Magic rules

There is one rule for magic which all participants should be aware of. If a magic user casts an effect at you, they will clearly indicate you are the target and state the effect preceded by the word 'Veritas' (Latin for 'truth'). For example, if a magic user says to you: 'Veritas fear me until sunset', you should respond appropriately in your characterisation.

Note that this statement of the effect is in-game as well as off-game. Anyone standing nearby will hear and understand the effect which is stated and know that magic has been used.

This document describes the world of Valenor as it is commonly understood by people who live there. Bear in mind that opinions and depth of knowledge vary. The knowledge of many is clouded in folklore and legend. Even the greatest wizards still debate on the true nature of the world.

If you are playing an adept or a witch, you should read this material carefully. If not, you may scan it through or skip it, depending on how knowledgeable of such things you feel your character should be.

This document deliberately focuses on the metaphysics relevant to Dragonbane, only touching on other material in passing. More information can be found in the Age of the Storm.

Read more about magic, cosmology and metaphysics from World section.

One in every ten people has the gift of magic. These people can, for example, foresee events in dreams, move small objects with the power of teir mind and heal wounds with their touch. This ability is weak in most people, and the gift may never surface. They are the lucky ones.
On the other hand, magic flows strongly in some pleople or the lesser forces may surface by accident. They are called magicians.Ordinary people also call them witches or conjurers. It is possible for all magictions to become wizards, but usually only men are accepted to study magic. If the magician is not willing to devote his life to studying the theory and practice of magic, he may run the risk of going mad: inexperienced magic users may be overwhelmed by magic anda become undead incarnation of magic, leesks. These creatures are a danger to themselves and their surroundings and thus untrained magicians are often avoided and shunned.

Magic

From local nature spirits to powerful wizards of the Exalted Tower magic plays an integral part in the landscape of Valenor. During the Dragonbane event two aspects of magic will, initially, strive against each other in a confrontation that is both magical and religious. The Adepts of the Dragon in Cinderhill and the Thunder God worshipping Witches represent these aspects. Depending on your faction magic will be utilised in one of two distinct ways.
The following is a quick summery of the paradigm of the magical disciplines presented in Dragonbane. To maintain the illusion and increase the wonder and excitement of the event further details of the magical system will be provided to those participants whose characters participate in the magic to one degree or another.

Dragon magic

For Adepts of the Dragon performing magical rituals is a sacrosanct pact between them and their deity, the Red Divinity. Their rituals are often physical in nature and seek to imitate aspects of their deity. Every member of Cinderhill is able to participate in rituals though only the Adepts of the Dragon are able to channel the magic thus invoked.
To be able to perform Dragon magic you need the right spell scroll, the correct number of participants (both Adepts and scrollmakers) and you need to perform the right dance, moves, chants or songs. Kites and other props are often used as well.

Thunder magic

The Witches of the northern covenant of Nathar are sworn to the Getharian Thunder God. To the Witches, however, the Thunder God is just a tool to be used like any other tool in their passion for power. Their evocations can be anything from private evocations with only a pair of Witches (Shadows of each other) or roaring rites performed by the entire coven. Their rituals involve the use of proper alchemical formulae and evocations to the Thunder God to create the desired results
To be able to perform Thunder magic you need the right elixir, the proper number of Witches and the proper evocations. Human and spirit sacrifices are often used as well.