Spells – Features And Characteristics

Like any endeavor, casting spells takes on different forms and styles, the number of which depends on the number of the casters themselves. Spells have specific formulas that must be recited or performed by the spell caster.

These spells are usually constructed from words, gestures, and ingredients. When a spell involves words, these words must be pronounced clearly, firmly, and emphatically. They cannot be whispered, but said in a conversational level.

Where gestures are needed, the gesture will require freedom of movement of arms, hands and fingers. Some specifically require further movements, sometimes.

The spells that require ingredients usually mean the destruction of these material ingredients. Most often, these ingredients used for any spell can only be used once.

The most common ingredients include hand-made or personalized candles for burning, incense, essential oils, silk cloths, some specific metals, special herbs, specific gemstones, crystals, and some powders.

Reverse spells

Some spells are cast in two forms – a normal form, and its reverse. Light may be cast in the form of Darkness. The reversed form usually requires different ingredients from the normal form.

Duration

Spells have durations, and are called “concentrations”. These are the spells that remain in force for as long as the caster maintains concentration on it. Most, however, have a limited duration that varies according the level of the spell itself. The spell caster does not have to concentrate to keep these spells in effect.

Depending on the gravity of the request, the rituals for spell casting can take a day, three days, a week or 14 days maximum. Some are done only at night, sometimes only at sunrise, and some only on a specific day or week or month.

Some can be performed only during the waning or waxing of the moon depending on the requirements.

Once the spell is cast, it will last according to its intended duration, and the spell caster can move on to other tasks. The caster can end any spell with a non-permanent duration.

Some spells, once cast, act immediately, and are done. Other spells are permanent. After the immediate action of the magic, the non-magical effects remain enforced.

Personal spells

Many spells are unique in the sense that they are known only by a single order or by the individual caster. The order or the individual caster is expected to jealously guard their personal spells.

There might be some trading off of spells between casters but these are subject of long negotiations and treaty ceremonies. With regards to spells that are unique to the order, sharing is not easily condoned.

Sharing is totally forbidden on penalty of death, or worse, depending on the importance of the spell. Moreover, these orders or guilds will still consider their member’s private spells not yet shared with the order to be under their rules on sharing or trading spells.

Personal spells known only to the caster might be given to the order that the caster belongs to. It might also be kept private until the caster’s death when the order takes hold of the caster’s spell books.

Those spell casters who die without any guild or order they belong to might have their original spells lost for years until somebody recovers their spell books.