Scribes write magic through a universal language known as Script. They write these spells using specific and special inks and papers, and are the only individuals who can harness magic. Their affinity towards magic is discovered at an early age typically noticed around ages 6 through 8, but never later than 8. The signs a child has an affinity is the child’s continual and repetitive “doodles” that appear to be runic in nature. A Scribe is called out to assess these “doodles” to see if they are part of Script.
Being the only people who can wield magic, they are revered and sought after for their power. There was once a time a millennia ago when it was speculated they ruled the lands, but in present day they do not typically care to partake in political affairs or advancements as a society. Growing as an individual is a main goal, as well as learning more about what magic has to offer. Ruling over the lands is widely regarded as almost underneath them.
Their obligations to the factions came as a necessity of survival and continuation. To be allowed to preside within Osceli, they had to agree that in times of war, they are required to return to their faction’s capital. It has been hundreds of years of peace, and so this binding agreement hadn’t been much of a thought until recently.
There are Scribes throughout the world that those in Osceli used to keep in touch. Due to the Great War, trade and travel have been heavily restricted, and due to foreign Scribes being unregulated, it is very difficult to invite one into Ruane. Thus, it is fairly common for a Scribe from Osceli to venture out to other continents to report and share research and knowledge.
Scribes within Ruane mainly preside in Osceli, though venture out to work or live across Ruane and even across the world should they choose. Ruane Scribes are governed by the Scribe Council, a group of around 40 to 50 Scribes who have achieved the rank of Master. This rank is awarded to Scribes who have shown an incredible skill within the focus, and with magic overall. Not all Masters are part of the Council as there are hundreds of Masters currently throughout Ruane and the world.
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Script
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Script is the term used for the runes that make up a spell. Script is the only language that can craft a spell, and is universally understood. Script can also be used as a means to communicate across other language barriers in a non-spell format.
Script has no phonetics and cannot be spoken. To read Script, one just uses the terms from their native language.
In Script, the runes often form words rather than individual letters. For example, the word “heat” would be one rune. The structure of Script depends on the spell, and can often be written in a manner of organized directions and clusters that look like designs of their own. When being utilized in a non-spell format, it is typically written and read from left to right as spells are typically written in a clockwise direction.
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Ink and Parchment
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In order for Script to be able to activate magically, it also requires special ink and paper components. These components are only crafted by Scribes, and the technique is taught to all Scribes who attend Osceli within their first years of school.
The ink is formed using coal, a plant-based stabilizer, crushed crystals, and the Scribe's blood. Two drops per bottle is enough for the ink to produce its magic. It must be mixed until it produces a slight glow when excited. The ink can be used with any pen, but it is encouraged to be used with a good pen to ensure there are no anomalies when writing. One out of place drop can ruin the whole spell. Any spell written by a Scribe using their own ink will be more potent or have greater success due to the use of their own blood within the ink. Scribes are still able to cast spells written by other Scribes, however, and typically only has very minor differences.
The paper is typically made from wood pulp and cotton fibers that are softened in water and screened into sheets. The Scribe's blood is also dropped into this slurry and mixed before the sheets are removed and dried. It only takes a few drops to make a successful pulp. A Scribe utilizing paper made with their own blood ensures a stronger spell, which in turn makes it easier to cast.
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Scrolls
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The most common form for written magic is on a Scroll. A scroll contains only one spell per scroll. The complexity of the spell varies depending on the skill level of the Scribe. Typically, Scribes prefer to carry only the spells they write themselves, however, sometimes Scribes are gifted better spells already written. Scrolls are typically encased in waterproof cases that allow for ease of removal or reading. Battle Scribes often have smaller scrolls with simpler spells strapped to their chest along a specialized belt so that they can quickly and easily cast their spells. Due to the ease of scrolls, Scribes who have a focus in magic particular to fighting often prefer scrolls over utilizing a tome. While a tome is powerful, they're heavier, take longer to cast the spell, and drain the Scribe's energy more quickly.
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Books
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The rarest form of written magic is a tome. Tomes are comprised of hundreds of similar, focused spells that are written to not only work individually, but in tandem depending on how the Scribe utilizes the tome. It is complex, often requiring decades, or even generations of writing, revisions, and trials to get it right. It is more common for a Scribe to inherit an incomplete tome than it is to receive one that is finished. It is incredibly rare for a Scribe to finish their own tome, but it has been done before. These Scribes are highly praised and well known not just by Scribes, but by everyone in the land. Nemiah Toul is one of these few, having written the Ambrose Tome; a tome of great healing. While those interested in healing seek to apprentice under her, it is well known she will always refuse, and is quite secretive of the contents within her tome.
A scribe may inherit a tome either from the passing of a relative Scribe, or by a Master passing it down to their apprentice upon their retirement. On rarer occasion, the Council may award a tome to a Scribe given particular merits. Scribes who have tomes and do not pass it on to anyone have their tomes secured in the Council's library to be studied by petition and supervision.
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Spells
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Spells have a particular format when written on a page. To craft a spell, the Scribe must consider the two main parts that comprise a spell: the Identifiers and the Descriptors. Identifiers define what type of spell will be cast, such as elemental, aether, healing, among others. Typically identifying the focus of the spell. Descriptors define how identifiers will be manipulated.
For example, a simple spell Identifier format would be:
Water
Cold
Freeze
In this simple phrase, water is intended to be cold to the point of freezing. It must be in this order as the water needs to be cold in order to be frozen. This, however, only freezes water and nothing more. The spell still needs to be provided descriptors to know what will be done with the ice.
Water
Cold
Freeze
Pull from
Air
Form
Spike
These basic descriptors define the moisture to be pulled from the air around the Scribe to form an ice spike. More descriptors must be added to ensure how much moisture is taken, the shape and size of the spike, and can even define if there is any effect of the ice upon impact, whether it shatters, explodes, boils, or melts.
In order for a Scribe to activate a spell on a page, they must Flourish. Flourishes are hand gestures that define how the spell is pulled and cast. Standard Flourishes either pull the spell offensively or defensively though some spells require a supporting Flourish that looks like a combination of the two.
Offensive Flourishes pull and end with a point towards the target.
Defensive Flourishes pull and end with fingers closed.
Support Flourishes pull and end with fingers crossed.
While a Scribe's imagination is the limitation for what they could potentially write, there are also physical limitations for how much magic they can conjure. Minor spells expend less energy while greater spells can cause considerable fatigue. A Scribe must be consciously aware of their limitations within the bounds of their energy or they can cause themselves to slip into unconsciousness before a spell can even complete in its flourish, or worse. When a spell does not have anymore energy to take from the Scribe, the spell becomes volatile. A once harmless fireball could consume the Scribe in flames. A strengthening ward on the mind can cause an aneurism. A spell of blades can eviscerate the caster. Any Scribe who allows themselves to continually expend beyond their limits is seen as a danger to be around, and in extreme circumstances are forced to retire.
Scribes are made consciously aware of their power at a young age so that they can grow and understand the stance they take as a people within Ruane. Being the only people who can wield magic, they can easily place themselves in positions of power were it not for the regulations in place. Osceli, among many other Scribe societies throughout the world, take a neutral stance in affairs and political gains.
There was a Scribe society centuries ago that took power in their lands, and the people fought back. It was ultimately genocide, and the other Scribe societies had to come together to rid the lands of this power hungry group. Since then, they have remained mostly to themselves to enjoy growing and learning without outside fears.
During the Great War, or sometimes referred to as the Dividing War, the Scribes of Osceli turned against each other to fight for their families. The Scribe Council in this time also frequently met in Osceli to discuss the terms of war as laid out by their kings, and to try to find a way to end the war or find compromises. It was due to their efforts that a peace treaty was formed and negotiated on Osceli grounds. In the years to come, Scribes would be revered not just for their magic, but for their diplomacy.
Despite this, Scribes must still answer to their faction of origin in times of war. This was negotiated by the Council to ensure Scribes were not completely removed from Ruane, and to ensure future generations of Scribes would receive proper education.
Scribes celebrate both the individual and the group. While they don’t spoon feed information or hold hands during lessons, they know encouragement goes a long way, especially in one’s younger years. If a Scribe shows a lack of motivation, they attempt to find ways to push the Scribe forward, but ultimately look into their strengths. If a Scribe does not wish to be in Osceli at any point in their stay, they are allowed to go back to their place of origin or find other work within Osceli.