Magic
The foremost perspectives on magic are functionalist, symbolist and intellectualist. These three perspectives are used to describe how magic works in society. The functionalist perspective maintains that all aspects of magic are channeled through precious and semi-precious stones. The symbolist perspective makes use of glyphs or symbols to fuel their magic. Finally the intellectualist perspective regards magic innate and personal, using themselves as a conduit.
Magic is the active manipulation of elements that allow those who are trained to tap into them to achieve a desired effect. By channeling the elements, practitioners are able to create spells by weaving patterns. Within these patterns are individual threads of energies, the four elements. Practitioners are able to see magical patterns, create new patterns and affect existing ones.
There are few people today that are born with the ability to channel magic naturally, so many have turned to external means. The Arcana uses the Glyph language to create powerful symbols that house the pattern of the spell. The Mage is one who is actually born with Akasha (the 5th element) and can channel magic through himself. The Wizard uses precious and semi-precious stones as a spell focus to channel his magic.
The Arcana
The Arcana are usually the scholarly type, well educated, knowledgeable and learned. Most kingdoms look favorably upon the Arcana, and they are often hired out by shop keepers, libraries, castles, etc. to scribe wards for various types of protection.
As an Arcana, you use symbols as a focus to channel your magic. There are two ways in which the Arcana can draw these symbols.
First, the Arcana can draw the symbol in the air by tracing his finger in the correct pattern to create the spell. While doing it this way, there is a visible trail of magic that burns in the air until the spell is completed.
The second method allows the Arcana to use different herbs, oils, powders, essences, parts from mystical creatures, etc. to mix a potent ink to draw a symbol on an object. This method takes a little longer, but the spell can also last longer than normal (normal duration multiplied by 2, although this does not apply to instant spells). This applies to spells that are not dormant.
Symbols that are drawn with ink are about 1 – 3 inches in diameter, while those drawn in the air are usually 1 – 3 feet in diameter.
The Mage
Mages are feared and disliked by almost everyone. There are very few cities or nations that accept them without question. People fear the Mage due to the unknown, because he can cast a spell at a whim, without having to rely on an external focus.
The Mage is born with the ability to cast magic from within due to Akasha flowing through him. Other practitioners of Magic, if they are actively looking can see a light glow about a mage on a Detect Magic roll of 20 + the Level of the Mage.
When a Mage channels magic, he taps into his Akasha to create the spell. This fifth Element of Akasha is natural in the Mage and this does make a Mage a magical being.
Akasha represents pure magic and is the fifth element. To move energy in a spell, or work of magic is to evoke Akasha. In order for a Mage to be able to cast a spell, he must have at least a Rating of one in the Akasha Element. Akasha works just as the other four Elements do, except that the Mage must use this in every spell that he casts, that means it will affect his Spell Power.
As a Mage, you have been born with the gift to channel your magic through yourself. A Mage will use a vocal command, a hand gesture, etc. to create his spells even though this is unnecessary. Once the Mage gets to higher levels (Level 7 or above) he doesn’t have this limitation anymore and can simply will a spell into being. If a Level 7+ mage chooses to use a vocal command or hand gesture then he will gain +2 to his Spell Weaving roll.
Since a Mage is not well liked nor really accepted in society there are few guild halls dedicated to him. There are only two known Mage’s Guild halls in the world; one is in Avalaria and the other is in the Mountains north of Dransia. Most large cities have a guild house, but it is only known to some of the elite guild members.
Wizards
The Wizard is often viewed as arrogant and protective of his mystical arts. Most kingdoms look favorably upon the Wizard, and many kingdoms, shop keepers, etc. hire them out for protection.
As a Wizard, you use precious and semi precious stones to channel your magic. The Wizard must have his stone visible in order to channel through it and the stone must face the direction of the spell’s target. Most Wizards wear their stones as jewelry while others will pull them out from hidden pockets or pouches when the time comes to use them.
At times, someone may use magic to harm the Wizard’s gemstones. The Wizard does get to use his own Resistance plus Spell Weaving to resist any magic attempting to affect his stones.
Stone quality will affect the amount of Spell Power that can be used in a stone. Stones that have flaws will limit the Spell Power. A Wizard can cast a spell higher than the Spell Power Rating of the stone but each time this is done, the stone fractures more and more. For every 1 level that the Spell Power exceeds the Stone’s Spell Power Rating, the stone loses 1 Rating permanently. Higher Ratings on stones indicates higher price and quality, not necessarily size.