[h1]Nature of magic on Sophitia[/h1]

Knowledge of magic came to sentient races from the goddes Mother. It is the force that moves everything and gives gods their power. That is raw magic and WAY beyond capabilities of mortals. That is why Mother taught mortal races about essences of magic, it is an way to tap only to an specific source of magical might and project its might into new form or break it down for devastating effect. Those who are born with the magical gift of "affinity" are drawn to these essences, while it is possible to cast magic of all the essences they are never as strong as the ones randomness of birth gave to you, to research, master and dominate. Most magic users can only master one essence, those with great destinies ahead of them are born with two. There are also tales about heroes of old who could master four or more! That is however unlikely as tapping to more and more essence comes ever closer to godly power of raw magic, Those who attempt to master that forbidden power are usually disintegrated in seconds or driven to deep insanity by witnessing the great machine of universal causality...

[img]http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2011/153/9/9/arvos_jadestone___dwarf_shaman_by_nightblue_art-d3hvz3v.jpg[/img]

[b]Casting spells[/b]:
Those with affinities can cast spells. They are cast by tapping into the very idea behind an essence and is
conjured forward by the rules of universe. made no sense? It will in time. Basically you are free to take 
the essence and do what you will with it, get creative! Still there are limitations, 
Regular affinity born with hefty battle experience can cast from his favored essence several times hourly
This uses casters strength eventually and they get fatigued the more they cast. In the order of arcane knights it is encouraged to invent creative uses for your essence so you can press the advantage and win the day with martial prowess, as endless casting is tiring and eventually davastating for the casters own body.
example of casting and limitations, common use of fire essence is creating an ball of fire on your hand and hurling it at the enemy, or igniting things with your touch, there exist no arcane casters that can simply ignite the air or entire cities... yet...

[b]Essences[/b]:
Here are the most common essences those born with affinity are drawn to, there are also countless legends
of rare essences that only one affinity born will master in entire history of Sophitia.


[hider=Fire]
Fire is scalding raw power and gentle heat.
Fire essence is mostly used to cast spells of destructive nature and enchant weapons and armor.
[/hider]


[hider=Ice]
Ice is chilling power of stillnes. It is the slow, numbing end of resistance.
Used to entrap, impale and freeze. also to cool drinks if youre inventive.
[/hider]


[hider=Stone]
Stone is shelter and eternity, it is the weight of mountain on your enemies.
Used to harden weapons and armor. gain the momentum of avalanches or poise of mountains.
[/hider]


[hider=Wind]
Wind is playful gust and the roaring storm.
Used normally to quicken own or hinder foes movements. masters of the essence seem to fly across battlefields like valkyries.
[/hider]


[hider=Lightning]
Lightning is pure power of angry deities. Sudden end of things.
Used to electrify surfaces and call powerful bolts from the skies. masterful control of this power
can devastate battalions.
[/hider]


[hider=Water]
Water is the running river and the unfathomable ocean deep.
Water is mysterious in its use, it can drown or float. It can give life to decrepid and extinguish.
[/hider]


[hider=Shadow]
Shadow is whispers in the night, sudden touch and an assassins dagger.
Shadow essence has an naturally bad reputation for its use hides the caster and carries
its user on shadowy wings to strike from unexpected angles. However no power is evil in itself, its
the purposes its used for.
[/hider]


[hider=Sand]
Sand is time and ravaging erosion. Hot and dry lifeless thing.
Sand is used for dissolution into smaller particles. The more sadistic
create storms of the stuff to strip flesh from bone.
[/hider]


[hider=Sun]
Sun is light and heat. It is the blind healer.
Uses of sun essence are vast, from bursts of light and heat to lifegiving luminence.
[/hider]


[hider=Wood]
Wood is thorns and poison, it is the peaceful meadow.
Used to hardening effects as well as to heal, more inventive can create near endless hails
of wooden bolts to pierce their enemies.
[/hider]


[hider=Metal]
Metal is heat of forge, cold sharp edge of mastercraft spear.
Metal is used as propably the strongest of hardening type essences.
masters can make metal run and melt in their presence.
[/hider]