What is Magic? What is it Used For?
According to the official definition from "Oxford Languages," magic is "the power of apparently influencing the course of events by using mysterious or supernatural forces." For example, I'm sure you remember Gandalf speaking the right word to open the doors of Moria. Many other worlds and their stories where certain characters, after spending some time learning skills such as incantations or methods of wielding certain magical assets and tools, can exercise the workings of magic like opening doors or conjuring the dead. After such mastery, it seems like the user of magic in a given tale is capable of using magic easily.
Of course there are rules that govern the use of magic, rules that differ from world to world. But we need to discuss the level of realism in the world of Circlaria when it comes to this sort of thing.
The Circlarian Realm
Experts in Circlaria in this sort of craft realize that we are dealing with, in fact, a measurable force that can be exacted and calculated through refinement and careful regulation.
In Circlaria, this is not called "magic." It's called "spellfire."
Spellfire has more limits to its nature than people would like to fantasize. However, that does not render spellfire a craft of boredom, because spellfire scripts, the basic building blocks of spellfire, have large numbers of possible combinations, meaning that spellfire can have more uses than people imagine.
By the way, the practice of using spellfire is known as "spellfire-crafting," or "spellcrafting" for short.
A Little History
There was a period of time in the Circlarian Calendar, specifically between 18'000 and 1494 BCE, when the most talented of spellcrafters engaged in the practice of "conjuration." This was basically the practice of spellcrafting in ancient times and does not have a specific act to define the term "conjuration" because of how inconsistent it was between "conjurers." However, conjuration can be described as a primitive form of spellfire-crafting based on superstition.
Those most capable of practicing conjuration in a practical fashion became the most powerful, politically speaking. They dominated their native societies as overlords who fought each other, dragging their societies into unending war over such things as territory and resources. These conflicts were violent and deadly, with Head Conjurers each manipulating their warriors and followers into believing that they were morally good while the rival was morally corrupt. There was, of course, no "right" or "wrong" in these conflicts, just the presence of rival factions.
The Rise of the Common People
"Common People," are those unable to learn the art of spellcrafting or simply have not gained skills in spellcrafting by choice.
In February 1494 BCE, the Common People of Circlaria rose up and declared all Conjurers morally corrupt and unfit to govern, thus declaring war to overthrow them. A long, hard conflict ensued between the Conjurers and the Common People. However, the Common People triumphed victoriously over the Conjurers in January 1408 BCE, forcing the Conjurers to surrender their political power titles. Treaties were signed as the Congress of Circlaria was established, serving as the very first organization to implement international law. From this Congress came numerous laws governing diplomacy, trade, and most importantly, spellfire.
Concerning spellfire emerged two very important and enshrined principles. First, those wanting to practice spellfire-crafting may not do so without an official Spellcrafting License issued by Congress of Circlaria, which helps to enforce spellfire-crafting internationally in accordance to a set of standards known as the Circlarian School of Spellfire-Crafting. Second, those in political power may not practice spellfire crafting during the time they are in power; in fact, they must surrender their spellfire-crafting licenses for the duration that they are in power. This includes public officials, heads of state, court justices, and even legislators.
Conclusion
It is likely that newcomers to Library of Circlaria will be unfamiliar with certain terms specific to the Circlarian Realm. Blog entries will be made over time to clarify these terms, while tools will be continually built to help readers to navigate and gain further understanding. In the meantime readers with questions are encouraged to post such questions in the Library of Circlaria Facebook Page, or to send me a personal message. In the meantime, please feel free to check out my content!
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