The Classes

There is no greater force wielded by humans than magic. And when it is directed by the words of The Ever Changing Language, it can accomplish almost anything. No innate spellcaster can lean as many spells as a Loremage, nor cast them as effectively. No innate spellcaster can match a Loremage’s variety of spells. However, there are some who believe that the manipulation of magic in this way is unnatural. Obscene. Zealots hunt down and purify users of magic in any form, but they bear a particular disdain for those who foist their will upon a force that should be left well enough alone. Zealots, with their grounded sense of how the world should feel, can sense and track down Loremages with unerring accuracy.

There are many that can only match foes in battle with the help of magic. That can only break into secure facilities with spells. And there are those that have practiced and trained enough to do it better without magic. Hellions, have a habit of leaving no trace and no tracks. They can hide in plain sight to avoid capture; or to infiltrate. Equally skilled, but far more dangerous are Soldiers. Trained for war in parallel universes, they are returned home as a veteran or a sleeper agent, in either case with their memories wiped. They have a feel for firearms that surpasses that of trained shooters. An eye for tactics that speaks to deep experience. And no memory of where they learned, but for snatches of violent dreams.

For some, up close and personal is the best and only way to settle disagreements. Or render opponents incapable of fighting back. Brutes are hulks of muscle. The tallest and strongest of their peers. No normal person will ever surpass them in strength through simple physical training. They can break limbs with their bear hands. Even their voices can halt battles. Duelists match Brutes in every way, but in terms of speed and dexterity. The fastest runners, the most coordinated acrobats. The most deadly sword wielders. Where some might hurt themselves trying to swing a single sword, Duelists can be found effectively and effortlessly slicing their opposition to ribbons with two blades.

Those who are born with magic infusing their souls are the lucky few. They have a natural talent in spellcasting, and more besides. Augurs can see the aura of magic and the spirits of the dead. Differences in alternate realities are visible to them, ghostly overlays on the “real” world. Augurs can rip open portals in reality to jump to new ones. Or to summon horrifying monsters. Weavers can feel the warmth of life all around. They can hear through the root systems of plants and call forth animals to do their bidding. Plants can sprout at their touch. Even their own bodies can be shaped at will, to grow armor or poisoned quills. Weavers are invariably beautiful, as any perceived imperfection is simply corrected.

Some are born with magic in their veins. Some learn to control it with words. But those are not the only paths. Archeomages wield magical devices, both new innovations and ancient relics. While many can use such devices, only Archeomages know the ancient methods of re-configuring their enchantments. Even the simplest of magical household appliances can become a wondrous tool or deadly weapon in their hands. Conduits are those that have found the hidden, esoteric knowledge of powerful beings in higher realms. They have entered into bargains with these creatures, to gain access to powerful magic. Now overflowing with power, Conduits can unleash untold destruction with the simple wave of a hand.