The Magic Arts (updated 2008/02/29)

  Alchemy (Yr)    Baal'Shem (Dragon Sorcerer-Priests)    Menelion'Galina (Eldar Song Magic)    Mthu Rgyas (Spirit Sorcery)    Necromancy and Necromancers    Thaumaturgy (Dwur Rune Magic)    Wizardry (Magic of the Deep Old Ones) 

There have been magicians on Ambar for at least ten thousand years. The Baal have the most ancient lineage, followed by the Ithilrhi, Alu, and Avathars. Even before that, the Deep Old Ones practiced Wizardry in the Astral Seas.

Today, however, the ancient magics are lost arts and few priests have the faith to move mountains. Only rare individuals have the knowledge or strength to call forth magic power, and the rising human kingdoms fear and persecute the remaining Ithilrhi, Baal, and Wizards who openly practice their craft. The Ithilrhi songs of power and songblades are stuff of legend, having been lost or hidden away, waiting to be unearthed by brave adventurers.

Alchemy (Yr) (updated 2004/03/11)

  Baal'Mot (Heretical Alchemist-Priests)    Black Alchemy    Blood Alchemy    Necroalchemy 

Alchemy is a collection of magic arts that have the power or process of transmuting. Some Alchemists attempt to research ways to transform the body into something stronger and more powerful, or to reverse the aging process. Master alchemists brew many elixirs and potions of great potency. However, alchemy is also used to rarify ores, improve weapons, and construct complicated arcane devices.

In a world where magic is generally feared, Alchemy is one of the more acceptable forms of magic. This is largely because the works of alchemy are tangible--a sword made sharper through better alchemy is still but a sword, and an alchemical explosion hurls shrapnel similar to a siege engine. [ more... ]

Baal'Shem (Dragon Sorcerer-Priests) (updated 2003/10/30)

For days the Baal'Shem gather, waiting for the full moons. When they rise over the peaks they sing, thousands of voices raised together, singing to the dragons and making Baalfire. And the dragons fly across the faces of the moons, around the peaks, singing their answering songs and breathing dragonflame.

The Baal'Shem are the priests of the dragons and rulers of Baal society. Chosen by the dragons and marked with holy scars, none dispute the divine right of the Baal'Shem to rule. The dragon scars are not only marks of honor, but gifts of sorcerous dragon magic. With the mingled bloodlines of Eldar and Dragon, many Baal'Shem develop their own sorcerous powers, calling forth magical dragon fire to burn their foes. Tales abound of ancient and terrible Baal'Shem lords wielding blade, flame, and backed by the might of the dragons.

Menelion'Galina (Eldar Song Magic)

Mortals find the music of the Eldar enchanting to hear, but much of it is truly magical. Long ago, the Menelion taught the Eldar mystic songs that call forth true power. Ancient histories speak of powerful songblades created by the Eldar to fight the Kaeden and goblyns. Elves find other forms of magic distateful, especially black wizardry.

Mthu Rgyas (Spirit Sorcery) (updated 2007/06/29)

Mthu Rygas is a rare form of spirit sorcery, seldom seen in Ambar except in the deep southern reaches near the Vokrazum Jungles. While Mthu is thought to have originated with the Oni, it is more widely practiced by Vozen in the city of Goza. A sorcerer (mthu bo) is a wise man who uses his magic for good, able to bestow blessings, detect lies or view auras, induce peaceful thoughts and emotions, view spirits and omens, and exorcise unclean spirits and thoughts. He can also also cause his spirit to manifest in physical shape, lifting objects, levitating, creating barriers, and even harming foes. [ more... ]

Necromancy and Necromancers (updated 2004/05/13)

  A Decaying Book    Malakov, "Master of Hounds"    Tomes of Draconic Darkness    Tov Morden, "Master of Thralls" 

Necromancy is a combination of the words "death" and "divination", and in its lesser forms involves communication with the spirits of the dead. Death in itself is not an evil thing, despite the opinions of the many who fear death. The spirits of the dead are ancient and wise, and can reveal many secrets, or provide glimpses of loved ones who have passed on. However, Necromancers are greatly feared, and most lands forbid Necromantic practices of any kind, calling for the death penalty on any who would consult mediums to speak with the dead.

Indeed, Necromancers are greatly feared and reviled the world over, except in the dark lands of the Avathars. The reason is that under the Avathars the practice of Necromancy has grown into a collection of abstruse magic arts that can be used to gain complete control over the dead, summoning their spirits or binding them into servitude. When bound into a physical form the spirits can provide great power to their evil masters, using the energy of the soul to fuel dark magic [ more... ]

Thaumaturgy (Dwur Rune Magic)

Thaumaturgy is the ancient rune magic of the Dwur, used to imbue objects with magic power. Dwur often use runes to enhance their magic, and many races have discovered their ancient runes and learned the secrets of their power. The Dwur use Thaumaturgy to imbue stone with magic, creating wondrous works such as Dwurstone. In addition, many believe that the first Karrocks were born through Thaumaturgy.

Wizardry (Magic of the Deep Old Ones) (updated 2003/11/09)

  Glyphs and Sigils of the Deep Old Ones    Order of the Unicorn (Society of White ...    Ruins of the Deep Old Ones    Warlocks of Guldur    Wizard Hunters 

"None can use black magic without straining the soul to the uttermost

and staining it into the bargain. None can inflict suffering without enduring the same. None can send death by spells and sorcery without walking on the brink of death's own abyss, aye, and dripping his own blood into it. The forces black magic evoke are like two-edged poisoned swords with grips studded with scorpion stings. Only a strong man, leather-handed, in whom hate and evil are powerful, can wield them, and he only for a space."

-- Fritz Leiber, "The Unholy Grail" [ more... ]