Magic

See Also: Fate System, HERO System, Chivalry & Sorcery System

Magic is loosely defined within Miranda as a power that is manipulated by someone that comes from outside of them. This could be power drawn from the Shadow Realms directly or creatures that agree to lend the user some measure of their power. Traditionally these “sponsored” forms of magic involve beings like gods, devils, demons, fae, or dragons.

From Miranda drawing upon the power of the Shadow Realms is the easiest path for most mortals. The dominion of Miranda is a part of that realm so its power flows naturally through the world. This does not mean that just anyone can draw upon its power. A single person cannot hold back a hurricane or tornado, but it is possible to build a strong enough shelter to not only survive but harness the power.

If drawing from the Shadow Realms is difficult, then mortals directly drawing upon either the Divine Realms or Infernal Realms is nigh impossible. The sheer power of these two realms upon a mortal would not only have the effect of sand-blasting a cracker, but cause a great deal of devastation upon the world in the process.

It is not known if the elemental storms are a part of the Eldar or after effects of their creation. These storms are to the Eldar as a single drop of water is to the ocean. Impossible to comprehend the whole only based upon the drop. This drop does have a great deal of power and life that can be harnessed.

Those who draw upon the elemental storms are drawing upon the power that existed when this existence was created. Each storm is unique and can be difficult to not only find but align your spirit to draw upon its power. If someone manages to harmonize with the Sea of Fire then they can summon fire from that storm. It is possible to create fire from the power of the Shadow Realms, but that is simply changing power by your will - the fire drawn from the Sea of Fire is immutable as are the beings that live within it.

Drawing upon the power of the gods, devils, and demons is the most common type of sponsored magic on Miranda. These beings represent a nearly inexhaustible source of either divine or infernal power. However, unlike other sources of power, they control how and when a mortal can draw upon the power. Usually the ability to draw upon their power only occurs when a mortal has made a bargain or pact with one of these beings.

The most common mortals to draw upon the power of these beings are the many priests and clerics that live on Miranda. They have made a bargain with these beings to spread their influence across the world. In exchange the cleric is able to draw upon a very limited amount of the power of the being. The power drawn from this beings represent these beings and thus it cannot do anything that they themselves cannot do - the cleric is simply acting as an extension of them.

The Eldar represent the strongest source of power in this existence, but not even the gods dare draw upon them. Even The Creator and Krynan left the power of the Eldar alone.

There are several different styles of magic found in Miranda. These major styles are not meant to list differences in how one circle of wizards specializes in spells that others do not. Instead, this lists very broad styles based upon where they draw the power and how they manipulate and control that power.

There are two major forms of Elven Magic upon the world. The first, and purest form, is available only to a True Elf. The True Elves have maintained their fae nature and can naturally call upon that nature to do what appears to be magic. This magic draws from the power of the fae lands and manipulated purely by thought. It takes no concentration or effort - it simply happens as they wish it to happen. Most True Elves avoid using this power as it pains them to be reminded of what they can never have again.

The more common form of elven magic is only available to a Great Elf. This magic pulls upon the connection between a Great Elf and the Great Tree. The tree's roots are planted in the fae lands and drink deeply from the magic of that world. Unlike the Elven Magic of the True Elves, this does not come naturally to them, but by centering their spirit and calming their mind they can call upon the magic of the Great Tree far from its physical presence.

The elves have been working to extend the reach of the Great Tree throughout the world. They have purified forests into Sylvan glades and called a root of the Great Tree to the glade. Once that branch begins grow into a tree nearby elves can call upon its magic.

Main Article: Spellcraft

Spellcraft if the most common form of magic used by humans, and those that have learned from humans, throughout the world of Miranda. It was taught to the humans by the elves after the magi left this world. The elves taught the humans how to order their mind enough that they could draw and control power from various sources. It can be a difficult and dangerous art if the mind is sufficiently focused enough. Most practitioners use words, gestures, symbols, and other mnemonics to train their mind to shield it from the potential damage.

The magi were the humans that were taught how to manipulate the power around them by The Ancients who created them. The magi draw upon the power of the great Celestial Dragons, but like The Ancients because they contain a small spark of creation within them - they can use that power to do far more than the Celestial Dragons. The cannot create or consume, instead they perform an equivalent exchange - exchanging one thing for another permanently.

There are no magi left on the world of Miranda as the gods forced them from the world during the Age of the Gods. The power the magi draw from has diminished in the world since the closing of the Black Gates, so the vast workings of The Ancients is now impossible. However, with no magi remaining it is impossible for any human to rediscover this lost art.

Shamanism is a catch-all for magic that draws upon the power contained within the spirits of others. A shaman can call upon and draw power from the spirit within an animal or a sentient being. Shamanism is traditionally practiced among the more primitive tribes and those that remain closer to the natural world. It is not impossible for more “civilized” people to learn shamanism, but their distance from the natural world makes it more difficult.

Earthsong is the long lost magic of the dwarves. It was stripped from them by the Earthmother at the darkest time of the Brothers War. While the dwarves possessed this power they were able to draw upon the very spark of creation contained within the Earthmother. They beauty they were able to forge from stone, ore, gems, and crystals is still unparalleled in the world. Legends say that the most powerful forgers were able to create life itself. It is possible that the stone and iron giants that walk the lands were their creations.