Magic

Magic in the world of Vantowyn is a highly divisive topic. Some claim that true magic only comes from the gods, and is their way of working wonders in the world. Others say that magic is the result of a deliberate interaction with an invisible field of energy that suffuses the whole of the world. What is known is that for a mortal being to perform magic or cast a spell requires an intense amount of focus, study, and preparation.

Throughout history, most of the mortal manipulations of the Spheres have been at the hands of the religious scholarly and monastic communities across the world. The Drakes have an ancient method of spellcasting that they are seemingly unwilling to share with anyone else, while many of the other species have uncovered magical texts and artifacts in the most ancient of ruins, suggesting that at some point in the distant past, magic may have been more prevalent than in modern times.

The Spheres Of Worth
Vantowyn, and indeed the entire observable universe lies within a unique overlapping in the Spheres of Worth. In all, there are six Spheres, and each of them holds sway over one critical aspect of the universe as it is known.

Material
The Material Sphere governs what stuff is made of. The earth, the water, anything that can be touched, and a lot of things that can't. The air you breathe, for example. All of it falls within the Sphere of the Material. The physical objects that make up the world are all composed of the Material Sphere. Control of this Sphere allows manipulation of the shape of things, or even their composition. A master of this Sphere might conjure something from apparently nothing, or turn one thing into another entirely.

Energy
The Energy Sphere determines the motion of everything. Heat, and the absence of it, movement and momentum. All this falls within the Sphere of Energy. Few Spheres are as easy to exploit for destructive purposes as Energy. Fireballs and Lightning Bolts are the most iconic manipulations of the Energy Sphere, but masterful manipulation of this Sphere can allow the disruption of the others through much more complex means.

Soul
The Soul Sphere contains the will of all life. This Sphere is an invisible force that permeates everything, and imbues some objects with a will of their own. Our bodies move because our souls inhabit them. Golems move through the Animus bound to them. These things fall within the Sphere of Soul. The Sphere can be used to create life, to animate objects, or to take life away at its source.

Space
The Space Sphere governs the distance between things. What's beyond the Firmament is the purest form of the Space Sphere's domain. The Space Sphere controls how far things are from each other, and what that distance even means. Manipulation of this Sphere allows for the bending of distances, conjuring things from far out of reach, and allowing instantaneous movement between two very distant places, or even between the planes.

Mind
The Mind Sphere is where existence becomes aware. The Mind Sphere contains information, and thought. By manipulating this Sphere, one can discern the truth of a statement, communicate discreetly by thought alone, or even read the thoughts of others. This Sphere can also be used to deceive or obfuscate. A master of the Sphere can manipulate it to uncover secrets long lost to time, or the failings of memory.

Fate
The Fate Sphere controls the destiny of all things. To one knowledgeable in the Sphere of Fate, time isn't really time at all. All that is, could be, or ever was is contained within this sphere. While it holds no direct sway over the objects, people, or creatures that are affected by it, it permeates everything. The Fate Sphere is the Sphere of possibilities. Every decision that might've been made differently, and every event that might occur as a result. The Sphere of Fate holds all of that. Through manipulation of it, one can guide events toward a certain outcome, although this Sphere is by nature the hardest of all to observe directly.

Spellcasting
The ability to manipulate one or more of the Spheres is known as "Spellcasting." While the act itself can be performed through many practical techniques and traditions of study, the core of the action remains the same. To cast a spell, one must first understand the Spheres which the spell will manipulate. This is most often done through scholarly study of the Sphere's domain, and the role that it plays in defining the universe around us. In addition to that understanding, certain reagents are typically required. These reagents can be anything that naturally channels arcane energy, like a Calonite Crystal. Calonite Crystals are the most common of magical reagents, but by no means the only ones.

Spells themselves are formulaic, and typically involve physical motions or incantations to focus the caster's mind. Casting a spell is an exhausting process, even for the most practiced of spellcasters. To aid in the process, many spellcasters utilize a Focus, a physical totem that grounds a spellcaster, improving their casting time and magical potency. In conjunction with a focus and a suitable supply of Calonitr Crystals or other arcane reagents, a mage can seemingly bend the whole world to their will.

Foci
A Focus is an arcane implement for channeling and directing magical energies. While a focus is not, strictly speaking, necessary for the process of spellcasting, the assistance that one provides to the spellcaster is invaluable. In addition to boosting the caster's concentration, a focus helps channel additional energy into a spell, resulting in more faster, more effective, and less exhausting spellcasting.

Foci often come in the shape of small metal rods that fit within one's hand, but they can also be in the form of a wrist guard, or a headband, a pendant, or virtually any form of accessory or item. Unfortunately for most would-be spellcasters, Foci are not easily accessible. The secrets to their creation, if known, are closely guarded. Most Foci are found in ruins of the old First Men settlements and fortifications scattered across Vantowyn. Many of these ruins have long since been picked clean of any foci or other artifacts of the First Men, but even into the modern day, new foci are discovered from time to time in previously untouched or inaccessible places.

What Foci have been found throughout the centuries have been hoarded by a few prestigious lineages of magicians and mystics. A few organizations throughout history have collected foci for the purposes of studying the nature of the arcane, such as Order of the Keepers. The few Foci that can be found on the market are typically prohibitively expensive, and only a well-funded mage can afford such a treasure.