Magic (Theous)
How Rare is Magic?[edit]
The mankind approaches to nature with their own history, concept and understanding. And the nature embraces them all. Thus the magic is so beautiful.
While magic is widespread, the scope of magic is limited. Low-level spells are a part of everyday life, but high-level magic remains remarkable.
Common Magic[edit]
Cantrips and 1st level spells are commonplace. Low level Mages and some Civilians can all produce these sorts of effects, and you’ll see the impact of this magic as part of everyday life. Common magic items can be found in any community and purchased in any major city, provided you can find a shop or enclave that deals in what you’re looking for. Common magic items generally range in price from 50–100 GC.
Uncommon Magic[edit]
There are mages who can cast 2nd and 3rd level spells, and such services can be bought… but not cheaply. You’ll find houses with arcane locks on their doors, but that’s a sign of a wealthy owner. The same is true of uncommon magic items. These can sometimes be found at auctions or sold by nobles. Prices typically range from 100–500 GC.
Rare Magic[edit]
Spells of 4th through 5th level are beyond the reach of most people. People are familiar with the concept of spells like teleportation or raise dead, but few have ever witnessed them. Rare magic items can theoretically be bought for 2,000 to 20,000 GC, but are usually prizes or forged by elite Houses like Cannith.
Very Rare and Legendary Magic[edit]
Spells of 6th level and above are the stuff of legends. The few people who wield such power are legends themselves. Legendary items are relics of dragons, demons, or lost civilizations, and are rarely, if ever, sold.
Everyday Magic Practitioners[edit]
Below are examples of civilian casters and their typical spells.
- Chef: Prestidigitation (food only), Purify Food and Drink (ritual), Gentle Repose (ritual, food only)
- Healer: Spare the Dying, Detect Poison and Disease (ritual), Lesser Restoration (ritual, 40 gc component)
- Launderer: Mending, Prestidigitation (fabric only)
- Lamplighter: Light, Continual Flame (ritual, 90 gc component); uses tinker’s tools
- Locksmith: Arcane Lock (ritual, 65 gc), Knock (ritual, 40 gc); proficient with thieves’ and tinker’s tools
- Medium: Speak with Dead (ritual, 60 gc), often uses Minor Illusion
- Oracle: Augury (ritual, 65 gc), Divination (ritual, 105 gc)
Spellcasting and Glyphs[edit]
What is Magic?[edit]
Magic is the life essence that lives in every living creature. Every creature has an inherent amount of mana, determined by the type of creature they are.
How Do I Use Magic?[edit]
You can pour magic out of your body into a confined point. However, when you do so, there is nowhere for the magic to go—so it typically disperses and fades. That’s where glyphs come in. Glyphs are used as conduits to channel your magic into a proper form.
What Are Glyphs?[edit]
Glyphs are specific formulas used to shape magic. Imagine water flowing through a showerhead—glyphs determine the flow and form of magic, allowing different combinations to create unique effects.
How Long Does It Take to Make a Glyph?[edit]
A basic glyph takes about one minute to prepare. However, preparing multiple glyphs or complex sequences takes time and practice, usually requiring up to an hour.
Spell Components in this World[edit]
V (Vocal): The command words of a spell are spoken in the native tongue of the god who grants you your magic.
S (Somatic): Somatic components in this world are visible magic circles that appear at the point of casting. These circles emit bright light until the spell is fully cast. The higher the spell level, the more circles appear—and the brighter and larger they become.
| Spell Level | Detection Radius |
|---|---|
| 1st–3rd | Anyone within line of sight |
| 4th–6th | Anyone within 300 feet or who can see you |
| 7th–8th | Anyone within 2,000 feet |
| 9th | Anyone within 1 mile |
The visual appearance of your magic varies based on the deity you draw power from. All spellcasters, regardless of class, receive or channel their magic through a divine being. This influences how their spells appear to others.
C (Components): Most spells do not require physical components unless they are cast as rituals, involve a specific item, or require components worth 1 gp or more. These expensive components are considered sacrifices to your deity—gifts that allow you to perform powerful feats like resurrecting the dead or banishing a creature.
World Notes[edit]
- Monsters are magical by nature.
- Humans are not.
Magic Scripts[edit]
"I have to go through all this nonsense every time I try to cast a spell. Is this magic or a miscellany bullshit, I can't tell. But they say my talent is one in hundreds. What a small world, you know."
Magic script is the arcane lettering used to craft spells. It appears on scrolls, inscriptions, and spellbooks. In order for a spell to be prepared or cast from a scroll, it must be transcribed using magic script.
When a spell is classified as a ritual, a spellcaster can spend additional time recalling the spell from memory and slowly scribing the script as they speak it aloud. This process allows the caster to activate the spell without expending a spell slot, though it takes significantly longer.
Magic script is also a requirement for copying spells into a spellbook, making it a core part of any wizard’s training or anyone using glyph-based casting.
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