Author's Note: Hello again! So, this chapter is basically a long explanation of the magic system of this universe. It was a really great feeling to finally get it all on paper, and I am super proud of the result. The next two chapters will also be about the magic system, with the next chapter being a demonstration of how one would do magic, and the second being a more specific discussion of an application of this. After that we will move back toward the plot. I am super excited to finally share the coolest part of this world with you guys, and so if you are confused at any point, PLEASE drop me a review with your question and I would LOVE to answer it. Seriously, there are few things I enjoy more than explaining my magic system to people. This is what I do for fun. (Obviously, since I am on here, voluntarily posting this . . .) Also, you will help alleviate other peoples confusion, since I will be sure to post the answers and questions in the authors notes next chapter. Anyway, please enjoy, and see you next week!
Grenarin drew a circle on the board, which he divided into three.
"Everything everywhere possesses three aspects. Each of these aspects can be altered through magic, with incredible effects."
He then drew a single rune in the top left third.
"The first is the simple what. What is a rock? What is it made of? How does it behave? How difficult is it to change? This can be altered and used by Tha – the first area of Cumhachd. With this kind of magic, you can imbue objects and living creatures with properties it does not possess. With this you can run faster, heal quicker, or jump farther. More powerful and difficult uses can allow you to change the appearance of something, make hard ground soft like a pillow, even transmute objects into other things. However – this magic, though fairly easy to understand, is limited by the properties of the objects you have available – as well as their innate power. Because of this, most of these effects are short-lived, rarely lasting more than an hour or two."
"So, it's simple to learn, but not very impressive?" Snow said.
"Yes. Most people have knowledge of a practical trick or two, an herb that halts spoilage, or some such thing." Grenarin seemed turned back to the board and drew three runes in the top right third of the circle.
"The second kind of magic is dependent on the where. Though the world appears chaotic and unpredictable, no thing just happened to be where it is. The world is ordered by simple rules – such as things fall to the earth – and with these simple rules everything has ended up where it is now. This order can be added to through placement of lines and shapes and words, and thereby change the placement of things. This kind of magic – called Ionad - can locate lost objects, create fire or other objects from thin air, remove arrows in flight, create impassable barriers, or even transport large quantities of objects, animals, or people long distances in a moment. Because these effects are created by adding objects and order to a certain spot – they can last as long as they are left undisturbed. However – to properly create even a simple location spell is difficult and requires specific knowledge, and the resulting spell would only be effective in locating that one lost object."
"So, unlike Tha, Ionad is mostly limited to scholars and such?" Snow asked.
"Yes" Grenarin said. He seemed pleased. He turned back to the board and drew a single rune in the bottom, and final, third of the circle.
"The final magic is the magic of intent. Each living creature acts with purpose in mind – and their intent is a kind of power that can be channeled and used – or taken advantage of. I know little about Rùn, save that it has great power and is a favorite of the unscrupulous to read minds, control animals, create non-living constructs or animate dead creatures, to drain the innate power from another, and sometimes even to bind people – turning them into mere puppets."
"So Rùn is evil?" Snow clarified.
"Absolutely not." Grenarin replied solemnly, "Magic is a tool, much like a sword or a shield, it itself cannot be either good or evil, only those that use it may be. However, it does seem to attract the unscrupulous in a way that the other two don't, perhaps because it requires no special knowledge, merely willpower and a valuable object."
Snow nodded. "We are using Ionad, right?" She gestured to the complex diagram Grenarin had drawn on the ground.
"An excellent observation!" Grenarin exclaimed, "however, the answer is complicated and I am afraid you are not entirely correct."