Magic is gnostic. It cannot be taught in its completeness. It cannot be explained. It can only be experienced. In transcendent states of mind, when the world fades and all that remains is a vision of something more, magic can, rarely, be found. Those who experience such visionary states are called primary sorcerers, and they are great and terrible. But they are also rare, for even exposed to the few known original sources of magic, few people experience the right kind of transcendence of reality to gain power.

Instead, most learn from these primary sorcerers, who write or dictate their visions and experiences. Those who can understand become secondary sorcerers, because while the deepest secrets are lost in translation, what remains is still potent. Secondary sorcerers can in turn pass on instruction to tertiary sorcerers, and so on, all the way down to the weakest senary sorcerers, who have only faint echoes of the power brought to bear by their antecedents.

There are five known paths of magic, each driven by a different original source. Students tend to cite their lineage of teaching, as even two primary sorcerers exposed to the same source will end up with different power based on their personality, interpretation, and perhaps unknown factors. Thus, someone might be described as a tertiary sorcerer who learned and casts their magic from Mariana's Book of Patterns. In this case, Mariana is the person who instructed them, and her source is the Way of Patterns. Each of the five known sources has its own customary name, and so it is possible to guess at what kinds of power this sorcerer might wield on the basis of their instruction.

Rarely, very rarely, someone experiences transcendence without the prompting of one of these original sources. Such primary sorcerers tend to be more than a bit removed from reality already, and experience a visionary state from simple drugs, hunger, or meditation. These primaries produce eclectic visions, and their paths are eccentric and hard to categorize. Oddly, this has only happened in the time since the first major source was discovered.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:04, Sun 02 Jan 2022.

The Way of Patterns was the first path to be discovered, some two hundred years ago. It draws on a crystalline sphere the size of a tall man, which contains fractal patterns that are perfect to the best ability of examination. Careful contemplation of the patterns formed by these fractal symmetries and crystalline structures has led to transcendence.

As a primary, the Way of Patterns tends to give access to Words such as Artifice, Wealth, Theft, and Knowledge. As a lower magic path, it provides access to power over inanimate matter, including the ability to manipulate and enchant it.

Location: Diameera
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:10, Mon 03 Jan 2022.

The Way of Leaves was second to be discovered, only a few short years after the Way of Patterns. It draws on a glade deep in the Anaran Jungle of the far north, which surrounds a natural hot spring. The life in this glade is impossibly diverse, with plants and animals from all across the realm and even some not found anywhere else. Bathing in the hot spring has led to transcendent states.

As a primary, the Way of Leaves tends to provide Words such as Fertility, Beasts, Shapeshifting, and Health. As a low path, it focuses on manipulation of living creatures, healing or causing injury and disease.

Location: Old Sarkova
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:10, Mon 03 Jan 2022.

The Way of Whispers is third of the known sources to be discovered, drawing on a natural spring. This spring is located deep underground, and feeds an underground river and lake system. Water from these rivers, and especially the spring itself, is laced with a complex blend of minerals and fungal toxins that make it highly psychoactive. The psychoactive effect fades within minutes of being taken from the source, and operates by unknown means. Some people have experienced gnostic transcendence while intoxicated by the water.

As a primary, gives Words such as Intoxication, Desire, Passion, and Music. As a low path, it focuses on thought, emotion, and mental focus.

Location: The Confederacy of the Lethe
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:10, Mon 03 Jan 2022.

The Way of Stars was fourth to be found, and the only known source to be a thing constructed rather than natural. It draws on the Orrery of San Sebastian. This orrery is the magnum opus of the astronomer and inventor Sebastian al Artos. He spent over a decade building the orrery, and refused to allow anyone in before his death. Upon examining it, investigators found an impossibly detailed and accurate orrery, one which detailed the movement of celestial bodies not known at the time of creation but subsequently proven to exist. Examination of the uncanny and incredibly complex mechanisms of the orrery has led to a transcendent state.

As a primary, often gives Words such as Sky, Sun, Night, and Luck. As a low magic path, focuses on the manipulation of chance and unpredictable elements, especially in the form of causing and breaking curses.

Location: The Artenian Regency
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:11, Mon 03 Jan 2022.

The Way of Flame was the most recent path to be discovered, having been first found only sixty years ago after a volcanic eruption wiped out the city of Mordov. The caldera contains a large pool of magma which, by all rights, should render entry to it utterly impossible for anyone not shielded by potent magic. However, while warm, the caldera is entirely tolerable in its temperature. Anything which touches the magma melts, however, up to and including refined wolframite that is otherwise nearly impossible to melt. Contemplation of the movements of the molten rock has led to a transcendent state.

As a primary, gives Words such as Fire, Might, Earth, and Endurance. As a low magic path, manipulation of heat and fire is usually the focus.

Location: The Radiant Coalition
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:11, Mon 03 Jan 2022.