The Arcane

The Arcane, otherwise known colloquially as magic, is a range of supernatural abilities that exists throughout the world. Magic can be harnessed by individuals, contained within enchanted objects, or present throughout a localized area in an ambient sense. Magic is strong in some regions of Ganoltir, and weaker in others — though these arcane fields shift naturally over time.

The Physical Presence of Magic

Precious Stones

Magic can become physically imbued into precious stones deep within the earth, such as rubies or emeralds. Such stones contain magical energy and can be mined, but without the proper technology or prowess, they are useless outside of simply being a gem. Those trained in the arts of manipulating these precious stones will be able to not only identify the presence of magical energy, but draw it out and harness it for other uses such as creating Dwarven Golems or enchanting a weapon or an item. Different families of gems do different things when utilized in this method.

Sources of Magic

There are sources of magic, either stemming directly from ambient flow, or a connection to the gods.

• Learning to manipulate magical energy from rigorous study, such as arcane education, ancient tomes or writings, or wisdom of elders.
• Being a Champion of the gods, granting an innate ability to control particular things, based on the goal of the god. These people will likely not be conscious of this.
• Living in a natural pocket of strong ambient flow, and having an intuitive or latent ability to tap into this ever-present magic due to being surrounded by it for an extensive period of time.
• Directly from the gods, with the ability to make a magical item, person, Champion, artifact, or tether into the world.

Regardless of the source of magic, people can wield it in similar ways.

Centers of Magical Energy

• Cru'un
• The Great Library
• Menora and Bal
• Ghiasa Mountain
• Quellam
• Kresh Garuul
• Vykis

Magic as Understood by Different Cultures

Every different religion and culture would likely hold differing beliefs about where magic comes from. For example, Imardanian navymen often view their magical prowess as gifts from the Goddess Elys. Ghian emperors who can wield magic view such phenomenon as boons of the dragons. The Kurnish view magic as an innate power that only the righteous deserve, granted by the Old Orc or the spirits of the land. Those of the Dwarven Kingdoms typically have a limited understanding of the ambient flow surrounding imbued magic, and as such, are divided on the concept entirely.

A Note on Norendezzar

As the only mortal to enter the Realm of the Gods, Norendezzar stole the Eye of the Death God during the Age of Myth, granting him powers over death. Those who practice necromancy do so by way of Norendezzar's powers, whether they know it or not. An affront to the God of Death, necromancy powers are a strange combination of both holy and unholy magic.