[center][h3][color=darkorchid][u]Magus Handbook[/u][/color][/h3][/center] A useful documented volume of text that houses general terminology and information in regards to everything to do with Magus society. It is a tome given to all practitioners of sorcery associated with any official bodies. [hider=General Terms] [i]What is a Magus?[/i] Any person that has the ability to directly wield the mana flowing within their body to call forth sorcery. It is used as a call-all term throughout the world. Terms like "wizard", "witch", "mage", "magician", "priest", "clergy", "sorcerer/sorceress", etc. while all having their own unique meaning fall under this general term. [i]Mana[/i] A type of energy at exists as part of the world as we understand it. Comprised of aspects that make up both the physical and spectral realms, all beings possess mana in some degree. How much mana a person is born with is largely determined by bloodline, but also external stimuli such as environment and direct intervention. Mana grows and matures naturally with the being, and can also be strengthened through training. However, someone who's born with more mana will always have that as an edge over one that has less. Having a higher "ceiling" of sorts. [i]Magic[/i] The art of channeling one's mana to call forth phenomenon and will it to happen. The ways one can practice this art are countless, and continue to increase as magical and scientific study further advance. What is known as magic can be divided into six core principles, based on what is understood to make up the world at large. In recent times, there are sparking clashes between who view magic in a more traditional, mystical fashion and those who have a more progressive and scientific way of seeing it. [i]What is a Reaver?[/i] A Reaver is a term uses to describe a person who specializes in hunting down someone or something for a benefit or other reason. It can be for the entity they serve, the sake of the law, or just to increase their own influence and resources. Reavers don't necessarily have to be Magus, but the Association has many Reavers that serve under it to defend their interests. Likewise, the Holy Church has Reavers that serve to punish sinners and others they've deemed heretics and criminals. The Fae kingdoms also have Reavers that act in order to preserve the integrity of their culture and to subdue threats to their environment. [i]Sage[/i] A class bestowed to a magus who is recognized as a master of their magical craft, whatever it may be. An official title that must be given by at least five members of the Magus Association's council, upon said individual receiving their recommendation after a full review of their accolades. It is considered and known to all as the highest honor that a Magus can obtain. Therefore, many have made it their life's mission to obtain this prestigious title, for better or worse. Sages are granted many benefits and freedoms when compared to their lesser peers, and are treated as royalty in most Association affiliated territories. It should also be noted that there aren't that many of them. [/hider] [hider=The Six Principles and their Relationships] The Six Laws that define sorcery and form the foundation for our world are known to all. However, being more than just that, they also have unique relationships in the way they interact with one another. [i]Antithesis[/i] A term used to describe and lay in parallel the contrasting ways certain principles interact with one another. Elementalism::Espermancy - The art of using one's body as a conduit for worldy forces versus using their mind as a conduit to interact with a collective consciousness. Alchemy::Galdr - Practicing breaking down and reconstructing the physical matter versus understanding and directly interacting with the spectral world. Thaumaturgy::Void - The art of using saintly forces to bless the world versus using ancient forces that involve the other side that much is still not known of. Many seeing it as encroaching darkness that shrouds. Existing both in tandem and contrast, these forces constantly work parallel to one another that manifest as various phenomena and thus shape the realms as we come to see thus far. In terms of magical practice, mastering two conflicting principles can be exceedingly difficult. So much so, that one usually ends up stunting their growth and squandering their potential. However, with the correct method of learning and true dedication, a Magua can be molded into something inconceivable. [/hider] [hider=Precursor Legacy] [b][u]Ad-Yafloreo[/u][/b] The Ad-Yafloreo are a race of beings so ancient that they predate the earliest recorded history of any existing race. Different examples of their civilization’s ruins can be found all over the world; due to the hieroglyphics and architecture displaying similarities with Human, Belua, and Fae communities- combined with the fact that they can all copulate with one another, many experts feel that the Ad-Yafloreo are the common ancestors of the three modern races. Information on their culture is scarcely limited, as any meaningful knowledge that can be gleaned from it has faded by today’s period. Though, it is thought by some that their connection to both the Material and Spectral Realms was absolute, in addition to all members of their race being able to fully practice sorcery of all Six Principles. The ruins of their civilization so far suggests that the Ad-Yafloreo people may have had a particularly sophisticated culture with technologies of their own, contrary to their expected primitive nature. Most of the tools no longer work and the knowledge of how they function or how to repair them has been lost to time. [b][u]The Principle of Eve[/u][/b] From what little information that has been recovered from the ancient civilization, it has been determined that the Ad-Yafloreo worship a divine figure of sorts. Hieroglyphics and translated texts suggest that the figure is female in nature, having the given name Yu Purusha. She was seen as the first being born into this world, and they also saw her as the last being to die. Having been created by the Six Scions themselves, the ancients viewed her as their messiah and prayed to her so that the cycle of worldly elements, creation, blessing, spirits, mind, and void could be perpetually maintained. Human, Fae, and Belua cultures have beings of worship that have some similarities to this figure. - Veyonists have the Scion of Eve: The being in question is thought to be the genetic progenitor of all three races, having traits in common with them all but at the same time being quite different. - Licsuhianists have The Saintly Mother, where said figure is thought to be the voice of the Scion of Light and whose sacrifice gave way to the world of man. - Animists have what is known as the All-Mother, a greater spirit that acts as a bridge for all aspects of nature along with guiding souls to the pure lands of the Spectral Realm. [/hider] [center][h3][color=darkorchid][u]Magus Official Bestiary[/u][/color][/h3][/center] Within this world, there are many oddities encountered in nature. Some stand as marvels of the effects magic has in this realm, whiles others pose as drastic hazards to the environment. the Association has made it part of their mission in other to chronicle all of their findings of various creatures in an encyclopedia marked as their official bestiary. All members are issued a copy of the book upon registration and are expected to review it's contents regularly. [b][u]Magical Beasts[/u][/b] [hider=Aberrations] Magical beasts are animals that have changed into something else almost entirely, due in part to larger exposure to mana that gathers more strongly in certain areas. Many aspects of the creature tend to change when they undergo this metamorphic-like process; their appearances changing to the point of only vaguely resembling their former versions and sometimes even migrating to new environments to live in. Things that remain constant, however are the animalistic instincts they possessed and the fact that all gain various supernatural abilities. Below are some examples. [hider=Vesper] [img]https://i.imgur.com/t35BYgy.jpg[/img] Large feline creatures that have their appearance altered from the usual norm. Usually adopting fur-like antenna on their heads, these beasts have gained the ability to use the power of the void after being exposed to mana that contains said property. While being very beautiful creatures according to many scholars, they are even more dangerous due to being able to teleport to locations based on their predatory instincts and having their agility and strength increased. Found mainly in deep forest and mountainous caverns, but due to their spatial abilities they could be found in a larger number of places. [/hider] [hider=Makara] [img]https://i.imgur.com/w8SOaAA.jpg[/img] Aquatic creatures thought to have been originally from the crocodilian order. The first noticeable change is the highly increased muscle mass in the forearms, and many have gained the ability to walk upright. Their bite force far surpasses any known species, and they have the ability to shoot water and ice as a means of attack and hunting prey. Some also possess the ability to generate electric pulses, further adding to their lethality. Usually found in swamps and areas containing decent amounts of fresh water sources. [/hider] [hider=Kelpie] [img]https://i.imgur.com/a8FgjHi.jpg[/img] Horse-like creatures that are often coated in an enchanting hue, almost as if they're on fire. The flame-like energy emitting from them is actually mana overflow. These animals are imbued with powerful wind essence, allowing them to run freely in the air, casting great gusts in their wake. They are usually sighted in forested and areas similar to open plains and rough terrain environments. [/hider] [hider=Sparonix] [img]https://i.imgur.com/XCVgOEv.jpg[/img] Large birds that are covered in a brilliant vermillion flame in place of usual down. The flapping of their wings spread small embers, causing anything that comes into contact with them to burst into flames. Curiously, these creatures have been seen literally cooking their prey, preferring meat that has been seared for a certain amount of time rather than consuming it raw. They are usually found in desert and volcanic regions. [/hider] [hider=Rhydrogon] [img]https://i.imgur.com/vesjTri.jpg[/img] Large and bulky creatures resembling dragons and big game mammals. Their skin is made entirely of stone, and is more durable than any normal armor. They are dull-witted animals that often attack without provocation and charge headlong into foes. In addition, they are able to manipulate the rock and gravel around them. Watch out for large spikes erupting from the ground as they run forward. Found mainly in many rocky areas as their appearance would suggest. [/hider] [/hider] [u][b]Miasma and Abominations[/b][/u] [hider=Otherworldly Nightmares] Unlike magical beasts, which are nothing more than natural aberrations of the world brought on by excessive mana, Abominations are creatures that are not of this plane and cause nothing but death and rotting when interacting with anything within it. These horrors are brought into being by the effects of miasma, a putrid substance that emits from distortions from the Divergent Plane. [hider=The Divergent Plane] [img]https://i.imgur.com/Hy12hqV.gif[/img] A world completely separate from the Material and Spectral Realms, it is thought to be the origin of abominations and miasma as a whole. Understanding of this plane is extremely limited, even to the most dedicated of scholars and high ranking officials. It is unknown when this realm came into being, but most theorize it is as old as our own world. Miasma spews out when distortions from this place cross over into our world. It was once incorrectly thought that void magic opens a pathway to this wretched place, but it was later disproven as the void only affects the boundaries of the known planes. [/hider] [hider=Miasma] [img]https://i.imgur.com/rOWJJJ6.png[/img] Best describe as a divergent force, it is a dark colored substance that causes death and rot with whatever form of matter it comes into contact with. Many lives have been lost as no conventional means could effectively rid areas of this pestilence. It wasn't until mortals learned to harness the power of magic that this putrid force could be properly combated. It is especially dangerous as it not only affects the material realm, but the Spectral realm as well. The greatest fear is that this force will completely unravel the fabric that balances the cycle of life and death and bring ruin to existence as mankind knows it. It is from this energy that abominations are wrought, which include the following: Monsters, Apparitions, and Malfested. See more below. [/hider] [hider=Monsters] [img]https://i.imgur.com/EyOxWjS.jpg[/img] Creatures that are born from fell energy. They can either be formed from fauna that come into contact with miasma and are exposed to it for too long, or come from the Divergent plane itself. These creature are utterly hostile in all instances and will actively hunt and consume any form of life they sense or come into contact with. These creatures emit the same disgusting force that brought them into being, and will spread it continuously if not dealt with swiftly. They are highly resistant to conventional weaponry, and magic has been the main proven method for which to fully exterminate them. They have been found to have a distinct weakness to White magic, their bodies disintegrating when coming into contact with it. If not destroyed quickly, they will continue to spread decay and create more of their kind. Those afflicted with wounds and bites from them will also share this fate unless purified within a certain amount of time. Even the corpses of monsters can still emit fell energy, so they must be fully destroyed in any way possible. [/hider] [hider=Apparitions] [img]https://i.imgur.com/aD8HlEk.jpg[/img] A different class of abominations separate from monsters, but still share some similarities. They essentially are lost spirits that have succumb to the effects of miasma that are only motivated by the same predatory nature seen in physical monsters. The methods in which these creatures are born is relatively unknown, as many factors can contribute to them. Some may be born from corrupt spirits, other theorize they are the souls of slain monsters that still linger, and some even suggest they are simply another form of creature from the Divergence. Apparitions are often more dangerous than monsters, mainly due to the fact they are immune to physical attacks as they have ethereal bodies. Slain apparitions also leave behind miasma, so they must be fully exorcised to avoid further turmoil. Wounds inflicted by these creatures may feel quite odd, you don't feel an appendage or a claw rend your flesh, but you still feel the pain and and sensation caused by the attack. [/hider] [hider=Malfested] [img]https://i.imgur.com/PuoLLhf.jpg[/img] This is a term used to classify sapient beings that have fallen prey to the affects of miasma, whether it'd be directly or through the actions of another creature under the same influence. Humans, Belua, and even Fae can all fall prey to this sickness and can affect said individuals in a multitude of ways. In almost all cases, those who've fallen into these condition completely lose their sense of self and delve into the violent and rapacious nature displayed in monsters and the like. However, some of these instances may still retain an amount of sapience they once had in varying degrees. These pseudo-sapience can also manifest and display in numerous ways, often dependent on the mindset and disposition of the original person. Malfested beings in exchange for losing their humanity gain strength and abilities far exceeding their natural limits from when they were normal. This, combined with having advanced instinctual intelligence surpassing that of regular fell entities, make them far more dangerous than those of their kind. Persons displaying early effects of this condition are to be treated immediately, and if they are too far gone should be terminated with extreme prejudice. Example of a malfested Belua: [img]https://i.imgur.com/lgKo1pJ.jpg[/img] Example of a malfested Fae [img]https://i.imgur.com/M18RnXf.png[/img] [/hider] [/hider] Credits to Researcher Schuller and Mr. Krausser for their added insight into the information provided in the documentation.