Arcanics

Arcanics, otherwise known as magic, is the field encompassing the studies and usage of magical abilities to perform supernatural feats and actions. While knowing how to use arcanics is enough to constitute being called a mage, only those who graduate from a greater learning institution in the Otherwhere warrant being called an arcanist. Arcanics are seen as a trade as much as it is a field or study.

Structure
Arcanics are performed typically in two primary methods; spoken arcanics and written arcanics.

Spoken Arcanics
Spoken arcanics are done using incantations known as galdrars (plural) or galdr (singular). These incantations direct the effects of magic. Instructions in galdrars are fairly simple, but their effectiveness and capabilities depend on the user. Their main advantage comes from being able to be called upon without preparation, but typically lack the overall impact and capabilities of written arcanics. Because the galdrars must be infused with magic, they must come from a person and can’t be activated with machinery or replicated through machines.

Written Arcanics
Written arcanics done through writing are known as glyphs. These are written in circles or rings as the magic must make a complete circle to activate. Each building block piece of written magic is called a Rune. As the text must be infused with magic to work, mages must create them deliberately and with care. Magic fades over time, however, and given long enough (both depending on the creator and glyph), it will simply become a drawing. Likewise, the spell must be activated with magic as well through physical contact with a person trying to use it. Once used, the text of the glyph flares and then burns out. People can sense whether a glyph is still dormant or has been activated. If too much magic runs through a glyph, the text distorts through bleeding or breaking.

Arcane Capacity
Arcane capacity is defined by someone's overall affinity towards performing magic.

Each person has an innate aptitude for magic when they’re born. This involves mainly their skill and depth, where skill refers to their control over arcanics and depth refers to the total amount of magic at their disposal. Like physical stamina, magic that is used and depleted must be recovered over time. Also like stamina, arcanic stamina is tied to physical well-being and so many arcanists regularly exercise to stay in shape.

While individuals can increase their skill and depth over arcanics through practice and effort, there is an ultimate ceiling and rate of learning that is decided by birth. As such, some can be considered more talented than others, but also slow learners may overtake fast learners in their lifetime.

The amount of magical stamina in an individual is known as flow. Using too much flow causes mental fatigue and exhaustion. Trying to cast a spell that requires more than one’s own flow drains them. Typically, this is not dangerous as they only need to sleep to recuperate. However, especially dangerously draining spells can attempt to pull more out of the individual and kill them.