Traditionally, our guild has identified two major disciplines for magic: MENTALISM and SORCERY.

Mentalism refers to magical talents that deal with the mind - perceiving and affecting the thoughts of others (Sentient), dealing with beings of the spiritual realms (Spirit), communicating with animals (Animism), and even manipulating resonance or discerning information left by resonance on inanimate objects (Transference).

Sorcery refers to magic that affects the physical world. Sorcerers can be shapeshifters or healers (Form), they can teleport through space or stop time (Time), move objects without touching them (Force), control the elements of earth, air, fire and water (Elemental), and bind spells into potions, talismans or people (Alchemy).

Of course, these "talents" are only distinctions made by us as sentient beings to define the broad spectrum of potential effects and uses for magic. Not all magic users would understand these distinctions, and we must acknowledge that many of the talents (especially those within the same discipline) overlap somewhat in what they allow a mage to accomplish. The strength of the magic-user is his intelligence and creativity in combining his talents into unique, powerful spells. Surely the possibilities are only as limited as his imagination!

As you know, we have oft found a strong correlation between an individual's magical potential and his or her intelligence. There has been some speculation as to the cause, and I am afraid I have not yet found answers for those questions. What I can tell you is that I have met persons of great intelligence with no magical talent whatsoever, but I have never met a magically talented individual of small mental ability. It seems that the greater the mind, the greater the possibility for magical potential both in quantity (the number of talents) and quality (the skill to which they rise). This is possibly the will of the gods, and certainly a relief to my mind for I would dread to see the simple-minded and foolish attain such power as I have witnessed in the greatest of our mages.

OOC: PICKING MAGIC TALENTS

At character creation, you can pick up to four magic talents depending on your intelligence. The number of talents you may choose are as follows:

IN = 2, pick one magic talent
IN = 3, pick two magic talents
IN = 4, pick three magic talents
IN = 5, pick four magic talents.

Delfae, and players with the advantage Blood of the Magi, can choose one more talent at each level of intelligence; that is, if their intelligence is four, they may pick four talents. They still may not have any magic talents if their intelligence is one. For more information on picking talents at character creation, see the OOC Notes.

OOC: PROGRESSION

The highest level you may achieve in your magic talent ALSO depends on your intelligence. The following chart outlines the highest level of skill which can be achieved in any one of the character's talents:

IN = 2, the highest level is Initiate
IN = 3, the highest level is Apprentice
IN = 4, the highest level is Mage
IN = 5, the highest level is Adept

(These levels of study are explained on the following page.)

As a character studies magic and gains in strength, he must narrow his focus. Thus you may only advance ONE talent to your highest level, ONE MORE to the next-highest level, ONE more to the level below that, and so on. For instance, if you have an IN of 4, and three talents, ONE may advance to Mage, ONE MORE may advance to Apprentice, and the third may advance to Initiate.

A Delfae who has taken the option to have one more talent, or a non-Delfae who has the Blood of the Magi advantage, can develop their extra talent to any level, up to the highest.

Continue to Learning Magic

Overview || Talents || Levels || Resonance || Surges || Notes