The spectra of Magic.

((OOC first: this is a little thought that started a while ago, because, well, I couldn't keep my nerdiness strictly IRL. What the following textwall is, could be called a thesis on magical theory. Unlike the Divine/Arcane distinction that is mostly used, I want to show that it's possible that those two are just parts that are connected and that there are possibly even more different branches. There are a couple of reasons I'm posting it here.
1: One of the things in here is a theory on how elementals and arcane mage (and magic as a whole) are in balance, how something that upsets the elementals can change the flow of magic in the world (yes, this is the part where I connect Thrall's talk with game mechanic changes, you can't stop me!). I hope to use this for more ic research in the future.
2: With that meeting in Dalaran, I thought it would be a good idea to throw out some thoughts on magic. At the end there are already some recommendations for what can be done regarding all the earthquakes.
3: Depending on how this is received and if you manage to talk me out of it, I might plan on organising some lessons/discussions on academics in Sunstrider Island, as it looks now I won't be the only "teacher" so to say.
There are two "chapters" so to say, two different lines of thought that don't really mix, but I would like to think that as I get more information/data and input from those interested, that I'll be able to write more "chapters" and make the existing ones fit together. Imagine it as trying to build dice with pictures instead of numbers if you only know how 2 sides, in a way >.> so any criticism I might and hope to get, will most likely end in a new chapter instead of changing an existing one. Also, I tried to keep spelling and grammar errors out, but I'm sure I have failed in that. My wording might be awkward aswell, suggestions in that way are also very welcome. I've already gotten some comments from my own people about this, it's (partialy) liked and/or not 100% understandable. This is supposed to be an IC thing that's been written, so for those interested would most likely be able to find in a Silvermoon Librabry and possibly a Library in Dalaran, but since I'm not mage, it might be harder to find. Xellos and Drathun are among those that helped me. Anyhow, here it comes!))

Written by Sin Drassil Kristeas Sunbinder.

Chapter 1
Magic, is everywhere, it surrounds us, it connects us, it defines us. There are many types, the arcane, shadow, light. Some are known, some either have been found uninteresting, unusable, maybe even some have been deemed too powerful or chaotic to be dealt with at the moment. But they all have one thing together, mana. The energies that rewrite the rules of nature but also enforce them.

What follows after this, is an attempt to put different types of magic, relative to each other. I will first show you an example of how I believe it would look if you sort them. But I will first remind you, the reader, off two laws of magic that can be found in any half decent library. Note that I have written two parts that not directly work together, however that does not make one of the wrong by default. They are merely two pages in the book of magic so to say. The more research and data I have, the more they will fit together.

Magic is Corrupting.

Magic corrupts the soul; if the humblest person in Azeroth became a practition of the arcane, by the time the practitioner reached the higher levels in their art, all traces of her humble roots would be lost. Magic breeds pride and arrogance. Magic corrupts the body; it ages the caster before their time and hastens the blight that the world inflicts on things fair and beautiful. Those who claim that only Necromancy and Fel Magic have a corrupting influence are fooling themselves.

Magic is an Addiction.

When one feels the power of an arcane spell coursing through one's body as it's being cast, resisting the orge to cast it again is difficult. Frequen use lead to a desire for more and, eventually, to a desire for the evil fel energy.



I start with "Mana" in the middle, it it quite possible that rawest, purest state of magic. When studying a kind of magic based air elemental, it is said that "They exist in Azeroth as physical manifestations of pure arcane magic, or even of mana energy itself." This would mean that mana is different from pure arcane magic. Maybe there are more states that would fit the "center position" better, but I will it to capable Magister to prove me wrong. I leave fel magic and necromancy out of this "spectrum" because they are both types of magic that have a lot of overlap between the Arcane and Nature branches but are considered types of Arcane magic. I will give a summary of different correlations or combinations of magic later on.

Now the split into Arcane, Nature, Shadow, Light and Spiritual. Among my reasons is the split that was made thousand of years ago when the Highborne were exiled and the Kaldorei focus was on nature and Elune worship (that grants both light and shadow) and spiritual magic like the one employed by Shamans does not fit either of the other types of magic but falls more in line with Light and Shadow magic where the users will is of importance. Next is that the corruption of the magic types differs. Yes, even nature magic and the light has it's corruptive properties. And remember that corruption is just as much effected by the mind of the individual as the magic. Anyhow, the arcane and by extension it's branches of fel and necromancy have physically corruptive properties, think wings, spikes, teeth.Also remember that there is two sides to Nature magic, a plant side and an animal side and one could say that the transformation into an animal could be seen as controled corruption. Yes, the arcane might not have the same effects, but how else would one explain how powerfull non-Quel'dorei or non-Sin'dorei suddenly have bright blue eyes? In my knowledge there has been no research regarding Arcane corruption, again, a Magister might know more on that.

Now Nature, Light and Shadow are more mentally corruptive. Zealotry and self righteousness that the light awakes in it's unprepared wielder, ruthlessness and egoism the shadow might bring on the weak minded. Even Nature, that awakens instincts long gone from a species, to shed away civilisation and live like an animal. Nature is less corruptive than it's branches, like the arcane, that's a possible reason why the D.E.H.T.A. have not taken a Scarlet Crusade approach towards perceived dangers and started getting rid of any sentient non-D.E.H.T.A. individual.

Now to explain the branching of Arcane magic, I need to explain something about elementals. In every elemental there is a core. A piece of filtered arcane, irratiated material that leans towards a certain element. Once the core is activated by magic, the elemental is active. Now a core isn't limited towards one element. Two, three or even four elements can be projected by a core and it's the four element configuration that is the point. There are two, four element, elemental configurations, the primal elemental and the Arcane elemental. This means that when four elemental energies converge, it becomes arcane energy. The question is when and why it becomes a primal elemental instead of an Arcane elemental. I will have to put that aside for potential further research. See "affinity" further down for my theories on elemental creation. Note that Medivh is said to have believed that:"magical fire comes into existence because the caster concentrates the inherent nature of fire in a certain area to summon it into being." Magic is everywhere, by definition the arcane is everywhere and the magic of fire is part of the arcane.

Now, I have more branches than the old "arcane/divine" magic division. Well, in my opinion that is ignorance. We know that the arcane and light magic can have a similar behavior, like the sunwell, ofcourse there haven't been any long term studies on the effect on the bodies of the inhabitants of Quel'thalas. Also the light can be "granted" by an attuned being (like a Naaru, note the light/shadow rebirth circle of a Naaru) as if it was elemental magic granted to a shaman through an elemental spirit. This brings the question if a Naaru could be classified as a "light elemental". Shamans to my knowledge gain the favor of an elemental spirit through willpower, personal alignment and through offerings. Not unlike a loyal priest, who offers his prayers, resists temptations and helps those in need, or am I wrong? Or fel, where some practitioners are lured with promises and rewarded with power if they do the demons bidding? Or even necromancy, where the Lich King was even considered divine by the cult of the damned, who gave them power, therefore a Divine magic that still falls under the Arcane.

Chapter 2
But, through rational thought and my own experience, I have another view, that does not completely fit the previous one.

I have chosen Arcane as the "center piece" this time. And yes, I'm aware that shamanism and druidism are considered "divine magic" schools and i seperated nature magic from Arcane magic earlier., but both can be replicated through experimental research. Light magic aswell, but my reason for keeping it away in this roundup will be discussed at the end.

Correlation summary:

Nature magic also has use of earth magic, like roots that spring forth to grasp an enemy. Or air where a druid can capture an enemy in a small cyclone.

Fel is a corruptive kind of Arcane that leans strongly towards fire magic aswell as shadow magic. Necromancy that is again a branch of Fel, leans towards water magic and shadow. Note that Shadow flame is both fire and shadow magic but not Fel. It appears that Shadow flame (as known to be used by certain dragons) is leaning more towards shadow magic where fel has a stronger fire attunement than Shadow flame.



This could be a final comparison. The attributes here are the relative "activity" of the magic (Reactive - Alive - Calm) and the natural sources, where the magic can be found so too say , my wording might be flawed but I will explain in a moment so hopefully it will be clear.

-Horizontal-

First the activity, with that I mean both how potentially corruptive a type of magic is, if the type of magic will do anything without a sentient being that channels said magic and/or if the magic is mostly physical or spiritual. Also note that I have split the magic of shamans into an elemental part and a spriritual part.

Spiritual shamanism has as far as I know, little to no effect on the physical world. Frost magic will, unless and item or spell is directly crafted for it, dissipate with time, Ice melts, frost magic will simply take more time. Necromancy, a highly questionable magic, deals quite a bit with souls and has several frost magic elements. Now unlike fel, which necromancy is in a way a branch off, it does not have the same radioactive properties. A chunk of iron next to a source of fel will change the iron, a source of necromantic energy will not. Necromantic energies can however be transmitted by touch and are is therefor still corruptive. Note that all types of magic are in a way corruptive. How depends on the type of magic.

It is said that necromantic objects have a certain allure, but how much of that is purely necromancy and not a separate offshoot of soul magic and/or fel magic like it's being used by succuby, is the question.

Druidic, Arcane and Shadow magic hold the middle ground in activity, I call this state "alive". Druidic magic has the property to be very well suited for changing a bodies make up, transforming into animals and animated trees. But this attribute can be controlled, same with the Arcane. You could call it selective temporal mutation if it's not an illusion. Shadow shares with the fel and necromancy, a certain effect on the weak mind. Making it power hungry, ruthless, this however can also be attained by an individual skilled in manipulation of the mind.

Now, elemental magic, fire magic and fel. I already gave the example of the reactivity of fel on a chunk of iron. And few will dispute that uncontrolled elemental magic can be right out called volatile and dangerous, capable of cracking the ground and overflowing rivers, see magical affinity on the end of this document for a further discussion. Now fire magic, the reactivity isn't as much in the magic as it is in the properties of fire itself, if not controlled fire will still continue. It will burn, it will transform alchemical ingredients, giving them different properties, it consumes.

-Vertical-

First there are the natural magic, with that I mean they can be found on the surface of the world. Druidic magic is a life magic, it can be found in the soil, the trees, animals. Same with shamanistic magic, both elemental and spiritual. You could say the magic is hardwired into the natural world.

Frost, Fire and Arcane, could be considered superpositioned, they are separate from the natural elements, but have overlapping properties. Frost and fire can easily be thrown together with elemental magic, it all depends on if the source is an element or the conversion from the arcane. The Arcane itself is part of the natural world, like the ley lines, and certain druidic magic has a distinct arcane feel. But except the ley lines, the arcane can also be pulled from extra dimensional sources. Note that this last way is how the burning legion has been attracted to this world several times.

Now fel, necromancy and shadow. As I said, necromancy is a branc of fel magic, but both are considered to be branches of arcane magic. They are both "created" magics, created by twisting the arcane in ways that are unnatural, if they were natural, they would spontaneously be created in ley lines, would they not? Shadow, by some, is also seen as a divine magic type. It is, in a way, arcane where the corruptive properties on living beings have been enhanced.

Now, on light magic. As can be seen in the Sunwell, it is in atleast one way interchangeable with arcane magic. And like all other arcane types it sates the "hunger" or "addiction". Next to that, the most used source of light magic is through a religion (unlike our people that can also use the Sunwell as a source). And it doesn't have to be a "good" religion, there are enough fanatics that go against a "good" religion and still have the ability to use light magic. It appears that Light isn't as much belief in a higher power, but belief in that one can do it and willpower. Like using the light to heal without knowing anything about anatomy. Light magic is warm, undead struck down by it turn into ash, as if they are burned by fire magic. It can shield against physical attacks like many other types of arcane magic. It is able to call back the dead like most divine magic schools. A strong enough light magic infused object can radiate it's magic to protect against Supranatural magic like fel, necromancy and shadow.

Affinity:

Note that my theory on elemental core creation is that a strong source of arcane energy (or even raw mana) is filtered by an elemental energy (like heat, wind, water) and resonates with an appropriate core material like a crystal, this core material can be different things.

Magical affinity, it's not unheard that certain materials, like wood, metal and gems are good for certain magics. Same goes for living beings, like our people that have been effected by our life in the shine of the Sunwell. Now, elementals (and I'm thinking about the kinds that shamans commune with), how are they created if not by the arcane(or even mana)? My belief is it that elementals are pieces of materials (either earth, a solved mineral in water, dust in the air that is either burning or not) that have been effected by a strong, arcane source, a source of "elemental magic" or a source of mana. It's not like some incredible being decided to just put down a few chunks of living rock. There are also things like arcane elementals, they however also still need a certain focus to manifest, it is just elementally neutral or elementally complex, I'll leave that to someone else with interest to figure that one out..

As for magical affinity in living beings, an affinity in my mind is both a physical and a psychological thing. Physical like how the offshoot of our ancestors from the Kaldorei and the use of the arcane has made us more in tune with magic in general. I'm not saying that it's impossible to do magic outside an affinity, it only requires work. As I said earlier, there are magic types that we don't know about. There might also be "energies" that we don't classify as magic but could possibly be it. I'm not going to discuss that further, but isn't it strange that a warrior can suddenly regenerate wounds without any magical training at all, and only in combat? Is it an instinctual grasp on a kind of magical energy that we have yet to control?

Recommendation regarding the current state of the world:

Magic is a balance, magic is one and many, when one of the branches of magic change, then the rest does aswell. I believe it's that balance that we have to look at and manipulate if these quakes have a magical (or elemental) trigger. Most importantly would be the continous monitoring of ley lines and moon wells. The sunwell is already being monitored if you are wondering. Then there are three roads of action I can imagine:

1: The binding or elements to reduce their effect, we can also first relocate them to change the balance. I would advice discussing this with shamans who would know more about the behavior of elementals.

2: If there is magic buildup in the ley lines, through geographical shift the ley lines become clogged, we will have to drain the excess mana from it. Be it through runes and crystals if the buildup is slow or if they are not enough, with an adapted manaforge that instead of pulling energy from the nether, drains from the ley lines to prevent an overload. I don't need to tell you what for effects it can have if a strong source of magic explodes, do I?

3: Applying the reverse of the ley line pattern found at Mirkfallon Lake on pre existing wards and reinforcements of the ley line monitoring stations, should give us the ability to apply a buffer if the situation calls for it.

No one would listen to Mandui 2 years ago when she kept screaming about balance and now it's a new trend! Pah!

On a serious note, an excellent read, Kris <3

>.> You wouldn't happen to have a copy of your screaming somewhere?
... please?

Sorry, but it all happened ICly and throughout the timespan of 2-3 years :<

I've always* been of the opinion that only a 4-dimensional chart could properly show the relationships between the various forms of magic.

*Blatant lie

If I could make one, I would have made a 4 dimensional chart, but I didn't even get to 3 dimensional... I'm not good with excel. Maybe sometime in the future

A damn good read and good angle for magical theory RP as you desribed both IC and OOC.

There is one point within your thesis that is directly the foundation of the 'magical' RP I've done as Jayse with Menorian over the past year now.

Okay >.> out of curiosity, I won't get any copyright sues, right?

Nice read.

How 'well-known' would this piece be? I'm wondering if my character would have read it before. There's a few things in it she'd disagree with. <.<

Imagine that it just got put in Silvermoon (and other horde libraries?) aswell as a copy or two in Dalaran, I can't say anything about if you'd find anything in the alliance.

Kristeas Sunbinder wrote:Imagine that it just got put in Silvermoon (and other horde libraries?) aswell as a copy or two in Dalaran, I can't say anything about if you'd find anything in the alliance.

I of course meant through Dalaran. Is it written in Common too? Or just Thalassian? She has a working understanding of Thalassian in written form, but obviously Common would be easier for her to understand.

I'm asking 'cause she might write a critical response. <.<

Maybe one of the librarians managed to translate it or there is translation magic >.> hmmm.

Doubt it'd have been translated so soon, usually takes awhile for translated versions of things to be released. Regardless, it's not necessary for it to be in Common. Afterall, anyone who has a vested interest in studying Azerothian magic should learn to read Thalassian.

(still being OOC here)

Slightly relates is another form. Being Chaos Energy.

"Chaos energy is highly dangerous; some believe it actually is equivalent to arcane magic, although it can be harnessed by tinkers. Thought at first to be magical, as it can sometimes mimic the effects of arcane magic, chaos energy is purely mechanical in nature. Chaos energy is generated through the use of devices called chaos generators. A small box contains magnets, several differing kinds of metal, steam energy and a tiny golden core that vibrates at a high frequency when powered. Political maneuverings by wizards in Theramore have caused the ruling body to declare chaos generators unlawful, but the goblins and some gnomes still manage to research and develop new uses for chaos energy. The Horde hasn't outlawed the usage yet, as it is not arcane magic, but they are suspicious of it because of the similarities"

I've always been interested in the concept of Chaos Energy and used it loosley as part of a background story/mission involving Jayse and SI:7.

As the lore suggests Chaos Energy looks to be a representation of particle reaction/acceleration and Nuclear Physics. The Energy itself is created through magnetising a gold power core similiar to the electron physics IRL counterpart.

Now considering the descructive capability it would be perfect to be used in weaponry. Goblin pocket nukes and Thermonuclear explosives?

Given the animosity among the magical circles regarding the outlaw of this it would be interesting to hear how they would view this in an analytical outlook, a little more then simply (it's not real magic therefore it's banned)

Auchidon was destroyed though a 'sonic' explosion (given the fact the summoning was to do with Murmur i'm taking this under assumption). With a sonic blast that large it could perhaps be a close comparison as to the destructive effects of Chaos Energy.. In theory at least as I haven't found any other lore evidence related to it's application or infact how it was found to be so dangerous in the first place.

Interesting none-the-less

I'd see that "sonic magic" as another branch from mana, but maybe we'll get some more stuff about it in Cataclysm. And about the chaos energy, I would think it can run parallel to magic, it's possible that energy, focus and rage could be parellels aswell. It's said that for example elven rangers use nature magic, but we get focus. Yet focus is also used by animals (pets) and a druid is able to shift between types of magic (even into elemental conglomerates in a way as a tree elemental?) towards rage and energy in feral modes. Maybe said chaos energy is, well, "energy" within the same spectrum as chaos energy and in a way interchangable (stealthing?). Maybe sonic, chaos, focus, rage, energy could be a seperate spectrum or "plane" of magic. One that is more towards elemental magic in requiring resonance or a level of disharmony to be created or exist. I've thought about considering rage a kind of kinetical absorption and re-application type of magic that's based on physical/muscle training and instict (that warrior just healed his own wounds!).

Interesting read, Kris, kind of like you anticipated, Antistia won't be happy about this, she would be amused by what she views as Kris' inability to comprehend the Shadow though.. Who knows, maybe she'll write a piece rejecting some assertions here in time..

*eyes* I don't think I'm saying anywhere that "the Shadow" as an entity doesn't exist.

Note to self: Do not read things without the page maximized and while listening to an interview >.>

I think Murmur (and by extension, the "sonic" magic theme around him) was intended to be just an aspect of the element of air. Given that sound is just waves traveling through air (or any other physical medium) until it hits an object, this makes sense.

Sound is vibration, so I imagine it would be something between air, water and earth.

Very interesting read.

Kristeas Sunbinder wrote:Sound is vibration, so I imagine it would be something between air, water and earth.

To be more precise, it is air vibrating, so it would be the element air I think.

Antistia wrote:

Kristeas Sunbinder wrote:Sound is vibration, so I imagine it would be something between air, water and earth.

To be more precise, it is air vibrating, so it would be the element air I think.

none of the above, as sound travels through multipe mediums... and ironically fastest through water.

*dances the happy dance*

nice read kris!

1a. Vibrations transmitted through an elastic solid or a liquid or gas, with frequencies in the approximate range of 20 to 20,000 hertz, capable of being detected by human organs of hearing. b. Transmitted vibrations of any frequency. c. The sensation stimulated in the organs of hearing by such vibrations in the air or other medium. d. Such sensations considered as a group. 2. A distinctive noise: a hollow sound. 3. The distance over which something can be heard: within sound of my voice. 4. Linguistics a. An articulation made by the vocal apparatus: a vowel sound. b. The distinctive character of such an articulation: The words bear and bare have the same sound. 5. A mental impression; an implication: didn't like the sound of the invitation. 6. Auditory material that is recorded, as for a movie. 7. Meaningless noise. 8. Music A distinctive style, as of an orchestra or a singer. 9. Archaic Rumor; report.

and

Sound is a mechanical wave that is an oscillation of pressure transmitted through a solid, liquid, or gas, composed of frequencies within the range of hearing and of a level sufficiently strong to be heard, or the sensation stimulated in organs of hearing by such vibrations

Krogon wrote:

Antistia wrote:

Kristeas Sunbinder wrote:Sound is vibration, so I imagine it would be something between air, water and earth.

To be more precise, it is air vibrating, so it would be the element air I think.

none of the above, as sound travels through multipe mediums... and ironically fastest through water.

*dances the happy dance*

nice read kris!

Gah! I forgot this! I fail at physics!