Magic

Historic abuse of magic has scarred the world of Gaea for millennia. Due to this, Magic became almost universally feared and hated. Some Arcane Spellcasters were lucky enough to hold positions of respect, such as an adviser to a Monarch or a Village Elder. Most were considered outlaws and hunted or killed on sight. Thus the Arcane Council was formed, an order which strictly governs the use of Arcane Magic and punishes those who would seek to destroy the fragile tolerance of magic.

Spellcasters

Gaean Arcane Spellcasters syphon energy called Earthpower from the surrounding living things. When invoked without due self-control, the caster runs the risk of becoming a Defiler. A practice which, while being a gateway to greater levels of power, may potentially attract the attention of those sworn to maintain balance.

Of the Divine Spellcasters, Druids are granted their powers directly from the very essence of nature, while Rangers learn to manipulate minor nature spirits.

Spellbooks

A spellbook is a highly prized possession to many spellcasters and most Gaean Wizards conceal their spellbooks from rival wizards and others with ability to discern them for what they are. Spellbooks take many forms, including animal hides, stone and clay tablets, bone staves, knotted giant hair and necklaces of coloured beads. Often using personalised codes and/ or systems for organising their spells. The Deception skill can be used to mask a spellbook’s true nature.

A sentient creature inspecting the spellbook must succeed with an opposed Arcana (countered by a Deception check), to identify it as such. Every time a new spell is added, a spellbook must be disguised again. Such an action is normally automatically successful. unless done under duress, at which point a successful Deception check is required.

Services

The sale of Arcane Magic is outlawed by the Arcane Council and, as a result, is almost never offered for sale via legitimate businesses. Instead magic goods and services are sold ‘under the counter’, usually at massively inflated cost, and almost exclusively in large towns or cities where the seller has a greater chance of escape if caught by authorities.

Divine Spellcasters are less reluctant to use their granted powers for the benefits of others. Divine Spellcasters may be found in Towns, and rarely, in Large Villages. They still take care to not use their powers excessively, so as to avoid drawing the unwarranted attention of the Arcane Council’s Sentinels. They are also known to command a high price for such services.

Healing

Though magical healing is prohibitively expensive for most Gaeans, those trained to do so, can alternatively use the Medicine skill to treat disease, injuries, and poison effectively, often in exchange for some sort of donation to their temple, before the service is performed.