Table of contents
Magic in Haze
Mages and wizards can be found all over the world, and their services are a necessity in most people’s lives. They can erect structures, offer protection, heal wounds, and calm nerves, so they can find work everywhere. Because of this, in most places, there are magical institutions, called Academies, responsible for monitoring and teaching the mysteries of magic and arcane. People who join these institutions are required to pay half of their earnings to Academy in exchange for the knowledge they gain and the quality lifestyle that often follows. After leaving the Academies, young mages almost always decide to travel. Their adventure usually starts by offering their services for free to those who go to far away lands. Through those ventures and challenges, they gain practical experience and knowledge useful later in life.
In most cities, there are magical users who offer their skills to those in need. They blend into society and become a part of it. The more academically inclined are often seen in extravagant, impractical clothes that distinguish them from other spellcasters and regilar folk. However, most mages and wizards opt for stylish clothing while keeping their essential magical tools close at hand. Thanks to their exceptional skills, they often accumulate wealth, particularly as they grow older. Many among them sport beards, while women maintain long hair as a status symbol, frequently adorned with an array of jewelry. However, it’s worth noting that this practice varies from one region to another.
A constant element in their attire is the presence of an insignia representing their respective academies. Mages hailing from Vostok, situated at the southern tip of Misteria, carry a mace affixed to their belt, whereas those originating from the eastern regions, such as Karu or Masart, bear a distinctive tattoo on their hand. Female wizards belonging to Katrony showcase a titanium pendant featuring a laeturit stone, while their male counterparts don a ring with a similar stone. If a mage has no proof of their academy affiliation, they risk being perceived as untrained and lacking in magical prowess. In such cases, these mages must rely solely on their reputation as evidence of their power.
History of Magic
Magic has been intertwined with intelligent creatures since ancient times with even the oldest manuscripts to date containing mentions of powerful wizards. During those early times, magic and faith were the only aiding powers amongst folk in their everyday endeavours. However, as the era of inventions dawned and technology clashed with magic, in many places a clear line between modern technological works and the timeless truths of magic was drawn.
In some regions, folk chose to distance themselves from technology, prioritizing the use of magic. In these places lives are somewhat simpler without technology. Magic similarly to the mist interferes with the physical properties of the materials altho to a smaller degree. That led many cities to ban and punish usage of magic in its walls. Some places even went to the extreme of forbidding religious practices in workshop districts, fearing any remotely supernatural interference.
In the past magic users were often ostracized from these technical societies and forced to abandon their profession or pointlessly rebel. The collision of magic and technology led to conflicts and wars, which resulted in the extinction of some civilizations and the burial of their discoveries beneath their ruins. Numerous scholars search libraries for snippets that would help them locate those forgotten empires.
Currently, the general attitude towards magic is mostly accepting, with exceptions in some remote locations that still adhere to old traditions or cities of advanced technology like those in Astoria. In the North, stricter rules govern magic, but in the main continent, wizardry is widely practiced and embraced, as most sentient creatures have the ability to wield magic.
The development of crystal processing technology played a crucial role in rapidly advancing the arcana. These crystals greatly enhanced the magical powers of their users, leading to the emergence of more powerful spells and development of magical items called hex. Although hex machinery was used for hundreds of years, new discoveries in this field are relatively common.
The history of arcane is filled with the reckless activities of ancient mages. They have left their mark on the world, creating examples like the enigmatic Sea of Fog and the now-ruined city of Ardon, illustrating the consequences of uncontrolled power. Those events noted in the cards of history are another reason why many folk stay away from the arcane arts. That distrust ranges from simple superstitions about mages, to avoiding hex and arcane all together. Many ruins also bare traces of catastrophic magical experiments of questionable morality.
Hex machinery
An interesting compromise between magic and technology is found in magic-powered devices commonly known as hex, that use crystals and sometimes artifacts as their energy source. There is a wide variety of hex machines, ranging from small everyday objects like coolers, lights and vehicles to large industrial machines. Those who practice the art of hex have to work around some of the physical anomalies that occur in the materials that they use. As magic changes the physical properties of common materials, hex artisans often search for more stable substances. Such materials were often a source of conflict in the past due to their rarity and unique properties, and still are highly sought after commodities.
One of the biggest markets for the precise magical machines is the military. Many hex artisans work solely on weapons, both ranged and close combat. They are known for their individual production and unreliability, but some choose them because of the promised advantage they offer. When they work, they provide a significant advantage, but it’s not always the case.
Another, easier solution to the physical changes caused by my magic and mist is to increase the scale and tolerances of the hex-powered devices. These simpler machines are less energy-efficient, but can be used where their larger scale is not a problem, like in farming and heavy mining equipment.
Equally popular are the hex wagons powered with crystals. They too are individually made but offer many advantages, like the ability to traverse the mist, over regular wagons manufactured in Paragon.
Artefacts
The advantage of an artifact over a hex device is the fact that they regain their power after a certain amount of time. They are divided into a couple of categories based on their function. The most common artefacts allow their users to harness their potential at will, either while fighting or in the tasks they perform. They often contain spells inside them and can be used a limited number of times before they need to regain their power. Artifacts categorized as cores don’t have any particular function but can be used to power other devices or can be transformed into artefacts. They are often the heart of powerful and complex hex machines and are what keeps many Artifex alive. Talismans are the rarest of them all, as their function is often hidden, and they are difficult to spot even by the skilled eye. They leak power to their users, and after some time, their effects can be felt. Some say that talismans have the power to hold “pieces” of their previous owners’ souls.
When someone holds an artifact, they can tap into its distinct powers, and use its ability. Non-magical creatures can’t use artifact abilities. Skilled artifact crafters can tune these objects for specific users to make them more effective, but failure might result in the artifact’s destruction.
Crystals
Unlike most materials, crystals are a relatively stable material showing minimal change in their physical properties. Crystals exhibit various interesting effects such as shining, flying, pushing each other and many others. Many crystals influence others, with the strength of their effects varying according to quantity, making extensive study necessary for those who want to use their properties. Additionally they often work completely differently within the mist. An institute located in Dunstberg is dedicated to unraveling the secrets of these crystals, attracting gemologists from far and wide who seek to expand their knowledge.
Guilds specializing in crystals tightly guard their secrets and often clash with prestigious academies and institutes. While some geodes may appear to have no special powers at first, placing them within the mist can reveal new properties. Within the foggy depths, some crystals radiate a brilliant glow, while others serenely float above it. These crystals encompass a wide spectrum, ranging from those with harmful properties to those possessing potent healing abilities. Some can remove the mist or block magic, while others unleash destructive potential.
Another category of crystals is the power crystal, serving as a source of energy for hex machines and enabling magic users to draw power from them. These crystals come in diverse colors, sizes, and shapes, but their primary role is to store magical energy. They are relatively stable in and outside of the mist. Magic users can easily sense the energy contained within them and, with some practice, learn to harness it.