Magic and Energies

Core Forces

Within Andulara and throughout the swirling mass of planes that surround it, there are four core forces that pervade and can be found throughout its entirety.

Arcane

The underlying scaffolding energy that enables and supports the others. Said to be the fundamental force of reality itself. It is due to this, that though who reach high mastery of Arcane Magics are said to be able to warp reality to their own desires.

Divine

The force of Order, beings who make use of Divine power are generally concerned with keeping order and balance in the world. Without this balancing force, the world and all its planes will fall into disorder and disarray, divine power is also concerned with keeping a defined and unified natural order of things. The most prominent users of Divine power are deities, charged with maintaining order in their own domains and as a whole.

Primal

The force of Chaos, beings who use Primal magic are concerned with the elements and the natural world, and the constant change that can be seen therein. Without the adaptability of primal magic, the world can grow stagnant and unchanging, which can cause it to be unable to respond to new or foreign factors that threaten the careful balance of the world. The greatest users of Primal Magic on Andulara were previously the Priomordials, ancient beings born of primal magic itself. With most of them being banished outside of the material plane, the greatest users of primal magic would be the Great Kami and Old Gods.

Psionic

The term ‘psionic’ encompasses multiple forces, powers of both the mind (psionics) and body (qi). These are the forces of life and the individual. The power that all living beings inherently posses, and while most fail to cultivate it further than the barest of expressions, it can match the heights of the others with proper training. Psionics tend to grow through stress and struggle, particularly where one’s life is threatened. A solider having survived an active campaign for a year will likely possess and unconsciously utilize more Qi than a farmer in prime of their life who has been working ever since they were a child. Of course, specific methods exist to intentionally train Psionics, but the orders that teach them tend to be esoteric and reclusive.

 

Planar Energies

Other ‘forces’ exist, however, being most prevalent within the outer planes. Places  of concept, and belief, where these forces make up the bones of plane and constantly exude from it. Some of these forces disrupt and negate the weave, while others are dependent on it for its most prevalent effects. All of them are distinct from the magic, however, and are best manipulated by denizens of those planes. The energies themselves aren’t readily identifiable through magic, but one who has experienced them before can recognized them when they are used.

 

Planar Energies:

 

Decree

  “Decree”   The force of absolute law and order. The absolute elimination of chance and the enforcement of predictability. Forsaking subtlety for absolute truth and fact is the power of Decree, the power of balance on a cosmic scale. Those who use Decree are those who lower odds, those who seek to ensure their endeavors success, or the endeavors of others fail with no chance of any unpredictable outcomes.  

Concord

  “Concord”   The Force of Harmony from the plane of highly organized law. Concord aids in synchronization and adherence to fate, forwarding the notion on the plane that there is a time and place for everything and that accidents do not exist. It is seldom observed outside of groups – as the force’s ability to aid in harmonization and synchronization is unparalleled. From military forces looking to be a more cohesive unit, to groups of spellcasters performing a powerful and precise ritual, to smaller scale actions in the midst of a single battle.  

Luster

  “Luster”   The radiance of Brilliant, Scintillating light of the heavenly mountains. This is the mysterious power of heavenly peaks older than the gods who call it home. The power of luster is one that encourages one to go far beyond what was once thought possible, and a power to changes ideals into reality through wisdom and perseverance. Those who make use of luster are often called Awe-inspiring.  

Inspiration

  “Inspiration”   A force that comes from an ever-industrious cycle. The constancy of work, the pride in a job well done, the force of never ending maintenance on the multiverse and those who work to make it so. A wonderous force that seems to work miracles when used at the right time.

Virtue

  “Virtue”   The power of the common good, the paradise of a plane who can turn mortals who tread upon it into permanent petitioners of that plane for simply staying in it for too long. Virtue is usually utilized when one is trying to work for the good of others, and it aids in creating refuge and peace.  

Instinct

  “Instinct”   The base reactions of a living being, before will or thought has time to come into play, as well as the purest expression of nature, stripped of any and all aspects of civilization. Instinct comes from the everlasting cycle of life and death, of predators and prey, and all of their collective instinct on the plane. Drawing from this force allows one to increase their reaction time and intuition to oft legendary degrees.  

Vivacity

  “Vivacity”   The pure power of passion of the plane that the elven pantheon calls home. The collected energies of all on the plane who put their everything into everything. Beauty, love, art, Vivacity is a force all about upping the ante – turning things up to 11, promoting growth befitting the intense nature of the plane.  

Fervor

  Fervor is a force generated and perpetuated by constant battle on both planes. Depending on the plane being channeled, the effects can differ slightly, but the core execution is the same. From the horrors and sorrows of war and domination , to the passionate pursuit of valor and glory, fervor lends itself to those who bask in their bloodlust, or to those who desire to break their limits through sheer determination in combat. Give that it comes from planes of battle, it is often used to turn the tide or even the odds of a fight.  

Discord

  “Discord”   The pure chaotic force of an entire multiverse funneled into a single plane. Discord is the power of spontaneous unpredictability, and cosmic coincidence. It is used to add a level of chaos to any situation, but like forces of the plane it originates from, it can be controlled and directed by some degree by those who make use of it.  

Whirlmad

  “Whirlmad”   The howling winds ever-present on the plane, whose deafening sound drives those without adequate protection to madness in a matter of moments in the isolated tunnels of a naturally lightless plane. The Mad winds are a chaotic force of cantankerous noise and, of course, madness, and most who are able to make use of it are quite mad themselves.    

Unmaking

  “Unmaking”   The force of pure evil that comes from remnants of a dead universe that has been injected into our own. A power completely hostile toward life, capable of nothing but the destruction of living beings – unless it involves the creation of fiends. Due to its volatile nature, it is extremely difficult to harness without harming yourself or losing yourself to the power and becoming a fiend in exchange.  

Incarceration

  “Incarceration”   The subtle force of the tarterian depths. A force that seeks to isolate and sap the strength of those that are subjected to it. This is a force utilized by the native wardens of the plane, but it has been known to be used by both good and evil, as both gods and demons have their share of prisoners lurking within Tartarus. This is a power of stasis, of restricting movement and of stopping things in their tracks.  

Apathy

  “Apathy”   The all-consuming gloom of grey wastes. The power that drains color from everything and infects the very soul with hopelessness and despair. The inherent power of Apathy is to drain and nullify, to weaken all opposing forces. It can be a slow and insidious killer or a quick burst that takes the bite out of most dangers. Those who make great use of it must take care not to be consumed by it, and have all of their hopes and dreams drained from them as the plane itself does.  

Rapacity

  “Rapacity”   The force of greed that flows like lava. It is the force that drives the undercurrent of greed, self-serving and personal power-seeking. It is a force born of selfishness, and is inherently a power that is used by those who are seeking to fulfil their own goals – more readily at the expense of others, but not exclusively.    

Hellfire

  “Hellfire”   An element onto itself originating within the Hells and nurtured by the calculating evil of the plane. An insidious flame that burns those normally resistant to heat, and works as a disruptive force that subjects all those afflicted by it to its own rules, dispelling and burning away nearly all other magics.

Dragonsong

  Dragons are creatures of the world, blessed by dragon gods. When tapped into, their magic is some of the most powerful in the multiverse. Drawing from the world around it (no matter what plane they’re on), and even other worlds through echoes, to create reality altering effects. Called Dragonsong   Other draconically aligned folk such as half-dragons and kobolds can access dragonsong, occasionally to dramatic effect.