User:Qmasterflex86/Dwilight Netherworld/Magic
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Contents
Modern Spellcasting
Central Dogma
Equivalent Exchange: In order to gain anything, one must provide in exchange something of equal value. To bring forth rain to a drought-stricken field, one must drain the waters from another source.
There are unconfirmed and unverifiable rumors and beliefs that the "true magicks" are capable of bypassing the central dogma of equivalent exchange, thus enacting true phenomena, effectively creating something without an origin. No spellcasters of such caliber have ever been encountered, however. Even the most powerful "wizards" that the most experienced adventurers might have met were likely to be no stronger than a minute fraction of the true spellcasters' might. But the true magic is no more similar to modern magic as a tiger is to a cat. For all modern forms of spellcasting, only ever observed in mortal circles as spells sealed within scrolls, central dogma is unbreakable.
Central dogma of modern spellcasting can explain the reason why wizards ask adventurers for several rare and odd items for the creation of spell scrolls.
Concept
The concept, or idea, of the spell is the driving force that materializes the phenomenon. A concept can be as simple as "Burn", but such concepts are very vague, and do not direct the spellcaster with any specifics on what will burn, what will do the burning, how much burns, etc. As such, parameters are often given, such as "Burn the stack of firewood I am looking at with a small fire for three hours", with the more complex spells requiring more powerful concepts. It might take several lines to form the concept for a very specific or very complicated spell, so there are beliefs that contracting lines into poetic verses or catalyzing via musical lyrics or written symbols might be used to shorten concepts. Upon initiation of the formation of a concept, something happens that forms the framework for realization of the intended phenomenon. However, the link between concept formation and phenomenon materialization is unknown.
Trigger
A concept usually does not set off the unknown mechanism that leads to materialization of the phenomenon until a certain trigger is fulfilled. The more typical beliefs about mortal modern magic involves incantations, which is probably not completely inaccurate. Most mortal spellcasters of the modern age might verbalize the entire concept aloud, to aid in forming it, but this is not always the case. Likewise, the trigger is usually a keyword, or image, or even an idea in itself, that causes the concept to translate into phenomenon.
It is unknown whether the trigger is unique to the concept or to the caster, as there is no way to test either. In the case of the former, no matter the caster, spells will always have the same triggers for their concepts, so the spell "Fireball" might always require the caster to say the trigger "Fireball!" or something of that nature. In the latter case, the concept does not matter so much as that the caster is reminded to materialize the phenomenon, so a trigger that works for one caster might not work for another.
Due to the definition of a trigger, they are usually activated after a concept is completed, although for more complex spells, maybe there are intermediate triggers. Since no one is capable of even basic spells in the normal human world, this is an unverifiable claim.
Schools
Since the passing of the Lost Age of Magic, there has never been sufficient organization to classify the schools of magic. Those who are capable of spellcasting are usually beings that are inhuman, perhaps beings such as daimons, the undead, and some powerful beasts. Of the few mortals who are able to wield magic, almost all are reclusive hermits. Only the best adventurers can hope to be lucky enough to accidentally stumble upon their hidden sanctuaries.
As a result of the current nature of mortal spellcasters, it is highly unlikely that any schools of magic exist. As for the inhuman casters, there is no way to understand whether they truly utilize magic, or some other method of exacting phenomena.
Spell Scrolls
The only known form of mortal spellcasting, if it can even be called that, exists in the form of unsealing spell scrolls. The exact mechanism of creating these scrolls is unknown, but it probably has to do with the binding and sealing of the spell concept along with a dormant trigger. Though the scrolls are self-contained spells that can be cast by anyone who correctly unseals them, it is unknown whether the text of the scroll contains the entire concept, an abbreviated concept, or just the trigger.
It is speculated, with reason, that the central dogma of equivalent exchange is the reason "wizards" ask adventurers who are offered scrolls various rare and unusual items in exchange. Central dogma is highly difficult to comprehend, and the values of things in an exchange are calculated in some unknown way. All that is known is that the exchange takes place, and somehow the items exchanged allow the binding of a scroll. It is also entirely possible that the wizards are just playing a prank on the adventurers, making them go all the way finding items for their amusement. It could also be a test that ensures only the best adventurers can gain the spell scrolls.
Current State
Extinct, except possibly among supernatural beings and the very rare mortal spellcaster survivor.
((OOC: Please read the talk page for some disclaimers.))
