Magic

Magic in Hanaq is typically cast using preparations made with ink and a medium like paper, talismans, engraved cards, or marked scrolls that burn away upon use. Some individuals possess ShadowBinds, which are uniquely specific magical powers inherent to the person rather than learned or prepared.

Different cultures developed their own approaches to understanding and using magic. Dragon societies traditionally viewed magic as an innate force to be mastered, while fairy cultures emphasized harmony with natural magical forces. As societies unified under Esperanto and Warden, magical knowledge accelerated and became more standardized.

Magic is treated as a natural phenomenon to be studied and applied practically. The Coven oversees magical education and regulation throughout Esperanto territories.

There are many ways to create spells, with the earliest being a form of alchemy or art that blended flora from Hanaq. Modern industrial methods of spell preparation has found that the most efficient way of spell creation is writing functions on paper with specialized inks from those old materials. When the magician hopes to cast a spell, it is pushed by pressing the center of the hoof or claw aligned to the center of the spell card.

A spell card that has cast is referred to as 'spent' causing it to quickly disintegrate into dust, however some adamantine or stone spell cards can be reused, though only after a long session of cleaning and repreparation.

Spells are categorized in 10 ranks, with increasing levels of power. These spells become more complex to prepare with each rank. Simple pentagram drawing balloons into pentagram matrices around rank 3. Rank 4 and beyond becomes filled with near incomprehensible gradient derivatives and topological eversions.

Spell cards need to be performed daily for most spells. A simple change in the date or the hoof/claw size of the caster can alter every single calculation. Unless crafted with utter precision and multiple lookup tables, most spells go 'flat' in a day. It is for this reason that wizards and witches often prepare spells daily.

Most veteran spellcasters eventually peak at learning a single rank 4 spell.

Alchemy is intimately connected to magic in Hanaq, serving as both foundation and complement to traditional spellcasting. Alchemical processes create the specialized inks, reagents, and components necessary for spell preparation, making it an essential discipline for serious magic users.

The relationship between alchemy and magic has been mutually beneficial throughout history, with breakthroughs in one field frequently sparking innovations in the other.