For mostDungeons and Dragonsgames, magic is an inseparable part of the world. It drives fantastic cities, heroes and villains alike use it nearly every chance they can, and even the very creatures that inhabit it were often influenced or even created by magic.
The magic itself is divided into 8 primary schools, with each school representing its own list of spells and effects. For the most part, every school is responsible for a differentkindof magic, whether it be destruction, creation, or something in between. Many practitioners can distinguish the exact type of magic being used, which can come in handy when dealing with another wizard or trying to solve a particular riddle.
Transmutation
Transmutation is responsible for magic that transforms matter from one form to another. Turning a frog into a person, silver into gold, and magically controlling the shape of a body of water are just some of the feats possible with this school.
Transmutation magic can be utilized to great effect in combat, greatly disabling their enemies or directly attacking them using their surroundings, oreven the enemy’s own weapons.And just as well, Transmutation mages might be some of the best artists and builders, easily controlling their preferred materials to fit their will and imagination.
Necromancy
Necromancy is perhaps the most controversial out of all the schools, and certainly the most infamous. It deals with life, death, and undeath, and its very practice is shunned or even banned by many societies in the world ofDungeons and Dragons.
Not all Necromancy is as dark as it initially seems, just like not all of those who practice it are evil individuals. However, such magic does deal a lot with sacrifice and often draws power from the darker magic sources. A proficient Necromancer can easily create undead warriors for their service, and just as well bring back to life a recently fallen comrade.
Illusion
The school of Illusion has many more uses than one might initially think. Practitioners can easily fool all the senses of an observer, making others feel, see, hear, and even smell exactly what the caster wants. Some use it to provide amazing displays and host extravagant shows, awing the public with their performance, whileothers confuse and despair their opponents, even driving some to madness.
Illusions are also often used to conceal treasures, secret lairs, or hidden passages. The most powerful Illusionists can even give their creations more physical form, manifesting shadowy dragons that can actually harm their opponents, or create functioning copies of themselves.
Evocation
Evocation is the art of creating powerful elemental effects from nothing, using the power and energy of the user. Most of the spells in that category are extremely useful in battle, producing devastating offensive power to fight whoever might be on the wrong side of casting.
Evocation can also be used to effectively heal one’s allies, closing their wounds and rejuvenating the body. In any case, those apt in Evocation are often found in military groups, and pretty much anywhere that a battle mage might be needed. This school welcomes those in search of power and greatly rewards those willing and capable enough to master the elements and their immense power
Enchantment
Enchantment is the dangerous art of manipulating, and controlling the minds of other beings. From putting someone to sleep to making them laugh uncontrollably, to completely bending them under one’s will. It is an extremely treacherous path, and many dark Enchanters use their powers to masterfullycontrol entire nations with the use of this power.
Yet the way that this school is utilized is completely up to the one that wields it. Enchanters can ensure that a trial goes fairly and justly, by forcing people to tell nothing but the truth. Or soothe the mind of a troubled individual, and even calm down an enraged beast that endangers a village.
Divination
Divination allows the user to peer through time, space, and dimensions. Practitioners can foresee the many possibilities of the future, just as well as they can uncover the secrets of the past and check on someone who is currently miles away.
Aside from extraordinary vision and communication, they can imbue their powers onto others, shielding them from harm and danger as much as they are able to. Divination also allows its users to easily find lost objects and hiding individuals, as well as communicate with nature itself. For those seeking to look beyond the veil and see into the fabric of being, Divination can open these doors and so much more.
Abjuration
Abjuration focuses almost completely on protection, and dealing with extraplanar creatures and beings. Most of an abjurer’s arsenal is composed of various shields and guards, which arecapable of withstanding anythingfrom a stray arrow to a full-on magical barrage.
Those proficient with Abjuration are often called upon when dealing with otherworldly creatures, due to their ability to banish them to their original plane, effectively stopping their reign of terror. They are also capable of creating safeguards and protective measures for important buildings, places, and items that they see fit. In a dangerous world full of malice and harm, Abjuration aims to shield those it can from what damage there might be.
Conjuration
The school of Conjuration focuses on creating and summoning special effects, as well as teleportation. At the core of it is the power to command certain elements and even creatures to come to their aid. Conjuration mages can summon familiars that channel their power, as well as conjure elemental weapons and even some objects, such as a cloud of daggers.
They also have the ability to instantly relocate themselves and other beings, manipulating space as they see fit. Conjuration can be invaluable during travels and exploration, as well as during combat. The most powerful of mages can even gain the ability to command reality itself, in the form of casting one of the most powerful spells available to mortals: Wish.
