Magic
From Namelesscity
Magic in Argos is a very frightening, uncommon thing. It's seen by many to be the work of some evil entity, and those who accept it rarely embrace it fully.
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Basics of Magic
In Argos, when it comes to magic, one will typically find what is commonly referred to as "low magic". Very few actually possess the innate ability to perform it, however. Those who can find themselves ostracized or worse, while simultaneously being hunted out by various people in positions of power.
One memorable incident involves a man named Neil Wyman.
Born in 1973, Neil showed the ability to cast spells at a very young age--creating sparks of light in the air, strange music to float through the air momentarily, and brightening flowers. His parents, who weren't very religious, nonetheless went to a priest and told them about their son. Consequently, he was taken away shortly after. The Wymans were told that it was for his, and their, protection.
The boy bounced from magic-friendly home to magic-friendly home, finally ending up in an orphanage for magical people at the age of 12. Here, he learned to hone his magical abilities, while at the same time, get rid of the spooky magical aura that seemed to hang around his person.
When it was time for him to leave the system at 18, he was hired right away by the mayor's administration. He worked behind the scenes at various rallies and speeches, amplifying the mayor's voice when the PA system wasn't strong enough, magically adjusting the lighting, and other various things to make the mayor look better to his constituents.
Unfortunately, in the mid-90s, the mayor was caught in a huge scandal. Apparently, his administration had somehow managed to alter the votes. It was assumed that Neil was involved; to this day, it's not clear if he was or wasn't. He was quickly tried for Magic Use (Governmental) and placed in jail for life without parole. He is appealing the decision, but the case does not look good (as of February 2007).
While a somewhat extreme example of how magic-users are treated in the world of Argos, it is, nonetheless, typical of what happens to them.
Magic versus Extra-Sensory Perception
While magic is rare, extra-sensory perception (ESP) is not. Some fortunate magic-users can pass their skills off as ESP-related, but most times, the skills are not alike enough for magic-users to use such camouflage.
Most spell casters who can hide their abilities do so under the guise of various psychokinetic merits; some follow.
- Astral projection (Note: this is a difficult ability to duplicate in magic form)
- Biokinesis
- Cryokinesis
- Geokinesis
- Pyrokinesis
- Telekinesis
- Thermokinesis
In Argos, the only reason ESP is tolerated because it has a scientific basis. Magic has not been seen to have any basis in reality, so most laypeople (and many professionals) eye it with fear and disdain.
Magic and the Everyday World
As has been shown, many laypeople are afraid of magic and the people who wield it. For those who happen to keep magic out of their lives, it's easy to settle into a "normal" existence. For those who don't and get caught, or openly use magic (especially in a defiant manner), it's a different matter.
When one gets caught using magic, even for a minor spell, he will be put away in a maximum-security prison made to hold magic users. There is rarely any sentence lower than life without parole.
It is rare for someone who is accused of using magic to be acquitted. There is such a pervasive fear of magic in the world that unless there is compelling evidence that the accused did not cast anything (such as video with sound, showing the defendant not moving or speaking).
Magic in Positions of Power
No magic-user has been elected or promoted to a prominent, public position of power. However, they often pull strings behind the scenes, either with or without the politician or CEO knowing.
If working with a person in power, the magician will often do things to make him seem more suited to the position he is in, or position he wants to be in. Neil Wyman is a good example of this.
When a spell caster is working against someone, they will do a lot of underhanded rumor-spreading, like any normal person; however, they can also make embarrassing things happen to them in public to ruin their reputation, as well.
Magic and the Occult
Many magic users are drawn to the occult as they try to figure out why they're different. There are innumerable cults and groups dedicated to studying magic.
