The world of Valyr is infused with elements of magic which are harnessed through fate. Places of Power scattered across the world connect Valyr via these elements to other planes of existence where many otherworldly monsters reside. With years of proper training, or boons from these magical entities it is possible to wield magic to create minor effects all the way to major feats of spellcraft. Harnessing this magic with the right reagents can create magic items ranging from household utility wares all the way to potent artefacts and destructive enchanted weapons. Magic items are rare outside of the heights of nobility and arcane empowered workshops as most require upkeep to maintain enchantments. However, dungeondelvers have been known to discover ancient relics that still hold persistent effects.
Fate
The human soul is made up of seven parts, all of which are tied to your destiny. Your impact and interactions with facets of the world will align your soul. The more focused your soul is, the more in tune you are with that aspect of magic and easier it is for you to harness spells within that element. Devout clerics and mages spend much of their life studying and meditating to align their soul to harness higher magics, while the more druidic inclined seek to appease the spirits to gain their favour. There are also those who look to take a shortcut to power by entering into pacts with otherworldly entities, which they often soon regret. Some would call such forced practices a stain upon the soul itself, as how fated you are towards an element also affects your overall destiny.
The Elements
Scholarship is divided if there are four, five or six elements of the world. Four of them are linked to harnessing actual spells, while Entropy and Potential have no known magical utility. So their relationship with fate may work differently.
- Potential - White
- Like a blank canvas just waiting to be filled with colour. Anything is possible as long as you have some white fate.
- Physicality - Red
- The power to create and the power to destroy.
- Quintessence - Yellow
- The skill to manipulate the very fabric of magic and the spiritual world.
- Sympathy - Blue
- The ability to traverse hidden pathways and pull on the connections of the universe.
- Vitality - Green
- Mastery over the body and the mind. Be it to heal or to modify.
- Entropy - Black
- All humans are fated to die at some point. The darkening of your fate is ultimately inescapable.
Places of Power
There are an unknown number of other worlds, known as Planes, outside of Valyr that are connected to it via magical Places of Power. These Places of Power are scattered across the world and can be magically aligned to different planes turning them into gateways. These sites are rare and highly sought after by otherworldly entities to secure as a means of entry to and from Valyr. Many human nations and organisations seek to locate and secure them to prevent incursion from these extraplanar threats. Places of Power are also desirable for potential magical properties beyond just planar exploration. These sites aren't always obvious however as they can look like almost anything and often takes a skilled mage to identify them.