MAGIC ITEMS
ARTEFACTS
Magic takes two forms within the Trishore crystal sphere. First is the super-natural force granted by divine beings to their worshippers, and their Priests in particular. This Divine Magic is actually the completion of a God-Worshipper synergistic cycle, where the miniscule spiritual power of the single worshipper is channeled to the deity, who then combines the force of its many worshippers into a power which it apportions to itself (to maintain its own unique abilities) and the worshippers (Priests) that it chooses. Different deities will focus their powers into (and usually gain worshippers from) narrow areas of "expertise", and tend to grant their powers to Priests in the form of Spells. These Spells are usually grouped for ease of reference into Magic "Spheres" (Protection, Divination, Guards and Wards, etc.), which are also used to reflect a given Deity's predilection for influence or control of a particular area of life. A parallel way to think of this energy is that just as sentient beings "radiate" Magic just by being, some portion of that may be consciously controlled and directed. The conscious part may be given to the deity of the individual's choosing, the remainder "leaks" into the surroundings to create the second form of Magic.
The other form Magic takes is that of non-divine Magic. This force originates from the very fundamental nature of living creatures and physical objects. It is the very essence of "being" that creates this "Weave". Just as some radiations from Solaris move around and through us every day, unnoticed and undetectable without special tools, so too does the Weave of Magic throughout Seteria and all the planets around it. Some races are imbued with natural magic, innately accessing the Weave without thought or effort to do things that are impossible on worlds beyond Seteria's. In other words, this is bred into their bones. The height of giants, the deadly touch of undead creatures, the siren call of a Harpy, and breath of a dragon are all examples of this "use" of the Weave. Other creatures access the Weave directly in order to bind it in new ways, to use it as the "power source" for effects that we call Magical. Some creatures must consciously seek to use this power, and others have innate powers of this sort. Some beings have both aspects of this power.
Those who must consciously seek to use this sort of Weave magic power are known as Mages. Through a use of objects, artifice, study, intelligence and will they bind the Weave and "cause" it to cast spells. After much practice, Mages can cast spells that summon creatures from afar, create new life, and even alter reality. However, virtually all Mage spells require study, particular (and often rare and expensive) materials, and intense concentration to be successfully cast. These Mages and they way they manipulate the Weave are grouped into various Schools of Magic and Classes of Spells, the details of which are included elsewhere.
Those who have spell-like powers as a natural extension of their being need not study, provide materials, nor concentrate like a Mage must. The ability of a Unicorn to Teleport once per day, or a Drow Elf to create Darkness and even Dispel Magic itself are all good examples of this sort of Magic.
Just as the spells which Priests use are grouped into Spheres of like spells, Mages' spells are grouped into "Schools" of magic. Schools include groupings such as Abjuration, Alteration and Invocation. Certain types of Mages are limited to certain Schools, but are more skilled in those to which they have devoted more study. Conversely, some Mages have access to all Schools of spells, but receive no benefits in any particular area.
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