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On Use of Magic
So far, I've been handwaving magic use, saying that the vampires in his world can use magic but not saying how. I would still like to give myself a little leeway to refine the system but I do need to spell it out, at least a bit, if only to have a resource to keep myself straight.
Vampires in this canon have some innate magical talent, but it isn't anything they can use without training and practice. Most purebloods learn magic from their parents. The turned vampires who study magic do so by everything from actual training to getting lucky and picking up the right book at Barnes & Noble.
Vampires excel at ritual magic. Some, such as Adrien, practice a form of Technomancy. Their magic is channeled through or involves technology in some way. Others, like Gregorio, prefer blood and alchemy based magic, but dabble in other areas as needs arise.
Most who study magic are capable of some simple and common spells.
1. First is a ward spell. It's not so much to keep things out as it is to notify the caster that it's been breached. Very often these take the form of statues or architecture in some of the more traditional areas of Europe, but can be as simple as trees or even spray paint under a bridge. Anything that can be inscribed with a symbol for the caster. As long as the symbol stays intact, it notifies the caster when other vampires or sorcerers of sufficient skill breach the perimeter. Most vampires use them around their own property. Some place a second perimeter around the town they live in. The wards give very basic warning, whether the intruder is human, vampire, or something else, approximate age or power, gender, and approximate location while inside the protected area.
2. Some basic forms of telepathy are taught. This type of telepathy reads surface thoughts only, the "internal monologue" of the victim. Direct eye contact and concentration are required. There is no way to control what is received from the victim. Languages and jumbled thoughts are not translated for the caster.
3. Some vampires, such as Adrien, are able to conjure fire without the use of a full ritual or the usual types of ignition. It requires concentration and knowledge of a weak point in the material being set ablaze. Faulty parts in electrical equipment, fuel stored improperly, dry brush too near a heat source, Faulty container, etc. Nothing that would not usually burn can be set ablaze, and investigations usually conclude fire causes to be accidental. Due to their high heat and usual state of repair, computer and other advanced electrical equipment is particularly vulnerable.
Other magic performed by vampires or sorcerers in canon requires ritual, concentration, and time and is not something most would turn to in a fight.
Most also do not immediately sense another of their own kind. There are clues, such as slower heartbeat, eye color of the purebloods, aversion to daylight or bright light, but no magical "sense" that warns others of their own kind if they manage to avoid the perimeter wards. Purebloods are very territorial and generally do not travel far or to areas they don't control, as a rule, but turned vampires often get mistaken for humans when in areas the vampires' superior senses can't be fully utilized.
Vampires in this canon have some innate magical talent, but it isn't anything they can use without training and practice. Most purebloods learn magic from their parents. The turned vampires who study magic do so by everything from actual training to getting lucky and picking up the right book at Barnes & Noble.
Vampires excel at ritual magic. Some, such as Adrien, practice a form of Technomancy. Their magic is channeled through or involves technology in some way. Others, like Gregorio, prefer blood and alchemy based magic, but dabble in other areas as needs arise.
Most who study magic are capable of some simple and common spells.
1. First is a ward spell. It's not so much to keep things out as it is to notify the caster that it's been breached. Very often these take the form of statues or architecture in some of the more traditional areas of Europe, but can be as simple as trees or even spray paint under a bridge. Anything that can be inscribed with a symbol for the caster. As long as the symbol stays intact, it notifies the caster when other vampires or sorcerers of sufficient skill breach the perimeter. Most vampires use them around their own property. Some place a second perimeter around the town they live in. The wards give very basic warning, whether the intruder is human, vampire, or something else, approximate age or power, gender, and approximate location while inside the protected area.
2. Some basic forms of telepathy are taught. This type of telepathy reads surface thoughts only, the "internal monologue" of the victim. Direct eye contact and concentration are required. There is no way to control what is received from the victim. Languages and jumbled thoughts are not translated for the caster.
3. Some vampires, such as Adrien, are able to conjure fire without the use of a full ritual or the usual types of ignition. It requires concentration and knowledge of a weak point in the material being set ablaze. Faulty parts in electrical equipment, fuel stored improperly, dry brush too near a heat source, Faulty container, etc. Nothing that would not usually burn can be set ablaze, and investigations usually conclude fire causes to be accidental. Due to their high heat and usual state of repair, computer and other advanced electrical equipment is particularly vulnerable.
Other magic performed by vampires or sorcerers in canon requires ritual, concentration, and time and is not something most would turn to in a fight.
Most also do not immediately sense another of their own kind. There are clues, such as slower heartbeat, eye color of the purebloods, aversion to daylight or bright light, but no magical "sense" that warns others of their own kind if they manage to avoid the perimeter wards. Purebloods are very territorial and generally do not travel far or to areas they don't control, as a rule, but turned vampires often get mistaken for humans when in areas the vampires' superior senses can't be fully utilized.