The Shadow Power
The study of Magic is learning the underlying power of shadow, which is both weaker and stronger than the powers of the poles of Chaos and Order. Magic is the force that powers everything between them, and to some extent extends into them as well.
The path of Magic requires the study of it's three Major Disciplines, and their offshoot components. The three Major Disciplines are Sorcery, Conjuration and Alchemy. Power Words are an offshoot of Sorcery, and High Compelling is an offshoot of Conjuration. Only the Major Disciplines exist in Advanced forms.
It is theorized that branches of magic are also the underlying components of Trump and Shapeshifting. Magic can be used to enhance and power either one, as can the Major Powers of the two Poles. Some shadows have been found where the rules of Magic vary, and in those places it is possible for either Trump or Shapeshifting to become limited or to fail altogether, though it is extremely rare to find a place where they both fail at the same time
Each of the Major Disciplines have concentrations of study that can be learned individually, although each has a basic set of teachings necessary to progess into any of the specialty areas. These are explained in detail on the following pages:
| Sorcery | Conjuration | Alchemy |
The structure of Magic is identified as follows:
The manipulation of energy and energy forces
The focusing of energy and energy forces
The manipulation of matter and form
The focusing of forms of matter
Transmutation between energy and matter
It is difficult to nearly impossible to use one Magical Art to simulate or duplicate the effects of another. Sorcery cannot create either energy or matter. Conjuration cannot change energy. Alchemy cannot manipulate the forms, it can only change between them. Used in conjunction, the complete Discpline of Magic can be a very powerful force.