History of Magic, The

The History of Magic is a treasured book for Arcanists, Scholars, and members of The Mages Guild written in circa 1320.

The History of Magic

Scribed By The Arcane Mage

Before the beginning of time there was nothing, no planes of existence, only the Void. But within the Void was a light, we know of this light as god, the one deity. But this is not the lore we are interested in. This deity created in the Void the world of Aegis, wherefore you live out your lives. It came to pass that the deity moulded on the world of Aegis Man, whom he blew his breath of existence into; giving life. After breathing his existence into man, he entwined some of his divine power, raw and unformed, into the world of Aegis itself. This power was to be called magic by man, and just as man was placed in the world to be tested, the power was to be utilised by man to be a test, a test of greed and power.

The power was entwined into the very fabric of both worlds; it ensured the worlds were linked, ever connected. So it was that all the races of Aegis could access this power, but none were the same. As the power was channelled through the individual it scanned their soul, and was therefore manifested as an extension of their natural environment. So it was that the Humans had a diverse spread of magic, as they were the most versatile. The Elves came from their woodland homes, of nature and healing. Dwarves from their mighty halls, of stone, hardened and sturdy. Then the Orcs from their harsh deserts, strong and vicious. The power of the Nobel races came from their allegiance: the Ascended from their hallowed halls, pure and righteous. The Undead from their fiery fields, tainted and evil.

The first of the Mages quickly discovered its usefulness, its power… they noticed how dangerous it was. They had the power to kill in an instant, or create in an instant… They had power over all. In their wisdom the saw that something would have to be done… The power was to be controlled, learned properly.

But the magic was not forever present in the world of Aegis. It was lost in times long past, forgotten to all but a few, when the evil Iblees was to be banished from this world. In his banishment he was sent to void by the ancients. This sent his minions back whence they came, and a barrier was erected between the worlds to stop their return. So it was that the worlds were no longer entwined, in separation the power no longer held, and magic all but disappeared from the world…

But it was not to last. The power of Iblees was great, even in void, and he worked at unravelling the barrier between the worlds… Soon the barrier began to break down, the Undead taint spread once more across the face of Aegis. Although this time there was little hope for salvation…

With the failing of the barrier protecting the world of the living from the dead the magic lost to the Descendants, all those years ago, once again seeped into the fabric of the world. The people of Aegis once more felt a somewhat unfamiliar tingle in their blood, unfamiliar but as though it was always there.

So it came to pass that the ancient power of magic was awakened in Man. Those with the power of foresight could see ahead a fork in the path; one to light, the other darkness… They could only hope that with this new found power that the right decision would be made…

So it was that the first Mage Roland, first in the line of the great mages, gathered to him a group of the most trusted and powerful Mages in the lands, and gave them a duty, a life quest.

A duty, to protect the land of Aegis and the Decendants from themselves, from what lies within, so that the Magic which remained through the ages would not destroy all, but be contained and conserved. So it was that the Order of mages was forged into existence, accepting those with great magical power, or great skill in other areas of their interest. They will not interfere in the day-to-day lives of the people of Aegis, however would intervene at the mistreat of magic.

And it now comes to pass that the Mages Order is lead by the Arcane Mage, who stepped in to lead the guild, and reconstructed the ancient mages tower in the snowy North to be the head of the great order, the center piece of the smaller guilds scattered around the world of Aegis. The tower acts as a meeting place, a place of learning and teaching to all those in the guild who make the perilous journey… Although there is just as much to be done in the city guilds who accept those of like race.