Magic theory
- This article is about the academic study of the nature of magic. For the research-oriented class, see thaumaturge. For the prestige class, see thaumaturgist.
Magic theory is the academic study of the nature of magic. With the nature of magic not fully understood by mortals, there are several prominent theories of magic and many more obscure or nascent theories, with contemporaries constantly developing or refining them. The practice is also known as thaumaturgy,1 a term sometimes used to describe a magical effect or object affected by magic, such as a construct or metamagical effect.23
Theories
Related to magical traditions
Each magical tradition bears its own theories or beliefs about the nature of magic. The Principals of Elementary Thaumaturgy by Acadamae Headmaster Toff Ornelos, the seventh edition of which was published by the school in 4720 AR, opens with a summary of several theories and approaches to the nature of magic that particularly appeal to practitioners of arcane magic.4
- The Tools of Creation approach of the Arcanamirium, also referred to as the Nexian Understanding, theorizes that magic is composed of residual forces from the Universe's creation. The theory suggests magic is inherently limited, if vastly, by the scale of the observable Universe itself.4
- The Soil and Path approach of the Magaambya, also referred to as the Channeling Method, posits that the Universe is an inherently malleable entity, and that magic is the practice of molding it repeatedly over time, forming channels of arcane power. It suggests the potential of magic is infinite, and that any limitations on it result from a lack of creativity.4
- The Constructivist school of Kelesh approaches magic through symbolic logic.4
- Dr. Si-Dao Yi of the Imperial College of Lingshen proposes an elemental grammar for magic.4
Additionally, the Unified Magical Theory is a hypothetical conceptual understanding of the ideal nature of arcane magic.5
Theories by practitioners of divine magic focus on their deity's teachings,6 while occult magic practitioners delve into research of forbidden knowledge and psychic aspects within.7
Primal magic practitioners connect magic more to the cycles of nature, to which practitioners listen to, observe, and respond to rather than dissect and investigate. Such practices include the passing on of knowledge but are less focused on theory than a personal connection.8
On the fundamental nature
- See also: Four essences
Other theorists attempt to deconstruct magic to understand its more fundamental nature, such as Marquise Cordelia Perseis, whose essay On Essences proposed a relationship between the four traditions of magic and the four essences of matter, spirit, mind, and life.910
Since before the founding of Thassilon, spellcasting has manifested visually in the appearance of runes near the spellcaster. Xin, Thassilon's founder, investigated these phenomena when developing rune magic and theorized that they represented the language of creation and the nature of magic.11
Obscure and fringe theories
- The esoteric Sovyrian theory of blood sympathy as developed by the vampire lord Bariel Velidae12
- The lost pre-Earthfall elven tradition of the crystal keepers, rooted in worship of Yuelral with aspects of manipulating rune magic13
- The obscure theory of geomancy, which suggests that a potentially exploitable link exists between a spellcaster and their surrounding terrain14
Classical theories
Older theories, such as the types of magic and schools of magic, still hold relevance in modern theory but their practice has waned over time.15
Theorists
Every wizard authors an arcane thesis as part of their studies, with subjects ranging from familiars to spellshaping.16 Bronze17 and green dragons18 also gravitate toward theoretical study. Likewise, many individuals, institutions, nations, and organizations on Golarion have researched and published significant advances in magic theory:
- The renowned Arcanamirium of Absalom, which offers a curriculum in magic theory19
- The Azlanti Empire, whose innovations included electro-thaumaturgy, or the transmission of arcane energy2021
- The First Imperial Arcanists' Guild of Oppara, innovators in magical defenses22
- Prof. Juleana Foridius, a contentious dissenter of mainstream magic theories at the Egorian Academy of the Magical Arts4
- Avracrem Gant, a prolific and controversial Nethysian scholar of the 47th and early 48th centuries AR23
- Geb; the Aleh Almaktoum for which he claims authorship24 is considered the definitive work on necromancy25
- Hao Jin, the Ruby Phoenix26
- Khavith, a serpentfolk wizard who authored 12 theoretical treatises on her peoples' understanding of magic27
- Lazeril of New Thassilon10
- The Magaambya,2829 particularly its Cascade Bearers30
- The Shory Empire, inventors of the Aeromantic Infadibulum and fellow practitioners of electro-thaumaturgy3132
- The Sleepless Agency of investigators, innovators of forensic thaumaturgy3334
- Djavin Vhrest of Absalom's Forae Logos, researcher of occultism and occult magic35
- Xin, founder of Thassilon, whose work on rune magic and sin magic laid the empire's foundations113637
- Benigno Ygresta, a lecturer at the Acadamae on ethical necromancy and theorist on the connections of life and matter38
- Zanathura, advisor to the Ironfang Legion and geomantic researcher39
Notable works
In addition to Principals of Elementary Thaumaturgy and On Essences, prominent works of magic theory include:
- Collected Tales, by Janatimo4
- The Eight Arches of Incantation40
- Gods' Will or Gods' Mistakes: A Critical Look at Thaumaturgy, by Juleana Foridius4
- Journeys of the Spirit and Flesh: A Thousand Paths to Nethys, by Zorahar the Wandering Cleric41
- Languages of the Void, by Dr. Si-Dao Yi4
- New Developments in Constructivism, by Qittan Al-Zhierri and Orius Mavrogenis4
- On the Contraction of Perceived Time in Abjuration and Evocation, by Khaled Mumata42
- Practical Thaumaturgy In Accordance with Creation43
References
Paizo published a sourcebook titled Secrets of Magic that contains in-universe texts on the nature of magic.
- ↑ “1: Essentials of Magic” in Secrets of Magic, 8–12. Paizo Inc., 2020 .
- ↑ “The City” in City of Strangers, 11. Paizo Inc., 2010 .
- ↑ “The Spells” in Pathfinder Society Primer, 12. Paizo Inc., 2013 specifically, the collaborative thaumaturgy spell. .
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 4.9 “1: Essentials of Magic” in Secrets of Magic, 8–9. Paizo Inc., 2020 .
- ↑ “Classes” in Player Core, 200. Paizo Inc., 2023 .
- ↑ “1: Essentials of Magic” in Secrets of Magic, 11–12. Paizo Inc., 2020 .
- ↑ “1: Essentials of Magic” in Secrets of Magic, 13–14. Paizo Inc., 2020 .
- ↑ “1: Essentials of Magic” in Secrets of Magic, 15–16. Paizo Inc., 2020 .
- ↑ “7: Spells” in Core Rulebook, 300. Paizo Inc., 2019 .
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 “1: Essentials of Magic” in Secrets of Magic, 16–19. Paizo Inc., 2020 .
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 “5: Book of Unlimited Magic” in Secrets of Magic, 242–243. Paizo Inc., 2020 .
- ↑ “Adventures on Castrovel” in The Seventh Arch, 75. Paizo Inc., 2023 .
- ↑ “Adventure Toolbox” in Fires of the Haunted City, 74–75. Paizo Inc., 2019 .
- ↑ “5: Book of Unlimited Magic” in Secrets of Magic, 210. Paizo Inc., 2020 .
- ↑ Pathfinder Second Edition mechanically recategorized spells from the three types of magic into the four magical traditions, while the Pathfinder Second Edition Remaster Project removed mechanics for the eight schools of magic. PathfinderWiki retains information on these subjects since they remain relevant to works that remain canon to the Pathfinder campaign setting.
- ↑ “3: Classes” in Core Rulebook, 205. Paizo Inc., 2019 .
- ↑ “Copper Dragons” in Dragons Revisited, 25. Paizo Inc., 2009 .
- ↑ “Green Dragons” in Dragons Revisited, 41. Paizo Inc., 2009 .
- ↑ “Wise Quarter” in Absalom, City of Lost Omens, 231. Paizo Inc., 2021 .
- ↑ “Bestiary” in Beyond the Veiled Past, 89. Paizo Inc., 2018 .
- ↑ “Corruptions and Haunts” in Horror Realms, 62. Paizo Inc., 2016 .
- ↑ “The Six-Legend Soul” in The Six-Legend Soul, 34. Paizo Inc., 2018 .
- ↑ “The Whisper Out of Time” in The Whisper Out of Time, 28. Paizo Inc., 2016 .
- ↑ “Occult Writings” in Occult Mysteries, 58. Paizo Inc., 2014 .
- ↑ Book of the Dead, 4. Paizo Inc., 2022 .
- ↑ Tapestry's Trial, 15. Paizo Inc., 2019 .
- ↑ “The Thousand Fangs Below” in The Thousand Fangs Below, 51. Paizo Inc., 2011 .
- ↑ “Magaambya” in Adventurer's Guide, 116. Paizo Inc., 2017 .
- ↑ “Magaambya Academy” in Character Guide, 96. Paizo Inc., 2019 .
- ↑ “Kindled Magic” in Kindled Magic, 20. Paizo Inc., 2021 .
- ↑ “Rise and Fall of the Shory Empire” in The Slave Trenches of Hakotep, 67. Paizo Inc., 2014 .
- ↑ City of the Fallen Sky. Paizo Inc., 2012 Ch. 16. .
- ↑ “Appendix: Special Abilities” in Inner Sea NPC Codex, 62. Paizo Inc., 2013 .
- ↑ Paths of Prestige, 52. Paizo Inc., 2012 .
- ↑ “1: Essentials of Magic” in Secrets of Magic, 12–13. Paizo Inc., 2020 .
- ↑ “The Dead Heart of Xin” in The Dead Heart of Xin, 31. Paizo Inc., 2013 .
- ↑ “The Shattered Star” in Shards of Sin, 67. Paizo Inc., 2012 .
- ↑ Lord of Runes. Tor Books, 2015 Ch. 1. .
- ↑ “Vault of the Onyx Citadel” in Vault of the Onyx Citadel, 21. Paizo Inc., 2017 .
- ↑ “1: Essentials of Magic” in Secrets of Magic, 20–27. Paizo Inc., 2020 .
- ↑ “1: Essentials of Magic” in Secrets of Magic, 10–11. Paizo Inc., 2020 .
- ↑ Master of Devils. Paizo Inc., 2011 Ch. 17. .
- ↑ In Service to Lore, 9. Paizo Inc., 2011 .
External links
- Thaumaturgy (real-world paranormal study) on Wikipedia