Magic in Arcana
All creatures of Arcana absorb traces of magical energy, it permeates the very atmosphere and created the very diverse life-forms that live on the planet. From the beginning of time there had been those who could use this energy, to tap in to its potential and use this energy to heal or destroy, to create powerful illusions and move matter. However during the end of times nearly all of this knowledge was lost though the abilities remained.
In the new world that arose from the destruction a new way had to be discovered and soon it transpired that those in tune with the energies of Arcana were also adept at learning the languages of the many creatures that now shared the close habitat with the humanoid tribes. Those gifted with this ability became almost a separate species a breed apart, to be equally feared and revered within the tribal society. Those blessed or cursed with magical powers are able to draw on the energies around them, they act like siphons drawing power in to themselves, and they harnessed it and through incantations then direct the power to the purpose they require. Using this energy, this power they can invigorate and heal wounds using it to provide life or they can use the power to destroy sending bolts of energy that burns and rips apart anything in its path.
When the only civilisations were those of the barbarian tribes, these magic users, the shamans, druids and witches, would be present at the birth of every child in the tribe as is their way as healers. It is they who would cut the cord between mother and baby, at this very moment they would gauge the mystic potential of the new born. If the child was indeed destined to be special, the child and mother would be removed from the normal life of the tribe, so they could be better protected and the infant’s magic ability controlled. Being a conductor for magical energy is one thing being able to use it another and until the youngster is old enough or skilled enough to do this, they are in the complete care of the shamans, druids and witches, who provide everything they need in return they undertake all the menial work and train alongside other acolytes and novices. The training takes many forms and it is not any easy life but in these early years these gifted offspring will develop the traits that will form their magic use
It is generally not until the child is five that any special gifts will start to show and it will not be until puberty that the individual will fully become an acolyte under a master, until then much will have happen to the infant. By puberty they will know if they are capable to draw the energy around them to themselves and so to continue their training, if not they will return to the tribe and join the warrior group. Some however will have developed the “way of the beast”. As the young study and train constantly, much of their time is spent in studying the languages of the various creatures that roam their realms. Potions and herbs induce a trance like state that places the mage outside of the own perception and into the level of non humanoid creatures, this is how a mage can persuade a Beast to join their adventure or defend their collective homeland. These individuals gifted with the “way of the beast” often shun mortal contact and prefer the company of beasts. However, like all packs creatures they recognise the need to work within a large group for safety. A noble will often call on the services of a beast master to defend against raiders or include them in a raiding party to scout ahead. Sometimes more often than not a large beast will become a nuisance in a territory and either a beast master or mage will be called upon to deal with them recruiting them if possible.
The Dark Arts
Since the time of the big crash where all life was nearly wiped from Arcana there has not been a time when everyone was not needed to help ensure survival, warriors crippled in war could not be kept without the hope of contributing to the tribe. To die for your tribe is an honour but to be maimed and unable to contribute was deemed the ultimate shame to a warrior better death but with the numbers so few, a way needed to be found. It is not recorded who or how the merging was discovered and there are many theories but discovered it was. A warrior with a strong life force and powerful soul can be merged with another living creature, with their bodies gone the soul of the warrior must overpower the soul of the beast and the two become one, a mergeling. The perfect combination of animal strength and the intelligence of the warrior most of the time! This merging is undertaken by the mystics of the tribe though not every effort is a success, sometimes the beast soul is just too powerful and sometimes the war of the souls leads to madness but the benefits out way the risks.
In recent times there are darker elements of some cultures, who use prisoners and slaves for the merging process in an attempt to create super warriors to fill their armies.
There are some tribes and cultures that want to develop the magical users to be better more powerful and have taken to mating two magic users together, this either produces a super magician or a totally unstable often powerful magician who boarders on insanity, unfortunately these are more commonly the result of the union and many a warband has been lost by an exploding wizard. Several mad wizards have lead devastating campaigns leaving a trail of destruction in their wake that even their own tribes have eventually turned on them. Being born different has many advantages but it also marks you out and stealing young magicians is a profitable enterprise. Some species of beasts have taken to mating with other species to try and produce exceptional magicians strictly controlled, supervised and using specific spells the lizardfolk have successfully mated with elf females to produce an extremely defined sub species of priestess’s.