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MAGIC

Arcane Magic

Let's get one thing straight about arcane magic, anyone can do it. Magic is present everywhere, all anyone needs to cast a spell is the instructions (Spellbook or scroll), the proper materials, and a lot of knowledge or luck. For the final reason, it is unwise for most people to use magic. And because magic can be used by anyone, all arcane knowledge, whether natural (white) or supernatural (black), is carefully hidden, heavily guarded, and not readily shared. A mage or wizard who can create spells (for magical research still remains solidly in their hands) seldom willingly shares their personal creations with anyone, or at most their direct apprentices, and encrypts, seals, wards and hides them as well.

Mages and Wizards can effectively use arcane magic for the following reasons:

1. Mages and Wizards have studied spells long enough to cast spells without an instruction manual (aka, a spellbook) handy - this is allotted by their mana point quota.
2. Mages and Wizards can perform magical research to create new spells from materials and knowledge gained from experience, lore, and experimentation.
3. Mages and Wizards have the knowledge (specifically Arcana) to know when a spell is beyond their ken to control when they read it and what the spell actually does. Priests and Bards can acquire this skill.
4. Mages and Wizards have the skills (Spellcraft) to properly perform spells, even when it is one that they are not familiar with, without fucking them up. Bards can acquire this skill.

In this way, the world of nehwon is a difficult place to be an arcane spellcaster. This is the primary reason why spellcasters are some of the most avid adventurers or, at the very least, sponsors of adventurers. The simple acquisition of arcane rituals and spells practically requires that you strike out on your own to discover obscure lore, forgotten magic, and new phenomenon. This also leads to a great deal of mistrust between wizards and mages as they jealously guard their secrets and seek to steal, connive, extort, and purchase those of other wizards and mages.

Neither the wizard nor the mage increases their spells known every level, they must acquire that knowledge actively.

• In order to comprehend a tome of magical knowledge with which one is unfamiliar, one must make a knowledge:arcana check vs 10+(spell level) for the highest level spell that is present in the tome. A success for this check means that the reader has accurately identified the contents of the tome, including safeguards and warnings to prevent the inevitable disasters its unskilled use could cause, and may treat critical failures to perform the spells within as regular failures(see below). A failure of this check means that the reader has the wrong impression of what the tome contains or cannot make out what is intended. A failure does not prevent the reader from attempting to cast a spell from the tome (see below). The spell Read Magic allows the caster to take 20 for this check. One may also require a Decipher Script check in order to read the tome depending upon its origin; many wizards and mages codify their spellbooks knowing full well that they may fall into the wrong hands.
• In order to use a wizard or mage's spellbook to perform a spell (if one is not the owner and author of the manual in question) one must make a spellcraft check vs 10+(spell level). If the individual making the attempt does not have spellcraft (usually not a wizard, mage, or bard) then the roll is made with a -4 penalty and no bonus from knowledge. A failure of this check means the spell does not work or has unpredictable effects. A critical failure of this check is typically the stuff of nightmares (this is usually prevented with a successful knowledge:arcana check, see above). There are no wizards or mages who allow their students to begin attempts at using magic without the knowledge of spellcraft for this very reason - and many apprentices do fail at using their master's tomes before they have a chance to scribe their own.
• To permanently learn a spell, use research.

Black Magic, White Magic

The fundamental difference between the two varieties of magic are this:

• White magic is the manipulation of natural forces. The Wizard (white wizard, hedge wizard) harnesses natural energies to perform fantastical feats of sorcery. These vary from quick and simple invocations to complex and lengthy rituals. Their spells are recorded as formulae, natural principles, scientific applications, and calculations in the wizard's spellbook. The daily study of the white wizard's spellbook includes derived information from the date, the position of the heavens, meteorological measurements, and the observation of other natural phenomenon - portents and calculations that the white wizard interprets.
• Black magic is the manipulation of supernatural forces. The Mage (magician, black wizard) harnesses supernatural energies to produce arcane effects using otherworldly forces. These vary from simple conjurations and evocations to complex summonings and concentrated ceremonies. The daily study of the mage's spellbook includes the recitations of arcane scripts, the intonement of true names, the selection of runes and implements, and the observation of subtle supernatural signs that only a mage can interpret properly.

The wizard and the mage have identical magical skill, for they both have spellcraft, knowledge:arcana, can research spells, and can cast spells from memory. But for practical applications and daily spellcasting, the white wizard adheres to white magic and the mage to black. The reasons for an individual spellcaster's choice in this regard is usually quite lengthy and complex. A white wizard will swear up and down that black magic leads to destruction and infamy, and they are usually right. The mage will convincingly state that white magic offers no true secrets to the universe and provides little true power over the cosmos, and they are usually right. But these facts do not dissuade either from following their respective paths, nor does it mean that one path is ever intrinsically greater than another. It simply means that a personal choice has been made and specialty leads to greater power along both paths.

Sorcerers (Blood Magicians)

It is a mystery to even most wizards and mages as to exactly why most sorcerers are able to harness the arcane energies they do. Make no mistake, they can cast arcane spells like any person ... but they do not possess the skills (spellcraft and knowledge:arcana) that wizards and mages do. They cast spells drawing on their innate supernatural natures; there is no knowledge necessary ... it comes as easily to them as swinging a sword. With practice, they learn to do more with that magic and become formidable forces in their own rights. However, this magical ability is not derived from the studious exploration that wizards and mages undergo, but rather a process of self-exploration that reveals the innate magic of their supernatural blood. For this reason, they do not acquire the arcane skills necessary to properly use tomes as wizards or mages do, nor do they use intelligence to determine the limits of their abilities, but Charisma instead. For this reason, even mages and wizards are suspicious of a sorcerer's abilities and do not easily come to trust them, just as most people do not trust them.

Divine Magic

Priests are the only common and often accepted variety of divine spellcaster, and in fact spellcaster of any kind, on nehwon. Although the White Wizard takes his spells from the Druid spell list, these are still considered arcane spells and must be learned in the same way as other arcane spells. The priest, on the other hand, channels his devotion and unwavering faith in their god to perform divine spells, from the most trivial to the most extraordinary. There is only one guiding principle to using this magic, a priest uses their magic on the devout or to convert or impress those who do not worship their deity. Their sole purpose is the expand the knowledge and glory of their deity. These fanatical individuals are constantly on missions from their gods and do not pray to refresh their spells, they preach. A priest must preach every day in order to regain their allotted daily spells. Although this may be inconvenient for many adventurers, the rarity of white wizards makes most seek out a priest when in need of aid in lifting a curse, curing a disease, or restoring their lives and limbs.

"Close by the southern side of the road a rather large, rounded hut stood on five narrow posts. . . Blue lightning glared, revealing with great clarity a hooded figure couched inside the low doorway. . . But the lightning showed nothing whatsoever inside the hood, only inky blackness."
-- Fritz Leiber,
"The Circle Curse"