The Field

The Field, in its purest form, is invisible to mortal eyes, even in close proximity to the Leylines. Similar to magnetism, it moves in unseen waves throughout the world, bypassing most physical matter directly. However, its effects and strength can be felt and measured, akin to radiation or the wind. 

Certain Elderkin, however, claim to be able to 'see' the Field in a more direct way, due to the strength of the magical ability and practice, as well as their biological link to the Field itself. 

When the Field is condensed to a strong degree, typically in the stone around the Leylines directly, it is able to transition into a physical, solid form. This state of the Field is known as Aurite and takes the appearance of a glowing crystal found deep underground.

Aurite is far too dense to be attuned by a sapient mind directly, but it is utilized in a number of processes and doesn't lose strength when separated from a Field rich environment.

On the surface, the Leylines lie too deep to manifest something as solid as Aurite. However, in vibrant natural environments, the Field can condense into a gaseous, fluidic state. These are known as the Spirits of Nature, sometimes call the Fae. 

Most are not intelligent, but expressive and emotional, communicating by feeling rather than words.

In a matter similar to the Spirits, when the Field is condensed within the body of a Fieldic creature for a prolonged period of time, the energy within suffuses and blends with their body and soul. This energy within a body is known as an Aurima, and is often used to determine the relative strength of a Field user or mage (ie, a strong or weak Aurima).

It is often said that a person or creature's Aurima and their soul are the same thing, or at the very least intertwined with each other. Many Auratheistic faiths believe the former, to the extent of classing most Lesserkin (humans especially) as 'soul-less creatures'. Whether this is explicitly true or not is a matter of scholarly debate, though as the Aurima will often manifest magical echoes of a creature's personality, the theory is not without roots.

When an Elderkin or Fieldic creature dies, their Aurima remains within the body for a time. Some highly skilled practitioners of the forbidden art of Soul-Fusing are able to extract and manipulate these dead Aurima's, even able to graft them into machines like the Zurin Soul Constructs. The Necrooken Rituals practiced within certain Orcish tribes can also manipulate the Aurima's of the dead, though their technique and overall method is quite different from the Zurin.

Almost every creature across Tyrrell can be affected by the Field, and any sapient mind has the potential to attune to it. However, actually doing so depends on many biological and mechanical factors.

The most important of these factors has to do with biology and lineage. The Elderkin; the Elves, Dwarves and Cyclopes, posses a natural and biological ability to attune to the Field and maintain an Aurima, the strength of which can vary by bloodline. Though some possess little ability above the intrinsic benefits, this connection makes training and their ability ceiling far higher than any Lesserkin.

There is also the level of training and focus needed to master the flow of the Field itself. Though the methods vary, all require a great amount of time and diligence. This has severely limited the Field's usage for the Lesserkin, especially humans, as their short lifespans restrict the amount they are able to learn.

Humans and Lesserkin are also limited by the Leylines themselves. As their lands tend to be ones left uninhabited by the Elderkin, due to having a weak Field and fewer Leylines, their ability to draw in the Field is severely hampered.

This subconscious attunement is also the main source of the Elderkin's longer lifespans and supernatural health, stamina and endurance. In fact, in areas were the Field is weak, most Elderkin will gradually lose energy and strength, with prolonged exposure shortening their lifespans.

As soon as a creature attunes to the Field, by conscious focus or natural ability, they will experience a rush of energy which pulses through their whole body by way of the nervous and circulatory systems. 

This rush relieves the body of pain, increases overall strength and stamina, heals light wounds near-instantly, and gives the user a greater sense of focus and awareness of their surroundings.

As mentioned, the Elderkin and other magical creatures gain these benefits simply by being in a Fielded environment. It is also the furthest ability most human sorcerers will reach, lacking the strength, willpower or time necessary for further skills.

• The Simple Arts

• Spellcraft

• The Runic Arts

• Turatensity

• Soul-Fusing

• Spirit Speak

The origins of the Field are fiercely debated by various nations, sapient species and religious mythology across all of Tyrrell. However, it is commonly accepted that the Field was first utilised, or possibly created, by the Forgotten at some point before the First Age. 

One of the oldest recorded uses of Fieldic Magic was the Gates; nine ancient structures built where the Leylines intersect extremely close to the surface. Whether the Field itself pre-existed or was created from the Gates is still unknown.

Regardless, after the Gates were opened, the Forgotten were corrupted by the power unleashed, becoming or joining the ‘dark forces’ within. The Elderkin managed to cordon off the areas and seal the Forgotten away.

After this, the Field seeped deeply into the land of Tyrrell, either for the first time or to a much larger degree than ever before, impacting all of nature and the sapiant species. Some of these species, the Elderkin, learned how to manipulate the Field and used it to carve out their empires and their territories, subjecting the Lesserkin as they went.

• Concept art by Lynn.