This and other mystic resources are gathered in my Magic Directory for you to explore.
Find more worldbuilding content in my Codex Directory.
The properties of magic from Part 1 of this series let scholars group all the different magics of the Known World into the Magic Codex, a functioning taxonomy of magic.
This post corresponds with Magic Codex Chapter 3 - Classes of Magic.
The inception, study, and limit properties determine the class of a given magic.
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Within the codex, the term class is located at (3.0) and is defined as:
class (N) A classification that divides magics into one of three modes of expression in and by magic users.
In my Tales of the Known World saga, the word class refers to the primary classification of magic, which defines magics by their style of arising in users, their method of improvement, and their capacity to improve indefinitely (as in, A magic's class determines its user base, or, There is a whole class of magic that anyone can study).
All three of a magic's properties determine its class. Specifically, class depends on the facet of inception dealing with how a magic arises in new users, as well as the facet of study dealing with how a magic user improves his ability. The limit of a magic also influences its class.
The three major classes of magic are natural, foreign, and deep magic.
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 natural magic is located at (3.1) and is defined as:
natural magic (N) A magic that arises instinctively in children and is mastered by repetition. Also: talent, inborn magic, beast magic
The term natural magic is the class for magics that can come naturally to an individual (as in, This natural magic is elemental, or, Different races have different natural magics). A natural magic is often called a talent (as in, She has a talent for air magic, or, Speaking with animals is an effortless talent).
As defined by its inception property, a natural magic arises instinctively in young children, wielded unconsciously as a reaction to circumstances. As defined by its study property, a natural magic is also developed by feel or intuition and mastered through simple practice and repetition.
As defined by its limit property, a natural magic's inception and study change when the limit point is reached. A magic user's intuitive repetition is no longer enough, and the user must shift into studying deliberate techniques to continue progress. Once past its limit point, however, a natural magic can be developed infinitely.
Note that the limit property of a natural magic does not actually define the limit points of a given person's magics. Individual limits vary per person and are more generally defined by race. For instance, faeries can usually delve far into their natural air magic, but merfolk tend to have very shallow limits on air magic.
Check out the Magic of the Known World for more resources!
Within the codex, the term foreign magic is located at (3.2) and is defined as:
foreign magic (N) A magic that arises intentionally in students of magic and is mastered through focused techniques. Also: skill
The term foreign magic is the class for magics that must be studied before they can be wielded (as in, Teleportation is a foreign magic, or, Anyone can study foreign magics). A foreign magic is sometimes called a skill (as in, He has a skill for healing, or, She has fire magic skills).
As defined by its inception property, a foreign magic arises intentionally in students of magic, better known as mages, who must deliberately cast their spells. As defined by its study property, a foreign magic is also developed by thought or analysis and mastered through rigorous focus and technique.
As defined by its limit property, a foreign magic's inception and study are halted when the limit point is reached. A magic user's studying and deliberate techniques will no longer drive the magic's development, and the user cannot make further progress. However, a magic user may die of old age before his limit point is reached, in which case his magic's progression is never halted.
As with natural magics, the limit property does not actually define the limit points of a given person's magics. However, with foreign magics, individual limits vary widely per person, and there are no general standards for a given race. For instance, a faerie studying earth magic has no idea where her limit point may fall, and she will only discover it when her earth magic plateaus and ceases to improve.
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 deep magic is located at (3.3) and is defined as:
deep magic (N) A magic that arises through the secret language Ryunic and is mastered both by repetition and through focused techniques.
The term deep magic is the class for magics that rely on a secret language for casting (as in, Only a rosen knows the Ryunic to cast deep magic). This class is typically conflated with the deep magic autonomy; all magics within the deep magic autonomy fall into the deep magic class, and no magics outside of the deep magic autonomy fall into the deep magic class.
As defined by its inception property, deep magic arises intuitively in those who have learned the Ryunic language, better known as rosen. As defined by its study property, deep magic is also developed through simple practice and repetition. In these ways, the deep magic class is akin to natural magic.
Unlike natural magic, however, deep magic is never wielded as an instinctive reaction to circumstances, and it cannot be mastered by instinct alone. Instead, much like foreign magic, the rosen must cast their spells deliberately, and deep magic can only be mastered through rigorous focus and analysis.
Uniquely, deep magic has no limit point, and therefore has truly infinite potential. Deep magic spells and effects are impossible to classify, and as such, they are omitted from the remainder of the traditional magic taxonomy. Instead, deep magics are considered arcana, described in Magic Codex Chapter 8.
That's it for this post! Up Next: The three branches of natural magic...
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