This and other mystic resources are gathered in my Magic Directory for you to explore.
Find more worldbuilding content in my Codex Directory.
As explained in Part 1 of this series, magic is prevalent in the Known World, and generations of magic scholars have compiled their observations to create the Magic Codex, a functioning taxonomy of magic.
This post series corresponds with Magic Codex Chapter 0 - Magic Basics.
With few exceptions, everyone has some sort of magic at their disposal. As such, there is no basic word for a person with magic powers. Since every individual has some natural ability to wield magic, being a person is synonymous with being a magic user. Individuals without any magic are so rare that there is no word for them, either.
In my Tales of the Known World saga, strong magic users also tend to live longer than others, aging more slowly and remaining at their peak age for longer. But beyond the everyday magic users who populate the Known World, there are three key types of magic users with access to additional powers.
These three types of magic user are the mage, the rosen, and the Master.
Check out the Magic of the Known World for more resources!
Within the codex, the term mage is located at (0.1) and is defined as:
mage (N) A student of magic, specifically a person who has studied foreign magic. Also: sage
Here, the word mage technically applies to a person who studies to learn extra magics (as in, That mage knows how to heal, or, She asked a mage for help). But people often use the word mage to describe any individual able to wield high-level magics, whether or not those magics were learned through study or just came naturally (as in, That mage casts ice spells, or, Most nymphs are plant mages).
Through this broader context, a visibly old mage is considered particularly wise and is often called a sage, especially if the mage is affiliated with a sacred place or duty (as in, A sage lives alone in that forest, or, He is the sage of this temple). By extension, a mage with sacred duty is often called a sage even if he does not appear old, as he is assumed to be similarly wise.
Download the complete Magic Codex:
The Known World is rife with magic. Over time, scholars have compiled all these magics and magical effects into a comprehensive taxonomy. For more about the role and inner workings of magic, check out the complete Magic Codex above.
Within the codex, the term rosen is located at (0.1.2) and is defined as:
rosen (N) A rare person capable of wielding deep magic. Also: Ryunic, awakening, rosen-touch, the touch
The word rosen applies to the rare individuals with the ability to wield deep magic, which goes beyond the normal realms of magery (as in, A rosen's limits are unknown, or, There hasn't been a rosen in centuries, or, The rosen are the chosen ones). Deep magic is considered a type of arcana, described in Magic Codex Chapter 8.
When a rosen casts a spell using deep magic, a hidden rune glows red upon his forehead and lasts for the duration of the spell's casting. The rune is triangular and shaped somewhat like a three-petaled rose, giving rise to the moniker rosen.
The rosen utilize deep magic through a secret language called Ryunic, which is said to be the language of the deity Mother the Infinite (as in, Some scholars believe the Ryunic language is magical unto itself).
Deep magic is so rare, in part, because Ryunic is not spoken or taught. Instead, the rosen are born unaware of the language, which lies dormant inside them. At some point, the rosen will remember the Ryunic language suddenly, as if he'd always known it.
Check out the Magic of the Known World for more resources!
Within the codex, the term Master is located at (0.2) and is defined as:
Master (N) A singular rosen with ultimate power stemming from one of two opposing deities.
The word Master is a title given to the two strongest rosen in the world, who have received increased powers from their predecessors (as in, This is Master Lorvelle, or, The last Master bestowed Lorvelle with his powers). The title is capitalized, but only in this exact context. All other uses of the word master are not capitalized, as they do not refer to this singular rosen's title.
The powers of the Masters are said to stem from the opposing deities Mother and Father, who each have one Master at all times. The two sets of powers are mutually exclusive. One individual cannot hold both powers at once, and these two Masters are construed as rivals in the timeless battle between good and evil.
Both Masters are undying but not immortal; they do not age, but they can be killed. A Master's aging process halts the instant he receives his powers, except in rare cases when the Master has not yet reached adulthood. In these cases, the Master continues to age at a normal rate until adulthood, at which point his aging process halts.
Power can transfer from an old Master to a new Master in one of three different ways, each of which makes a unique impact on the new Master's strength and ability to wield his power.
That's it for this series! Up Next: Digging into the taxonomy of magic...
For the complete Magic Codex, enter your email above.
Liked this? Share, please!
No comments:
Post a Comment