Post by eltorian on Sept 22, 2011 23:28:46 GMT -5
There are other ways magic can be used than what is described here for those who are from other worlds, but the magic of the universe the game is set in is based upon the concept that in that universe, the entire universe is actually one unbelievably immense living creature. Each sentient being has the ability to use their willpower to influence what the matter and energy around them is doing. This magic was limited to very minor things that culminated in vaguely answered prayers, or luck in the world before it was destroyed because the willpower of over 6 billion people said that magic wasn't possible. Only the most powerful of individuals could manage to pull off mysterious and unexplained feats, but not with enough reliability or significance to change people's beliefs. Now that the world has been broken and re-made, the much smaller population began to believe magic was possible. Once the most powerful and strongest-willed of people began to use the first sparks of magic in the battle against the demons belief spread through people like wildfire, starting a magical renaissance. While the imprinted history in people's minds speaks of great and mystical acts, it is widely known that the most remarkable and common uses of magic only came about in recent times. Most believe this is because of the arrival of dragons.
In truth, the arrival of dragons is more because of the spread of the belief in magic than anything. These creatures are actually the living embodiment of ancient primal energies that have gained sentience, and used the dreams of people to take form. They feel the ebb and flow of the powers of the universe very keenly, and while each has their own agenda, they strongly feel a need to maintain a balance between the forces of creation and destruction. Typically chromatic dragons lean more towards destruction, and metallic dragons lean towards creation.
As for the application of magic, there are various ways to actually apply it depending on one's belief, and the strength of their willpower. The easiest and most basic forms tend to manifest from someone's own personal power. Much stronger forms can be used by those who can borrow energy from the world around them, but this is harder to control, particularly if someone or something is aware of what the caster is doing, and is actively resisting it. The most powerful form of magic is when others believe that an individual has some sort of divine power, and direct their faith towards them. This siphons a small fraction of power to the individual from each of their 'followers', basically making them a god of sorts. Other, abstract gods have been made in the past out of ideas that actually gained a manner of sentience. These gods borrowed the power of their followers to try to reshape events in ways to help other followers in times of need. Some suspect that these idea-born gods still exist.
In truth, the arrival of dragons is more because of the spread of the belief in magic than anything. These creatures are actually the living embodiment of ancient primal energies that have gained sentience, and used the dreams of people to take form. They feel the ebb and flow of the powers of the universe very keenly, and while each has their own agenda, they strongly feel a need to maintain a balance between the forces of creation and destruction. Typically chromatic dragons lean more towards destruction, and metallic dragons lean towards creation.
As for the application of magic, there are various ways to actually apply it depending on one's belief, and the strength of their willpower. The easiest and most basic forms tend to manifest from someone's own personal power. Much stronger forms can be used by those who can borrow energy from the world around them, but this is harder to control, particularly if someone or something is aware of what the caster is doing, and is actively resisting it. The most powerful form of magic is when others believe that an individual has some sort of divine power, and direct their faith towards them. This siphons a small fraction of power to the individual from each of their 'followers', basically making them a god of sorts. Other, abstract gods have been made in the past out of ideas that actually gained a manner of sentience. These gods borrowed the power of their followers to try to reshape events in ways to help other followers in times of need. Some suspect that these idea-born gods still exist.