Magic: The practice of using charms, spells, or rituals to attempt to produce supernatural effects or control events in nature.

Affinity: A natural liking for or attraction to a person, thing, idea, etc.



So, what IS magic?

Magic is a fairly commonplace trait found in the current-age Tamieral and its citizens. It is a power that stems from one's soul, but is also usually deeply interwoven with the powers of nature as well. This is because an element (ex. fire, water, earth, air, etc) helps to focus the energy that makes up magic in some shape or form, therefore making it easier to control and much more useful. There have been very few documented cases of any living being having the ability to channel and use their soul's magic in its natural state.

Okaaaay...well, where did it come from?

Magic originated in the elven race, but has become widespread throughout Tamieral due to over a millennia of (at first secret) racial interbreeding with humans. Every living being not from the earth who uses magic has some elven ancestery in their family, whether they know it or not. Full-blooded human beings cannot use magic.

So, if you're full elf, then you're automatically the strongest with magic?

Magical strength is not based on how much elven blood flows in an individual's veins, nor does it depend on the "strength" of their soul. It depends solely on the volume -yes, you heard me right: volume- of a person's soul.

The...volume. Right. How does that work now?

A person's spiritual volume cannot be measured by conventional means. Just as we all learn and grow differently, so does a person's spiritual power. Some can attain strength of soul through meditation or faith, while others are fueled by greed or power. With every step taken, every obstacle overturned, and every goal reached, one's magical power stretches and grows until it has reached its maximum potential.

Does everyone share the same maximum level of magical ability?

No. Everyone has different levels of magical power. Some are born prodegies, just like any other genius child in everyday life. Others, meanwhile, may have the magical proficiency to water a houseplant, and that's about it. There is little one can do to further their magical abilities once they've peaked beyond enhancing them with charms, etc.

What about this 'affinites' junk? What's it all about?

Magical affinites are the element(s) which a person is naturally adept with at birth. They often times depend on the climate that an individual is born in, though there have been cases of unusual or even unexplainable affinities presenting themselves. These, however, are far and few between, and should not be considered the norm for any of the races of Tamieral.

So people born in hot, arid climates are naturally gifted with fire or air magic? Or those born in the marshes would be better with water, etc?

Essentially, though you have to take any and all environmental influences into account. If an area is extremely dry, it's more susceptable to electricity (static), isn't it? And if an area is marshy and the climate is wet, isn't it probable that it could be foggy/misty as well? We don't have to restrict ourselves to your typical magical types, aka the four main elements and their splinter elements (fire, water-ice, air-wind, earth-wood, light-healing, dark-death). There can be many different affinites in any one area, and all of them have the chance to become interwoven with one's magic. Most people, however, can only support one or two elements initially unless they spend a great deal of time working with others.

And how do they do that?

Using and strengthening their magical abilities in areas rich with different elements presents an ideal place for an individual's soul to drawn different elements close to it. By allowing these different elements to influence one's magic, a person can slowly but surely adapt themselves to several different powers.

I see. Well, we know how magic comes to be, but what about actually using it? Is there some kind of trick, and are there any crazy hocus-pocus feelings that come with manipulating it?

Though I hate to sound cliche, using magic really is all about tapping into its power and drawing from it. A person's magical reserve, if you will, runs in a continuous loop from their head down to the bottom of their ribs, never stopping for anything (for it to stop would mean that the person's soul had left their body and that they were dead).
With a little concentration (or a lot, depending on how long you've been using magic and how proficient with it you are), drawing magic to whatever area it is intended to leave (usually the hands) requires almost no effort. The feeling itself can range from a light tingling (a quick or easy spell) to an agonizing burn (forcing large amounts of magic through your body at once) depending on the situation.

So that's it? This is magic in a nutshell?

Yup! So get out there and start drawing from the reserve! I know you all are just itching to blow something sky high. ^_~

If you have any other questions about magic, please feel free to PM me and I'll do my best to answer them. Most likely, I'll repost your question directly into this thread so that everyone can benefit from the info!