The Patterns of Magic

      Leaning back on her hands, Astria looks thoughtful. "Magic is not a subject I am intimately familiar with, though I have picked up quite a bit in conversations over time, but I'm no expert, not like Selene was. I do know this - Magic is everywhere, and it pervades everything. Magic affects all of us, and all of us affect the magic."


      Patterns

      The world is made up of patterns. These patterns define the form of the world, including the creatures, objects, and forces in it. Without patterns, things have no meaning.

      These patterns are what define, and are defined by, magic. Essentially, magic is the art of understanding and manipulating the Patterns of the world. By studying an object's or creature's Pattern, one can understand that object or creature, and affect it through magic.

      Every object or creature has a pattern that defines its place and behavior in the universe. Objects or creatures who possess Names have stronger patterns, called True Patterns, which can affect the universe and magic more strongly. This is why the Name-giving races are special. By giving objects and creatures Names, we strengthen their Patterns, and change the universe.


      On the Importance of Names

      As mentioned above, objects and creatures with Names possess True Patterns. A True Pattern is a focal point for the magic of the universe, and becomes a conduit through which the magic can affect the world, and the world can affect the magic. As Name-givers, we hold a great power, and therefore a great responsibility, for by Naming objects, places, and the creatures around us, we enrich and change the very fabric of the universe.

      In order to hold power, and create a True Pattern, the Name given to something must be unique. A cat does not possess a True Pattern, even though the species as a whole possesses a name, because that name is not unique. However, if a Name-giver were to Name his cat something unique, then the cat would have the potential for possessing a True Pattern. The Pattern would still be only a potential, unless something extraordinary occured to the cat, but the potential would be there.


      The Adepts

      Name-givers all possess True Patterns, because we are all Named, and pass through a ritual in which our Name is bestowed upon us, designating us as part of our race, yet a unique individual. Adepts, being extraordinary Name-givers, possess stronger True Patterns, for we experience and manipulate the magic in the universe. The constant flow of magic through our Patterns is what enables us to perform heroic feats that are beyond the abilities of most Name-givers.

      The constant use of magic by adepts does not come free. As has been mentioned before, we affect the magic, but the magic also affects us. Because Adepts are closer to the magic than most Name-givers, we more often find ourselves in those situations where we need the abilities the magic gives us. An Adept who does not use his abilities where they are needed will find that they become less effective, and will eventually lose them all.


      Thread Magic

      Even though all Adepts use magic, the Elementalist, Illusionist, Nethermancer, and Wizard Adepts take the use of magic a step beyond that available to most Adepts. These Adepts manipulate the magic directly, through their spells. Like cloth, every pattern is made up of individual threads, and it is these Threads that spellcasters manipulate to create the magical effects of Elementalism, Illusion, Nethermancy, and Wizardry. Each spellcasting Discipline manipulates these Threads differently, but the end result is similar. By weaving Threads into Patterns, spellcasters create new Patterns, usually temporary, but possibly permanent, to create new effects and objects.


      Blood Magic

      Blood Magic is a controversial subject among many of the Name-givers of Barsaive. In its mildest form, Blood magic has been used for centuries for things such as swearing oaths and binding treaties, as well as for more personal events such as increasing one's abilities or binding a group of adventurers together in brotherhood.

      However, Blood magic has its darker side. Because it uses the potent energy of personal sacrifice, Blood magic can be very powerful, and can be used to enhance many magical effects, as well as to power spells long beyond their durations. It exacts a price, however, causing damage that cannot be healed until the Blood magic ends in some way. It is also felt by many to have a corrupting effect, different from that of the Horrors, but not by enough to sooth the fears of many. The Corruption of Blood Wood, for example, was a Blood magic ritual, and the scars it inflicted upon the bodies and psyches of the Elven Court send shudders through even the most hardened of Name-givers. Rumors abound, as well, of the uses of Blood magic within the Theran Empire, with tales of slaves being slaughtered so that their life energies might power the greatest magical works of the Theran spellcasters .


      Astral Space

      Astral space is one of the myriad of different planes that make up our universe. It is unique, however, in that it seems to connect all of the other different magical planes together, allowing passage, for those who know the means, to an infinite number of unique worlds.

      Astral space seems to consist entirely of magical energy. Unfortunately, this makes it the natural home of many Horrors, and also made it extremely susceptible to the warping effects of the Horrors' presence. This has resulted in Astral space becoming polluted and extremely dangerous when experienced or touched directly. Many Horrors can sense when an Adept draws power from the Astral plane to cast a spell, and can often Mark those who do so without resorting to careful protections.