Author’s note: A story shard
The use of “magic” is not a monolithic practice without distinctions. The paths to using eldritch energies vary almost from user to user. However we can qualify some generalized practices and loosely define some “schools” of thought concerning these practices.
What follows is an introductory study into these schools of magic.
Eldritch energy is a narrow band of electromagnetic radiation found in high energy regions just beyond gamma radiation. As it is difficult to observe it has not generally been accepted that it is its own form of energy and not a part of gamma radiation. Eldritch energy is characterized as being fairly easy to manipulate by certain individuals with mental powers, beings from other dimensions, and certain types of alien life forms.
Eldritch energy may also be manipulated using a complex combination of theoretical logic equations and invocations to certain “deities” or in reality alien beings with massive reserves of this type of energy (known hereafter as mana). The distinction between these two schools of practice is what we will mainly discuss.
The Mageic school
The mageic school of eldritch thought is what most people think of when they talk about magicians, wizards, sorcerers, etc.
The mageic school was an attempt to philosophically describe, define, and expand upon generalized concepts and ideas that proposed that certain forms of energy can be manipulated by means of logical arguments and thought. The two main branches dealt with two of the basic building blocks of the universe; matter and energy.
Researchers who looked into this school noted how similar some of the “spells” in magic books are to modern programing code.
The Wizard branch of the school deals primarily with energy and the manipulation thereof using complex logic equations centered on in essence “persuading” energy particles to condense together and flow in directions that they might not have done so otherwise.
The magician side of the school focusing more on affecting matter and invoking matter into action in a similar fashion as the wizards do with pure energy.
The Shamanic school
The shamanic school of eldritch thought involved mainly the invocation of power borrowed from other beings or from the elemental forces of nature (the earth, water, trees, etc).
Shamans could come with various titles depending on what part of the world you were looking at. Druid, medicine man, spirit guide, witch, high priest, or of course shaman.
This is a more informal and often a more oral tradition of magic use that depends on the invocation of power from another source. The shaman in effect borrows these powers temporarily and does not own them. The privileges can be augmented over time or revoked depending on circumstances. Typically there will be a gift or tribute involved (sacrifice) in the transaction.
There is some argument as to which school is the more “powerful” school. Undoubtedly the shamanic school can call upon greater resources but as has been noted above these powers are borrowed and are not too reliable whereas the mageic caster does not need to ask for power but rather relies upon his own skill.
Recent Comments