Magic in the Cauldron

Magic exists in every inch of the Cauldron, a result of residing in the birthplace of the Great Tree. There is not a single thing that isn't saturated with it, be it alive or nonliving. Even those who aren’t Witches or Leaders have Magic residing within them, though it is a struggle to access or use it. Those cats that can use it, however, cannot simply pull it from thin air. To cast magic, one needs a material, also known as a grounding point or conduit. Materials can be found in the form of crystals, herbs, bones, and so on. By charging the magic in a material with the power of their soul wavelength, a Witch can use that activated magic to influence reality. All objects have prescribed abilities and metaphysical meanings, such as rose quartz being a crystal that encourages healing, a prey’s bones being of sacrifice and life, and amaranth aiding in summoning spirits. Putting them together to cast spells makes magic an even more versatile and powerful tool. Some magic requires an extra kick, specifically in the form of incantations. Known as Words of Power, they are words or short phrases that manipulate reality in a way much more focused than anything else spoken. Though Leaders have magic as well, theirs is of a different sort to Witches, and not entirely understanded by the Cauldron Clans even now. They struggle to cast or put together spells, but share the Witches’ ability to resonate soul wavelengths, as well as a strange phenomena unique to them. Sometimes known as Leaders’ Gifts, there is Rattlestar’s ability to communicate with rattlesnakes, the way the world seems to darken when Eveningstar swings her mighty paw at you, the choking sensation felt when Drownedstar stares into your eyes…

It is possible for cats who are not Witches or Leaders to cast magic, though it is especially frowned upon, often met with distrust. Not to mention how taxing it is, the physical repercussions that could be had.

SOULS

The importance of the soul is one that can barely be comprehended. It is the embodiment of every mortal sentient creature, the core of their existence. Their personality, their history, their relationships, their wants and desires and Free-Will all packed together into pure energy that is neither magic nor divine. It is simply Soul. And it is wanted by every entity that lacks it. A soul manifests in the form of sensations and concepts, be that a simple blob of shimmering colors or a complex array of locations, emotions, imagery, and so on. When a soul is first born is it merely a gaseous orb of white light, a mini star. Over time it will become stained with experience, becoming complicated and textured. A soul is never static in its nature. It constantly hums and thrums, giving off an energy that is much akin to wavelengths of light and sound. Cats with attuned souls of their own such as Witches are able to perceive these wavelengths as more than just the background static that those who don’t use magic sense. By harmonizing their wavelengths with those of others, Witches can cast magics that are all the more powerful, make more powerful their allies, and even enter souls. To enter and traverse a soul is a dangerous undertaking, be it the simple reading of it as one might a book, or the power of advanced Witches to send their own soul inside. It is easy to get consumed by the wavelengths of others, losing yourself to habits and memories not your own. Especially so when a body contains a multitude of souls, which orbit one another like stars in a cluster. These system souls are tightly bound yet distinct from one another, and it is only the soul or souls that shine brightest who control their vessel.