Overview
Lithomancy, leximancy, power words, word casting; while the practice has been referred to over many different ways over the years, Lithomancy(as it is referred to by its main practitioner, Naderi) is the magical art of translating reality.
Lithomancy is a rare form of magic rumored to have been created by the elves. However, even to the majority of them, it considered a lost art. To some elves, the practice of it alone is even thought of as forbidden
Lithomancy is a rare form of magic rumored to have been created by the elves. However, even to the majority of them, it considered a lost art. To some elves, the practice of it alone is even thought of as forbidden
Basics
Lithomancers use a framework built of their Glyphs, Impulses, and Phrases. Impulses are the raw elements of one's personality and purpose; these Impulses are channeled into magic and, from there, the user can then draw Glyphs.
Users draw Glyphs from the world around them as a flame draws oxygen to keep alight. A table is a TABLE but it is also STURDY, STIFF, CONSTRUCTED, and a pen atop it is a PEN with INK, and it is also USEFUL.
Lithomancers then draw these Glyphs, essentially logograms, from the world around them through their Impulse. This is similar to water being run through a stone filter: these words come into being only through the small lens and framework that shaped them.
With a pool of Glyphs, lithomancers then rearrange them in order to form Phrases, or their spells. These spells can range from simple words(such as "BURN"), to complex ones(such as "SINK SOUL"). The more specific, the cleaner and less dangerous the spell.
Users draw Glyphs from the world around them as a flame draws oxygen to keep alight. A table is a TABLE but it is also STURDY, STIFF, CONSTRUCTED, and a pen atop it is a PEN with INK, and it is also USEFUL.
Lithomancers then draw these Glyphs, essentially logograms, from the world around them through their Impulse. This is similar to water being run through a stone filter: these words come into being only through the small lens and framework that shaped them.
With a pool of Glyphs, lithomancers then rearrange them in order to form Phrases, or their spells. These spells can range from simple words(such as "BURN"), to complex ones(such as "SINK SOUL"). The more specific, the cleaner and less dangerous the spell.
Impulses
One of the most important elements of lithomancy is the Impulse, or the schema or mold in which you have a Phrase fit into. Impulses give shape and purpose to a spell based on which you choose to cast a spell through. Ex, Force:ENFLAME generates heat and fire, but Hope:ENFLAME inspires courage in your allies. Calm:STONE, makes your expression unchangeable like stone, but Grit:STONE could call earth to your arms to block an attack.
- Calm: To be reserved and harmonious.
- Daring: Innovation and the desire to build new things.
- Feeling: A strong bond to emotions.
- Focus: Passion to specialize, obsess, to be an expert.
- Force: Headstrong and direct to the point.
- Grit: Boldness and the ability to stand up and resist.
- Hope: To draw strength beyond yourself and your limits.
- Reason: Careful analysis, consideration, and experimentation.
- Renown: To gather those around and nurture relationships.
- Scheme: Planning, accounting for everything. Structure.
- Style: To make lasting impressions to be recognized.
- Trust: Acting in reliance and need of others and they to you.
Drawbacks
Lithomancy, while incredibly versatile, is ultimately a very unpredictable art if used incorrectly. It can generate effects that seemingly bend suspension of reality, but does so at three major drawbacks.
1. Lithomancy is unpredictable
Users must draw Glyphs from the world around them, translating the Glyphs into reality. This pool can generate nonsense glyphs that do not always create a spell or could otherwise create a Forced Phrase. This leads to its second weakness.
2. Lithomancy takes time
To generate a Phrase safely, lithomancers must take additional time in order to properly write the Words into being. The Glyphs and energies of the world they draw from don't always form words cleanly; while a Phrase can be forced and rushed, it always comes at a cost, with the severity of it based on the spell-power behind it. Shorter Phrases have inconsequential drawbacks, such as a legerdemain spell having the items slip from their fingers. Longer Phrases, such as pillars of flame, can go wildly out of control and devastate enemies and allies alike.
3. Lithomancy is draining
A Phrase has power equivalent to the number of Glyphs used in its creation. This makes long Phrases particularly difficult to use, and incredibly draining on the caster. However, even when a Phrase is short, if the caster is not specific, it can inadvertently cause a large amount of power to go up in a flash.
Consider: FLAME would create a fire. This would be able to be thrown at an enemy or to simply carry like a torch.
However, ENFLAME would create a flame that seeks to burn, absorb and eat up the space around them. This spell would be a great deal more powerful than the creation of a single flame. This would rapidly drain the caster's reserves and quickly invites a visit from the Herald of Magic.
4. Lithomancy is still magic
While not a drawback specific to lithomancy, the act of it is ultimately a discipline of magic. This means it is, and always will be, subject to the Laws of Magic.
1. Lithomancy is unpredictable
Users must draw Glyphs from the world around them, translating the Glyphs into reality. This pool can generate nonsense glyphs that do not always create a spell or could otherwise create a Forced Phrase. This leads to its second weakness.
2. Lithomancy takes time
To generate a Phrase safely, lithomancers must take additional time in order to properly write the Words into being. The Glyphs and energies of the world they draw from don't always form words cleanly; while a Phrase can be forced and rushed, it always comes at a cost, with the severity of it based on the spell-power behind it. Shorter Phrases have inconsequential drawbacks, such as a legerdemain spell having the items slip from their fingers. Longer Phrases, such as pillars of flame, can go wildly out of control and devastate enemies and allies alike.
3. Lithomancy is draining
A Phrase has power equivalent to the number of Glyphs used in its creation. This makes long Phrases particularly difficult to use, and incredibly draining on the caster. However, even when a Phrase is short, if the caster is not specific, it can inadvertently cause a large amount of power to go up in a flash.
Consider: FLAME would create a fire. This would be able to be thrown at an enemy or to simply carry like a torch.
However, ENFLAME would create a flame that seeks to burn, absorb and eat up the space around them. This spell would be a great deal more powerful than the creation of a single flame. This would rapidly drain the caster's reserves and quickly invites a visit from the Herald of Magic.
4. Lithomancy is still magic
While not a drawback specific to lithomancy, the act of it is ultimately a discipline of magic. This means it is, and always will be, subject to the Laws of Magic.
Terminology
Impulses: The makings of personality and purpose; the aspect of the caster the magic is channeled through and simultaneously filtered by. There are 12 Impulses: Calm, Daring, Feeling, Focus, Force, Grit, Hope, Reason, Renown, Scheme, Style, and Trust.
Glyphs: The 'etchings' of creation pushed onto the paper that is reality. These are the elements that build words. These are best defined similarly to alphabetic letters, and for, most that speak common, are translated similarly as such. Through rearrangement of these aspects of reality, phases are formed.
Lithomancy: The magical discipline heavily involved with the translation of reality.
Phrases: What lithomancers refer to their spells as.
Unspeakables: ...
Words: The components of a Phrase consisting of one or more arrangements of Glyphs in a fashion. While normally in a near unspoken/unreadable fashion, lithomancers often translate it into common for ease of use.
