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Magic
Magic
Table of Contents
Introduction
Magic in Nippon is loosely based around the concept of Godai, the five principle elements that make up the world around us. These elements make up the building blocks needed to perform magic. While simple spells may only require one element, more complicated spells require precise combinations of any of the five. Generally speaking, the more powerful the spell, the more elements required, and the more complicated the spell will be to learn and perform.
For Yokai and Ayakashi, all varieties have an innate, natural proficiency for magic from birth. As long as they know the spell, they can preform it.
For Humans and Hanyo, the ability to use magic is not natural, and it must be unlocked by attuning one's senses to the world around them, often through years of meditation.
Because this is not very easy to do, magi-tech was developed, which circumvents this limitation by casting the spell artificially. However, magi-tech is limited in how powerful spells can be, and it can be difficult to gauge the strength of a spell cast with magi-tech. For example, it took many years to develop magi-tech lighters, because they kept coming out as magi-tech flamethrowers instead.
But the refugees are different. Thanks to the Kizuna binding them to the country of Nippon, they've all become naturally attuned to the elements of the world, allowing them to begin learning magic. This will still be a complicated process requiring study, but will be free and openly available to any refugee willing to travel to Kansai.
While there are no restrictions on how fast your character learns and masters magic, please try to keep it realistic.
Additional questions and answers can be found in the Time and Magic portion of the FAQ.
Remember: Magic is completely optional. Your character does not need to learn magic if you're not interested! Especially because this page is really goddamn long.
The Elements
The elements are listed in order from weakest/easiest to master, to strongest/hardest to master. Thanks to Gojira's Blessing received in late March, all refugees will have a natural proficiency for one of the first four elements, allowing them to easily use single-element spells upon learning how to cast them.
Tsuchi 地
The element of earth, Tsuchi represents stability and strength. It is the element by which things remain the same or become resistant to change. Spells using Tsuchi involve strengthening/weakening existing things, applying/removing weight or gravity to an object, binding spells, protection charms, dirt or stone manipulation, etc.
Casters who specialize in Tsuchi will find themselves growing physically stronger the more they use it, often becoming physically more muscular.
In healing, Tsuchi is necessary for repairing bones and muscle tissue.
Mizu 水
The element of water, Mizu represents flowing or formless concepts, including adaptability. In contrast to Tsuchi, it is the element of flexibility and adapting to one's environment. Spells using Mizu involve increased speed or agility, manipulation of water or other fluids, transformation spells, plant manipulation, sound waves, electrical currents and magnetism, etc.
Casters who specialize in Mizu may become more flexible in their way of thinking, as well as physically, allowing them to bend and move gracefully.
In healing, Mizu is necessary for manipulating or purifying blood, as well as other body fluids.
Hi 火
The element of fire, Hi is associated with kinetic energy and moving forces. It is the key element used in most combat spells, but has also been described as the element of passion and desire. Spells using Hi involve firing projectiles, telekinesis, explosions, fire or heat manipulation, love potions and magic-based aphrodisiacs, etc.
Casters specializing in Hi can cultivate the ability to regulate their own body temperature, allowing them to easily handle both very hot and very cold climates.
In healing, Hi is used for reducing fevers or regulating body temperature and metabolism.
Kaze 風
The element of wind, Kaze represents growth and freedom of movement, as well as the mind. Due to its association with mental growth and development, this element becomes more difficult to master as one grows older. Spells using Kaze involve wind or gas manipulation, flight and teleportation, mood or personality altering spells, memory manipulation, weather control, etc.
Casters who specialize in Kaze become more open-minded, as well as more intelligent overall, capable of understanding complex concepts.
In healing, Kaze is used in the treatment of all maladies involving respiration, and is chiefly used in potion making.
Sora 空
Although known as the element of nothingness, in reality, Sora is the most mysterious of all elements. It has been called the element of the heavens, and more recently, the element of time and space. It represents concepts that are difficult to comprehend, such as energy, souls, and the passage of time. It's thought that Time Surges and Time Loops are the only example of magic that exclusively utilizes Sora. Other spells that include the use of Sora alongside other elements are resurrection spells, foresight or prophetic visions, and Kizuna bonds.
It isn't possible to specialize in Sora.
In healing, Sora is necessary for resurrection spells, in order to draw the soul back into the body.
Casting Spells
Because magic is applied differently in different countries on Gaia, there is no singular way of casting different spells. Feel free to get creative with how your character uses magic, but here are some example methods that characters could realistically be taught.
Chanting The most basic form of casting, where special words, phrases, or poems are spoken aloud, conjuring the elements. This is the easiest way to cast especially difficult spells, though the words must be memorized to work.
Singing A more advanced version of chanting, allowing for more powerful spells. The more emotion put into the song, the stronger the spell will be.
Music Enchanted instruments are played, with the notes corresponding to the elements needed for the spell. Flutes made of Fue grass are the most common.
Dancing Certain dance movements are applied to create the spell, with different movements corresponding to particular elements. Some dances have even been applied as martial arts, allowing for simultaneous magical and physical combat.
Tools Wands, sceptors, weapons, etc. are impued with magic, allowing them to directly cast certain types of spells. These tools differ from magi-tech because the one using them is still in control of the spell. The tools are generally made using body parts of the caster and/or from powerful ayakashi, including hair, bones, or claws.
Transformative Using a tool and a chant, casters transform into a more powerful state, allowing them to use previously defined spells instantly. Yes, this is the magical girl option.
Crafting Spells
While you are more than welcome to simply use the example spells outlined above, or focus on a single element, you also have the freedom to create your own spells using all of the elements available. You don't need to think this hard about how they're made unless you want to. This section is more for people who really want to track their character's magical progress!
Magic is capable of doing almost anything, so long as there is a spell capable of doing it. To create a new spell, first think about what you want the spell to look like. Then, consider what forces would be necessary for that action to be carried out. Finally, match those forces with any of the elements in the list above, to see whether your character would be capable of performing the spell.
Example 1: Sasuke want to create a simple spell for sharpening a knife. This spell will create a concentrated gust of wind to shave off a fine layer of the blade to sharpen the edge. The only force involved here is wind manipulation (Kaze). Sasuke only needs to be proficient in Kaze to use this spell.
Example 2: Sakura also wants to create a spell to sharpen a knife, but she can't use Kaze yet. And so, she creates a spell that will move a knife over to a sharpening block and sharpen the knife for her. The only force involved here is telekinesis (Hi). So she can perform the same action with a different element.
Example 3: Naruto wants to create a very complex spell that will cook ramen for him. This spell will teleport the necessary ingredients, prepare them, boil the water, manually cover itself, and then make a small ding when it's done. The forces involved here are teleportation (Kaze), telekinesis (Hi), temperature control (Hi), sound (Mizu), and time (Sora). If Naruto isn't proficient in using all of these elements, the spell will fail, either resulting in nothing happening, or some bizarre ramen-related disaster.
Example 4: Kakashi wants to break the law and perform a resurrection spell on a friend who has died from severe injuries. For this to work, he needs to heal their flesh wounds, repair their broken bones, restore their lost blood, bring their body back to the right temperature, give them a breath of life, and call their soul back from the afterlife. The forces involved here are tissue and bone repair (Tsuchi), reactivating the production of blood (Mizu), temperature control (Hi), forcing respiration (Kaze), and drawing their soul into their body (Sora). If Kakashi fails at even one step, the spell will fail, and may even backfire onto him, either causing dire injuries, or forcing his friend's body to die all over again.
Example Spells
Magic can do pretty much anything! You are not limited by the examples here, which are simply meant to give some direction for those who aren't sure where to start.
Yeet (Tsuchi) As the name implies, it uses gravitational energy to force a person or object as far away as possible.
Ice Manipulation (Mizu, Hi) Lower the temperature of water until it freezes, while still maintaining control over it.
Boner Killer (Hi, Mizu) Undo arousal by removing someone's sexual desire and drawing the blood away from their dangle.
Boner Killer Curse (Hi, Mizu, Sora) Same as Boner Killer, but designed to occur at set times in order to cockblock someone on a date.
Running on Water (Mizu, Kaze) While possible using only Mizu, combine this spell with Kaze to ensure you stay dry if you stop running.
Phone Charger (Mizu) Charge electronics from home, or become a living battery.
Deny Entry (Tsuchi) Prevents doors and windows from being opened. Can also be applied to charms and given as gifts to protect homes from burglary.
Deny Entry Advanced (Tsuchi, Kaze) An advanced version of Deny Entry that teleports someone in order to turn them around if they try to enter a room.
Lightning Strike (Mizu, Kaze) Summons rain clouds capable of causing a lightning strike.
Cuddle Spell (Hi, Kaze) Manipulates someone into craving physical affection.
Forget-me-please (Kaze, Sora) Makes someone forget you a few minutes after leaving their sight.
Pyrokinesis (Hi) Create and manipulate fire with just your mind.
Rubber Bones (Mizu, Tsuchi) As the name implies, it temporarily makes bones pliable like rubber.
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