Spell Structure
Spells are a mix of arcane words, codes and equations. A spell typically has two main parts - a header and a body.
The header is like an overview of the spell and talks about the spell in meta-terms: use of the spell, needed material components, parameters of the spell, place, time preparations, side effects, history, the name of the creator, etc. This header often serves as a brief lesson to help another mage cast the spell. It also aids scholars and librarians in classification.
The second part, the body of the spell, is the real meat of the spell. The actual body of the spell is mathematical in nature, an encoded equation of sorts. Complex arcane equations using arcane glyphs and symbols are combined in an exotic form of mathematics. It is complete gibberish to anyone who has not studied magic. Even a simple spell may involve several pages of equations and encoded mathematics. Very powerful and sophisticated spells may fill dozens of pages. The greatest spells known to man may fill an entire book each!
Systems of Encoding a Spell
There are different "classical" systems of coding a spell. Even though the underlying equations and concepts are universal, the symbols are arbitrary. As with languages, it's possible to get the same information across using different words and grammar. There are several well-known "systems" of coding a spell. This tends to vary by region.
| Coding System | Description and Where Used |
| Ranyku | This is likely the earliest of all magical coding systems. It was used by the Order of the Ranyku during the Age of Dawning. It later was used by common mages in the Thullian Empire. Ranyku is a "dead" system and not used anymore. It can only be found these days on moldy scrolls in libraries. |
| Thullic | This was the common magical system used throughout the Thullian Empire by "common mages". It was based heavily on the old Ranyku system. Thullic was wide spread during the days of the Thullian Empire. Some magical literature found in modern libraries will be written in Thullic. Many mages in Ithria learn this ancient coding system to help their studies and broaden their abilities. Although a dead system, Thullic is taught in many arcane schools in Ithria. There are even some mages who still code their spells using this system. |
| Huridian | This was the predominant coding system used by the elite Alliance Mage Lords of the Thullian Empire. To date, no one has deciphered this very complex code. At least, if anyone has, they haven't made that public knowledge yet. Most mages believe that deciphering this code would lead to a tremendous leap in magical power as there are many scrolls in many libraries throughout the world which are written in this code and are essentially unreadable. It would make the spells of the Alliance Mage Lords accessible to modern mages, spells which are much more powerful than present day incantations. |
| Iskren | Classical coding system used throughout most of eastern Ithria including Carrikos, the Rukemian Empire, Kitar, Ormek and Mercia. This system is based loosely on the Thullic and Ranyku systems that preceded it. |
| Bendothi | A secret code used by the Black Sorcerers of Duthelm. This code has not be deciphered by Rukemian Empire. |
| Parueli | Parueli is the elvish system of magical writing. It is an ancient system having been used, virtually unchanged, for over 1000 years. It has spread and is now used in Ithell, River Gate and elsewhere throughout the west. |
| Inedka | This system was developed by the dwarves. It is used in many dwarven and northern countries including Urmordia, Ulkran, Uthran, Vorrik and Normidia. It is culturally pure and bears little resemblance to any other system. It is easily recognized by its square, blocky symbols. |
| Shamat | Used by the mages of the Padashan Empire |
| Lasyne | Used by the mages of Anquar. |
| Sarsutic | Sarsutic is a highly complex magical system used by the Sybrenar Imperium. It is a very rigidly mathematical coding system. Non-Sybrenar have a difficult time learning this system. |
| Old Kartese | Kartese was the dominant annotation system used by mages of the once great Kytohan Empire in what is now Aggradar. Now known as "Old Kartese", this ancient system is no longer taught. It is essentially a dead system. There are some historians and scholars who study it yet because many moldy scrolls scattered about Aggradar are written in Old Kartese. |
| New Kartese | A modern variation of Old Kartese which is used today by the priestesses of Chaddamar, Vaullian rune masters and Saridian sorcerers. |
| Iretic | The system used by the Irenni League long ago is still in use by Corvenian mages today. |
This page last updated Tuesday, January 02, 2007. Copyright 1990-2007 David M. Roomes.