Magic

Magic in Noliterre is very different than what you might expect. While scholars are not entirely sure of its source, it seems to emanate from nature as kind of a "background frequency". This magic is, at this point, in the form of raw, unformed power. Mages or wizards, who are able to sense and control this enveloping frequency, can pull together this natural magic and form it into something that has an effect on the world at large. Generally, normal people cannot see or feel this force. However, certain runes, spells and movements can briefly allow people to tap a small amount of magical force. IT isn't enough to cast full-on spells, but just enough to cast "cantrips" or watered-down versions of what magicians are able to produce. This has led to the misguided perception that people born without the magical gift are magical. Rather, it is the proper recitation of a spell created by a full-on wizard that allows them to create that illusion.

Magic is not evenly distributed through the world, however. There is a greater concentration of it in Orctova, which explains the continent's devotion to it. Vondexa generally has only a minimal amount of magic. There are, however, places in all continents where magic is extremely powerful, called "ley lines". These lines crisscross the world, creating extremely potent magical sites wherever they intersect. Ancient people seem to have been drawn to these intersect points, as many ancient cities, temples and shrines are built on them. The Dark Lord's birthplace was an intersection of six ley lines.

However, magic has its limits. It is extremely susceptible to iron. Magic will not work when there are large amounts of wrought iron nearby, and several temple sites now in the hearts of steam cities have become wilted and stunted but the iron. There is a certain way to cast iron that allows it to be compatible with magic, but the method was lost during the fall of the Camvonian Empire. Blades that are both made of steel and enchanted with magic are very powerful and rare, and much blood has been spilled over them. Also, magic is believed to be a finite resource. While it can regenerate over time, once a magic source hits zero, it is dead forever. This has been observed in several shrines in Orctova where magic was overused.