Magic in the World of Fantasy Alive
The world of Fantasy Alive is touched by magic, with mortals across all the varied civilizations in the world having complex relationships with this powerful energy. Through study, divine endowments, and careful observation of the world around them, scholars, priests, and soothsayers have learned to harness some of this power, and to use it to perform tasks more readily than would be possible without magic – and in some cases to perform tasks that would not be possible at all. Conversely, some creatures have developed or been created with natural powerful magic of their own, and use it as innately as any other natural ability.
Wizards
The study of Magery gives wizards access to natural magic that flows in great invisible patterns through the world. By resting in concentrated nodes of magic, or by drawing in magic through meditative study of the magical writings in their spellbooks, wizards can draw magical energy into themselves, then shape it and expel it into the world with magical incantations and gestures. Although the incantations are nonsensical to those who have not studied magery, the effects of these spells cannot be denied. A wizard may cast any spell to which they have access to the formulation and required energy and components, making more senior wizards extremely versatile if they have time to prepare for a situation.
Mages may learn new spells either by study of spells in spellbooks, or through independent study and arcane research. Such study may be expensive, and the great Guild Arcane is considered a powerful authority on matters of magic, as well as a teacher in arcane disciplines – an authority that they have leveraged into considerable political and financial power.
Clerics
Servants of the gods, the faithful of Ariel work to improve their degree of Clerical Investment with a divine power. Through prayer or acts of devotion, a cleric build up an internal reservoir of spiritual energy, and can use this to call upon miracles granted by their god, or by gods allied with their god. There is also the temptation to stray from their faith; gods opposed to a cleric’s patron may also offer miracles, although accepting this offer may open them to scorn from their own, spurned deity. The prayers used to call upon these miracles are in an ancient tongue known only to those who have spent time studying theology.
Each god has different interests in the world, and although their power is not difficult to tap into, it is granted with the understanding that a new cleric seeks to further those interests. Priests who put their own interests above those of their patrons are unlikely to rapidly gain in power, and may face censure – especially if their actions directly contradict the god’s portfolio of interests and powers. On the other hand, shrines and churches to the gods are often gathering points, where priests can meet like-minded acolytes and faithful, building mundane and mystical power through the association.
Diviners
Soothsayers and seers, practitioners of Divination are said to be students of the “subtle arts”. With magic focused around gaining information and delicate manipulations of the mind, diviners open their minds to the subtle play of the magical fields around them, and use complex rituals to work magic without ever drawing in magical or spiritual energy. This can mean that diviners are more difficult to spot, although they will carry around mystical foci, objects that help them to perform their rituals.
While divination magic does not necessarily benefit from the combined efforts of multiple practitioners on a singular task, it is not uncommon for diviners to compare notes and share information, allowing them to appear as if they are all-knowing. Powerful diviners are said to cast powerful spells that allow them to alter memories, or even see glimpses of the future.
Other Magic
Still further forms of magic flow through Ariel, changing the tides of history and manifesting in strange and unusual ways.
Innate Magic is more often an aspect of what a creature is, than what it can do. A mystical defence against a hostile world, or a result of living in an area rich with magic, innate magic seemingly requires no incantation or learning for a creature to manifest, although they may only be able to work that magic a limited number of times in a day.
Magical Components are items that have become imbued with magic through exposure or by careful dint of effort by master craftspeople. Varying in power (and rareness), these magical components will fetch a pretty sum from spellcasters, as they are key to unlocking the most powerful spells commonly available.
Circle Magic is the common term for spells that cannot simply be cast as battle magic, requiring an elabourate set-up often including carefully inscribed glyphs and circles. These spells can have monumental and world-shifting effects, or may cause more familiar magic to behave in unusual ways. These circles are dangerous, and disrupting their patterns carelessly can have unexpected consequences.
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Authored by: Andrew Dunlop
Fantasy Alive Lore Team 2026
Copyright © Endless Adventures Ontario