branch of magic. Cantus users can also benefit from reading Cantic spell tomes which provide accounts of experiences to better help them visualize or imagine a spell. Still, others who have less exposure may remain talented at learning spells by virtue of sheer creativity and imagination.
Mantras and Affinities. Similar to Incantii, Walpurgis who still have their Cantus have a “mantra” or essence that says a lot about their personality and affinities towards different forms of magic. For instance, a person with an aggressive mantra may have an affinity towards learning destructive spells and will more easily learn them in contrast to a person with a pacifist mantra. Mantras often take the form of phrases which are said to dictate a key towards how that person can best live out their life.
Corruption and the Role of Lucidity. Corruption refers to the harmful effect of Cantus exhaustion on one’s Anima. As the Anima is the soul, corruption is dangerous as it can lead to one losing their humanity, creating them into a monstrous and powerful being known as a Moira (Moriae, plural). Moirae are dangerous as they have no sense of control and can lead to mass destruction. As a magic heavily-based on wills and sensations, Cantus is highly affected by one’s emotion and mindset. Strong feelings have a tendency towards creating powerful spells, but at the cost of more Cantus usage. Feelings not kept in check can lead to exhausting one’s Cantus and resulting in an individual corrupting one’s anima. Corruption can also take place as a result of losing one’s sanity alone. Cantus users placed under severe and unmanageable stress such as a crisis can lead them to becoming mad and instantly becoming a Moira. Proper Cantus users are therefore trained to engage in acts of calming their emotions or improving their resilience.
Cantus and Contracts. See Incantus Contracts.
Strengths:
- Quicker to cast as no marks are required
- Cantus recharges and does not need an outside source
- Cantus can often generate more spells than average Cartic sources
- High affinities to certain magic branches can lead one to learn spells faster and spend less Cantic energy on them
- Easy to progress in a specialized magic branch or field
- Limited only by sheer will and skill
- Relies on aptitude rather than academic brilliance
- Flexible and does not require complex spell structuring
- Contracts with Incantii can enhance power with less training
- Spells can be either generalized or specific
- Spells are customized from the moment they are created by the person
Weaknesses:
- Cantus exhaustion can lead to corruption
- Witches are not capable of using Cartic magic due to the presence of Cantus.
- Can be harder to learn due to the need of internal understanding of concepts
- Emotional and mental stability play a role in the effectiveness of one’s spells
- Constantly attracts Incantii that offer contracts
- Incantii contracts can cause corruption to take place faster
- Can be bound by Cartic magic
- A prohibited magic. Using Canta is considered taboo and can lead to serious implications in the Esterelf kingdoms.
- Active Walpurgis consider Cantus as part of their soul. Expiation of their Cantus can have damaging effects on their psyche, physical health, and may cause trauma.
- Despite being generally vast, Cantus lacks the refinements of Carta magic that can make even the smallest details in a spell differ.
Carta: The Magic of Scholars
Carta was discovered much later in history and changed the course of Esterelf from being a Cantus-dominated continent, to a Cantus-resistant one. Magical energy is derived from the Lëi, a large network of ancient magical energy that can be accessed and stored through the use of mediums, mostly different kinds of minerals and metals. The Lëi consists of a series of marks that can be used in order to cast magic in a certain way. Carta magic makes has limitless possibilities and various branches of magic.
Cartic Mark Usage as a Language. Cartic magic manifests by summoning a mark or series of marks through the use of a Lëi-powered item known as a charge. The summoned mark or marks will then make the desired effect manifest. For instance, a person who wanted to generate light in a room could do so by holding a charge and bringing forth the Cartic mark for “light”.
Learning and Excelling in Carta. While Carta seems easy at first glance, using Cartic magic is akin to learning a new language. One’s proficiency in magic relies on how many Cartic marks an individual knows and whether or not they can fluently mix and construct marks together. While a person can make general light by casting the mark for “light”, adding additional marks can specify the nature of the light further. Adding, for instance, the marks “faint” and “small” can cause a light to be dimmer and smaller in size. The more complex a person wants to make spells, the more marks they have to use. In many cases, Cartic mages will utilize multiple marks connected together in a structure known as a “glyph”. Summoning multiple marks and glyphs can be challenging for beginner Cartic mages, especially since concentration is needed to ensure the marks stay long enough for the spell to manifest. Carta is best learned through study. While memorization of marks is a key factor in one’s aptitude, combining marks appropriately helps one create more powerful and complicated spells. In addition to this, one will be able to cast spells faster due to their familiarity with them.
Cartic Charges and Appropriate Conduits. Cartic magic relies on Lëi energy. Without it, one cannot summon marks and cast spells. Cartic mages and users therefore carry charges infused with Lëi energy. Similar to Cantus, the skill of a user can determine how much energy is exhausted by a spell. However, Cartic mages also have to consider appropriate conduits for magic. In particular, specific materials can hold more Lëi energy than others. Examples of conduits are listed below:
- Precious stones: The most efficient form of charge. They hold the highest amount of Lëi energy for their size. Stones of higher quality such as better hardness, luster, or cleavage will carry more energy than precious stones of less quality. This option is favored among those of higher social status and of mages.
- Metal: The most common charge used. Metals are practical conduits due to their affordability in contrast to precious stones as well as doubling as material for weaponry. Both mages and fighters that use spells or enchantments appreciate this conduit.
- Wood: While not able to store as much energy as metals, wood is a cheap alternative but needs more recharging. Wood storage will often require larger pieces, as well, such as staves.
- Rocks and non-precious minerals: Rocks and other non-precious minerals such as salts can hold energy, but will often diminish with continued use. Less hard rocks such as stones and limestone will crumble after several uses while salts will burn and turn into ash.
- Water: The weakest form of conduit, water can serve as a conduit but requires large amounts or the presence of mineral particles. Water charged with Lëi energy used for spells will evaporate gradually.
The Lëi Network and Lëi Energy. As Lëi is a flowing network, it is emitted from various natural resources. It is often emitted by natural resources such as sunlight, moonlight, bodies of water, or trees. Charging may take longer or shorter based on how close to proximity a natural resource is to a Lëi line in the network. Key areas with an abundance of Lëi energy due to being an intersection of Lëi lines are often shown to Great Cartic Stones or Megaliths which radiate Lëi energy in higher amounts. Mages and travelers will often mark Megaliths on their maps to easily identify places to refuel charges fast.
Strengths:
- More complex structures can help one customize to spells to one's preferences
- Can counter Cantic magic through binding and expiation magic, though this is often found among priests and Expiate officers.
- Has a variant degree of uses and forms
- Skill depends on study rather than innate talent
- Accepted in each kingdom in Esterelf
- Controlled and therefore making it accurate in combat
- Marks are applicable to more than one branch of magic, allowing one to have multiple specialities if they wish
- Easy to access learning material
Weaknesses:
- Carta is limited as one needs to use a medium charged with energy from a Lëi source. One can, however, carry multiple mediums at once or more efficient charges.
- Cartic spells are harder to conjure than Cantic spells due to their structures and may take longer to cast. This gives Cantic users advantage in speed.
- Difficult to learn at the beginning. Carta study takes a lot of time, hence why years of schooling are usually necessary for certain branches of magic within it.
- Concentration is needed when casting marks, especially for novice and intermediate mages. Breaking concentration can mean marks fading before a spell can manifest.
- Cartic marks that affect or enchant items eventually fade and need to be renewed or recharged periodically.
- If a mage were to make a pact with an Incantus, he would no longer be able to use Lëi magic, but would have the Incantus' own Cantus instead.
