And I saw Old Man Wilibrand lift himself off the ground and call forth the clouds of the heavens afore him. There he called the rain onto the fields and lightning most terrible raced across the skies. Those all around cried out at the quick approach of all this and stood struck.
The rats all drowned and once the waters dried, our miseries were gone and the land was bountiful.
The Priest Aedwar recals the visit of a Hermetic mage to help the village.
Hermetic magic is the rightful command of the elements, bestowed unto those worthy of the power and willing to learn. Traditionally, Hermetics see the attainment and use of the elements as study and learning, and are proud to boast their “knowledgeable accomplishments” through acts of destruction, both small and grand. All Hermetics know “as above, so below”, the right by which personal accomplishment reflects the grandeur of the universe.
Hermetic magic harnesses the powers of the elements (Air, Earth, Water, and especially Fire) under the command of a keen mind. It is often partnered with the arts of Astronomy, Astrology, and Divination.
Hermeticism is practiced in the Western Kingdoms.
He says the words. His eyes turn to flame. Slowly, the candle stares back at him, eyes a-blink. A question on his lips
This spell is used to communicate with an element. A small amount of the element is required (A candle, A bucket of water, a warm breeze, a pocket full of sand), after which the words are spoken, the element comes to life. This is not a true spirit or “elemental”, but merely the shared memory of that element. A single question can be asked of that element, which they are bound to answer. However, for optimized results, a question relevant to that element should be asked.
Fire - Energetic, Mercurial, Quick to Anger.
Questions: Who caused fire x? Who sits at campfire y? Does z have his lanterns lit?
Water - Bipolar, switching between calm and wrathful.
Questions: Who sails on sea x? Is there water in desert y? Is well z poisoned?
Air - Whispery, addled, “air-headed”
Questions: Do you blow in x's sails? Is it safe to cross desert x due to sandstorms? Is there a storm coming?
Earth - Slow, Thoughtful, Honest.
Questions: Whose bodies litter warsite x? Who marches across desert y? Is path z safe?
The Magician takes the long and wide of the stars into himself. The trajectory and the placement. Two steps into the cloud and gone like the lark is he.
Through the Arts of Astronomy, the Hermetic is able to accomplish many great feats of travel. Wether it is to fly into the sky like a bird, channel the winds into a ship's sails, or follow the stars to shorten a caravan's journey. Utilization of this spell drastically reduces travel time for a journey the Hermetic leads. However, the action is always risky, as utilization of magic to proudly stomp across a desert or land on an enemy's battlements from out of the sky is very, very vulgar. Cloud cover and nightfall are always recommended.
If the Hermetic knows the location of an object, he can harness the winds to carry the object to him. In practice, the object is lifted and carried to the magician at above normal speeds. The object will traverse simple obstructions, like taking a window for a closed door, but if it is sealed away it is unable to leave it's holding cell. Similarly, if it is actively guarded, the object can still be snatched or fought for by the guards.
Conversely, the same spell can be used to send an object elsewhere, like sending a message or throwing a rock.
Calling upon water and air, the hermetic may influence the weather, summoning or dispelling cloud cover, causing rainfall, or summoning the winds. However, with great preparation and concentration, the Hermetic may be able to call a Storm, Squall or Tempest. The weather effect is considered local unless the Hermetic has great knowledge of the foreign land he is influencing.
The archetypical Wizard's act, through great rage and focus, the hermetic is able to focus an element unto his very being, and release it as a great destructive blast. A great gust of air from his lungs, lightning from his fingers, a rippling earthquake from his feet, fireballs from his cloak, or even Dragon's Breath itself.
Although the elemental effects are roleplay specific (burning, freezing, etc), the destructive effects are the same. The blast is powerful enough to destroy large buildings, and leave a large and noticeable wound in siege-proof walls. Fields and unprotected buildings can be destroyed utterly. If aimed at a unit of men, the effects are mixed, but considered to effect every member. Unarmoured men are considred killed, wounded, or scattered/fled if they had a chance to run. Armoured men are sitting ducks and considered write-offs. Horses will buck, flinging men either to safety or destruction.
“This is the application of the caster's will to best benefit the continuation of her own life and soul. She will render unto herself the power of a single one of the elements and resolve to place such in a form providing the protections so required. A whirlwind around the caster and his army, a massive wall of stone and a wave that pushes all ships before them are all achievable through this casting”
By focussing all the elements within himself and fanning his soul flame, the Hermetic is able to channel the wind into the voice of God himself. A great and terrible thunderclap leaves the lungs of the positively glowing Hermetic with the force of a whirlwind.
The thunderclap has the destructive force of Joshua's trumpet, flinging men and debris into the air. However, its greatest effect is the destruction of any man-made building in the vicinity, reduced to stone and dirt in the throes of a large-scale Earthquake.
By rejecting Heaven and forcing the Elements away from a focus point, the hermetic is able to create a negative space in the earth, a piece of the starry universe imprinted upon the firmament.
The Hermetic has successfully created a hole in the Universe, uprooting and negating every theory on creation. Where it goes is a mystery. What comes out is also equally unknown
Urbane did this to Rome