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Magic. Magic is the very essence of Vinadorin; Arcane energy that flows freely through our world. This energy acts as a clay, used to form into a shape that we can comprehend. Typically, it is invisible to mortal eyes, unless invoked through ceremony or spell. Visible, Raw Arcane often ranges from blue to purple swirls of transparent power.
Learning magic is very much like learning a new language. Books, scrolls, teachers, and infusion ceremonies are all ways to bolster one's powers, much in the same way exposure to a different tongue expands your understanding of it. If you start young and diversify yourself, you can easily pick up two or three types of magic by late adolescence. Even then, there is another layer to that. Five types of magic are to be noted: Fire, Water, Earth, Air, and Dark. If a person has any ability to produce magic, they will have an affinity for one type in particular. Much of magic is envisioning how to manipulate the Arcane in the form you want, and that’s no easy feat. Even someone as myself, learned in Earth Magic from the school at Delrin’s College of Magic faced difficulty in my studies. Fatigue is an important concept to understand when utilizing magic. As mortals aren't necessarily predisposed to the use of Arcane, it wears on the mind. This wracking of the senses can cause one to become, what is known as, Fatigued. It becomes harder to breathe, harder to focus, and eventually, the inability to produce magic until rested. Much like a soldier grows tired from fighting, a Mage grows Fatigued from casting spells at their threshold. Casting a fireball or collecting some of the moisture around you is just the basics. True mastery, giving flame a solid shape or traversing your physical form through the shadows, takes years of mental fortitude and practice. No link has been made between familial relations and magical skill. Even though a parent may be a great Mage, the child could not have any ability for magic at all or vice versa. Why, I remember Michael Hadiel, and his son, Dedricus. Michael was an astounding Fire Mage, working as a teacher at the local Mage’s school. While his son could produce Fire Magic, he had an affinity for Dark Magic. Maybe to call it an affinity is a stretch. There are "other types" of magic we may cover in the future. Office of the Reporter Douglas Stoutforge
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The sword is the most common weapon one may run into on the continent. A good iron blade, locked down to a firm wooden hilt, and wrapped in fine leather. From Delrin to Tinechi, a trusted sword is the most valued companion. Nobility enjoys passing down ornate swords. They usually just sit above a fireplace for all eternity.
Maces are certainly weapons to be feared. They come in all shapes, from large spiked heads to rigged beasts. No other weapon has the capability to eat through solid steel quite like a mace can. Despite their great use, they are heavier and, therefore, less favored by the average combatant. The Knights of Yvoria are famous for wielding flanged maces into combat. An axe is also quite easy to run into (please do not run into an axe). A crescent blade on a wooden haft makes for a deadly chopping tool. Many are used to cut wood in the colder months, though battle axes are light and deadly enough to wield into combat. Aiming for the weak spots in armor can take a limb simply enough. I like axes. I’m a Dwarf, and biased. Short blades or daggers are often used by nightstalkers and thieves. Their light weight and deadly point make them quite effective. They can also be used for carving or crafting, so their use as a tool is unquestionable. While you’d never wield one as your primary weapon on the battlefield, carrying one at the boot could save your life. A spear can vary wildly, as it’s really any blade on the end of a staff. Axe heads, swords, and curved blades beyond comprehension all qualify. When the Ogaitnans aren’t at war with each other, their favorite pastime is inventing new polearms. Why, here in Nylevran, we make quite the fierce spear. The Frankell smiths even made advances in flattening the point of leaf-bladed spears. Certainly something to think about. Shields. Bah. You hold them up and you don’t die real good. If you don’t know what a shield is, go read a book! Staves can come in several different forms: Wood or metal. Wood is preferred as it's easier to carry around. A metal staff, however, can provide a great offensive tool. As to why a mage would need to lethally beat someone over the head is beyond me; I’m just here to state facts. For magical purposes, staves are topped with an enchanted item, typically an artifact or a crystal, that the magic user can channel their energy through and yield a more powerful spell. Be warned, this is incredibly fatiguing to them! I wanted to keep this topic a bit broad. Perhaps one day I’ll discuss more of the “unique” weapons to be found across the continent. Office of the Reporter Douglas Stoutforge The horned Ogres of Tinechi are an interesting people. A tribal folk, their clans have cultures unique to their land. The clan Seneschals all report to one person: the King. Though this ruler has no hard say in each clans laws, they vary greatly, he does provide direction for the country as a whole. Old King Huruk Kiragikhan rules from their iron capital of Tinechi City.
Some say Huruk has lived far past the natural age of an Ogre: claims say he is 173 and the average Ogre lifespan is 150 (a trait my people share with theirs). He is a secretive but wise being, valuing both brain and brawn. His brood is expansive, as he has many children. A prominent son of his was originally sent as a ward to King Jargos in Delrin; he now acts as a personal guard to the man. I find myself at odds with Huruk. Though many of our ideals do align, the Ogre King refuses to mend old relationships broken in the past. They’ve hidden behind their mountains for far too long. Huruk, to this day, will not partake in the High Court. Seeing as the High Court is what keeps politics (mostly) clean on Cyrdoma, it’s strange to see a race not be a part of it. It’s for the best to help each other, no? Office of the Reporter Douglas Stoutforge Nearly 13,000 years ago, the Elven King Goaryn’Diilranas betrayed his father and marched a bloody campaign across Cyrdoma. In his conquest, he encountered a collective of human living underneath the shade of a monstrous tree. Though the humans were decimated by the brutal Elf King, vines erupted from the ground and crushed him and his warriors into a bloody pulp.
Those who survived told of the odd encounter and began to revere the tree, calling it Yggarbamus. It was not long before the rest of the High Elves shared in this belief and constructed a marvelous city in the embrace of the tree’s roots. Though their bloody war continued, the tree allowed them its sacred ground. Yggarbamus, due to its massive size, is believed to have been planted in the ground by Vinera herself. Of course, the Gods aren’t exactly vocal so it’s hard to confirm. The common looking bark is paralleled greatly by the heartwood. A radiant blue core is nestled under the bottom of the roots, supporting the base of the mighty tree. Altaer’Ornla (High Grace in Common), was built underneath Yggarbamus. A wall was erected between two exposed roots, encircling the city in natural and mortal-made protection. The city is split into five sections, all built around the exposed core: the Royal Quarter, the Grand Commerce, the Hovel, the Dwelling, and the Estates. Within the pillar of heartwood, is a pool of sacred water, in which Elven princes are baptized. Today, the city stands as a bastion of one of the most dominant and culturally rich races on all of Cyrdoma. Though there is a certain exclusivity among Elven culture, festivals are typically a very open time for them and make for a great time to visit the tree-city. Now that I think about it, I need to request time off for the Winter Festival in Decus. Office of the Reporter Douglas Stoutforge |
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