Magic Overview (click here)

In the world of the Spellcraft University of Aotearoa, there are two kinds of magic.  Craft Magic, which can be performed by anyone, and Affinity Magic, which can only be performed by those born with a magical affinity for a specific material.  Not everyone is born with an affinity, but those without are still perfectly capable of learning and performing Craft Magic.

Instead of intangible forces, spells in the world of the Spellcraft University of Aotearoa take the form of physical objects, which perform specific tasks when activated.  

An easy example is a simple, practical one.  A spell to do the dishes would take the form of a granite basin held in a steel frame, inlaid with a clear quartz crystal and carved with simple symbols reflecting the spell's intended purpose.  When the crystal is tapped with a wand, the basin will automatically wash anything you dip inside, without need for water, soap, or scrubbing.

Objects designed to serve the same or similar purposes may share similarities, however every person has their own unique style and approach to spell crafting, and two people would likely not craft the same spell in the exact same way.  One person may craft a square basin with a circular piece of quartz, another may craft an oval-shaped basin with a quartz rod inset.  The approach is different and the result may be slightly different, but the process and intent are the same.

In this world, spells and technology are one and the same, as a spell is simply any construct designed to serve an automated purpose.  Ergo; a cellphone would be considered a spell, and wand-activated similar to any other spell.

CRAFT MAGIC

Craft Magic is simple, practical, and can be performed by anyone.  Say I, a person without an affinity, wanted that dishes spell for my kitchen, and I didn't want to buy it from a Craftcaster.  I could achieve my own version of the spell by carving the stone, welding the frame, and setting the crystal.  Training and experience with tools and materials would affect the quality of my spell and its effectiveness as a result, but even as a layperson I would technically be capable of crafting the spell.

Those who study Craft Magic dedicate themselves to familiarity with those tools and materials, as well as the study of the specific structures of different spells, and common traits of different material, shapes, and combinations thereof.  Advanced Craftcasters may venture into the realms of developing their own spells, though this comes with a lot of potential for error and even danger if not done correctly.

WANDS

Wands are spell objects with no specific function of their own, other than to act as a sort of 'remote control' to activate and deactivate other spells.  While some people hand-make their own wands with specific aesthetics and/or functionalities, they are broadly universal and seen as basic utilities.  A wand is not capable of any of its own magic, it strictly acts as a catalyst to activate/deactivate other spells.  Similar to how a person with an affinity must be physically touching their material to manipulate it, a wand must be physically touching the spell it is interacting with in order to activate it.

AFFINITY MAGIC

Affinity Magic is an intrinsic ability some people are born with to manipulate a particular material at will.  They can not generate this material themselves, only manipulate existing matter.  These materials can be broad categories (eg; plant matter) or extremely granular (eg; the bark of one particular variety of pine) but do not change throughout a person's life; you are born with your affinity, and that's that.

In order to manipulate their material, the person with the affinity must be touching it, at which point they are capable of moulding that substance like clay.  A person with a stone affinity would be able to create the dishwashing spell by simply taking a piece of granite and a piece of quartz and bending them into the appropriate shape.  They would, however, still need to either weld the frame themself, or pay either a Craftcaster or someone with a metal affinity to do it for them.  If their affinity was only for granite, this would apply to the quartz inlay as well.

A person may have an affinity for any physical material, but not an effect, or an intangible force.  One could have an affinity for uranium, but not for radiation.  Oxygen, but not fire.  Iron, but not magnetism.  Affinity strictly applies to the manipulation of one category of physical matter.

Affinities are generally discovered throughout the course of a person's youth, either through natural exposure to the world around them, or through Affinity Fairs held annually at school, where young people are given the opportunity to experiment with less common materials and test their function.  There have long been theories that every person on Earth has an affinity, however most simply never encounter their material in their day-to-day lives, as affinities can be extremely specific.  Niche affinities such as toxic, valuable, or rare materials, or materials that aren't easily available in a person's local area can be difficult and unlikely to discover.

People with affinities can (and often do!) train in Craft Magic in areas outside of their affinity, in order to make the most of their abilities.  

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT

When developing your characters, you are encouraged to get creative with affinities!  Think outside the box, try to find an interesting spin on a straightforward material, or even forego the powers and make your character a pure Craftcaster instead.  This is an area to let your creativity shine and play within the bounds of the worldbuilding in the way that's most enjoyable for you!

If you have specific questions about the magic system, feel free to either post in the Lore Q&A subforum, or PM Rowan directly at any time, and I'll be happy to clarify!