Nor Galad (4e Campaign Setting)/DM Magic

Energy Manipulation Systems
Energy Manipulation is defined as the accessing, channeling, and release of energy forms. The basic systems of energy manipulation have been redefined many times, but currently include basic, traditional, scientific, arcane, willpower, mystic, and faith. Although there are only a few basic categories there are infinite possibilities within the realm of Energy Manipulation Systems. Energy manipulation systems rely on both the body and mind; how these attributes are utilized is subject to change. For instance, scientific manipulation does not require energy to be transferred through manipulator's own body, but rather through an secondary agent [machine]. However, this manipulation still requires basic precepts of energy manipulation: mind, for the required knowledge, and the body to shape or create.

What Defines an EMS Category?
This is a very, very important question when dealing with EMS. The most simple answer would be the SOURCE of the energy. One must then realize: Although all EMS deals with the manipulation of energy, by absolutely NO MEANS does it mean that the energy manipulated is the same. [even within a single category, source can change slightly or a lot! Often, depending on the definition or universe the "source" may not be what it really is.]

Common Example: A troll curse may be similar to radiation, but may in fact be magical in origin, and therefore difficult to solve without the use of MAGICAL energy.

The second thing to realize is that the categories are also defined by common practice-- this may include use/purpose/function, but doesn't always have to.

IE: Druids often have the ability to call fire, but they do so from different origins than perhaps an Arcane uses. Elemental "Arcana" from Dark Souls draws on the actual esscence of life itself rather than an conjuration or evocation of magical power in the form of fire. As you will read, Arcana is one of the more complicated in terms of categories due to the complications and concerns with the coloquially term of "magic" and "magics" importance across the various universes as an independt entity from other EMS forms.

Finally, it is important to remember there are no hard-rules when it comes to categorization-- and the categories themselves only cover MAIN abilities are sections. As a rule of thumb, all EMS will follows basic rules of EMS but may not follow basic rules of categories. As mentioned above, there are many distinctions in between categories and categories that do not exist that give rise to the infinite possibilities of energy manipulation in the universe.

Rules and laws of EMS will often change between universes as well. MAGIK PROBLEMS: Similarities to "Magic"....Categorical conflict (Kabal included mystic and faith), Outdated or inaccurate terminology (Gadgetry, Intelligence)

Change Log   Removed "Magik" Acronym (Mundane, Arcane, Gadgetry, Intelligence, and Kabal)   Mundane becomes Simple   Intelligence becomes Willpower   Mystic and Faith added--split from Kabal, Kabal removed  Gadgetry becomes technological  Simple becomes Traditional   Technological becomes Scientific   Basic added, traditional split into Traditional and Basic  

Upcoming Changes   [Potential] Name Change: Scientific changes to Technological, Physical, Natural [natural sciences] </li>  [Potential] Name Change: Traditional changes Classical </li>

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Basic
Basic is energy transferal at it's absolute most basic level-- that of the natural body.

Traditional
Traditional energy manipulation refers to impulses and senses that, although powerful, are mechanically simple in comparison to other types of EM systems. Communities with low levels of EM capacity or awareness often gravitate towards this category of EM. Although TREM is a mechanically simple system in theory, its practice is much more involved. Even the most complicated energy manipulation systems rely on its basic principles.

Notable Examples of Traditional EM: Healers and mediums (+faith, mystic, arcane), monks (+faith, mystic) and the Terran Samurai ("sixth sense").

Martial Arts and other forms of mental discipline often utilize various methods of TREM. EMP recognition and manipulation has been considered an form of simple EM.

At the very highest levels, traditional EM is capable of exerting energy levels commonly associated with Arcane, Willpower, or Mystic EM abilties.

  Healers   Harmonic Singing </li> </ul>  Martial Artists   Samurai </li>  Monks </li>   Chakra </li>  Ki Points </li> </ul></li></ul>

 EMP </li>  Inherited <ul> <li> X-Men </li></ul> </ul>

Detecting Simple EM
Unlike many other forms of EM, simple EM often lacks an visible external proponent. Reveal spells of Arcane Origin ("Detect Magic") will have trouble detecting the subtly of Simple EM. Full spectrum sweeps ("third eye") can reveal Simple EM, but the user must know what they are looking for.

SEM Combinations
As discussed above, the various methods of EM will often meld together. Simple EM is an easy primer to this concept as it is associated with ever single other EM. The most common combinations of Simple EM can happen at all levels. At the lowest levels simple EM is often associated with Faith and Mystic EM. The EM systems at this level are still fairly separate but relies on each other to create an usable EM. The correlation between these three EM systems continues to their highest levels. Simple EM has tenets of Willpower, and Monks of high simple EM and willpower are known for amazing feats of physical strength and almost unreal movement -- such as running up walls.

High Level TEM
High Level TEM practices require an great deal of self mastery and control. Some examples of high level SEM include the manipulation of Chakra or Ki. These are often associated with mastery of a martial arts, enlightenment, or other high "states of being". function and so on; however, the primary difference between the two is not their  outcome  but rather the  amount of energy transferred . High level SEM often relies a great deal on understanding and the mind.

The main way in which Magic differs from regular scientific energy manipulation (such as electricity), is it's root in one's body. Whereas you might turn a light switch on, using electric currents, Magic takes personal energy from your body, and can emit this light on a nearby wall (with enough training).

Defining Traditional and Basic EM
Moreso than any other type of energy manipulation, Traditional relies on genetic traits. This is because, at its most basic levels, traditional EM will often be reliant on physical prowess or concentration that, although impressive, barely fits into an form of EM. At the same time, you also have {X-Men} who manipulate energy directly from genetic traits that are trained uniquely to each individual etc. w/o principles of other forms. That is sometimes the defining feature -- it is not true to say that any EM that does not fit into the other categories fits into traditional; rather, all forms generally have basis in traditional. Remmeber also that these forms are combined and fused to make infinite amounts; however, they all will fit under the basic categories. If there is a new system, then a new category must be defined or new definitions/etc must be made. Traditional often allows us to incoroporate these sytems because traditional is the most basic form starting primarily with the body.

Traditional=body because body systems (such as spidermans for example) still require energy to move. Even though it's essentially being "taken care of" by your cells any athlete can tell you that at highest levels you are basically in a mental mind game. Still forms of energy maniulation.. IE body is manipulation energy, and then you are using the mental discipline to continue that. You yourself don't really have an "active" control in the same sense that an wizard who is using a magic word (harry potter) is learning how to channel the stuff but isn't letting hte "magic" flow through them. and stuff. It's interesting.

Magic in many ways is considered to be directly related to science, as you tap into parts of your brain and genes that stimulate powerful magnetic field reactions,

Scientific
SEM is the only EMS considered to be "non-body based". This seems counter-intuitive; however, it follows a sound logic chain. Although SEM is considered to be non "body" based, it relies on the same principles of body (creation), mind (understanding), and spirit (creativity) like all EM does. What makes SEM unique is in the distinct way in which it is realized.

Defining SEM
In order to understand the wording and classification, we must define the terminology: Science is defined as "The intellectual and practical activity encompassing the systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment". Technology is defined as "the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes developed from the application of scientific knowledge." It follows that Scientific Energy Manipulation is the utilization of this scientific study of the natural world to manipulate energy through the use of an external source of technology.

 SEM  <ul> <li> Study of the natural world and its principles </li> <li> Application of this knowledge through Technology </li> <li> Technology transfers energy </li> </ul>

This type of energy manipulation relies on fundamental energy principles. It could even be considered Basic EM. However, the defining feature of this method of EM is the utiliziation of knowledge in a formualic matter o f the natural system. This allows energy transferal at higher levels '' even on planets with low body-based EM! '' This is absolutely essential towards the formulation of higher level species (especially those with no naturally occurring body-based EM) and is the next step from Basic ("uninformed") EM. It is interesting to note that

Arcane
Arcane is an branch of EMS commonly used on many worlds, including Sentia. Arcane EM is the most commonly associated with the colloquial term "magic". Arcane magic is known primarily for incantation (word oriented power), hand-gestures, the use of focuses (staffs, wands), mystical reagents (herbs, materials), concentration and will, the concept of "shaping" energy, and of course the unreal feats of both beauty and destruction that it's users can accomplish.

Arcane Users
Arcane Magic is one of the most well known EMS. It is one of the most commonly used on high rated EMS planets. Between these worlds there is striking similarities not only between learning methods, but also between the practitioners themselves. Perhaps due to the nature of Arcane Magic, this is a necessity.

Examples of Arcane Practice:
In the various worlds and universes of stories such as the Dresden Files, Harry Potter, LOTR, Dungeons and Dragons, Game of Thrones, Dark Souls, or the Night Angel Trilogy we see an constant appearance of the Arcane-- colloquially this is referred to as "magic". Althoguh these worlds may employ different Arcane categories, classificatoin, wording, function, purpose, and (rarely) source they all hold true to the general source, structure, and methods of Arcane principles. Even the forms in which Arcane Magic is learned are similar-- often in intense teacher-mentor or collegiate style learning.

History of Arcane EMS in Nor Galad
Arcane EMS is one of the oldest and most well known of the EMS, with only "Primal" Magic Pre-Dating it. In most stories about First-Earth the use of magic was first recorded prominently during the age of King Arthur-- primarily through the Wizard Merlin. There are some thoughts that Merlin may have been an Jewish Kabbalist, using advanced forms of other EMS that would later lead him too more "modern" or commonly accepted practices, methodologies, and occurrences of Arcane practice.

In the Galadian universe, there is a strong possibility that Merlin may have been an ancient, related or desendent from ancients, an aspect or "will-aspect" of an ancients thoughts, or (commonly accepted) "blessed" ("touched" in some translations") by the Ancients. Merlin is widely considered to be one of the most powerful wizards of all time, and it is quite possible that he is still alive today....albeit, in a different form. His Ancient Heritage or immense Arcane talent would see to this.

Common Names for Arcane users: Wizards, Witches, Sorcerers, Warlocks, Magicians.

Terminology:
"Classical" Arcane EM is often split up into different branches. Some common branches include abjuration, conjuration (calling, creation, healing, summoning, teleportation), divination (scrying), enchantment (charm, compulsion), evocation, illusion (figment, glamer, pattern, phantasm, shadow), necromancy, transmutation, and elemental. These branches will be discussed in detail later on. It is important to understand that Arcane EM is NOT a branch of "magic"-- (Primal EX).

Arcane: Arcane magic as a category has developed into something MUCH larger: a magic medium, or magic type. Although it is not actually used to draw power from, as is the regular pre-requisite of a magical medium (given the term medium) it is considered a medium as the Arcane type of learning has become the norm of most magical training, acting as a kind of "power source"-- a medium-- for these very separate types of magic, brought into one, single branch. Learning spells through magical tomes, books, or other arcane tomes is the standard of Arcane magic, along with organized schools and other similar programs*. Not all classified "Arcane" magic is learned this way**, but most of it is, even including Necromancy, Elemental Magics, and summoning, which are usually taught through from innate student knowledge, learning through repition, memory, practice, and experimentation, as these end up being classes similar to Chemistry with lots of lab days, to learn these "spells". or just from practice and repetion (in some schools of magic) through "spells" has become the norm of most magical training, as has arcane magic of any sort, in any branch.


 * (mostly on Nor Galad and the Draconic Fantasy World, DFW, but in the presence of arcane magic on Earth, there are many specialty schools for those who know how to look... England has many...details below)
 * (a Fireball is considered to be Arcane, but can be cast by some with Primal energy: it's still a Arcane type fireball --unless you've added primal power twinge-- only using the Primal source as a medium)

[Fixing terms; referring to certain skills and abilities pertaining to the-refers to magic in those type of branches, usually including "spells of Magic (energy manipulation) that includes spells of these]

Magician Schools
There are many magician schools in Nor Galad, for those who choose magic as a career path. On high magically influenced worlds, like Sentia and DFW, or at least where magic is more well known with many more options for training and "sensing", Magic is equivalent to many college options, learning many of the same skills, and still remaining active in the

Psionics + Physics
Psionics are the magic of the mind. Psionics is generally more "intuitive" than Arcane Magic; on high EM ranked worlds it is common for people to exhibit traits. Psionics has one core principle that separates it from other forms of EM (primarily Arcane) is its conjuration princples. Arcane magic does conjur (arcane fire rather than "fire", which would be a summon) and can even use the princples of mind=power etc. However, the main princple from psionics is that it can turn thought into matter-- hardening body, etc. Generally this is through the concept of thought being in another dimension.

Divine Magic
Divine Magic is practiced by those who call upon the gods to gain power- Avengers, Paladins, Clerics, and Invokers are some of the most common and notable users of Divine Magic.

"Magic"
Perhaps the "Magic" section should be seperate from the MAGIK section, and be specifcally talking about the different types of EMS that fit under the "Magic" term (Divine, Psionics, etc), as well as origin.

All EMS systems have the potential for great power. Often "Magic" is seen as the most powerful forces in the universe are one of the more powerful forces of the universe, and this energy can be harnessed in a variety of different methods and styles. Magic has many "mediums" for it's use: From primal energy, to inner peace and advanced body perfection, to learning spells through ancient tomes, or even wilder styles, harnessing the powerful energy of magic into seemingly uncontrollable bursts of energy: With such a large amount of Magic "mediums", various styles and learning systems, magic has one of the largest selections and variations of possibilities in it's reach, as well as being one of the most dangerous and useful powers of the universe, with more classes, types, versions and variations than are possible to count.

Although Magic is known best for it's powerful and normally unattainable results by the normal being, (some best known examples are large fire based explosions and flying, two of the more commonly seen "spells" of users in the Arcane Branch), magic is simply just a form of energy manipulation, which can be used for the simplest or simple results; sometimes, users of magic may not even be aware they are harnessing magic innately, showing how simple, simple, and "everyday" some forms of this powerful energy manipulation can be.

The use of magic, and the power it contains can be trained to a point, but much of it is innate, just like some people are naturally better at building muscle. In terms of training, it holds particularly true to many of the same attributes required for other energy manipulation forms: the same hard work, inner focus, and dedication. Although Magic is considered a separate energy manipulation system, the key princples of Magical and Traditional are extremely similar. Most tenets of Magic, focus on the internal perfection of yourself (Mind, Body, Soul) and Ki/Chakra manipulation. It is thought that the distinction between these energy manipulation systems is related to the highly external usage of Magic, as opposed to the internal and person-to-person usage of Traditional princples. Because of this, Psionics and Magics are commonly grouped, separating them from Traditional princples due to their highly external usage.

Chakra Used as Magic: Although external manipulation is rare (Shoulin Monks do not often shoot fireballs) it does happen. When these Traditional principles lean into "Magical" area, the line grows very blurry. This most likely has to do with the Origins of "true" traditional methods; planets with low level magic-awareness, whose denizens often reach for the purest forms of energy manipulation--and the Traditional methods are the highest level of energy manipulation system available in these situations. These chakra and auric manipulators primarily focus on internal perfection and awareness, and helping others do the same (personal thought realization). Mass thought realization often involves prayer.

Both magic and traditional energy manipulation systems can rely heavily on various systems of philosophy.

Just like any type of energy manipulation, such as Ki, and Chakra flow, (or even scientific energy manipulation, like electricity), Magic follows specific rules and guidelines of nature and the natural world, the manipulation of our human bodies (or instruments),  and is dependent on your (or your instruments) innate qualities and limitations. Like Ki, Chakra, and other self energy systems, learning Magic of any type requires dilegence, training, knowledge, and open mindedness to learn and understand.

Although many consider them vastly different, Magic and science energy manipulation (like electricity) are very similar. Although magic holds many similarities with the tenets and learning styles of self energy manipulation, such as the traditional Chakra and Ki manipulation styles, the way most modern magic is used and taught now is very different,  and is much more akin to the logical thinking process, usage, knowledge accumulation, and overall outcomes and goals of science. Many scientists are in fact mages.

The Creation, Discovery, Reason, and Existence of Magic.
The creation-the "conceptualizing" of magic into the universe, has always been a topic for discussion in all magic circles. Because Magic has so many different variations, what people would have known as "magic" could have differed greatly between, worlds, planets, continents, or even similar civilzations. What was magic on one planet could have been science on another (and vice versa), or could have been another "great mystery" (until magic, according to them, was "created" thousands of years later). Because of these differences, it is very hard to determine the precise dates that magic developed (or was brought, in many theories) into our universe. Magical research was stalled for a long time due to the dilemma of the chronological difference between "discovery" versus "creation", and the differences of each of these between planents, countries, towns, villages, and so on (as mentioned before). Although modern magical users realize the huge difference between a single planet's discovery versus magic's "creation", their ancestors did not; On planet A, Hero killed Beast and magic was created from power seeping out of Magical Weapon, was a very typical example of this confusion of ancient people. Although it seems that these examples should be discarded as useless, the difficulty was that some of them (and some of them still; the process is never ending) had grains of truth hidden in them, or secondary meanings and other "decipherable" hidden by magical users, unlock able only by magical users to find, thousands or even million of years later.

True Creation? The influence of the Ancients:
Despite the true creation of magic being such an elusive topic, the "discovery" of magic on almost every planet in existence has been traced back to one source: The Ancients. This race of highly advanced, "god-like" beings are so developed that even the many modern Deities across the universe are simply DESCENDANTS of these beings. Whether the Ancients were catalyst or creator, they have most defintely had an influence of magical function in the universe.

Whether magic was conceived at the formation of our universe, or perhaps in one before, after, or in a different dimension, the fact remains: the god-like entities known as the The Ancients have introduced magic to almost every world either directly or indirectly (as is the case with Earth).

Primal Magic
Primal Magic (known as Primal Energy) is the mystical magic of the earth- Barbarians, Shamans, and Seekers gain their power from the Primal Energy of the earth and the protector spirits, as well as many Ranger's, with their connection to animals.

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