Manipulating Magic

 

Magical Energies

 

Magical energy can be drawn from three different sources: personal, universal, and dimensional. Each source of energy yields a slightly different form of magic, although it is easy to achieve the same result using different sources. Most magicians have more than one source that they have learned to tap into. Learning the differences between these energies is the key to being an efficient magician.

 

Personal Energies are derived from the personal energy of the character's soul/ mind/body. This energy fuels any power or spell that affects the caster himself or a willing subject; trances, astral form, thought projections, physical alterations, and so forth can all use personal energy.

 

Personal energy spells, because they primarily affect the user, are usually "quiet" spells and enchantments, that is, no chanting or special gestures are required.

 

Universal Energies are gained by tapping this universe's ambient magical energy and channeling it for special effects. It is used for spells and powers affecting the world outside the sorcerer. Teleportations, attacks, illusions, and so on, tap the energy fields of the universe, using the magician as a focus.

These spells, because they can affect others, are also influenced by the target's will and mystical (or psionic) powers. Universal energy spells draw on the ambient energy found in this universe, and a brief chant or gestures are sometimes used by the caster.

 

Dimensional Energies are used by tapping beings or objects of power dwelling in mystical dimensions, tangential to our own.

These energies can be summoned in two ways...

 

Dimensional Spells

 

These spells are unique. They all draw the energy needed for the spell from another dimension. They all require a lot of concentration and skill to tap into the dimension of choice.

 

Entreaty Spells

 

These spells request an extra-dimensional being, artifact, or entity to allow its energy to be used by the caster for completion of his spell. These require the caster to call out the name of the being entreated, usually in some prosaic chant (the magician does not always have to do this aloud!).

 

This book features a section on these entities, their intentions and inclination towards order or chaos, and some of the more famous entreaty spells associated with them.

 

Usually, sorcerers will get best results by using dimensional energy from friendly sources-, but as explained, some entities are neutral (not tending toward order or chaos), meaning that they can be called on at any time by any magic wielding being, despite his tendency towards order or chaos.

 

This form of energy is the least wearing upon the caster. The sorcerer can use these energies for powerful spells, or to ask for things that the being or aspect called upon would and/or could provide.

 

The dimensional energies are usually gained by the recitation of spells, either ritualized ones found in various mystical texts or by original spells invoking extra-dimensional assistance.

 

If calling upon an extra dimensional being it is important to remember that the magician makes himself known to the being he is calling, and often to other magic wielding beings powerful enough to monitor the use of dimensional energy.

 

Sorcerers often call upon extra-dimensional beings, dimensions, and sources of power to tap the energy needed to cast dimensional spells. Such entreaties are so common that extra-dimensional beings seldom investigate the identities and motives of the magic wielders who call upon them.

 

However, the possibility of such investigation always exists if a magic wielder is calling upon a being not associated with his school of magic or if he is abusing the power of an otherwise friendly being. When an extra-dimensional being does take special notice of a sorcerer, it will almost always do so in order to put a presumptuous sorcerer in his place.

 

Gaining the special attention of extra-dimensional beings is a problem usually faced only by Adept, or Master level characters; Novices and Disciples are generally not powerful enough to provoke a hostile reaction from extra-dimensional beings.

 

When an Adept or Master successfully makes an entreaty to a being that is neutral or hostile to the sorcerer's school of magic, he always has a chance of drawing the attention of the being invoked. If the being is neutral to the caster's school, the being will take notice. If the being is hostile to the caster's school, the being will take notice on a much more threatening level. The being will then either attack him, send him on a mission.  It would be smart to restrict the using of spell involving beings that are hostile to the caster if possible.

 

If a magician uses one entreaty more than normal, the chance of attracting attention will also increase (as can be seen, the more powerful a magician becomes, the more dangerous it is for him to call upon neutral or hostile extra-dimensional beings.)

 

Think of these castings as ‘favors.’  You would not ask ‘favors’ of your enemies (hostile entities) at all.  You would ask ‘favors’ of those you don’t know (neutral entities) only sparingly.  And you would ask ‘favors’ of your friends (friendly entities) only as often as you felt would not offend them.  There are of course ways that a magician can repay ‘favors’ and a wise magician seeks them out.

 

Concentration, Confidence and Restraints in Spell Casting

 

Concentrating on Magical Power

 

The importance of a magician's concentration and study for the use of magic cannot be overstated. This is why some forces, such as sonics, are so devastating to spell casters, because they disrupt the ability to concentrate and find the flow of the natural forces.

 

Confidence in Magical Powers

 

"I have had centuries in which to study the art of combat! No one that lives can be my equal!" -The Dread Dormammu

 

All magicians have a tendency to be verbally melodramatic from time to time, but spell casters can sound like the most over-bearing of the lot. The reason, quite simply, is a matter of confidence. When dealing with magical energies and extra-dimensional beings, the mind can become easily boggled, sometimes leading to a dangerous lapse in concentration. When the concentration goes, so does the effect of the spell.

 

The constant reassurances, threats, and boasts that a spell caster yells at his opponent not only helps him stick to his task, but can possibly weaken the other person's resolve as well. With spell casters, loss of confidence or despair can affect their performance.

 

Do not confuse confidence with overconfidence.  While the forces at your command are directly affected by your own will, your limits are still defined by your understanding of the Art. You may be able to convince yourself that you can snuff out the light of a star, but you must still convince the star as well.

 

Restraints on Spellcasting

 

The more powerful a magical spell is, the more gesturing and chanting must be done to achieve the results. If the spell caster is prevented from completing his gestures or chants, it may stop the spell from being completed. If a spell caster is somehow blinded, certain spells may not be used as the target cannot be seen.

 

Unless a magical item is used to bind and gag a magician and is specifically described as negating all of the victim's magical spells, a character can always use any personal spells he may have though bound and gagged. If a spells caster is blinded (deprived of sight by a blindfold, intense light or darkness, sand thrown in the eyes, etc.), he cannot use any spell which requires sight such as targeted attacks, Bands, Sensing-Clairvoyance, Post-Cognition, and so on.

 

I have heard tell of how one Master from the Order of Hermes met his doom at the hands of a mere Vampire.  I know not if this tale is true, but the moral is important enough to relate it in brevity.

 

This Master of Forces was so confident in his power that he confronted an entire Pack of Sabbat Vampires and bid them do him service.  When the leader, a Serpent known as Kristof McBane, defied him he threatened to destroy them all with a word.  Something I believe he was quite capable of.  In response Kristof attacked the Master and held him under the water of the fountain he had been standing on.  Unable to speak his words of power, or break the Serpent’s crushing grip, the master drowned.

 

The moral I would have you take from this is; always remember your limitations, and never advertise them to your enemies.

 

Magic vs. Science

 

"There is a distant relationship between the energies of science and those of sorcery, but my power over the former is limited." – Belasco DiMera Giovanni

 

It is difficult to defeat intelligent, independent machines with sorcery. Unless specifically stated, as in the Mesmer-mechanism spell, robots, androids, computers, etc., cannot be affected by magical spells that normally affect the mind or body of living beings.

 

A Healing spell will not reattach a robot's arm, an illusion of a wall will not affect a machine with sensors, unless those sensors are hooked to a human brain, as in the case of a cyborg , Charming a tank would not work, nor would Tongues allow a magic wielder to converse with a computer, though he could read the print outs of a computer if it is in a non-machine language. For the most part, traditional magic is most effective on organic beings.

 

I have already briefly discussed some of the schools of magic that are exceptions to this rule.  Indeed I have heard tell of entire cultures, such as the Promethians of Phase World, who meld magic and technology together.  As with all things magical, there are no absolutes, and a good student of the arts will do well to remember his limitations without assuming the same of others.