Magic

A Note on Magic in Eyru

There is a clear distinction made between arcane and divine magic in Eyrian society. Divine magic is easily recognized in its appeal to the ancestors or elder gods. Symbols or tokens of the gods are always present and many times recitation of that ancestor's deeds is part of the appeal. The cleric does not invoke magic in so much as they call upon the ancestors for favor who can respond with their power. 

In current days, a mortal pulling similar looking power from material objects or odd gestures is likley to be viewed with great suspicion (i.e. Arcane magic). At best, it links this mortal to the world of the Faye who seem to blur the lines between the real and the spirit worlds. At worst, it links the caster to such evils as the witchcraft of the Fomorians.

Each High Clan reacts differently to the exercise of arcane magic within their boundaries. High Clan Tairan's people are perhaps the quickest to assume witchcraft. An immediate parallel with Steàirn, the heretic,  is drawn in most people’s minds. In these lands, exile is common if the accused ever sees court, however in most cases they do not get that far. If caught, they are usually burned by the people and the law turns a blind eye to this. 

High Clan Steàirn has a more interesting fate involved. In this society, anyone in a position of power would be most interested in getting their hands on an y sort of "edge" they could employ. Powerful or moneyed individuals may pursue witchcraft rumors with those thoughts in mind. Howver, The Fist also fervently investigates even the slightest charge of witchcraft with the same goals: to try to claim these powers for their own. 

Clan Erinin, while somewhat more socially advanced than the rest, still maintains the superstitions of its ancestors. Witches are, at best, bad luck. If caught they are most likely to try to keep the incident as quiet as possible and secretly deposit the witch among another clan or, in the Freeman's Lands. A fair number of Wizarding families sought refuge here however due to the slightly more tolerant policies.

Clan Faough’s reaction is perhaps the most interesting. While perhaps the least "advanced" of the high clans, they are also the closest to home with the faye. It would be unlikely that a wizard would be found here (written books simply don't exist on these fringes of the frontier) though at times sorcerers crop up. It is traditional for the bravest warriors to gather and "hunt" the witch, driving them further into faye territory where they presumably belong. Seldom is blood spilt and it is more a contest of bravery than anything. 

The necessity of the written word in arcane magic further invokes the superstitions of the populace. As a people, the Eyrians are mostly illiterate, not out of stupidity but lack of  need. The oral tradition among the Eyrian people is strong. The Druids maintain the ancient ways of the Elder Gods through memory. Likewise, the ever important Bard retells the tales of the ancestors and heroes of old through memory as well. These stories and rituals are at the very foundations of the society and are an integral part of the average Eyrians existence. The act of writing down these stories or rituals can be seen as blasphemous by some. The story itself would become weighed down to the earth; anchored and powerless. Those who would seek to do such a thing would be withholding the power locked within its words and diluting its strength. Thus, the need for recorded ritual and formula for the practitioner of Arcane magic is viewed with immense suspicion.

The only exception to this distaste for arcane magic is the Bard. They do not share the same vilification. Bardic magic in the world of Eyru, is tied directly to the minstrels ability to perform. Indeed, bardic magic mostly emanates from and assists in their role as "master of ceremonies" and chronicler. The ability to weave illusion and to charm an audience draws its power from the Bard's veneration of the ancestral tales and songs. In a sense, they share a lot in common with Divine magic in Eyru. Thus, the Bardic arcane magics avoid any superstitious scrutiny normally given to arcane magics.

Despite all of the exceptions, magic in any form is rare on Eyru in the years following the Divide. It has "dampened" from the magic wielding days of the Tuatha De Danaan as the people have strayed farther and farther from their roots and further into conflict. It can never be exorcised from the Eyrian people however as it is a part of their blood. If ever it is extinguished, the entire race will syrely vanish from the face of the planet.