Username + ID#: WitchHazel [148605]
Kalon Link: Carmen
Chosen Prompt: "Does magic exist? Describe it and it’s limits."
Prompt Response:
In short, yes, magic does exist.
It comes from many different sources, and becomes one with a kalon in a variety of ways.
Some magic is innate; passed down through the bloodline of a kalon’s family. Innate magic ranges in strength, but can always be made stronger through use, training, and practise. It can come from any source - a being from a different plane of existence somewhere in the family line, an ancient curse passed down generation after generation, an ancestor touched by magic from a different plane, et cetera. Some innate magic stays dormant within a kalon their entire life, without them knowing of its presence at all. Other innate magic makes itself known in wild and unpredictable ways, most often tied to emotion. A kalon with powerful innate magic can be dangerous to the world and even to themselves at first, but with the proper practise and training, they can develop control over their abilities. Some even go on to master them; enhancing them through other magical knowledge, artefacts, items, or acquired abilities.
Some magic is bargained for or gifted; given to a kalon by a powerful being from another plane - a god, a high-ranking angel or demon, an archfey, or something else equally as powerful. Sometimes it is a gift, other times kalons make a deal with a creature to gain their power. Deals of that nature are never easy - sometimes the magic isn’t worth the price. Sometimes magic of this type is given completely by accident - the kalon could have picked it up from contact with another plane or a powerful artefact without even knowing.
Other magic still is learned; through books and intense study. Spells of this nature must be incredibly precise, else they go horribly wrong. They often include many components and difficult words from extraplanar languages. Kalons with the dedication to learn magic must be master scholars, and some go on to be great mystical sages in their later years. Their spellbooks live on long after they die; for the next generation of magic casters to learn from. Some great mystics even learn the power to store their souls in other objects, giving them a form of eternal life. Others still have sought to grant their bodies this power and become horrible abominations due to their efforts. Most of the mystics learn to accept fate as it comes, and cross into another plane or simply let go when their time is up.
The last form of magic is derived solely from artefacts or magical objects - an enchanted amulet, an ancient relic, a ring storing the soul of a demon. Most casters use these sorts of items to amplify their natural abilities or enhance their power, but some rely solely on the magic of their item. Some items of this nature are family heirlooms, passed down from generation to generation. Others are artefacts of ancient cultures, imbued by their beliefs and left in the past, waiting to be discovered. They come from many places and many sources. Some magical objects of this variety are stolen in order to grant the user power. Items such as these can be used in conjunction with another, so long as the types of magic stored within are compatible. Items of the same magic type and subtype used in conjunction will lead to a greater increase in power than those of different types.
There are many different kinds of magic, but all can more or less be sorted into six main categories:
Elemental magic - magic that is tied to the four classical elements; fire, earth air, and water. It focuses on manifestation and is strengthened by proximity to its corresponding naturally occurring elements. This type of magic is likely to be innate, and originates from the elemental planes.
Light magic - magic that manifests as white light, and originates from the deific planes. It focuses on healing spells, purification rituals, and protection spells, but can also be used offensively in blinding displays of hot white light.
Dark magic - magic born from hate and pain, originating from the lower planes of existence. It focuses on harming, killing, and manipulating others. If used by kalons of the mortal plane, this type of magic will eventually corrupt the user. Demons, shadow beings, and undead creatures amongst others can use dark magic freely. Demonic magic, blood magic, and shadow magic are some of its subtypes.
Nature magic - magic born of the wild and pure life essence itself. Also called druidic magic, and associated with the faerie otherworld. It focuses on plants and plant-based magic, animal magic, the circle of life, and keeping the balance between nature and civilisation.
Death magic - also called necromancy, death magic concerns the veil between the spirit world and the mortal world. Practitioners of death magic learn to communicate with spirits, see into the spirit world, ease souls into the afterlife, and guide lost spirits to the Underworld. Their job is to be psychopomps of the world; neither living nor dead themselves. Raising the dead corporeally is considered a taboo among necromancers, and is classified as advanced necromancy. Advanced necromancy can corrupt a user’s soul unless they are completely undead themselves. Beginners often find difficulty discerning between the living and the dead, though this eases with training and practise.
Psionic magic - magic of the mind and soul. No one is really certain where it originates from. It focuses on mind reading and manipulation, emotion sensing and manipulation, astral projection, seeing into the web of fate, and all things dreams. This form of magic is often innate, sometimes seemingly random in its choice of caster.
The only limits on magic are the confines of the body and energy - magic is draining for most living creatures, and practitioners may need time to recharge after casting a powerful spell. Anyone can learn magic, but magic-users are not very common due to the modern world having less need for it. Magic is also relatively difficult to master, and not everyone has the focus or tenacity required for it. But some don’t have a choice - those born with magic aren’t always suited for it, not to mention those who make deals for magical power.
Token Worth: 10 [1029 words]
Previous Responses:
Let go
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Flower
How she met her love