Types of Magical Practicioners

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Though ever less common in the modern day, there are those who possess the ability to manipulate magic and affect the material world at will. There are various methods and styles of this, that differ greatly in their execution but also the way they generate the magical power necessary.

Strictly speaking, it is regarded that it is impossible to teach the basics of spellcraft, but at the same time it is not naturally inherent to most spellcasters. Rather, it must be "discovered". Constant exposure to resonant energies will slowly open ones eyes to the spiritual energy around and within them, until they eventually will learn to manipulate it. It is possible to encourage the develop of such talents through ritual, meditation, and exposure.

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The different mechanisms of spellcasting are, as with all things in magic, not solid categories. Indeed it is quite common for a practitioner of one kind to hybridize their style with another for some advantage.

Sorcery
Sorcery is wielding the spiritual energy within themselves, or even their own lifeforce. It is the most powerful form of magic for a mortal, generally, as continued usage of magic will expand ones spiritual reserves over time, and eventually they can reach extreme levels of power. However, it has its own particular dangers as well; Sorcery, by wielding the users own power, affects the wielder as much as it does the target, and can change their own resonance. This can physically as well as spiritually affect them, and some who use sorcery recklessly can eventually be twisted and consumed by their magic, essentially becoming a form of elemental. Worse still, overzealous sorcerors who overstep their bounds may miscast, maiming themselves or even consuming all of their power, lifeforce and spirit, in a powerful surge of resonant energy.

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Ritual Magic
Ritual magic is a peculiar form of magic that does not rely on an individuals inherent ability to reshape magic or even perceive it, but merely carry out specific rituals which direct and manifest magical energy from some source- the source will generally be consumed by the spell. The most common example is alchemy.

 

Even skilled mages can use ritual magic as a supplement, and combining ritual magic together with other magical techniques can create incredibly powerful spells. Where unskilled practitioners of ritual magic can only control the outcome through the ritual itself, by combining ritual magic with other forms of spellcraft it is possible to shape the outcome of the spell in the same manner as typical spellcasting.

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Priestly (or 'Divine') Magic
Priests are individuals who are able to invoke the power of divine creatures by proxy using incantations and symbolism. Technically, this makes it a form of ritual magic, but it can be performed much faster and without needing a source of power as the divine entities power can suffice. Most commonly priests are the result of religions that worship or have made a pact with the divine entities and they are granted its power in exchange for their service, but there exist, less commonly, priests who have enslaved a divine creature and siphon its power for their own usage.

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Divine Sorcery
Divine Sorcery is the magic naturally used by Divine entities, unusual in that it is an instinctive, natural ability rather than one that must be discovered like all other forms of magic. It taps into their own Divine energy and as such can be extremely powerful, with usually a very pronounced resonant signature. As such, Arcane divine sorcery is virtually unheard of.

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Shamanism and Druidism
Shamanism and Druidism is a form of magic more common in relatively naturalistic cultures, wherein the practitioner learns to manipulate the naturally existing Resonant energies around them rather than using their own inner strength. It is comparatively an easier form of magic to discover, and can be encouraged through meditation and similar practices. It is necessarily usually weaker than other forms of magic because of the limited reservoir of power to draw from, and can be limited by proximity to sources of power.

 

Spellcraft

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All manner of spellcasters will typically rely on a few tried-and-true spells to achieve a desired result. While the basic framework cannot be taught, specifics of spellcraft can be.

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Spells themselves are a diverse affair which can be customized to the casters precise needs. As a spellcaster progresses in their studies they may learn how to tap into new forms of magic and achieve new effects with them.

 

Typically the earliest developments in spellcraft are a simple resonant strike- a pulse of resonant energy which may, for example, burst a target into flames, blind them with light, corrupt them with malefic power, or douse them with liquid magic. But as one develops their skills they may create increasingly complex and elaborate spells with more advanced effects; curses to wither their enemies, blessings to heal themselves or allies, or illusions to beguile others.

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Part of spellcraft is the method of casting. Some spells rely on verbal incantation- which can be either in a casters own language, or in the universal runic language used in ritual spells. Others are directed by physical gestures and motions, which are used to focus and direct resonant energy.  Still others require no such crutches, and can be cast simply by the spellcaster willing it to be so.

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It is possible as well for spellcasters to imbue their magic into objects, in essence placing a spell within an object in the process known as enchanting. Such spells may strengthen an item, provide it with a similar effect as a regular spell, or simply infuse it with resonant power.

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enchanted objects, known as Artifacts, become imprinted upon reality and are independently capable of generating magical power. However, to create an artifact will typically require a ritual, and it is a rare- though not unheard of- spellcrafter who can simply place magical power within an object with no preparation or reagents.