An innate magic user is an individual who possesses the natural ability to perform magic without the need for extensive training or external sources of power. Unlike those who acquire magical abilities through study or external sources, innate magic users are born with their magic, it is a part of their very essence. This innate magic is often referred to as "inborn magic" or "natural magic." Innate magic users are believed to have a unique connection to the magical forces present in the world. This connection allows them to tap into and manipulate these forces effortlessly. It is often said that their magic flows through them like a second skin, allowing them to perform spells and utilize magical abilities instinctively.
It is often said that their magic flows through them like a second skin, allowing them to perform spells and utilize magical abilities instinctively. Innate magic users can have various types of magical abilities, depending on their natural affinity. Some may have the power to control elemental forces like fire or water while others may possess the ability to heal or communicate with animals.
[Torg] New Rules- Advanced Magic: Types of Magic: Innate, Intentional, Inherent (1 Viewer)
Welcome to another spin off of my work on the Torg magical system. This article briefly discusses two familiar types of magic, that of creatures who use magic innately and that of spellcasters, before delving into Inherent Magic.
Inherent Magic is the magic of unskilled rituals. It is the first kind of magic available in low magic cosms and follows its own set of rules, not the least of which is that anyone can use a ritual but no one can create one. It is a form of magic inherent in the Supernatural world itself.
Types of Magic in Torg
Not all magical effects work identically. Some, like spells, are designed and studied. Some are natural aspects of living beings or places. Some are a result of the very nature of magic itself.
Innate Magic
Innate magic is the magic of being. It is not magic that can be learned or taught. Magical creatures and magical locations both exhibit this kind of magic.
A dragon, for example, has the innate ability to fly, even though it is not aerodynamically sound. And a spring may have an innate divination effect, to where anyone who drinks from it may see the future. Innate magic is broken up into two types: passive and active.
Automatic
This kind of magic simply is. It needs no skill total to activate, nor does it cause backlash. Most unliving innate magic (i.e. magical locations) operate automatically. This kind of magic simply is.
A dragon’s flight ability, for example, is always on. The dragon need make no skill total to activate it, nor does the dragon take backlash.
Activated
This kind of magical ability needs to be triggered. The creature that has this ability almost always has a skill associated with it. Though this magical skill is often analogous to a one of the four magics (divination magic, et. al.) it is not really the same (this is a change from the Tharkold Sourcebook). These abilities sometimes, but not always, cause backlash. Rarely, they may involve an arcane knowledge.
For Example: A shadowslip is a small, rat like creature that lives in shadows. It is native to the Land Between and certain islands of Lower Aysle. Shadowslips have an innate magical ability to move from one shadow to another, using apportation magic. In their write-up, all shadowslips have an apportation magic skill listed. This skill can only be used to travel from one shadow to another. Even unusually intelligent shadowslips cannot cast apportation magic spells. The difficulty for slipping from one shadow to another is 3 (+ the distance traveled). Shadowslips take no backlash from this. If they did, backlash would be dealt with exactly as in spellcasting.
When designing new creatures (or modifying old ones) gamemasters should feel free to specify the nature of any magical skill, whether it is innate or spell-related.
Unliving locations (or items) with activated innate magic do not have constant effects. A living being with the appropriate magical skill must activate their magic.
For Example: The burnshrub is a rare type of shrub, native to the islands of the Frozen Sea, under the Elemental star in Upper Aysle. The berries on this bush have an activated innate alteration magic effect. If a magician can make an alteration magic check- DC 8/backlash13- the berries will begin to burn with multi-colored flames. These flames provide warmth within a 1-meter circle and usually last about an hour, although green berries tend to last longer.
Intentional Magic
Intentional magic is the kind of magic Torg players are most familiar with. It involves the four magics and arcane knowledges. Intentional magical deals with magical spells, templates that are used to create magical effects. These effects have a limited existence- they last only a certain amount of time, affect only a certain area, and so forth.
Magical spells involve the manipulation of spell components (gestures, incantations, etc.). These components are freely chosen by the mage that designed the spell. Although certain Traditions may have limitations on what components must be used, in general there are no limits.
Intentional magic is very deliberate. Mages must specifically design a spell, detailing its effects, and any components must be chosen. Once designed, mages must choose to “learn” the spell. Later, they must choose to cast it. Such magic, then, is rarely accidental. The rules for this type of magic are covered extensively in the Torg Rulebook and the Aysle Fantasy Sourcebook.
Inherent Magic
This last type of magic is different from the other two. Like Innate magic, it arises from the very nature of magic itself. Like Intentional magic, it can be studied and learned, though to a far lesser extent. Inherent magic, also called ritual magic, is a lesser form of magic which doesn’t require study in the four magic skills.
The supernatural world is omnipresent, even in low magic cosms. Those who have studied how to do so can manipulate it deliberately. More disturbingly, it can be manipulated by those who have not studied how to do so.
It is known, by mages, that certain words or gestures, done unwittingly, can cause magical effects. These magical effects are not created by spells, they are neither designed nor learned. Instead, they are created by rituals- words, gestures, objects and so forth manipulated in exactly the same way every time.
The magical forces of the universe have certain inherent properties. Anyone who can discover these inherent properties can use them. For instance, one magical ritual may ensure that the crops of a farmer remain free from blight. Any farmer who learned how to perform the ritual could avail himself of it even if he has no training in magic at all.
Rituals are not intentional. They cannot be designed. They arise from the very nature of magic, and so cannot be controlled in the ways that spells can. Anyone can discover or research a ritual. Once they discover the precise gestures, incantations, objects and so forth, anyone could activate the ritual.
More dangerously, rituals can be accidentally invoked. A person who says certain words or engages in certain activities can accidentally invoke a ritual without meaning to.
Rituals are common to low magic cosms. They are the first kind of magic available. Though they can be more powerful than spells, at low Magic axiom levels, spell magic soon surpasses them. Rituals are often the source of superstitions- certain acts which are observed to have negative effects are avoided as “bad luck.” In reality, these acts triggered a ritual. Not all cosms share the same inherent magic, and the inherent magic of a cosm is heavily influenced by that cosm’s nature.
Rituals are widely variable. Some last for years, some for moments. No one has any control over which is true. Most rituals are exceedingly specific. For instance, there will never be a generic “summon demon” ritual. If a ritual exists to summon a demon (and it may not, in any given cosm) then that ritual will only summon one specific demon.
Many rituals are called curses, for they created baleful magical effects. In some cultures, certain gestures (“the evil eye”) may be used. These gestures may, in fact, form part or all of a magical ritual.
In game terms, rituals are described in a way akin to spells. They have axiom ratings, range, duration, effect value, and so forth. However, there is no skill line on a ritual. Anyone who performs the required ritual can activate the magical effect. Like innate magic, rituals never cause backlash.
Gamemasters can design rituals, using the ritual design rules (forthcoming). Players can research rituals, in order to find out which components activate one, but cannot design any. This is because rituals arrive from the nature of the supernatural world itself, and so isn’t a matter of choice. Gamemasters, therefore, have complete control over what rituals exist and what they do.
In cosms where rituals are a potent force, a setback may mean that the character has accidentally activated a ritual, unknowingly, through random gestures. This should probably be a ritual which curses the character or a useful ritual which affects an opponent.
Automatic
This kind of magic simply is. It needs no skill total to activate, nor does it cause backlash. Most unliving innate magic (i.e. magical locations) operate automatically. This kind of magic simply is.
A dragon’s flight ability, for example, is always on. The dragon need make no skill total to activate it, nor does the dragon take backlash.
The scope and nature of their magic can vary greatly from individual to individual. It is common for innate magic users to discover their abilities at a young age. The manifestation of their magic can be triggered by specific events or emotions, often leading to accidental magical acts before they are even aware of their capabilities. As they grow older and become more in tune with their magic, innate magic users can learn to control and harness their abilities more effectively. While innate magic users have a natural talent for magic, it does not mean that they are automatically skilled or knowledgeable in the use of their abilities. They still need to learn and refine their magical skills through practice and guidance. However, their natural affinity for magic gives them a head start and can make their progress faster compared to those without innate magical abilities. Innate magic users often play important roles in magical communities and societies. They are highly sought after as sources of magical knowledge and power. Some may become powerful wizards or sorcerers, using their abilities to protect and serve their communities. Others may choose to live in solitude, exploring the depths of their magic and its potential. Overall, being an innate magic user is both a gift and a responsibility. It grants individuals unique power and abilities but also requires them to understand and respect the forces they manipulate. The journey of an innate magic user is one of self-discovery and mastery, harnessing their natural magic to become a force for good in the world..
Reviews for "The Unfathomable Talents of Innate Magic Users: Unveiling the Mysteries"
1. Sarah - 2 out of 5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Innate Magic User." From the start, the characters felt flat and uninteresting. The story itself was predictable and lacked any sense of originality. The writing style felt boring and the pacing was off. Overall, I just couldn't get into this book and didn't find anything about it to be enjoyable.
2. Michael - 1 out of 5 stars - I couldn't finish "Innate Magic User." It felt like a poorly written fanfiction with cliché tropes. The dialogue was cringe-worthy and the character development was nonexistent. The world-building was shallow, and the magic system lacked depth. The whole concept just felt like a rehash of other, better books in the genre. I wouldn't recommend wasting your time on this one.
3. Emily - 2.5 out of 5 stars - "Innate Magic User" had potential, but it fell flat for me. The main character was unrelatable and made irrational decisions throughout the story. The plot seemed disjointed and unfocused, leaving many loose ends that were never properly resolved. The romantic subplot felt forced and unnecessary. While there were a few moments of intrigue, overall, this book was a letdown.
4. Alex - 2 out of 5 stars - I found "Innate Magic User" to be a struggle to get through. The writing style was repetitive and lacked strong prose. The world-building was weak and left me wanting more depth and detail. The pacing was uneven, with slow sections dragging on and quick action scenes feeling rushed. I couldn't connect with the characters or become invested in their journey. Overall, this book left me feeling underwhelmed and unsatisfied.
5. Jessica - 2.5 out of 5 stars - While "Innate Magic User" had an interesting premise, it failed to live up to its potential. The story lacked originality and fell into predictable patterns. The pacing was slow, and the plot felt stagnant at times. The main character's development was inconsistent, and I struggled to connect with her. Overall, this book didn't offer anything unique or memorable, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for an exciting fantasy read.