CODEXes :
• Magic :
The Cosmos has a heavily engrained law of Physics, different then the "real world", called "Magic".
• Magical Cores :
All lifeforms have a network of magic, running through their body, often called "Chakra pathways". These are invisible to the naked eye, and most medical equipment. However, The pathways twist around the veins, cycling magic throughout the body.
Most lifeforms have 3 magical "Cores". Which pump magic, like the heart pumps blood. Each producing a specific type of magic, which blends together, in the pathways.
There is the Brain, which generates "light magic", that is powered by logic. Then the heart, which channels emotion based magic, called "Dark Magic". As well as the Stomach, which channels their Elemental Affinity.
None of these types of magic are inherently "good" or "evil", and can be used for both.
Like how "Dark Magic" is more based on passions, from love to hate. It is reliance of extreme emotions, that make it dangerous. Often producing greater offensive spells, and harsher defenses. Usually intended to kill. While also powering most rituals, and magical crafts.
While "Light Magic" is completely void of emotion, but is considered the more "pure" of the two, because it often fuels fewer destructive spells. Focusing on healing and defensive spells, as well as nonlethal attacks, and spells for everyday chores.
Light Magic is also easier to use, while Dark Magic often meets resistance. So it is often believed Light Magic is how the universe wants people to use it, while Dark Magic is "unnatural" and "destructive". But truth is, both forms are a natural part of the universe.
Elemental Magic, is often viewed as the most neutral form of magic. As the caster is channelling an aspect of nature, and a Cosmic Force, they are particularly in tune with. Such as the element of "fire", and the force of "Chaos".
Some races have a 4th core, an extra organ, which channels magic in its raw form. This makes casting actual spells far easier.
However, most species need an Arcane focus of some kind, to cast more complicated spells. Such as; a wand, staff, or magical Crystal.
Many lifeforms have a 6th sense, which lets them feel and manipulate the universe in interesting ways.
More often then not, this comes out in an ability, unique to their species' biology. Giving them special powers, fuelled by magic to use, but is usually categorized as a biological ability. Although powered by magic, the ability is usually not magical itself.
Such as the most common ability, of channelling physical might into an energy based attack. That is often called "Ki" techniques, and can be used by nearly any lifeform with a 6th sense.
• Bloodline Traits :
Also called "Quirks", "Classes", or "Superpowers", are in reality, Atypical manifestations of magic. Mutations of magic, which no direct race possess, but is found in a rare few family lines, in any race.
No whole race, has their own "Superpowers", not even from their canon media. Only limited magic, in the form of raw energy, and elemental bending. Rather "powers" run far more rarely, in a few hundred family lines, within each species, instead of the whole species.
These come out in the form of comic book style "Superpowers", or Naruto like "Bloodline Traits" or singular "Jutsus". Such as "Shadow Clones" being a unique bloodline trait.
However, even among direct descendants, not all inherit their families powers. Children, from families with "quirks", may usually inherit the powers... but sometimes they just don't.
• Lyrium :
The major source of power (to fuel everything from flashlights, Houses, and even starships) is a mineral manifestation of Magic.
Most commonly called Lyrium it also goes by: Dragonite, Element Zero, Unobtanium, Dilithium, Crystals, and Naquadah. It's name changes based on the culture, but it is universally called "Lyrium".
Without it things like Faster Then Light Travel for Starships could not exist. It also works as the power source for enchantments and Runes. It is even turned into a powder and mixed with water to act as the binding agent for magical ingredients in potions.
Raw powdered Lyrium, dissolved in water, can be used to restore an individual's magic. However, it can also be extremely addictive and is usually mixed with other ingredients to cancel that effect.
• Paths of Magic :
These are the 3 paths, a magic user can take, with their training. Essentially how they choose to focus their abilities.
- Sorcerers: Often what defines them, is their miniscule spell list. They know few spells, but those spells are trained to the point of being overpowered.
- Wizards: Most notable as Scholars of magic, knowing hundreds if not thousands of spells, but not being particularly practised with them. They are more useful as researchers, and craftsmen, then combatants.
- Sage: An individual with as large a spell list as a wizard, but are proficient, if not masters, of all their spells.
• Magical Trades :
These are more specialized forms of magic users. Essentially how magic users choose to tap into their abilities.
- Mages: A traditional magic user, taps into their own internal magic. Having a limited pool of energy to tap into. Well the least rewarding style, it has the potential to be the most destructive, as well as the Easiest to learn.
- Warlocks: Uses interdimensional energies to alter reality, instead of their own internal magics. "Fates" HATE these guys, as by calling on forces from outside their dimension, they can alter destinies. However most Higher Beings love these guys, and are obsessed with unleashing them.
- Force Users: Magicals that tap into the Cosmic Forces of their universe. These individuals channel the energy of the universe they are in, not ones beyond it. This makes them tools of the Fates, although they still have a choice of what destiny they will follow.
However, tapping into their emotions, while channelling "The Force" is extremely dangerous, as it can be an addictive rush, which can blind the magical to all but the feeling of power. With more negative emotions, and pain, being the most intoxicating.
While Jedi focus on logic, "The Light Side", and Sith their emotions "The Dark Side", Revanist study a duality of the two, simply known as "Balance".
Revanist believe it is important to use emotions, but not to channel them in extremes. Rather to temper your passions with rationalizations. Thereby using both, but focusing on neither side. However this does not make Revanist automatically "right". As they can be just as cruel as a Sith, but as merciful as a Jedi.
- Will-Users: This is the hardest to control, as you are using your own magic, to guide the forces of the Universe, to simply wish things into existence. This is what most Higher Beings do, although to a much greater degree then Sapient lifeforms are capable.
- Clerics: These magic users channel the Divine powers of a Higher Being. Not a universe, their's or another's, nor their own internal magics. They rely on "gods" to answer their prayers, to turn them into spells. These magic users are some of the most powerful, as it's not their power, but rather the might of an infinitely powerful entity. However, this comes with the understanding of living by that being's will, and completing task for that "god".
- Druids: These magic users focus on channelling the power of their home planet. Rarely leaving their world, as they act as the guardian of nature. Often being born as a favored "pet" of their planet. Although this style of magic can be taught.
They can often see the flow of magical energies, often in the form of Phantoms or transparent beasts, due to a higher spiritual awareness, attempting to comprehend the different types of energies.
They have Dominion over all animals, able to speak with them, and even command them, not just their own familiars.
They often spend their youth travelling the world, until settling down in a single Forest.
Luna Lovegood, from Harry Potter, is a Druid... among other things. Having been taught the trade from her father.
• Schools of Magic:
based off all spells from Harry Potter, Dungeons Dragons, Elder Scrolls, Mass Effect Biotics, Dragon Ball Z Kai attacks, and all other franchises. They can all be separated into one of these categories.
- Alteration. ( Spells that change the world around the caster, so normal physical truths no longer hold. )
- Destruction. ( Concerned with dealing damage, to all forms of matter, both living and non-living, and with making matter more vulnerable to such damage. )
- Conjuration. ( Creating constructs, out of interal magics, which are guided by the caster's subconscious. )
- Summoning. ( Temporarily opening a portal, to pull out something, or someone, from a different universe. )
- Mysticism. ( AKA "The Old Way," can unravel the mysteries of the universe if properly applied. It can also tell one what is around the next corner, lying in wait for a hapless adventurer to wander by. Mysticism is one of the oldest and least understood Schools of Magic. )
- Illusion. ( AKA "Mental Magic" Similar to Alteration and Conjuration magics, but were those alter the physical world, Illusion merely alters one's perceptions, senses, or emotional State. It is purely mental magics, that can be perceived by all in the area, or just by an individual. )
- Restoration. ( Can heal, restore, and fortify the body's attributes and abilities, cure disease, and protect the mind from Illusions. )
- Transfiguration. ( Based off Harry Potter spells. Where most Harry Potter fields of study, are based off applications, instead of effect, Transfiguration is a completely separate school of magic. Similar to Alteration, but with wildly different mechanics. )
• Familiars :
There is a ritual, which allows lower creatures, such as animals or non Sapient monsters, to magically bond with their owner. Connecting their magical cores by a psychic link.
This allows the creature to live as long as their owner, and remaining in their prime for that entire time.
These magically bound animals are called "Familiars", and give their owners special powers. Owners can also understand their familiar as if they were speaking the same language. (Pinkie Pie's pet Alligator "Gummy" is a familiar. As is Fu Dog, from "American Dragon: Jake Long").
Depending on how much magic the owner has, some Familiars can physically speak any language their owner knows. As their body mutates to allow this. Often granting regular animals more complicated bone structures. Which allows them to use their paws like hands, as well as walk on their hind legs.
Sapient lifeforms can have up to 5 magical bonds attached to their Chakra Pathways. Meaning 5 familiars.
• Magical Crafts :
These particular fields of study, may not require any spell casting. However, they require the ability to sense magic, inorder to create or even use these items.
Potions : Drinks that can cause near any effect. Although most civilizations require the potions to be brewed specially for each separate species. With only a handful aware enough to make potions that can work properly for any lifeform that takes it.
Alchemy : Permanently altering a substance into another.
Enchantment : Infusing objects with spells, in order to use them without worrying about spending Magicka. However, these objects require being recharge, by Lyrium Crystals.
Runes : Often used in rituals, where spells cannot generate the same effect. They are often used to channel a single Spell, for no Magicka cost.
• Magical Focus :
Magical artifacts which can be used by any sentient beings to tap into their magic. However, just because they have the potential for these abilities doesn't mean they have the know how. Using a focus requires an education, though many magic users are self taught.
While focuses are necessary for most magical lifeforms, a rare few species are capable of casting spells without. This is due to having a natural focus of some kind (usually a result of traces of Lyrium in their bone marrow). Regardless, even for these species, a magical focus is a helpful tool for learning how to cast spells. As spell casting can put a strain on the body, that can make the inexperienced easily tired.
By "looping" Magic, AKA Chakra, a portion of the user's power focuses purely on maintaining the spell and can't be used for other things. However, a focus can get around that, by supplying it's own power to the spell.
Depending on the focus, and it's craft level determines what powers it grants, and how much of a bonus it gives.
• Levels of the Artifacts:
Novice, ( common ). Apprentice, ( uncommon ). Journeymen, ( uncommon ). Expert, ( rare ). Master, ( extremely rare ). Grand Master, ( near impossible to find ). Legendary, ( one of a kind intelligent artifacts made by deities ).