Magic: A Primer
Magic is the art of shaping reality by channeling ten divine concepts called Sefirot. Rather than casting single "spells," mages create Cycles—stable, self-sustaining engines in the soul that connect the Sefirot via the 22 Paths.
Power has a price. Violating magical law invites Corruption, contact with the void of Da'at risks erasure, and the parasitic Qliphoth prey on the ambitious.
The Post-War Era: The Fractured Source and Amplified Dissonance
The nature of magic has been fundamentally altered by the conclusion of the War of the Shifting Throne. The source of all magic, Keter, was fractured. It is no longer a single, unified point, but a trinity reflecting the three great factions. This has deepened the philosophical divides; each faction now draws from a source of magic aligned with its own worldview.
This fracturing has amplified the principles of Resonance and Dissonance. Magic is now easier to perform when it aligns with a faction's own philosophy, but far more difficult and dangerous when it attempts to bridge opposing ideas. Creating a Cycle that blends Severity and Mercy, for example, is now a profoundly unstable act, further entrenching the world's ideological divides.
Core Principles: Resonance, Dissonance, and Balance
The system is not neutral. It encourages or resists certain combinations of Sefirot, a principle that governs the creation of Cycles.
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Resonance: A state of high efficiency. Combining Sefirot that are conceptually aligned (e.g., two Sefirot from the Pillar of Mercy) is easier and more stable. Resonant Cycles are harmonious but often produce less potent, more predictable effects.
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Dissonance: A state of high inefficiency and system stress. Combining Sefirot with opposing concepts (e.g., Chesed's boundless growth and Gevurah's strict judgment) creates logical and spiritual conflict. Dissonant Cycles are difficult and dangerous to maintain, but they produce the most powerful and miraculous effects. Mastering Dissonance is a core tenet of the Way of the Middle Pillar.
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The Law of Balance: The system is self-regulating. As a mage's power in one paradigm (e.g., Severity) grows, the universe will naturally present them with more chaotic phenomena that challenge their worldview. This is not a conscious test, but a homeostatic function to prevent any single philosophy from unbalancing reality.
The Ten Sefirot
The ten divine emanations that form the basis of all magic.
| # | Sefirah | Pillar | Core Concept |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | Keter | Balance | Potential, Oneness, The Source |
| S2 | Chokmah | Mercy | Revelation, The First Spark |
| S3 | Binah | Severity | Structure, Limitation, Form |
| S4 | Chesed | Mercy | Abundance, Growth, Compassion |
| S5 | Gevurah | Severity | Judgement, Strength, Discipline |
| S6 | Tiferet | Balance | Harmony, Balance, Sacrifice |
| S7 | Netzach | Mercy | Endurance, Passion, Instinct |
| S8 | Hod | Severity | Splendor, Intellect, Communication |
| S9 | Yesod | Balance | The Subconscious, Illusion, Astral Forms |
| S10 | Malkuth | Balance | The Physical Realm, Embodiment |
The Tree of Life
