Magic is a wondrous yet terrible thing, it is capable of healing nearly any wounds but can also destroy things in an instant. Magic can be learned in two ways, either just channeling ones magic power while imagining an effect and producing one after much trial and error, or through Tomes and Spellbooks which usually are in the hands of major powers or well-known magicians or Institutes. Tomes and Spellbooks supply spells, that are basic and well known, they are mostly to just provide a stable foundation until the mage gains enough knowledge and wisdom to make their own spells. Spells in books are more versatile generally than self-made spells but are less powerful per tier than Self-made spells, for the most part.
Types of Magic: There are several types of magic that are commonly seen.
Black magic: Also called the Dark Arts, this type of magic allows one to defy death adn to cause it easily. They can also harness darker corrupted versions of most other types of magic. Curses are also common as well as summoning or creating minions or constructs, and negatively affecting peoples emotions and state of mind. Most religions consider this a form of magic only practiced by those who do evil. This is why there are deep prejudices against those who use this, even if they had no choice.
White Magic: This is also called Holy Magic by many, if one possesses affinity towards light they will most likely be able to practice white magic well enough. They can heal and clear ones state of mind as well as to enhance ones self or provide some protection from certain things. Practitioners of this type of magic are usually pure, and have a graceful atmosphere, this is because when they awaken to this type of magic it cleanses them body and mind. not all users of this magic are good people however, one example is an Emperor of a certain Ancient Empire, that many thought was a child of the gods, as he could cause miracles and never seemed to aged. Sadly this was because he killed innocent people with the Light affinity and absorbed their life force through some means.
Elemental Magic; Like most types of magic besides Alchemy and Enchanting, Elemental magic requires a strong affinity in at least one element. This is because if one does not it will be difficult to use spells beyond the novice level. The elements are: Earth, Wind, Fire, Water, Lightning, Light, and Darkness. There are Variations of the elements that can be attained through high skill and affinity. Some skilled mages with multiple affinities can create new or rare variations.
Nature Magic: Nature magic is rather unique amongst most of the known magics. One does not need affinity for it, but is generally an almost unique magic, it is common, though the degree of ability is varied, it is extremely rare for someone to have good talent with this type of magic. Talented wielders of this magic can harness the elements to some degree, except for light and Darkness, though they can heal and soothe like many Light users. They are the most attuned to the movements of the Dark elements, this leads there to be few sane wielders of this as the darkness around them can change them for the worse. Generally during childhood someone with the talent for this has no affinity with any magic, as there is no known way to detect the ability to use this magic, reliably. Users of this magic most notably have appeared in the Elven race, though a few humans have had this. They are also usually skilled in Alchemy, due to their inherent connection with nature.
Alchemy: This is barely considered a type of magic by most. A user of alchemy can combine various ingredient magical and mundane for an effect. They can create magical potions and items, as opposed to Enchanters that can simply imbue items with a power temporarily. The reason it is barely a type of amgic is because it requires little magical opwer to use, and the effects mostly are barely on par with Acolyte or even Novice Spells. That is only in the hands of non masters of this art, There have been legends of Alchemists that could move mountains and heal people from the brink of death and grant near eternal youth through magical elixirs, but it has been centuries since any of these were even last mentioned by name, now they are but legends with few remembering the truth.
Enchanting: Enchanting while does requires much magical power or affinity like Alchemy is much more respected. This is because it requires astounding skill and control of magical power, while many require outside help either in the form of other mages or monster items with the needed affinity, some are able to control magic to such an extent That they can control the natural elements through specific enchantments and can imbue items with enhancements similar to those that can be granted with White Magic. While not truly powerful as many mages can be, successful and famous ones are often rather influential and well protected.
While these are the most commonly known types there still exist others that are rare or only mentioned in old legends such as Rune magic, which later became the basis for enchanting.
Tiers of Magic: There are 5 levels or tiers of magic, from Novice, beginner spells in the practice of the Magic arts to
Novice: The Beginning level of magic spells, can conjure a slight breeze or a ball of light. Though some people have mastered Novice level spells to the point they can contend with low Journeymen spells.
Acolyte: These spells are more advanced and varied than Novice spells, and are much more difficult as well. Some mages can master novice spells as easily as breathing but can't even begin to use an Acolyte spell.
Journeymen: While average compared to those that can wield Master ranks spells and little more than ants to one that can wield Sovereign level spells, a mage capable of efficiently using this class of spells can be considered a real mage. It is also at this stage that most good Masters let their students leave to experience the world.
Master: The Second most powerful Tier of magic, Users of these can conjure storms and fight to a point against some armies. These are costly spells and can be cast by multiple Magic users or a single rather powerful one. A mage capable of using this could be a major teacher or Headmaster at an Academy or Institute.
Sovereign: The most powerful tier of magic, even a weak Sovereign level spell can erase mountains and large cities from the land. As well as to alter the surrounding environment. Those that can use these level spells can be counted on a persons two hand, and the overall number throughout history probably will not exceed 10,000. Their are some Master Level Spells that can almost reach the Sovereign level but require hundreds if not more of mages and are still costly beyond the sheer manpower. that just shows how powerful a mage must be to use one of these spells well.
How to Cast it: For the most part one casts magic by reciting the spell phrase or chant in their head while imagining the effect. The larger the effect the more magic power is used, no matter the tier of magic, though through mastery one can use different tiers and types of magic more efficiently. One can also just imagine the effect without the chant, though this can backfire on the caster easly as well as having great costs otherwise. Other ways to cast magic include rituals, as well as simply channeling Magic energy into artifacts and relics which act as mediums in the same way the chant does normally.
Affinity: Affinity is one of the few things that is pretty much an absolute. One is born with an affinity to one or at most 3 of the elements, though 1 elf was born with all of them, though they died young due to the conflicting nature of some of the elements. It is rare that one is born with conflicting affinities, they usually don't end up well for the potential mage. There are exceptions however, to all of the above things, one with conflicting affinities can make them work if certain conditions are met and there are a few people who through certain means were able to gain affinities they didnt have.
Magic Power: Magic power or magical energy is something one is born with, not something that is gained. The amount of magic power one has, while not set in stone is mostly determined during training during ones youth, that is why most Magical institutes and Private tutors try to take students between the ages of 7-13 or even younger if they show the talent.
Institutes and Academies: In the world of Aethion there exist places that teach those with the talent for magic to use it. These places exist all across the world, they are places usually separate from the control of the nations, but in Estau it is different. In Estau, there are fewer Academies and Institutes than in the rest of Aethion. Some of the Countries and Nations in Estau do not teach all Affinities in their places of Arcane Learning. Some, such as the Imperium only teach and nurture those with strong Light Affinities.
Magical items and Mediums:
Mediums: Mediums are things, usually magical items of great power, that allow one to channel a great amount of magic easier. Small mediums do exist, usually staff or wands made of special materials, but they aren't that common as they are very expensive.
Magical items: These can be similar to Mediums as usually they are made from magical materials, but often they are simply enchanted items made from materials that while not magical can store or conduct magical energies rather well.