Types of Magic
In the explored part of the multiverse, there are four distinct kinds of magic, each with their own restrictions.
- Divine Miracles: Some deities can eighter bypass or permanently alter the laws of nature. Little is known about this ability and its limitations since Tiamat, the insane goddess of chaos, has killed every known deity capable of performing miracles.
- Common Magic: An inherently destructive kind of magic, first used by archdemon Dantalion. Casting common magic requires mana, any being may start generating mana after coming into contact with it. So common magic is ‘infectious’.
- Fairy Magic: A less dangerous form of magic that can only be used by fairies. When a fairy is created, they will have a finite amount of a special kind of mana that can only exist within them.
- Ouroboros Magic: This godlike race of monsters has developed their own magic powers; These powers can be lent to others.
- Experimental Hybrid Magic: Ace, archdemon Dantalion’s successor, has started working on a hybrid between common and ouroboros magic.
Common Magic
“If you wish to master this gift, there is one thing you must always keep in mind: Magic exists for the sole purpose of destroying my enemies. Your power is not your own. I will allow you to use it, at your own peril.” -Excerpt from ‘A brief introduction to magic’ by archdemon Dantalion.
This kind of magic is foreign to Prava, only extra dimensional visitors, like Ace, can use it.
The mana required for all magic first came into being when a young woman turned into an archdemon under unknown circumstances. Some speculate that the birth (or transformation) of an archdemon is similar to a divine miracle, in that it can permanently alter the laws of nature.
Normal Mana is harmful to almost every living being, to varying degrees. Trace amounts of mana will not cause any harm, but can, in rare cases, result in the affected creature starting to generate mana themselves. Some of the usual symptoms of overexpose to mana are infertility, necrosis, and internal bleeding. Extreme concentrations of mana are instantly fatal and can sometimes negatively affect the integrity of space time. Fairies are immune against these effects and can even benefit from a high mana environment. They still need to avoid extreme concentrations to secure the purity of their own mana.
Arcane spells are the most simple form of spell this kind of magic can cast. They amplify and concentrate the inherit harmful effects of mana. Elemental attack spells are also widespread. More difficult are spells that empower the user or their allies, such spells can make the target more vulnerable or even directly injure them if the caster isn’t careful. Attempting to use this magic for healing is not advisable, the only known healing spells that work are highly carcinogenic. Most people who try to teleport or create portals will die on their first attempt, some by miscalculating their momentum, others by failing to clear the target area of air. Many things are possible with magic, but every spell that doesn’t directly cause harm requires some amount of exploitation.
Ace, Dantalion’s successor, considers this type of magic to do more harm than good and seeks to eradicate it.
Fairy Magic
“It is not entirely wrong to say that the magic of a fairy is weaker than that of a human, but that is misleading. Our magic is more adaptable. We can easily cast more complex spells, which end up being more powerful due their advanced construction.” – Megido
Fairy magic is, as the name implies, exclusive to fairies. Newly created fairies will have a certain amount of purified mana, attempting to extract this mana will cause it to disappear without a trace… and possibly incur the wrath of a fairy queen. This mana will usually last the fairy for the duration of their lifespan.
Very few fairies can cast arcane spells, they use elemental spells as a substitute. This kind of magic is more versatile, a lot of fairies can use healing spells, some can make their allies stronger and faster or protect them from harm. More powerful fairies can create objects or terraform the environment.
Even the more cooperative of the fairy queens have little interest in attempts to make this magic available for other creatures.
Ouroboros Magic
“You want to know about my magic? Why? Are you not satisfied with the abilities at your disposal? I won’t discourage studying this yourself, your curiosity is your kind’s best quality after all, but I don’t care to enlighten you on this topic.” - Pampu, the emerald serpent.
The Ouroboros have developed their own magic. While it is exclusive to them, the giant snake monsters can lend their power to other living beings. Giving away power will reduce what is available for the Ouroboros herself, but once the recipient dies, the borrowed power will return manifold, and more complex.
This magic works differently than other kinds. Instead of mana that can be used in different ways depending on the caster’s affinities, there are many specialized forms of ‘mana’, each only allowing the use of a certain kind of magic. For example: A votary may be born with the ability to create a small flame. Over time, this ability will develop, allowing the user to cause explosions, or extinguish fires they didn’t cause themselves.
Another difference is that the Ouroboros' mana will never be spent but will return to the caster once the spell has ended.
Experimental Hybrid Magic
In an attempt to replace common magic, Ace has started experimenting with a hybrid between common and Ouroboros magic. The results so far have not been promising. While it gives Ace practically unlimited mana, the reaction between the different kinds of mana negatively affects her regeneration. Severely overcharging her mana this way can even cause a lethal ‘feedback loop’ when the regeneration activates. Humans and animals would face different, more harmful side effects.