Magic

“	Priste ir Essen. Essen ir Priste. Power in Balance. Balance in Power.	”
—Cardinal rule of magic

Magic, also known by its Antari name Vitari, is a supernatural force.

Overview

Magic is not inherently good or evil. It represents power, and the way people use the power shapes how the power uses them. Balance is a key element of magic use; if one loses control of their magic the magic may overtake them and burn them up, leaving them empty.

Elemental magic does not require specific spoken spells or a specific language. The elements can be spoken to in any tongue, as the purpose of the words is not for their meaning, rather the focus that they provide the magic user. Furthermore, the strength of a spell depends on the strength of its caster.

In addition to the five elements, some magic users are specifically gifted with metal. Maxim Maresh is an example of this.

Each of the different worlds has a distinct relationship with magic: In Black London, magic took over and destroyed the world. In White London, the desire for magic and power has turned the world cruel and bleak. Red London stands perfectly in balance, many of its citizens can use magic, yet it does not overpower them. And in Grey London, the magic has been forgotten. Kell Maresh compares the worlds to a fire, with each London farther from the center of the fire, representing the epicenter of magic.

Sources and fixed points

The Fixed River

A river flows through every London—Red, White, Grey, and Black—at the same exact place. The river is both a fixed point and a source of magic.

In Grey London, the river is known as the River Thames, in Red London as the Isle, and in White London as the Sijlt. It is unknown what the river's name was in Black London.

The Fixed Tavern

Main article: The Fixed Tavern

In Red, White, and Grey London, there is a tavern at the exact same location. However, it always differs in name and ambience.

Regular magic

Of the five usual elements, air, earth, and water are the easiest to will.

Fire

Fire is often represented by oil, which lights easily and serves as fuel. It is more difficult to will than air, earth, or water.

Water

Water is one of the easiest element to will of the five, along with air and earth. Many people are capable of bending it due to its simplicity. Magicians who bend water are capable of changing it to ice to form ice spikes, daggers and walls.

Air

Air magic is often made visible and represented by colored dust or sand. These mediums are manipulated by the air controlled by a magic user. Magicians who prioritise Air magic can use it to create powerful gusts of wind, as well as being able to restrain people with wind

Earth

Earth magic is another easy magic to bend, being represented by dirt and stone. Earth is normally used as a defensive purpose, but can used to launch rocks and spikes.

Metal

Metal magic is a very rare form of magic that not many Magicians are capable of using.

Bone

Bone is the most difficult of the five elements to will. Those who are able to control bone can control bodies, making it a powerful magic even in Red London where it is forbidden.

Special magic

Black magic

Black magic is dark magic from Black London. There, this type of magic took over the people and inherently destroyed the world.

Blood magic

“	He was, after all, Antari. And Antari could speak to blood. To life. To magic itself. The first and final element, the one that lived in all and was of none.	”
—Kell Maresh, [[A Darker Shade of Magic]]

Blood magic, which can only be used by Antari, requires spoken spells in the Antari language.

Main article: Antari