Magic in the Green Coast: An Overview

Magic is a powerful and mysterious force within the societies in the Green Coast. Sometimes accepted, sometimes feared, magic can be sorted into three different forms: arcane, divine, and psychic. Each of these three forms behaves vastly different, and follows different underlying rules.

Arcane Magic

The most widespread of the different forms of magic, arcane magic (also called Huliryel in higher circles) is utilized and studied in almost every part of the Green Coast. Wizards research new spells, sorcerers listen to the call of the power flowing through their veins, bards weave spells with song and dance, and many others find different ways to practice the arcane.

     Amongst the orc clans, in general arcane magic is viewed with suspicion and wariness. In the case of one clan, Hiz’rych Kopjad, its use is outlawed entirely, while in another, Tanlu nuj Merykh, it is seen as a necessary evil in order to keep the clan safe. Most orcs feel that arcane magic is extremely potent but not as reliable as an ax or a spear.

     Elsewhere, in elven citadels, the practice of arcane magic is seen as the epitome of nobility. The king of Drynaryn is also the city-state’s most accomplished mage. Indeed, in Drynaryn and Wainryn entrance into the cities’ magic schools is limited to the children of noble families or those that are willing to pay a fortune for admission. In addition, all members of both royal families are trained and tutored by the greatest mages in their respective kingdom.

     While not frowned upon, most dwarven cities do not have a school or university dedicated to the study of magic. The only city that does is Glastig, whose focus of study is in how arcane magic can be utilized in war for attack or defense. The few dwarven mages tend to be either trained by humans or are amongst the battle-mages of Glastig. These battle-mages focus less on arcane magic, but are able to channel their spells through a sword or an ax and are trained in casting their spells while wearing armor.

     All gnomes have an innate level of magic, remnants of a past culture or empire according to some, but a few choose to branch out beyond the magic that they are born with. Most become accomplished mages, while a few make bargains with entities so great that only a fraction of their consciousness can be perceived by mortals.

     While halfling mages are rare, relative to their population they are rapidly becoming the race with the largest percentage of arcane magic users in the Green Coast. Shortly after the initial expansion of the hobgoblin empire, a disproportionally large number of halflings being born were gifted with sorcerous power. The very air called to the power within their blood, granting those so blessed power over air and storm. These sorcerers have come to be called the Storm-Blessed.

     In general humans tend to accept arcane magic as much as they do anything else. The communities that are distrusting of anything that they are not familiar with are also distrusting of magic. For the most part however humans are willing to embrace the arcane even if they cannot use it themselves.

     The hobgoblin view of arcane magic is the same as their view on any kind of power: it is simply another tool for domination. The mages of the hobgoblin empire tend to favor magic that aids in either battle or subjugation. Thus the most popular schools are Evocation and Enchantment.

Divine Magic

Though not the most widespread form of magic, divine magic is the most widely accepted. Even the most suspicious of peasants are grateful for the presence of a clergyman that has been chosen to grant miracles. Orc clans commune with nature spirits that guide and protect. Holy warriors and knights seek out injustices while secret agents hunt out enemies of the faith.

     Most human practitioners of divine magic learn their magic within temples, channeling their faith to work miracles in the name of their gods. These priests sometimes travel to spread the word of their church, and teach their church’s dogma to the common person. Not infrequently a knight will pledge their sword to a church and follow a code of conduct put forth by their god. Some others are called to serve as elite guards or shadowy agents, hunting down heretics and those that would threaten the faith.

     Orc clans, while they worship recognizable gods, favor shamans that communicate with spirits of the land, animals, and ancestors. On rare occasions, outsiders will be taught the rites and magics of the orc shamans if the spirits permit it. Certain clans have unique rites that appeal the spirits for glimpses of the future.

     While elven temples are works of beauty, the most common elven practitioners of divine magic have no temples or tithes and sometimes do not even worship gods. Amongst the lowborn elves, frequently called ‘wood elves’, are preachers that are sometimes called nature priests by outsiders. The elven name for such preachers is druwynn. Druwynns, in addition to soothing ails and encouraging crop growth, are nightmares on the battlefield when called to defend their home forests.

     Amongst dwarves, the slight majority of divine casters serve as battlefield healers. Nearly as many serve as war priests, bolstering allies and calling down the wrath of their gods on their enemies. The hobgoblin armies have felt the fire called down by priests of Maer and felt the steel of priests of Pugnatas. Priests of Tudok have been able to pick off hobgoblins from more than a thousand feet away, arrows guided by the winds of their goddess.

     Most gnome users of divine magic are priests of Eruditio, beseeching their patron for guidance to new ruins or help in understanding what they have found. Amongst halflings, worship of Deorc has rapidly increased within the last forty years since being displaced by the hobgoblin empire. Not directly for achieving their own potential, but calling for vengeance against the hobgoblins.

Psychic Magic

Psychic magic is by far the rarest of the forms of magic. While in theory anyone can pick up a spellbook and learn rudimentary magic, one either has the capability for psychic magic or does not. Some scholars associate psychic magic with terrible aberrations called aboleths that live deep in the ocean or in underground lakes. Others say that it is related to entities that exist beyond the planes of existence in a place called the Far Realm, the Beyond, or other such forbidding names. Whatever the source, the majority of users of psychic magic can be found in the employ of the Council of Minds in Argoport.

     The most obvious of the psychic classes is the kineticist. Several enforcers of the Council of Minds have been seen commanding the four elements as well as nearby objects with naught but their minds. In addition, goblin tribes will rarely have a member born with the gift to “burn things with my brain!” These goblins are heralded as the children of the goblin fire god, Anguugix.

     Some ancient texts recovered from before the Historical Wipe speak of god-kings battling with dark reflections borne of their very minds and souls. From what modern scholars have been able to determine, these ancient god-kings were likely psychics struggling against the very force that gave them their powers. What few psychics have been discovered in the modern era tend to gain their power not from a split-personality but from Alyon Ellidenau, the River of Dreams which connects all the various Planes of Existence.

     Certain agents of the Council of Minds are able to enchant and command individuals by speaking softly while the victim’s gaze is locked on a swaying item between the two. These mesmerists are frequently sent to misdirect possible interlopers, to convince city officials to indirectly support the Council’s interests, or other such assignment.

     Rumors speak of users of psychic magic that have obtained the service of a returned spirit, can see glimpses of the past by touching an object, or serve as a willing host to a literary spirit. While scholars have tried to corroborate these rumors, thus far only charlatans parading as psychics have been found. Yet such rumors persist. If scholars have learned anything about psychic magic in the few years that they have been aware of it is that not enough is known about the limits of this form of magic.

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