Magic

In the context of the World of Greyhawk™ (and Dungeons & Dragons) magic is the manipulation of mystical energy which exist in the world and use those energies to produce effects of their choosing. The methods for accessing magic can vary and there are enormous differences in the effects accessible by different individuals. Many people have different perceptions of what magic is and how it is accessed. Its substance or form is considered anthropomorphic by some with physical manifestations of magic itself, while there are others who believe there are entities who represent or sponsor magic and it's teachings.

In some places, magic is commonly practiced in many or all of its forms, while in others, some magic (or all) is forbidden or seen as taboo. Some cultures practice some forms of magic

From historical information, sages and scholars know there was once magical practices which produced more potent magical effects than are possible by even the most powerful contemporary wizards.

Types of magic

There are many different spellcasting traditions in the World of Greyhawk™. The most standard distinction amongst them is between divine magic and arcane magic. In early editions, these are sometimes referred to as clerical or magic-user spells.

Within these distinctions, there are particular ways in which magic is used, and traditional spellcasting groups have formed around them, some of which are practiced specifically by the core classes for player characters.

Arcane

• Artificing—casters manifest their magical abilities through mundane objects, making inventions, and using tools to access their spellcasting. (Early versions of this class were straight-class wizards akin to specialists.)
• Bardic—the use of sound to create magic through music. Some advanced practitioners of this type of magic who use sound to access the very creative forces of the universe.
• Sorcery—spontaneous magic which does not require the use of spellbooks or memorization to access forces of magic. The power to access magic comes from within—a caster's own force of personality or sometimes from a bloodline they've inherited. Sorcerous magic often does not manifest at birth and becomes evident in puberty or during times of personal crisis.
• Warlockry—a type of magic with which someone can either be born or which is derived from being granted by a powerful entity who grants the abilities ("invocations") after making a pact with the recipient.
• Wizardry—the most traditional form of spellcasting. Rote memorization of spells stores an "energy pattern" in the mind of the caster, later requiring a relatively short method of hand gestures, materials, or words to cause the desired magical effect. The process of casting uses up the stored magical energy from the caster's mind and the spell must be re-memorized.

Divine

• Clerical—access to divine magic, granted by deities or other very powerful outer planar beings.

Paladins also use clerical magic.

• Druidry—the practice of divine magic as granted by deities of nature, or by the force of nature itself.

Rangers also use druidic magic.

Other magical traditions

Some of these traditions have been described variously in different editions, with some being "Prestige Classes" or "Subclasses" or "Arcane Traditions"

• Arcane Archery—a type of martial combat blended with arcane spellcasting most commonly practiced by elves, which communicates spells cast through a bow and arrow, affecting the arrows' targets.
• Bladesinging—a specific tradition of mixing magical arts and martial combat with dance, taught predominantly in elven nations. When this tradition of magic is performed, the caster's blade makes melodic sounds. By custom, it is only taught to those of elven heritage who are from Celene.
• Chronomancy—the practice of magic specifically relating to time or time-travel.
• Thaumaturgy—
• Theurgy—
• Warmage—casters trained specifically in the arts of magic relevant in military application. Notably, the Order of the Fire Hawk trained at Tarth Moorda.
• Wild magic
• Witchcraft—in some editions, witchcraft is a separate practice from other spellcasting, or a subtype of another class.

Magic-adjacent practices

Alchemy

Ley lines

Magic pervades the very fabric of reality in the World of Greyhawk™. Though there are some areas which are dead magic areas, anti-magic areas, or even wild magic areas. There are also spells which can temporarily create areas which mimic these effects. But magic is everywhere all at once. The substance of magic is described variously (e.g. the "Weave" in other settings) but in Greyhawk, the substance of magic comes in the form of ley lines—invisible conduits of magical power or force which intersect across the world in courses sometimes as big as a river or as small as a single thread. Magic itself emanates from them, but the closer a caster is to a ley line, their magic may be affected.

These powerful, natural flows of energy affect the casting of magic in numerous ways. Some ley lines affect certain types of magic when in close proximity to the ley line, making spells cast more effective, last longer, affect various schools of magic, or even permeating the minds of spellcasters making them able to cast more spells than they are otherwise able. Each type of ley line is distinguishable from others, and individual ley lines can shift from one type of magic to another, much like shifting through a spectrum of light, though this occurs over centuries.

Ley lines crisscross the world and may converge. In those places, magic is very strong and places of import are built there. Like the Star Cairns, as one example.

Ley lines can move over time, much like a river.

In places where ley lines exist, the invisible forces can sometimes cause manifestations in the physical world. These can include strange magical substances to be created from nothing, or for creatures living nearby to be altered in unusual ways, e.g.: wildlife growing to startling proportions.

Schools of Magic

There are eight traditional "schools" of magic.

{quote|"Academies of magic group spells into eight categories called schools of magic. Scholars, particularly wizards, apply these categories to all spells, believing that all magic functions in essentially the same way, whether it derives from rigorous study or is bestowed by a deity."

{quote|"The study of wizardry is ancient, stretching back to the earliest mortal discoveries of magic. ...with various traditions dedicated to its complex study.

The most common arcane traditions in the multiverse revolve around the schools of magic. Wizards through the ages have cataloged thousands of spells, grouping them into eight categories called schools, as described in chapter 10. In some places, these traditions are literally schools; a wizard might study at the School of Illusion while another studies across town at the School of Enchantment. In other institutions, the schools are more like academic departments, with rival faculties competing for students and funding. Even wizards who train apprentices in the solitude of their own towers use the division of magic into schools as a learning device, since the spells of each school require mastery of different techniques."

Abjuration

These spells are protective in nature, though some of them have aggressive uses. They create magical barriers, negate harmful effects, harm trespassers, or banish creatures to other planes of existence.

Conjuration

Involves the transportation of objects and creatures from one location to another. Some spells summon creatures or objects to the caster’s side, whereas others allow the caster to teleport to another location. Some conjurations create objects or effects out of nothing.

Divination

Divinations reveal information, whether in the form of secrets long forgotten, glimpses of the future, the locations of hidden things, the truth behind illusions, or visions of distant people or places.

Enchantment

These charms affect the minds of others, influencing or controlling their behavior. Such spells can make enemies see the caster as a friend, force creatures to take a course of action, or even control another creature like a puppet.

Evocation

Spells of this school manipulate magical energy to produce a desired effect. Some call up blasts of fire or lightning. Others channel positive energy to heal wounds.

Illusion

Illusions deceive the senses or minds of others. They cause people to see things that are not there, to miss things that are there, to hear phantom noises, or to remember things that never happened. Some illusions create phantom images that any creature can see, but the most insidious illusions plant an image directly in the mind of a creature.

Necromancy

Necromantic spells manipulate the energies of life and death. Such spells can grant an extra reserve of life force, drain the life energy from another creature, create the undead, or even bring the dead back to life. Creating the undead through the use of necromancy spells such as animate dead is not a good act, and only evil casters use such spells frequently.

Transmutation

Transmutations change the properties of a creature, object, or environment. They might turn an enemy into a harmless creature, bolster the strength of an ally, make an object move at the caster’s command, or enhance a creature’s innate healing abilities to rapidly recover from injury.

Social aspects

Cultural

The perception of magic in various cultures is widely different, the world over. These are only some examples of the way magic is seen by various peoples and nations.

• Rhennee—there are no known practitioners of divine magic amongst the Rhenfolk, and they disdain gods of all stripes, and do not practice divine magic in any form.
  • Vetha—Rhennee, "Wise women" who act as spellcasters, advisors, and more to Rhennee ship captains or group leaders.
• Elves—magic is considered a very worthy art amongst most elven societies, and they practice arcane magic, specifically wizardry, almost exclusively.
  • Amongst elves of Ravilla, sorcery was outlawed for generations, because it was believed to have been the source of the breach of the Abyss into the Material Plane, bringing the Demon War.
• Dwarves—traditionally, dwarves are distrustful of arcane magic, and only practice divine magic.
• Keoland—the Silent Ones believe magic should not be shared with those who are not specifically trained in its moral use.
• Free City of Greyhawk—"Psionicists are by no means common, but most people are at least aware of the existence of psionics and often consider it to be just another mystical pursuit, little different from magic."

Customs

There are many customs related to magic throughout the vast number of nations of the Flanaess. While so many diverse and myriad customs exist it would be impossible to list them all, there are a rare few which stand out as being universal. Amongst these is the naming of spells by those who invent or popularize them. These are most commonly seen "out of character" in the Player's Handbook as spells which have proper names associated with them, most commonly names of Circle of Eight members. These spell names are also used "in character".

A related custom is the names wizards (and other arcane casters) commonly choose to use.

{quote|"Regardless of background, most wizards are identified by a single name: Mordenkainen or Bigby are examples. Generally, the higher a mage’s eminence, the more likely this is, though there are extremely powerful mages with multiple names, like Jallarzi Sallavarian and Warnes Starcoat."

Other notable examples include Allustan, Khellek, Melf, Philidor, Iquander, and Evard.

Magical Organizations

As previously mentioned, there are institutions of learning throughout the Flanaess which are devoted to studying magic itself in various forms. See also

• Arcane Order
• Circle of Eight
• College of Divinations—
• College of Sages and Sorcery—Nellix
• College of Sorcery—Hesuel Ilshar
• Conclave Arcanum—Dyvers
• Council of Wizards—Winetha
• Eldritch Lords—Rel Deven
• Guild of Wizardry (Wizards' Guild)—Free City of Greyhawk
• Royal University—Rel Mord—loosely connected to the Temple of Delleb. It contains many archives, libraries and resources, and is home to many members of the Sagacious Society.
• Sagacious Society—Nyrond, elitist group of sages, scholars, and a few others whose goals are the preservation of Nyrond as a bastion of learning, culture, and scholarship.
• Seekers of the Arcane
• Silent Ones—Keoland, dedicated to uncovering and safeguarding ancient secrets of magic and arcane history. Magic should be possessed by those who will not be tempted to abuse it.
• Society of Magi—Free City of Greyhawk
• Society of the Serpent
• Sorcerer's Nexus—Rel Astra
• Sorcerous Union—Radigast City
• University of Magical Arts—Free City of Greyhawk
• Wizardholme of Urnst—Leukish

Magical organizations in Living Greyhawk

• Academy of Wizardry and Sorcery—Ratikhill, Ratik
• Arcanists' Society—Shield Lands
• Archons—Ket, highly organized and highly esteemed guild of wizards.
• Brotherhood of Sorcery—Ket, loose affiliation of sorcerers
• College of High Magic—Yeomanry, Loftwick; rare university mages, training is usually done individually as master/apprentice.
• College of Sages and Sorcery—Duchy of Urnst, group of loosely associated individuals who provide magical instruction
• Court Magicians—Ratik, act as diviners, advisors, curse-breakers, and possibly even entertainers for nobles
• Dwoemercrafter's Guild—Dyvers, association of wizards.
• Fellowship of Scattered Stars—
• Fort Hendricks and Scorn—Bandit Kingdoms, military group known for elven wizards and fighter-wizards.
• Greater Gnomish Union of Apothecaries, Alchemists, Abjurationists, and Astrologers (AAAA or Quadruple A)—gnomes and other "small folk" spellcasters.
• Guildsmen of the High Art—Highfolk, small arcane spellcasters' guild founded for pooling the magical talents and resources of the wizards to help defend against Iuz.
• Hellstone Tower—Bandit Kingdoms, an arcane "merchant house"
• Mage Council—Furyondy
• National Academy of Wizardry (NAW)—Keoland,
• Obsidian Enclive—County of Urnst,
• Olsamman—Glorvardum, mandatory membership
• Riverwalk Society—Verbobonc, bards (and some sorcerers) who teach the art of magical song
• Sage Keep—Naerie (Idee), followers of Boccob at an observatory/library; research and advanced elemental magic.
• Sea Mages—Keoland, work with the royal navies and mercantile companies to ensure Gradsul’s security and free access to trade through the Azure Sea.
• Sorcerer's Guild—Dyvers
• Transcendent Convocation of the Wielders of Wind and Wave (The Aerie)—Onnwal/Iron League, famed group of air elementalists and weather mages. Renowned for their powerful skills.
• Warmages of Killdeer—Onnwal, love of martial arms and use of magic in war. found exclusively in the service of the Great House of Coriell. "Spellsword" and "Havoc mage" prestige classes.
• Wizards' Guild—official guilds found in Rel Mord, Onnwal, and others.
• Wrinkle Academy—Verbobonc, premier academy for wizardly instruction.
• Zashassar of Ekbir—may be the oldest continuously surviving magical society in the whole of the Flanaess.

Early editions

In early editions of the game, particularly original D&D and Advanced D&D (first edition) individual class levels were given titles. Some of those titles became classes in their own right, while others became subclasses, and still others became "schools" of magic (e.g.—Illusionist, Necromancer, Enchanter, Conjurer, Evoker). Specifically—wizards, sorcerers, or warlocks existed in Greyhawk by their level title from the earliest days of the setting, and these terms were used in-world. (E.g.—Mordenkainen called a "wizard", Rary called a "Medium").

Titles for Casters by Level

Original D&D (Expert rules) Level Magic-user Cleric 1 Medium Acolyte 2 Seer Adept 3 Conjurer Priest (Priestess) 4 Magician Vicar 5 Enchanter (Enchantress) Curate 6 Warlock (Witch) Elder 7 Sorcerer (Sorceress) Bishop 8 Necromancer Lama 9 Wizard Matriarch/Patriarch 10 Wizard Matriarch/Patriarch 11 Wizard Matriarch/Patriarch 12 Wizard Matriarch/Patriarch 13 Wizard Matriarch/Patriarch 14 Wizard Matriarch/Patriarch

1e D&D Caster titles Level Magic User Illusionist Cleric 1 Prestidigitator Prestidigitator Acolyte 2 Evoker Minot Trickster Adept 3 Conjurer Trickster Priest 4 Theurgist Cabalist Curate 5 Thaumaturgist Visionist 6 Magician Phantasmist Canon 7 Enchanter Apparitionist Lama 8 Warlock Spellbinder Patriarch 9 Sorcerer Illusionist High Priest 10 Necromancer " " 11 Wizard " " 12 Wizard " 13 Wizard 14 Wizard 15 Wizard 16 Mage 17 " 18 Arch-wizard

References

Bibliography

• Brown, Anne. Player's Guide. Renton, WA: TSR, 1998. Item code TSR9578.
• Cook, David "Zeb". Player's Handbook. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1989. Item code TSR2101.
• Mearls, Mike and Jeremy Crawford. Player's Handbook. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2014. Item code A9217.
• Moldvay, Tom. Expert Set. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1981. Item code TSR1012.

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