MAGIC [major and minor affinities]

[Signo Amisso]

XX❧ THE UNIVERSAL ELEMENT
XXXXXXThe Aether is where the dead are said to sleep and where all magic comes from. It's the core
XXXXXXelement of everything yet it can't be measured or studied like anything else. It is the strangest
XXXXXXof all magical types, when Aether is added into any equation things often get weird. Aether itself
XXXXXXis a silvery, almost glitter-like substance, like flecks of light, that exists in everything. It runs in
XXXXXX"veins" all around the world like a spiderweb. The Sundering is said to have disrupted and changed
XXXXXXthe way these veins move and where they are, ultimately changing how the world works.

XXXXXXThose that use Aether as a straight affinity, nothing else added, often manifest in aether manipulators.
XXXXXXThey can turn the dust into a solid form and move it like pure energy, much like a lightning user or a
XXXXXXfire mage would bend their elements. Aether energy has less of a physical kick than the outer ring of
XXXXXXaffinities, but it has a far better long-term kick. In a battle system while lightning may be higher damage
XXXXXXAether has far more "damage over time" effects. Story-wise aether manipulators cause damage by
XXXXXXtemporarily severing links of magic to a target, weakening them or causing smaller amounts of damage
XXXXXXover the stretch of time it takes for the link to rebuild itself. (Not very long.) Aether manipulation on its
XXXXXXown isn't very strong, the real draw is combining it with another User's magic to amplify its power. Add
XXXXXXpure Aether into anyone's own magic and its effectiveness is ramped up two fold. It isn't uncommon for
XXXXXXUsers with this affinity to be a more supportive combat roll

XXXXXXAether Affinities can also manifest in the ability to track using someone's innate signature or soul,
XXXXXXor placing your own mark on someone to follow. Very rarely an Aether user may also have the ability
XXXXXXto "shut down" any magic in a certain area. This magic is remarkably rare and the few times it has
XXXXXXcropped up it was rarely, if ever, used due to the harmful, or even deadly, effects it can have on a
XXXXXXGuardian. Minor and very passive displays of Aether Affinity include the ability to see aether veins and
XXXXXXthe ties of magic to every living thing, and several other lesser seen abilities. Aether is the element with
XXXXXXthe least divergence from it's primary form given that it's the "core" magic. It can easily get wrapped
XXXXXXup in another element to give it new qualities and develop new abilities, but Aether itself is pretty steady
XXXXXXin what it shows up as.

 

[Signo Amisso]

XXXXXX❧ THE INNER CIRCLE
XXXXXXXXXXXXSpace, both the realm of stars, gravity, and time. Spacial magic sits on the inner ring of magical
XXXXXXXXXXXXaffinities, mixing quite easily with Aether. Those whole pull on this affinity pull on the powers of
XXXXXXXXXXXXstars, gravity, and time. Due to aether moving into this affinity as easily as it does it's often hard
XXXXXXXXXXXXto tell what started in this pool of magics, and what came from blending the two.

XXXXXXXXXXXXUnlike all other affinities there is no written standard for a celestial mages. It's a rare type of magic
XXXXXXXXXXXXthat manifests perhaps almost as strangely as Aether does. Those who can create and manipulate
XXXXXXXXXXXXlight, those who play with gravity like a child plays with jacks, and even those who stare directly
XXXXXXXXXXXXinto time, just to name a few. While rare, the most noteable Celestial Mage is the User connected
XXXXXXXXXXXXto Gaia, Hallai. Her blind eyes see directly into time, perhaps the rarest manifestation, and the one
XXXXXXXXXXXXwith the highest drawback. Users with an affinity to Spacial Magic often choose careers that don't
XXXXXXXXXXXXput them on the front lines. While not always non-combat Users, they're also not the strongest,
XXXXXXXXXXXXusually relying on whatever tricks they can to get an upper-hand should they find themselves somehow
XXXXXXXXXXXXfacing harm.

XXXXXXXXXXXXOne of the few manifestations directly related to space mixing with aether is teleportation. Whether
XXXXXXXXXXXXover long distances or short ones, the variance is high between individual Users. There are several other
XXXXXXXXXXXXvarieties that aren't always listed down, this being a volatile sort of affinity that blends easily. Space
XXXXXXXXXXXXitself is one of the most differed of the affinities short of life based magic due to its instability, not just
XXXXXXXXXXXXdue to the variety of Users finding themselves with it.

 

[Signo Amisso]

XX❧ THE INNER CIRCLE
XXXXXXThe affinity of Life is both one of healing, and one of death. Two sides of the same coin so to speak.
XXXXXXLife and Death sit on the Inner Ring of magic and unlike Space, that orbits Aether along with it, it is
XXXXXXperhaps the most stable of all the magical affinities, rarely mixing with aether, it does sometimes mix
XXXXXXitself with the outer ring of elements, most notably golemancy when life magic meets earth.

XXXXXXThe most common and the easiest to understand when it comes to this affinity manifesting is that of
XXXXXXa healer, pure and simple. The effectiveness of the healer depends completely on their own personal
XXXXXXmagic levels. Other forms of life magic include the diagnosis or identification of a disease, the extraction
XXXXXXof a disease or poison into a mist or liquid form is rare, but it is seen, even the innate creation of healing
XXXXXXconcoctions through herbalism. The rarest forms of healing magic rest in the darker realms of death.
XXXXXXWhile the practice of this magic is strictly patrolled within the city, considering the war is now over and
XXXXXXno one wants any old grudges being acted on, but these forms of magic manifest as the spreading of
XXXXXXdisease and poisons, the worsening of illness or a weakness of the body, and the draining of aether or
XXXXXXlife-force. Those with Life Affinities are almost exclusively destined to be battlefield medics, some with
XXXXXXthe death side of the affinity were covert scouts and assassins, but these days they tend to find
XXXXXXthemselves as scientists, working with medical scientists in an attempt to better stop the spread of
XXXXXXdisease with scientific means, not just magical ones. The most "oddball" for of either of these magics
XXXXXXis the use of curses, and the purification of them. Originally those with this magic wouldn't be able to
XXXXXXdo much to aid in a war outside fighting their own opposites. These days the purification of dying curses
XXXXXXand polluted magic is becoming more and more necessary.

XXXXXXThe only real affinity that involves aether mixing with life is magic of the mind. Telepathy is common,
XXXXXXthere's also the magic of memories. (As a note for OOC purposes, we are very, very careful with the
XXXXXXuse of this affinity. It exists, yes, an NPC or two have it, but we are probably never going to accept
XXXXXXa character with it unless they blow us out of the water.) Therapy, while not really as scientific as our
XXXXXXown version, is often profession that Users of this magic fall into.

 

[Signo Amisso]

XXXXXX❧ THE OUTER RING
XXXXXXXXXXXXFire is the most common affinity found in Users. It's also perhaps the most stable, regardless of
XXXXXXXXXXXXit being an outter ring element. It rarely takes on more than one form and there aren't any offshoots,
XXXXXXXXXXXXeven when aether is mixed into the element.

XXXXXXXXXXXXTo be short and simple, those with the Fire Affinity manipulate flames, conjure fire from thin air,
XXXXXXXXXXXXcontrol heat, and hurl globs of molten rock. The ferocity and the type of flame varies with the person,
XXXXXXXXXXXXoften the only thing setting anyone apart are how they move fire, whether or not they can create it,
XXXXXXXXXXXXor the color. Some Users have ridiculously color flames, so throwing around purple fire whips wouldn't
XXXXXXXXXXXXbe unusual. Some fire users can create fire, some need to have a source, like matches or a lighter
XXXXXXXXXXXX(they're not modern lighters), and some users move pure heat, not flames.

XXXXXXXXXXXXFire does not mix with Aether, but perhaps the weirdest form of fire is the use of molten rock. Either
XXXXXXXXXXXXsummoning it or turning rock into it before hurling it at an enemy. Those with this version of the affinity
XXXXXXXXXXXXcome from a line of Users that lived in a highly volcanic region in and before the war.

 

[Signo Amisso]

XX❧ THE OUTER RING
XXXXXX(Will update with proper description later.) Water Affinity commonly manifests as simple water
XXXXXXmanipulation or the manipulation of liquids that are at least 75% water. (Inks, some paints, etc.)
XXXXXXIce is also a common manifestation. Both these elements can be used in offensive and defensive
XXXXXXways. The addition of aether magic can result in long range communication through bodies of
XXXXXXwater, clear or otherwise.

 

[Signo Amisso]

XXXXXX❧ THE UNIVERSAL ELEMENT
XXXXXXXXXXXX(Will update with proper description at a later date.) Air magic is a very versatile element. It can
XXXXXXXXXXXXbe used as both an effective offensive and defensive Affinity. The use of air currents to augment
XXXXXXXXXXXXother skills or to allow for temporary liftoff also works. Thunder and lightning fall under the scope
XXXXXXXXXXXXof Air as well but weather itself is out of bounds. Mix in aether and you've got a sound mage.

 

[Signo Amisso]

XX❧ THE OUTER RING
XXXXXXSolid and stalwart, the affinity of Earth is a stable element. It has the unique property of settling
XXXXXXsome of the more unstable elements when they drift into its orbit. Users with Earth Affinities are
XXXXXXoften well suited to lives as warriors or scouts, their element giving them a unique stability.

XXXXXXEarth manifests most often as simple bending of earth. Throwing boulders, throwing up solid barriers,
XXXXXXetc. Some may also move sand or soil like water, or solidifying it into more moveable forms. Some
XXXXXXrare Users may even use earth as armor, pulling it over their skin in plates or thin layers of solid sand,
XXXXXXdust, or soil. Earth Attuned Users may also manifest as metal benders. While Metal Attuned may bend
XXXXXXmetals, both raw and pure, cold or fresh out of the forge, no Metal Attuned User can bend the metals
XXXXXXof a living being.

XXXXXXPerhaps one of the strangest Affinities is when Aether meets Earth. It creates Golemancy, lifeless
XXXXXXhunks of earth or metal turned into moving automatons, controlled by their Users. The most well
XXXXXXknown is War, a Golemancer who creates golems out of sphere of jade. When life meets Earth it
XXXXXXcreates Nature magics, the control, growth, and lifespan of plants. Those attuned to Nature often live
XXXXXXfar longer with little aging than others due to growing just as a tree would, slow and constant until
XXXXXXdisease or disaster strikes.