So here's the idea...

So here's the idea...

This blog is the beginning of an experiment. I've been working idly on the fantasy world of Maeleff for a few months, typing on my phone during subway rides, and I think I may have the beginnings of something here. However, I'm lazy and bad at following through with things, so I'd like help.

Specifically, I'd like to turn this idea into an open world fictional universe. My friends and creative folk will be invited to peruse the information I have on the world, and to play with it. Write characters. Write stories. Add races, city-states, monsters and ancient ruins. I'd like to write stories, role play, and generally allow my friends to help me explore and create a rich, if someone forbidding, fantasy world.

Friday, January 24, 2014

Quick notes on "natural" magic

There are multiple forms of "natural" or inherent magic, magical styles that grew traditionally with the races, or that different races have affinities for, and all of them have ways of attempting with varying degrees of success to avoid corruption. 

Elemental (Sinodyte, hypothetical bird folk )
Druidic (Lotho, Aelth)
Shamanic (Shar, geb)
Dreamers (hypothetical sea folk)

Druidic magic uses and manipulates the life force inherent in the natural world. Corruption is unusual but not unheard of, as all life force on Maeleff is tied together with magic. 

Shamanic magic invokes local spirits. Again, as with Druidic magic, those spirits are composed of life force, which is tied ultimately to the same poisoned pool. Spirits may become corrupted, and so may those that work with them.

Elemental magic had the same dangers as sorcery. Slow, gradual and simple uses are fairly safe, anything else is extremely risky.

The sea folk (think deep ones) are mystics who divine with dreams, and manipulate dreams. It is a slow and simple form of magic and is fairly safe, though not absolutely so. 

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Notes on magical traditions

Druidic magic exists, practiced primarily by the Lotho. The Aelth dabble in it, but they're really the "guardians of the forest" types, so much as the "vicious bastards that live in the forest".  Lotho Druids are known to frequently use an affect similar to the D&D/Pathfinder spell "Awaken", on plants and animals. Unfortunately, the awakened beam magical in nature, and are subject to the Blood. This has been the cause of a number of despoiled areas.

Shar magic tends to be Shamanic in nature.

Sava have no magical tradition, for obvious reasons.

Geb magic is primarily shamanic and personal, concerned with changes to oneself more than anything else. Includes blood rites and sacrifice.

Kin are very adaptable, and use any kind of magic they can find,their own traditions are ceremonial in nature, with spells traditionally cast by entire troupes working together.

Sinodyte magic is rare, and tends to be elemental in nature when it exists.

Umami magic is arcane and ceremonial in nature.

Duer magic is a combination of ceremony and enchantment.