There are many different wielders of magic on Edadh, but they can, in the main, be classified as either Knowencrafters or Charmcasters.
Knowencrafters are ones who have taken their trade to a supernatural level. Amongst their number are Fighters, Wildsmen, Agents, Brewers and Traders. Fighters can move lightning quick, or can take a thrust from a spear without it harming them. Wildsman are able to instantly tame the largest and wildest beasts. Agents can become almost invisible and posses the stealth of the quietest of cats. The Brewers' drink surpasses all others but also can instantly remove stress when drunk. And Traders can tell just by looking at a person how to deal with them. These are only a few of the Knowencrafters; every trade can be taken to a preternatural level and the abilities a Knowencrafter can acquire within each trade are varied and numerous.
Anyone can elevate their ability and become a Knowencrafter. Similarly, anyone can be a Charmcaster. Charmcasters don't actually 'cast' anything but employ charms to create magical effects. Charms are objects that have been empowered with specific magic by Charmcrafters. Each charm requires a unique phrase or motion or second object to activate it so it isn't enough just to own a charm, a Charmcaster must also know its specific key given to it by the Charmcrafter during its creation.
Each charm enables the Charmcaster to produce a specific magical effect but an unlimited number of times. Any object can be turned into a charm by a Charmcrafter and most are recognisable by the marks, letters, runes & glyphs inscribed into them when they were created.
Almost lost to Edadh now are the skills and arts of the Charmcrafters for they were taught to them by the Old Gods. It isn't sufficient to just write or carve the symbols of a charm onto another object - there are many combinations of language, object and practice that must be present for the magic to be harnessed and then activated later by a Charmcaster. Sadly, there are now few remaining who know the process. Consequently no new magical items - charms - are being created and competition to acquire those that exist is fierce.
There are scholars who dedicate their lives to the study of the numerous variety of charms. As each culture had its own faith and Old Gods, each culture has its own charms unique to it that enable Charmcasters to unleash magic different to charms from other cultures. A Charmcaster who acquires and can use charms from numerous cultures would be a very powerful foe.
Tales of Edadh
Delve further and immerse yourself into the world of Edadh with our short Edadh stories.
