Turatensity

Turatensity is designed to be easily explained, to ensure that even the lowest Elf of unnoble birth can understand the concept of the magic of the world. As such, Turatensity was formed based around the Hvel’Luthen teaching of the ‘Base Tura’. 

In short, all things known in Tyrrell can be broken down into the Eight Base Tura, which are split between the Four Material Tura and the Four Ethereal Tura. Every material and living being is then said to be constructed from a combination of these Eight.

The Four Material Tura are Fire, Water, Earth and Air, and the Four Ethereal Tura are Aura, Body, Mind and Void.

It is also believed that the Ethereal Tura lie between the Material. Aura sits between Fire and Water, Body between Water and Earth, Mind between Earth and Air and Void between Air and Fire. 

Yet, the Ethereal are also viewed as being the combining link between the two Material Tura, and are often classed as more important or worthy of respect. 

Once an Elf can perform the practice of Conscious Attunement, actively aligning and absorbing Fieldic energy into their body’s Aurima, they are tested extensively to determine which Tura they most easily align with. From here, they are taught the Simple Arts of their Tura and their training refined from there. 

Fire is first amongst the Tura: the element of power, passion, dragons and the sun that gave life to Tyrrell. It is a particularly dangerous Tura to tame, but when done correctly, is often the most crucial for any battlefield commander to have. 

For much of its history, the Tassendrel Empire have relied heavily upon the level of destruction that Fire mages could generate to conquer new territory. 

Fire mages tend to be passionate, goal driven and energetic. However, they often struggle with arrogance and brashness, and can be quite competitive when pitted against one another. 

Aura is the first of the Ethereal, for it is the soul itself; the ‘Flame Within’, so to speak. It is the Tura of devotion, nobility, the people and the Field. No magic would be possible without the Aurima flowing within the Elderkin, and as such it is prized highly. 

Aura mages are those trained in manipulating the Field directly, both internally and externally. They are commonly healers or Fieldic enhancers for their fellow elves, and are responsible for measuring the Leylines of particular regions to ensure they remain healthy.

Aura Mages tend to be pious, diligent folk, though they can often be distant from their fellows as they delve deeply into the spiritual aspect of their magic. 

Water is the Tura of change, motion, the storms and the Sky-Sister. It is one of the less common Tura used in Tassendrel, apart from along coastlines and within their Emperial Navy. Water is often called the Shapechanger; the most adaptable of the Tura, with a number of common sub-Tura (such as Ice) grouped within.

Before the rise of the Whisperers, Water Mages were often utilised as couriers along the many rivers within Tassendrel. They also keep armies alive on the march, and help to regulate weather all across the Empire. 

Water mages can vary quite a lot in personality, but tend to be reasonable, relaxed and generally amiable individuals. 

Body is the Tura of sense, safety, love and connection. It is the physical space that holds the Aurima, and thus considered Ethereally viable. Body Mages are those trained to physically alter the various aspects of the body itself, be it for healing, enhancement, or concealment.

Body Mages are the most common battle healers, able to quickly seal wounds and repair internal damage where necessary. Many are expert combatants themselves, enhancing their vision for more accurate arrow fire, or their muscles for reflexes and attack.

Those that manipulate the body tend to be entertaining, eager and otherwise quirky Elves. However, they also tend to lack discipline and remain relatively ungrounded.

Earth is the Tura of stability, strength, life and Tyrrell itself. It is the broadest, most easily understood Tura of Turatensity, and therefore the most commonly used. Earth Mages are incredibly varied, ranging from stone and rock manipulation, to plant growth and wood manipulation. 

As such, they fill many niches in Tassendreli society, with many involved in growing food and maintaining the forests of the region to ensure the Fieldic Leylines remain secure. 

Earth Mages are typically stoic, practical and reliable individuals, though they are also equally stubborn and slow to change in terms of mindset.

Mind is the Tura of  wisdom, craft, messengers, and society. Those that use it are rare among the Tassendreli people, perhaps due to how poorly the Tura is understood. It is sometimes called the ‘Thoughtwind’, likening thoughts to wind that pushes the body into action. 

Mind Mages utilse magic to discern the thoughts of others, piercing weaker Auramatic defenses to learn secrets, tactics and other information. They are most commonly associated with the ‘Whisperers of the Wind’, a highly trained network of messengers that send their thoughts across great distances using the Leylines themselves. 

Mind Mages tend to be highly intelligent and methodical, yet socially distant, people.

Air is the Tura of freedom, choice, breath, and the sky. It is commonly seen as the weakest of the four Material Tura, though still highly regarded. Also called  the ‘Material Unseen’, those that manipulate Air work by feel and flow, rather than sight.

Air Mages are commonly utilised in the Tassendreli navy and the dragon riders; in both cases manipulating wind to increase speed and reduce load on the ship or dragon in question. They are also often utilized to create or clear fogscreens within the military. The few Air Mages capable of flight are used as rapid couriers across short distances.

Air Mages tend to be easygoing, communal and kind hearted, though often simple and prone to rashness.

Void is the Tura of emptiness, lack, melancholy and the space beyond. It is the rarest Tura for a mage to use as understanding its true nature can take a lifetime. Void Mages manipulate the ‘Space Between’, often in the form of interlinked portals and areas with more space then they could physically hold.

A Void Mage is a boon to any wealthy Tassendreli, able to transport them great distances near instantly. They are also said to be able to ‘burn the physical’; creating regions where nothing exists, not even air. However, though respected, Void Mages are also highly feared, as their magic is often viewed as similar to that used in the Great Gates. 

Some will even go as far as claiming that Void Mages are Accain worshippers themselves. As such, most Void Mages tend to be private and dower individuals, though also remarkably efficient and dedicated to their task at hand. 

Most Turatensity spellcasting is done through the use of a Stave - a long wooden staff with a twisted end containing a large crystal, related to their Tura, held within. The crystals are typically used as a focus to conduct the Fieldic energy of the environment, and the staff is generally used to direct the spell. 

Occasionally, a Mage might infuse Aurite into their Stave, meaning spellcasting can be done without the use of the local Field; draining the Aurite instead. 

However, it’s a common misconception that all spells must come from a Stave. While true for younger Mages, most use the Stave as a focus point first, drawing the Field to them, and will then cast spells with the Fieldic energy their Aurima has naturally absorbed from the Stave. 

The Stave is commonly used to aim offensive spells though, as well as to direct certain spells, like Air-based telekinesis. 

Only highly skilled Turatensity casters are able to cast spells without a Stave, though this is more due to practice and habit than anything else. Stave casting is quicker and easier to learn than casting magic without a focus, so it is considered the norm. 

Staves also act as a symbol of office throughout the Empire, and it is both illegal and considered taboo to carry or use a Stave without its owner's permission.