Where does a Mage learn Magic?

The Magestery of Merus just outside of Aquila, First Floor --> Click to see more detail!

In ancient times, Magesteries were found in every country and among all people. These magnificent structures with marble floors, mosaic covered ceilings, great columns and stained-glass windows are marvels of the greatest art and architecture. Here, all those wishing to become a Mage may study the Arts of the Magi. However, any young student must heed to a strict schedule. Every day, patrons of the Magestery sing the ancient chants at dawn, work in the secret gardens, and spend hours attending to their studies.

Alec has the opportunity to meet many Magi in the Magestery of Merus, one of the last standing in all the earth. There he learns his first lessons in Magic! Yet he will soon learn that the greatest of Magic is learned, and taught, out in the perilous world...

Where Do Fairies Come From?

It is a little-known fact that Fairies in the past were our size, and are closely related to human beings. This is the ancient story of Fay, the first fairy, and how her kind came to be:

Once in placid May, in the Good King’s day,

Lived a lady Mage.

She, the Lady Fay, Powerful and Vane,

Walked tall, proud and straight.

“Come see,” she would say, “Revere, cheer my name!”

Wonders she’d create.

Yet as time would pass, her fame would not last.

Friendless was her fate.

“But why?” she would ask, “In my skills so vast,

Would the least berate?”

“My wisdom and class, no one can surpass!

None truly relate.”

At length, old and young, told of what was done,

And of Fay’s mistake.

Fay’s conceit and sting soon reached the Good King,

Who would contemplate.

“Let small stature be, the sentence from me.

Humble, the proud make.”

At once the tall Fay, without word or fray,

Stood the size of bait.

“Oh but dearest king,” said Fay, the small being,

“This curse is too great!”

With pity he said, as Fay bowed her head.

“I shant reinstate.

However, I see, an important need

I will not negate.

Therefore, I decree, let the smallest wings

Your small back ornate.”

And thus was this sin, of Fay and her kin

Rewarded with traits.

Today amid trees, thorns, bushes and bees

We see the low state

By leaf and berry, each little fairy,

Kin of Fay the Great.

Sorcery and Dark Magic

In ancient times, a second force of power emerged. Magi and the guardians of good were no longer the wielders of all power. Vennin, betrayer of the Good King, stole the secrets of the deepest powers, perverted them, and taught them to his followers. They created a kind of magic which gave the practitioner immense power much quicker and easier than the Mana and Magic of old. They learned that not only virtue (Mana) can lead to magical arts, but also destruction and corruption, or "Sors." Here is a selection from Alec's Spell book mentioning the Dark Magic:

Sors

"Sors is the energy basis of all Sorcery, or "dark magic." It is the manifestation of vice. The most powerful of Sorcerers, are the most corrupt and destructive of creatures. All energies and things conjured by a Sorcerer are created from and out of his/her personal levels of Sors. When unfocused, it resembles a wispy dark smoke. All speaking beings (including ghosts) bear some Sors naturally, and therefore may be able to do certain simple curses or hexes. Yet it is increased, cultivated and focused through servitude to Vennin, the ancient betrayer. 

"For a being to increase his/her proficiency in Sorcery, he/she must display certain vices to a higher degree. These vices include Greed, Falseness, Pride and many others. All vices correspond to a certain type of Sors, and every type of Sors corresponds with certain curses. To cast certain curses to a high degree of intensity, the applicable vice(s) must be made manifest to a high degree..."

Sorcerers have plagued the Magi for centuries, yet as Alec and his companions will soon learn, there are much more dangerous and deadly forces rising against them than Sorcerers! 

The Race of Jinn

In Alec's adventures, he comes across many strange creatures and cultures. One such culture, is the race of Jinn...

Jinn (plural for "Genie") Is a race closely related to mankind (like dwarfs, mermaids, etc.) However, there are a few characteristics which set them apart. A Genie has aqua toned skin (blue, green, purple, etc.) with a continual glow. It is their innate gift/curse to have fluorescent skin, glowing like a smokeless fire. This is not very apparent in the day, but at night they are luminescent like fire-flies, or creatures of the deep. They also have the unique ability to vanish in a vapor of smoke, and appear somewhere else. This skill is a double edged sword, however, as while they are in the process of vanishing, their vapor may be caught in a bottle or small object. This traps them in a limbo-like state. Due to this vulnerability, it is the custom of Jinn to grant one wish to whoever frees them. In this way, (they hope) more people will be inclined to free them rather than trap them for ages.

The Jinn live in transient tribes or clans. Their caravans are found throughout the lands and deserts of Ereddu. Some disguise their glowing skin with tatoos, makeup, or with heavy dark clothing, shrouding their faces. Their tradition involves the cultivation of some Magic, but it is up to someone like Alec to teach them their true potential. Rafi is the most familiar with Jinn, and says that they make some of the best pirates...

"Mana" From Alec's Spell Book

The INFINITUS

Magi, (Wizards, Witches, Conjurers, Spellcastors, etc.) like Alec, learn the arts of Magic from the first and last spell book anyone ever needs: The Infinitus. This "Book of Infinity" is a spell book filled with incantations, potion recipes, building instructions, chants, language and culture guides, equations, beast profiles, histories, stories, and much more. It is written by the Masters of Quintessa, under the direction of the Good King (The first Mage), who all Magi revere, regardless of where they live.

All volumes of the Infinitus are contained in Alec's single copy. All he needs to do, is turn a dial on its cover to specify which volume he wants to read from, then open the book. Nearly every time Alec opens his spell book, he's reading a completely different volume!

As a special treat, we read a small selection from Alec's Infinitus. It is on the subject of "Mana." All aspiring Spellcastors, young and old, learn this fundamental principal in their first lessons. In "Magi and Men" Alec will bear this lesson, and many others, to the ends of the Earth...

MANA

"Mana is the energy basis of all magic. It is the manifestation of virtue. The most powerful of Magi, are the most virtuous of beings. All energies and things conjured by a Magi are created from and out of his/her personal levels of Mana. When unfocused, it resembles a white light and fire. All speaking beings (including ghosts) bear Mana naturally, and therefore may be able to do certain simple spells. Yet it is increased, cultivated and focused through living the lifestyle and adhering to the principles of the Magi, under the Good King.

"For a being to increase his/her level of magical power, he/she must live virtues to a greater degree. These virtues include Integrity, Charity, Humility and many others. All virtues correspond to a certain type of Mana, and every type of Mana corresponds with certain spells. To cast certain spells to a high degree of intensity, the applicable virtue(s) must be observed to a high degree..."

Yet Mana is not the only source of power in the world! Everything has its opposite, and Alec discovers that early on in his adventures. Keep an eye out for more gems of pure magic from the world of the Magi!

An Unlimited World

"Magi and Men" takes place in a medieval world of fantasy. Yet when most readers anticipate Elves, Goblins and Dragons, this novel has all of that and more!

What if there were a story which encompassed the fairy tales and mythologies from many cultures around the world? Alec and his companions will not only face trolls and mermaids, but also Jinn, Rocs, Banshees, Thunderbirds, Nians, Pixiu, and all sorts of creatures and cultures beyond European folklore.

Watch close for mythological creature profiles from around the world, coming soon in "Magi and Men" - the blog!

Your source of pure Magic

Welcome to "Magi and Men" - the Blog. Join today to receive exclusive gems from the unlimited world of magic! Here you will find recipes for meals found in the book, profiles of mythical creatures, a view into exotic mythical lands, and more. Years of research has complimented the creation of this story, encompassing fairy tale elements from all over the globe. Here, you will also be the first to know when "Magi and Men" will be available to the public! Don't forget to follow, and spread the word!