How magic works in the world of The Witcher (Topic)

While filthy and poor witchers roam the lands of Neverledn, sorceresses and wizards live as an elite in castles and institutions. But both of them have one thing in common - the magic that permeates this universe through and through. Let's see how magic works in the world of The Witcher by Andrzej Sapkowski and CD Project Red.

Conjugation of spheres or how magic appeared

The magic of the world of The Witcher is directly related to the event that divided the world into before and after. Its name is Conjugation of the Spheres is an ancient magical cataclysm that led to the fact that Neverland was filled with beings from other worlds. Then the line between the very essence of space and reality was erased.

Initially, this world was inhabited by the race of vrans - lizard-like humanoids who were a very developed and peaceful civilization. Consider they were local Argonians, just not as aggressive as in Skyrim. Alas, they could not survive this catastrophe, and died from its consequences. It is believed that three worlds participated in the Conjugation: Neverland, the homeland of humans, and the third world from which monsters and other races came.

This cataclysm began 1500 years before the main events of the Witcher plot. Due to the contact of worlds in Neverland, portals began to open through which inhabitants of other worlds entered the abode of the ravens. As it turned out later, this cataclysm was caused by the elves, due to experiments with time and space. And they experimented, fleeing the destruction of their world by the White Cold.

The gnomes, or as they are also called lowlands, were the first to arrive in the new lands, and the dwarves came after them. Their arrival did not greatly affect Neverland, unlike the third race to arrive on these lands. They were the elves, who crushed half the world under themselves, as they were the most powerful creatures. They were the culprit for the disappearance of the raven race. Later in the Lok Muin fortress, people found the skeletons of the first race with broken bones, and arrows in armor.

The elves brought magic from their former home, however, due to the Conjugation of the Spheres, they lost the ability to freely teleport through the worlds. The elves had to fight the monsters that came from the portals that opened due to the ongoing Conjugation. They coped until the most dangerous creatures in the entire universe came - people whose world was also destroyed by chaos.

In the books, it was described as follows: “[...] The most monstrous of these monsters were people who sailed from nowhere on four ships. They landed on the lands of the North and since then have multiplied in great numbers. " Once in a new world created by a magical cataclysm, people discovered special abilities in themselves. Drawing strength from chaos, they learned to use magic, imitating the elves.

This is how magic filled this world.

A guide to the use of arcane art

In the book "Blood of the Elves" Yenifer talked about the essence of witchcraft as follows:

“Magic is revenge and a weapon of Chaos. The fact that after the Conjunction of the Spheres people learned to use magic became a curse and destruction of the world. The death of humanity. The way it is. Those who consider magic to be Chaos are not mistaken.

Origins can master this art - this is how children with paronormal abilities are called. They began to be born in humans after Conjugation. However, their gift is unstable, and one must learn to control it.

The energy of chaos is reflected in the classics in four elements, and it is from them that magicians derive strength, and then transform it into spells. However, they do not interact with all the elements. Conjuring is a rather subtle matter, for example, you cannot pass power through yourself, as it is dangerous. It is reasonable to accumulate it in advance, and only then transform it into spells [in short, the classic mechanics of manna]. Each magician or sorcerer interacts with the element with which it is easier for him to cope. Water is the most malleable, but it may not always be near. So, in one book, Ciri almost died in the desert, because she could not find water. Land is easier to find [as unexpectedly], but a little more difficult with it. The most stubborn element is air, and fire is the most dangerous. Only the most professional magicians and sorceresses master the energy of these two elements. Those,

The power contained in a spell's formula can be used to heal, destroy, teleport, create an illusion, or change forms. Also, redirecting energy, it can be enclosed in amulets that will acquire magical properties.

It is the ability to use the energy of chaos, direct it and recreate spells from it that determines who the future source is - a magician, sorcerer, witch or sorceress.

In order to master art, not to accidentally destroy yourself and the world - this power is taught to use from childhood in special colleges of sorcerers. The training is so long that it takes decades, however, due to their abilities, sorcerers can significantly extend their lives and continue to learn.

Witchers and Monsters

As we know, magic abilities are used not only by sorcerers. Witchers have the simplest magic, which is customary to laugh at in the wizarding environment. Witchers in general are the product of magical experimentation, and that is why their magical arsenal is limited. By creating mutagenic elixirs, the structure of the witcher's body changed and gave them in a weak form the ability to artificially draw the power of the elements, which was enough for those six witcher spells.

If we talk about relic monsters with magical abilities, there is no obvious answer, but it can be assumed that they also know how to draw energy from the elements.

This is the story of magic and its foundations in the world of The Witcher.

The Topic of Article: How magic works in the world of The Witcher.
Author: Jake Pinkman