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Spell Writing

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Spells are inscribed in Monite, which in its written form resembles "chicken scratches". They can be read up-to-down or left-to-right.

Galdori Spell Writing

Writing a spell usually takes many years of study and trial. It is not a requirement among galdori to have written a spell, but to have done so is a mark of great knowledge and prestige (akin to a Master's degree). A galdor who has written more than three spells gets the honorary title of Magister. The Professors at Brunnhold are famous for having written enough spells between them to fill a small library of grimoires.

Because spell-writing is an intense experience between the writer and the mona, the spell becomes so intimately a part of the writer's relationship with the mona that the writer can never experience backlash from casting the authored spell specifically—the mona will never harm the author of the spell as it is being cast (not if it is being cast at them, however, so beware!), even if they are experiencing backlash from another spell.

Please note: This benefit does not mean the spell cannot fail! It still can, but the mona will not give any penalty for that failure.

Once a spell is written and inscribed, it is subject to a barrage of tests that are performed by top-ranking galdori, either at Brunnhold or a similar institution. Once the spell has been checked carefully for any mistakes and it is confirmed, it goes on the books, taking either the name of the author or a more general name that refers to its use. (For example, the spell of Terror comes in seventeen different incarnations: the root spell, and sixteen variations written by various sadists.)

There are several libraries of grimoires scattered across the Six Kingdoms, but it is generally accepted that the Library at Brunnhold is the best, containing over a million volumes.

Advancement in Spell Writing

In order to begin writing spells at all, a galdor must reach Intermediate level in the conversation of their choice to write their first spell and reach Proficient in Spell Writing. In order to write their second and third spells, however, a galdor must reach Master level in the conversation they are writing for.

Each level gained in Spell Writing after Beginner accounts for one spell written by that character (and presumably reviewed and published by their Kingdom's University Chairs of the appropriate Conversation as well as by that University's Headmaster or Headmistress). That means, that by Master level in Spell Writing, a character has written (and supposedly published, legally or otherwise) three original spells.

All progress through this Professional Focus Skill must be made through role-play, and while the entirety of progress cannot be made through solo writing, there are some parts of progression that differ from other Focus Skills.

Beginner

  • 2 finished, reviewed threads, at least 1 of which must be a collaborative thread.
  • One of these threads must be a memory thread (or a present thread if your character is still a student), learning spell writing at the Kingdom University of your choice (or from someone if your character never attended university). Other threads submitted for review must include research, writing, and testing of the first spell.
  • Note: No spells are published at Beginner level.

Proficient

  • 4 finished, reviewed threads, at least 2 of which must be collaborative threads are required to move from Beginner to Proficient.
  • Research, testing, and review by Magisters of the Kingdom University of your character's residence should be part of the narratives submitted for progress review in order to be rewarded this next level and have one spell published for public use.
  • Note: review by Magisters requires a moderated thread; reach out to an Admin or Moderator for assistance with this.
  • One spell is published in your Character's name upon reaching Proficient in Spell Writing.

Expert

  • 4 finished, reviewed threads, at least 3 of which must be collaborative threads are required in order to move from Proficient to Expert.
  • Working with superior sorcerers (NPCs or PCs), testing, and research are once again required subject matter in your narratives submitted for progress review. The process should also include a moderated thread with Magister review (from the Kingdom University of your choice) of the spell, after which the character will be rewarded with a second published spell and Expert level in Spell Writing.
  • A second spell is published in your Character's name upon reaching Expert in Spell Writing.

Master

  • 6 finished, reviewed threads, at least 3 of which must be collaborative threads are required in order to move from Expert to Master.
  • Working alongside other Magisters, testing, research, and writing are expected narratives, but at this level, Magisters of the spell's Conversation should be directly involved. Please ask an Admin or Moderator for assistance with these NPCs.
  • As with previous level advancements, one thread in this series must be moderated, and include review of the spell by a Magister from the Kingdom University of your choice. Following this process, the character will be rewarded with a third published spell and Master level in Spell Writing.
  • A third spell is published in your Character's name upon reaching Master in Spell Writing.

Additional Publications

Additional spells may be published after achieving Master level by writing 3 threads: one research, one testing, and one public peer review thread (which will require discussion with an admin or moderator to decide whether or not it requires moderation).

On Becoming a Magister

To be awarded the title of Magister of (Conversation Here), a galdor must have 3 published spells to their name in that Conversation of magic. Upon reaching Master level in Spell Writing, a player will have accomplished this. The Magister title must be awarded by an Admin or Moderator through role play in a single thread, most likely involving the University Chairs and the Headmistress or Headmaster themselves in the thread.

Additional PCs may also be involved in the award thread at the player's request, of course.

On Wick Spells

Wicks are also allowed to progress through spell writing and publish additional works to the Spokes' Almanac or to trade on the Black Market as illegal spells. In order for a wick to write spells at all, they must first reach Intermediate level before beginning their first spell. In order to write their second, third, and any additional spells, they must reach Master level in Spoke magic.

Given the intensity of the process (which often comes across as a more spiritual journey than an academic one), much like galdori, a wick whho successfully writes a spell has achieved such a level of intimacy with the mona that the writer can never experience backlash from casting the authored spell specifically—the mona will never harm the author of the spell as it is being cast (not if it is being cast at them, however, so beware!), even if they are experiencing backlash from another spell.

For a wick to progress through the levels of Spell Writing looks a bit different, especially given their much more casual approach to the mona and casting in general:

Beginner

  • 2 finished, reviewed threads, at least 1 of which must be collaborative
  • One of the threads must be a thread with another wick of superior magical ability in the form of research and mentorship, learning about the wick perspective on monic relationship and approaching Monite in spellwork as a wick.

Proficient

  • 4 finished, reviewed threads, at least 2 of which must be collaborative threads are required to move from Proficient to Expert.
  • Working alongside more than one superior wick casters, testing and experimenting, are required subject matter in your threads attempting to unravel spoke magic. A moderated thread with a skilled wick NPC will be required. Collective review by elder wicks is part of the spell writing process, depending on whether the character is a tsat or belongs to a nomadic tribe.
  • One spell written by the Character will now be available in the Spoke's Almanac.

Expert

  • 4 finished, reviewed threads, at least 2 of which must be collaborative threads are required to move from Proficient to Expert.
  • Working alongside more than one superior wick casters, testing and experimenting, are required subject matter in your threads attempting to unravel spoke magic. A moderated thread with an equally skilled wick NPC will be required. Collective review by elder wicks who are also Master level casters is part of the spell writing process, depending on whether the character is a tsat or belongs to a nomadic tribe. Finding powerful enough wick sorcerers will require risky research and extensive travel.
  • A second spell written by the Character will now be available in the Spoke's Almanac.

Master

  • 6 finished, reviewed threats, at least 3 of which must be collaborative threads are required in order to move from Expert to Master.
  • Working alongside more than one superior wick casters, testing and experimenting, are required subject matter in your threads attempting to unravel deeper secrets spoke magic. A moderated thread with an equally-skilled wick NPC will be required. Collective review by other magically-oriented wicks is part of the spell writing process, depending on whether the character is a tsat or belongs to a nomadic tribe, and by Master level, this will most likely require travel to other Kingdoms or remote areas of Vita to find other wicks with the kind of skill and wisdom for powerful magic.
  • A third spell written by the Character will now be available in the Spoke's Almanac.

Additional Publications

Additional spells may be published after achieving Master level by writing 3 threads: one research, one testing, and one public peer review thread (which will require discussion with an admin or moderator to decide whether or not it requires moderation). This, again, may require fantastic journeys and many risks (and galdori scrutiny) for the wick attempting such a magical exercise.