The Magic of Ayrelon: Sorcery

Sorcery is one of the most volatile forms of magic. It is dangerous, limiting and the process of casting spells with Sorcery requires the consumption of a source of power.

Unlike Wizardry and Channeling, Sorcery cannot simply be learned. The act of drawing energies out of an object, or substance, and twisting them to produce a spell, is one of the most difficult methods of casting.

Most practitioners of Sorcery are born with a natural gift. Through the course of their life they discover an affinity for something in the world around them. They feel drawn to it, and more at peace when in the presence of it.

Not all who are born with the gift recognize it for what it is. Many live out there lives in typical fashion and never seek to further their attachment or learn to cast spells. Sorcery casters are, therefore, one of the rarest types of spell-caster on Ayrelon.

Casting spells through Sorcery requires access to the caster’s source of power. A Sorcerer who is attuned to rubies needs to draw their power from rubies in order to cast. As a Sorcerer casts their spell, their source is depleted partially, or fully, often resulting in the damaging, or destruction, of that source.

The most extreme Sorcery casters are those that draw upon intangible sources such as Light, Shadow or Sound. The abundance of their source allows them to cast spells with reckless abandon, with no fear of depleting their supply. However, the intangible nature of these sources means that they are less dense, and therefore weaker sources of power unless truly mastered.

What types of Sorcery Casters are there?

Sorcerer / Sorceress

Sorcery casters of this type utilize inanimate objects or intangible sources to cast their spells. The simpler, or smaller, their source of power the more likely they are mistaken for Wizards to the untrained eye. Waving their hands around and reciting a spell while holding a crystal, for example, is very indicative of Wizardry. Only those strong enough to see raw magical energies would recognize that their power came from the crystal in their hand, as opposed to stored magical energies.

Inanimate sorcery draws power from a specific natural construct, such as Ruby, Oak or Marble. The higher the quality and volume of their source, the stronger their spells may be. Smaller spells may degrade or damage the object from which they draw power. Stronger spells can destroy their source completely. A sorcerer of oak standing in a building constructed of oak could potentially destroy the entire building while casting a strong spell.

Elemental sorcery draws from the raw essence of one of the four primary elements. Their spells require close proximity to the physical representation of their source element. A water sorcerer, for example, would find themselves unable to cast spells in a desert. However, an air sorcerer might be powerful in all but a vacuum.

Casting spells from elemental sources degrades, erodes or otherwise destroys a portion of that source. This can have disastrous consequences when done recklessly or with improper control. Though on occasion this might be done intentionally.

An air sorcerer who specializes in Oxygen might sap a room of breathable air.

An earth sorcerer specializing in Dirt might render an entire farm’s soil into rock dust, causing the crops to die and the land to be incapable of sustaining life.

Ethereal sorcery draws from the real-world representation of intangible elements, such as Light or Shadow. These sources of power are nearly always present, but cannot be directly touched or manipulated. Ethereal sorcerers require far more training, study and practice to perfect their art, and suffer greater exhaustion through casting.

Due to the nature of their source, Ethereal casters must push themselves harder than any other caster to produce magical effects. Few have the willpower or persistence to excel at such arts.

A sound sorcerer would be stronger the closer their source is to the patterns which resonate with their inner being. Their casting seems to drain the surrounding area of those sounds that match their internal patterns. A strong enough sound sorcerer might make those nearby unable to hear for a time when casting a powerful spell.

A sorcerer of light drains the area of their source, darkening rooms or entire areas as they cast.

A sorcerer of shadow drains the area of their source, brightening rooms or areas by depriving them of shadow. They produce an unnatural light by consequence, often confusing the unlearned.

Novices and common folk often confuse Light and Shadow sorcerers and call them by the side-effects of their casting, rather than the power they are draining. Many sorcerers of light have been hunted and killed by the fearful due to the darkness that seems to arise whenever they cast spells.

Example Sources of Power:

Inanimate

• Crystals (Ruby, Emerald, Quartz, Jasper, Amethyst, etc)
• Stones (Granite, Marble, Basalt, Slate, Shale, etc)
• Wood (Oak, Maple, Cedar, Hickory, Cherry, Elm, etc)

Elemental

• Earth (Dirt, Sand, etc)
• Air (Oxygen, Nitrogen, Methane, etc)
• Fire (Wood/Coal Flame, Oil Flame, Magma, Ash, etc)
• Water

Ethereal

• Light
• Shadow
• Sound (Chaotic, Syncopated, Ambient, etc)
• Life

Druid / Shaman

A Druid or Shaman is an Ethereal sorcery caster who’s power derives from the raw essence of nature, or Life. Their spells require the consumption of living essence to produce magical effects. In a certain manner of thinking, they exchange one life force for another, transferring energies from their source into their target.

Shaman are usually the spiritual guide and healer of a tribe or nomadic community. They are revered for their abilities, often treated by their people as an extension of the gods, or nature itself.

Druids are those who seek to protect the lands and seek balance among all things. They use their abilities sparingly, understanding all too well the risks and consequences of trading one thing’s life for another. While rare clans, sects or cults of druids exist, they more commonly live solitary, secluded lives.

Beyond Sorcery

As sorcerers grow in power, they grow further attuned to their source. In some cases, that source leads to a greater power beyond.

Some sorcerers grow strong enough that they are able to learn to draw power from multiple sources. This is, however, exceedingly rare. As sorcerers are born with their affinity for a specific source of power, only a select few are capable of extending their abilities to other sources, or accessing the underlying fabric of the universe.

Some Elemental and Ethereal sorcerers can grow strong enough to access the raw primal elements that form the fabric of their source of power. This is a natural progression for some, such as Shaman or Druids, and is less likely to occur with Light or Shadow casting.

Sorcerers who attain such power begin to blend their abilities with that of Elementalism. They become capable of casting spells without draining power from the corporeal world around them, and can instead draw directly from the components of reality. Often, they continue to use their sorcery for simpler spells, and only risk accessing the prime elements when forced to do so.