The Arcane Source

2007 by CL

This magic is used by anyone who does not wield another source. Immortals, dragons, the Chosen, and the Fae are incapable of becoming Arcanists. This magic is fueled by the wielder’s inner life-force, and channeled through a medium that is different for each person.

Possibilities

The imagination is the key to this magic, the life-force the fuel, the body the container. Of all of the magics, this has the widest variety of uses and possibilities. Each Arcanist uses his or her medium to create whatever they can imagine. A medium can be thread, ink, song, or even a blade. An application of this magic by, for example, a leatherworker would be enchanting the armor during its creation so that the finished product is as impervious as steel. A seamstress could create pouches of holding, or fine gowns that make the wearer invisible with a tug at the sleeve. An artist can make a canvas come to life, even a tattoo. Barbers can change people’s minds with the stroke of a comb. Some find inspiration in magic itself, and wield wands of their own creation to channel their energy. There are literally no limits to what kinds of Arcanists there can be.

Limitations

There are two major limitations to Arcanist magic. The first is power. There is a very finite amount of life-force stored within the body. Users start out using large amounts of energy to do the simplest of spells, and eventually learn to use smaller and smaller amounts to get the same - or more potent - results. Also, because the life-force is what allows the user to live, the consequences of overuse are deadly. A mage that overdraws their source can be simply tired, faint, fall into a coma, or die, depending on exactly how much they have taken. Because all spells cast continue to fruition, they could literally rip their souls out of their bodies if they try to do something they are not ready for.

The other limit is that each Arcanist may only employ one medium. A weapon Arcanist cannot use thread, nor can a writer use song. What defines a medium for each person is their inspiration. One who hates dancing is not likely to find their powers in a lively jig, but if he enjoys cooking he might discover that his meals produce emotions in those that eat them. Those who have no true inspiration can never learn to wield this magic. Sadly, there are many who are so concerned with their daily mundane lives, they find little to be inspired by and their source remains dormant and untouched.

Containment

To those with physical mediums, the container is obvious: the medium itself. Examples include pockets for weavers, a pendant for a jeweler or a tattoo for an artist. Those who have intangible mediums, such as dancers and singers, have a more difficult time with containment. Often they hire those with physical mediums to create a vessel, usually one with a trigger that allows only the owner to draw from or add to the contained source.