..Practical Theory..
Class Type: Required Spellcraft
Prerequisites: None
Student Age: Trainee Handler
Class Format: Lecture Lab and Exam
Instructions: Read the lecture. As you read, take notes. When you are finished, write an essay on one of the topics given. sign up for a lab group. Do the reflection activity. Your reflection and your exam will be looked at together to see if you show any aptitude for further Spellcraft.
..Vixeneye's LectureA severe looking young lady flowed into the room. Her silver hair was done in intricate braids and curls, blending with the silver fur of the sprite chimera sitting on her shoulder. She lifted her sunglasses to survey the class, first with her normal right eye, then with her left; a clear yellow orb with a slit pupil.
"Hm.. quite a mix of abilities. You in the corner. Come sit at the front. You have a lot of spellwork magic, so you'll need to pay attention. All right class, shut up, take notes and listen carefully.
As you should have all learned from your science classes, there are many types of energy circulating throughout the world. It can be neither created nor destroyed, only converted to a different form. Heat, light, and pressure are a few examples. The energy contained within all living things is called Life or Life Energy. It is converted from the energy found in the chemical bonds of food eaten. Most living things have just enough life to sustain them from second to second. However, some, like us, have the ability to store life in the form of Spirit or Spirit Energy. This extra reservoir is what we call magic.
When the brain is fired up with adrenaline and emotions are high, magic can be used innately to increase strength, or fine-tuned into a sensory device, or to stave off death when the body has been otherwise shut down. Even if oxygen is cut off, the conscious brain will not die until magic has also been exhausted.
My left eye can see energy. All living things exude life. For example, the boy over there is rather unhappy about being here. His aura is leaking anger all over the place and that's a naughty word." she snapped, turning to look directly at the offending student. "Have you forgotten already? I just said, thoughts and emotions are made of life. I can see life. That means I can see what you're thinking!
Moving on. Non-living things also produce energy. The wind produces Wind energy, a river produces Water Energy and so on. The ability to manipulate these energies is called Elemental Magic. Kinetic Magic is manipulating kinetic energy and Organic Magic is manipulating spirit energy. An individual may find one group in which they excel, but I expect all of you to eventually be able to do at least one organic spell.
Magic can be done consciously, but it's easier with a focus object, such as a wand, an alchemy circle, a codeword, or any combination of the above. Anything with the ability to channel energy can be used as a focus. To draw a more normal analogy, a focus is like the nozzle on a garden hose. Without one, you can achieve the same result by putting your thumb over the head, but it's a lot easier to get the water to do what you want if you have one.
In addition to that, you have one more advantage. Wild magic. Normally, when a living thing dies, its life is converted into heat. However, when we kill something, its life is converted into spirit energy, which is then loosed into the world for use. Your chimera has the innate ability to absorb and convert this energy into wild magic, which is usable by the Maintainers to nurture and care for the earth's natural systems.
End of lecture, I hope you took notes. You, the confused one, come see me later. I'll get someone to explain it more in depth to you. For homework, write an essay on one of the following topics.
1. Pick a natural phenomenon, such as flowers growing over battlefields, and explain it in terms of energy. You may not use this example.
2. Explain in detail, the three types of magic.
3. Explain the difference between life and spirit, and how each of them is used.
..LabA Spellcrafter or apprentice will lead a class in doing the following.
o Try to exude as much magical energy as possible.
o Try to exert control over the amount of energy you produce.
o Try to control the target or focus of your magic.
o Attempt an intuitive spell.
..ReflectionYou have been given three spells to practice, one from each type of magic, which you will perform at the exam. Either write a journal RP about practicing them on your own or get together and RP practicing the spells with someone. You can either master them or not, depending on how you want to score.
..ExamWrite a JRP where you perform your magic in front of a Spellcrafter. Did you do all the spells? Did anything unexpected happen? Can you control your magic at all?
o Grade for magical strength
o Grade for magical control
o Grade for intuitive spell
o Grade for learned spells
