#metawb

[livvywrites]

playing around with wombo.art & decided to plug in descriptions for the major settings in the martyr queen. i had to do it in a few different styles to get ones i was happy with but!

mharani - the underground town founded & run by assassins that alinora spent the last ten years in

the abandoned tower - where they find clues to get to the domed city

domed city - where they find the sword to defeat kai’os

mynera - alinora’s homeland. currently under the rule of kai’os, the betrayer.

vitala - aka the world tree, eldora’s first nymph & goddess of life. legend says that if she’s ever killed, the world will end, & those standing under her branches will become the next gods

not pictured:

talitha’s ship - because i couldn’t get a satisfying result

the various port towns they stop in briefly

[livvywrites]

What kind of magic systems does the world of Metanoia have?

an excellent question!!! forgive me while i ramble a bit (or a lot!)

—

so first, a little on where magic comes from, & how it’s used. (& i do apologize if this is something you’ve read before!)

eldora’s creation myth says that the planet grew from a seed—or, rather, that a seed was planted in the ether, and from that seed grew the World Tree, embodied by the nymph, Vitala, the goddess of Life. in her roots nestled the core of the world, and over these roots which grew the surface—forest, desert, swamp, ocean.

the core of the world is Eldora’s heart, and the heart is the source of all magic.

the magic of it travels up, through rock, caves, dirt, & soil to emerge at points known as wellsprings. these are treated as sacred places, often with temples built near them to whichever god it seems to represent in its manifestation. wellspring spots are varied. there are large crystals, pulsing with ethereal light; lush gardens with glowing flowers that bloom nowhere else, and all year round; standing stones that seem to hum, electricity snapping in the air; etc.

the spot of the World Tree is the most powerful wellspring.

there are also places where magic returns to the core, & is filtered back down to be cleansed, revitalized. these places are also called wellsprings, and are considered just as sacred—though people do not often set up near them, as these are “dead zones”, where magic can be used by few. they are still visited by pilgrims, or by those hoping to slow the effects of magical illnesses, curses, etc.

as such, magic flows through the very air of eldora. it’s in the soil; the plants; the animals; the food… and the people. everyone can use magic on eldora, though most are limited to what they can pull from the air. this is usually small quick spells.

enchantments, which are a stable of eldoran life, and often have functions similar to electricity for us, also run off of this power. (and too many enchantments, or too powerful of one, can cause the same effect as a reverse wellspring—creating a dead zone through which magic is hard to use).

there are also people who are born with their own internal supply of mana. no one is really sure why this is (including me), only that it can happen randomly—and is more likely to happen if one or both parents do have mana. these people are usually referred to as “mages” in general terms—though others pick up classes/jobs that have different titles.

these people are still able to cast in a dead zone, & can fuel an enchantment with their own internal power, though this can be draining, fast. they can also cast more powerful spells.

(this is getting long so! under the cut it goes)

—

now a look at spells! i’m still working on exactly how this works. some stuff i have pinned down, but.

so, first. casting spells. there are three main things that go into casting one—intelligence, willpower, and mana. intelligence has to do with how well you understand the spell—it’s components, what it does, what it means to cast it. willpower is a measure of intent, how determined you are to cast the spell. it is also a measure of how well you understand yourself and your capabilities. mana is the well of magic you have to draw upon. this well can fluctuate in childhood, but by adulthood (whatever that means for a particular race) it will have evened out.

intelligence & willpower can be increased. mana can’t be—unless you’re a Slaeyr, and that comes with a steep price.

spells are made up of runes. runes… i think of them a bit like coding. it’s a language, of sorts, with a specific syntax that wouldn’t necessarily make sense to hold a conversation in. it informs the magic of what to do with it.

of course, mages can cast spells without knowing runes—by focusing their intent and shaping the spell from that. but runes provide a… shape. a structure. something for the mind to focus on & thus better will the spell into existence.

there is no particular runic alphabet. runes are single symbols that mean entire words, which can be strung into sentences (or code lines*, to continue the above analogy) to create spells. sentences can grow fairly long for more complicated and varied spells. most spells hinge off of at least one rune, and complex spells can contain many. usually, spells contain anywhere from 3-7 runes.

enchantments always contain at least five runes, but often more, as an “anchored” spell needs more guidance.

mages do not have to speak the names of runes out loud to cast the spell—only to remember them, imagine the shape of them. some, however, do find that speaking the names aloud helps, and so they do. (in complex spells, though, this can get tedious, so some mages will invent a verbal shorthand.)

—

from here… um. i feel like i should know what to talk about next, but!! i don’t? like i’m sure there’s different schools of thought as to how magic should be cast between different associations, but… ah. i don’t know what those are.

i guess i can talk about the different like… jobs / specialties in magic users? tho i also feel like this has gotten fairly long!!

anyway. thank you very much for letting ramble at you, anon!!! i hope you enjoyed :D

*disclaimer: all i really know about coding is like… basic css & html. you know, the stuff to edit already in use tumblr themes? xD i keep meaning to pick more up but. you know. so i really can’t take the analogy too far.

[livvywrites]

(hi sorry i haven't replied to u in ages im emotionally dead) but 🐉!! pls tell me abt all the magical creatures!!

nbd, i completely understand!! hope you start feeling better soon <3

answering this for the meta series, bc of course.

🐉are there any magical creatures? if so, how is their magic different from a magician’s? how to magician’s think of their magic? is there anything the creatures can do that a magician can’t?

because magic literally flows through eldora’s air, there are magical creatures abound. (in fact, you could make the argument that most creatures on eldora are, to some degree, magical. but we’ll just focus on the ones that are blatantly magical.)

to start with, there are dragons. these are fairly rare on eldora. most of the time if you see a draconic creature, odds are you’re seeing a wyvern, not an actual dragon. however, actual dragons are quite magical, with abilities that… no one has quite figured out how to replicate.

dragon magic tends to be more instinctive and emotional, instead of purposeful. i mean—other than the elemental breath. that’s something they do consciously. but, other stuff, is… less within their control. for instance, if a forest dragon has the desire to sleep and not be found, then… their body will become covered in moss, stone, roots, flowers, whatever helps them blend into their environment. it looks like the product of decades of sleep—but it actually happened within a few hours.

you also have dragons who may instinctively create magical shields around their young, who’s anger can summon storms, who’s grief can create monuments or rain showers that last for weeks. i’m not coming up with great examples right now, but… you get the point i hope, lol.

there are more magic creatures, but i’ll hold off on elaborating in case i get asked again!

[ the magician’s prep list ]

[livvywrites]

if you have a magic system you also want to be asked about:

🪄🧚‍♀️🧵

- @akindofmagictoo

answering for the metanoia series :)

🪄 how is magic used? is it tied to a language? do people use foci? do they trace runes in the air? is it done simply by thought?

mostly, magic stems from taking energy within yourself---or within eldora's air---and then willing it to do something. however, magic is also tied to different runic systems (created by people to label the feelings that come with willing it). these runes help people shape their intent better---and also enable people to create enchantments.

some people find channeling their will through something makes their magic easier to control and shape. however, most people shape it through thought.

🧚🏼‍♀️where does magic stem from? does it come from within a person? is it a gift from gods? a pact between mortal & immortal? can it come from more than one source?

on eldora, magic typically stems from two different places. the first is in the air itself.

it enters the air through places called "wellsprings", though there are also wellsprings which suck magic back out of the air, channeling it back down to eldora's core where it can be "cleansed" and released back out again. it is said that the core, and thus the source of all magic, is cradled by the roots of the world tree, making the first nymph the source of all magic---though of course, no one can verify whether or not this is true. (there have been expeditions. no one has ever come back from these.)

thus, anyone is capable of using magic.

however, there are some who are born with their own internal supply of magic, giving them two sources from which to pull from.

and then there is alinora---the MC of the story. she has no internal magic, nor is she able to pull from the air. this makes her something of an anomaly. it turns out that she instead absorbs magic, which she can then turn into her own power. she is the only recorded example of this.

and later she becomes Death's Champion, and is capable of pulling from Death's power.

🧵is there a form of attire that’s typical associated with magician’s? if so, why? is there a practical reason for it, or is just ~aesthetic~?

because mages (people with internal magic supply) are so common (making up around 45% of the population) there's not really a particular uniform---unless they're part of a specific organization or guild!

[livvywrites]

redrawing eldora’s map bc i messed the original one up &

now have 4 new countries to name TuT

[livvywrites]

💰 magician ask!

answering for the metanoia series! :)

💰 are there any magic oriented jobs? if so, what are they? how in demand are they? what are they like?

there are! to name a few:

enchanters! while you don't have to have an internal supply of magic to work as an enchanter, it does involve making ordinary items magical! enchanters are in very high demand. you can find them almost everywhere, even in the most remote / backwater towns. people have enchanted pipes (to make water hot or cool on demand); enchanted sconces / chandeliers / other light fixtures; fire-warding enchantments on their fireplaces; enchanted locks on their doors, keyed to specific items or magical signatures; etc. etc. as such, most places can't function without one!

teachers! people need magic teachers. while everyone can use the magic in eldora's air, not everyone has an internal magic supply. those that do are more powerful & a little more volatile, and need to be taught to control / use this power!

healers! they're in very high demand, but unfortunately, healing is not a very common art. it requires a lot of patience, control, discipline, and power---and dedication. people often go into the study and end up quitting, though they do retain a small amount of healing knowledge. as such, healers are often overworked and tired---though there are alchemists, herbalists, & physicians/doctors who can help as well! just not as fast.

wardsmiths. these are enchanters with a very specific education: wards. they focus only on making sure places are secure. they're in high demand among the nobility, though cities also like to have one or two on hand---and so do construction companies.

greenwitches. they specialize in plants! and sometimes animals as well. they can make things grow faster, and so they're in particularly high demand during bad growing seasons.

battlemages. mages with battle training usually end up becoming knights, soldiers, guardsmen, etc. but some take on the title of battlemage specifically. these are usually with the circle of magi! they tend to be wanderers, but some will set up specifically with certain towns / households / etc.

fortunetellers / seers. a lot of people doubt whether mortals can really gaze upon the threads of fate's tapestry, but there are also many who believe, and so seers make a living telling people's futures. as the author / world's creator, i can tell you that some are legit, but it is a rare power, and not nearly as exact as some people would tell you.

shieldsmiths. not to be confused with blacksmiths, shieldsmiths are mages who specialty is creating shield spells. they're in high demand in cities & towns, especially those who are either at war or plagued by powerful monsters. a group of shieldsmiths is capable of creating a strong bubble around a town that will keep most things out. though, shield spells can be damaged with enough force---especially if the siege is repeated faster than the mage can repair the initial damage. also, damage done to shields can also be inflicted upon / rebound back to the mage, so it's a dangerous, difficult task.

because of how high in magic eldora's setting is, there are more, but i think i've kept you long enough!

thanks for asking :)

[livvywrites]

Happy Worldbuilding Wednesday! What is the newest thing you have added to your world? - @nana-writes (tag me in the answer and I'll rb)

hi!! it’s been a while since i’ve done wbw! :D tysm for the ask @nana-writes !

the newest thing…

so one thing about eldora / the world of tmq is that i actually started the idea/worldbuilding pretty far into the future and worked backwards! one of the things i’ve been backwards worldbuilding is the comm-crysts. (also spelled comcrysts, com-crysts, etc. i haven’t worked it out yet.)

basically, theyre crystals that work a little like “stoned of far-speech” in d&d, in that you can use them to communicate. however! they don’t just do speech, but instead make little… circles of light? in the air? that kinda show you the other person. like holoscreens in scifi but with more magic flair!

they also did some other cool stuff, like storing memories & music & such… and because i came up with them when i was like 13/14 they function like computers a bit too, so xD idk how much that gets to stay but!!

anyway. i’ve been doing a lot of thinking about how these crystals are made? and like where they originate & whether they can be made from any crystal or if it has to be specific kinds. i’ve decided to lean more towards the latter? and go with that, in the current time of tmq, they’ve been discovered; they’re being mined; but people don’t quite understand their potential yet.

i haven’t named them or anything, but!!! that’s the newest wb development :D

[livvywrites]

🧠 and ⛓ for the magic ask game for the metanoia series? it sounds so amazing

thank you so much <333 i’m so glad you like what you’ve seen of it!! i’m hoping to maybe get back into writing it soon, or posting about it more, or something. but—until then!

🧠 is it possible for magic to be used unconsciously, or can it only be used through active choice?

it can be used unconsciously! most often by children, as that’s one of the earliest things that teachers/tutors/parents start working with them on! babies are especially prone to it—though luckily their magic is weak enough (or at least unfocused enough) that it’s not hard to counter it or distract them.

as one gets older it takes more to cause unconscious magic—their control needs to be broken down, first.

⛓ what are the limitations of magic? is there anything magician’s CANT do? are there any laws forbidding the practicing of certain magic/spells?

mages can’t bring back the dead. they can raise their bodies; summon their spirits (temporarily), but they are physically incapable of bringing back the dead. (the NEAR dead, or still recently dead enough the reaper hasn’t come… that’s possible. the latter only with an impressive feat of magic, the former… also very taxing but less so.)

that’s the only hard limit i’ve come up with at the moment? other than monumental tasks like… adding a second sun, rearranging the stars, affecting planetary orbit, etc. major changes to landscape (removing or creating mountains) could THEORETICALLY be done if enough mages were to work together*, but.

as for forbidden magic! that varies from place to place.

mind control is generally on the forbidden list—how strict people are about it depends on place. some places restrict control only. others restrict non consensual mind-reading. others restrict ALL mind-reading. sometimes this includes telepathy. sometimes it doesn’t.

necromancy is forbidden for funsies, but, there is also a place for necromancy in eldoran society. (wanna solve a murder? just summon the victim!) there is some debate on whether or not it’s ethical to use bodies in battles / war. the verdict is usually “well, they didn’t opt for cremation so it’s probably fine.” (others use consent forms.)

um… there’s almost definitely more, but i’m drawing a blank!

& then there’s time travel. that one isn’t forbidden by countries / kingdoms / what have you. that’s one of those things forbidden by the gods—specifically Order. his Justiciars will hunt down people who attempt to dabble in time travel, & if they get too far, will fix any inconsistencies in the timeline.

[ the magician’s prep list — a magical ask game ]

* — idk if this will end up being canon or not, but, in my timeline, there ends up being a fairly severe war between the northern & southern countries. in the end, the south decides it would rather become its own separate continent & so a bunch of mages get together and… split it in half. there are almost definitely major consequences for this, more than i’ve thought of bc i’m not. a geologist or anything. so that probably gets tacked onto the “forbidden (for our own good)” magic list.

[livvywrites]

Happy WBW! Is there a thing you wish you could add to your current wip world-wise but can't or don't know how to add?

sO mANY

so like i said on my previous ask (will edit with a link bc mobile), i actually started this idea & its plot & its worldbuilding pretty far into the future. so when i scaled back the worldbuilding & had to dial things down a bit i lost… so much.

so here’s a non-comprehensive (bc memory) list of the things i miss:

comcrysts (several alternate spellings, i’ve yet to decide which looks most pleasing / sensible) which function as sort of… memory storing, communication, network linked devices. basically computers but also magic? bc the memory storing is literal memories.

smaller scale airships that function more akin to cars? i guess? anyway, they provide a less… loud? large? manner of travel. they’re still expensive as hell (& pretty hard to buy outright) so they’re not a household item like a car is. but where airships typically cover long distances & require very special/large docks to be built, the smaller ones provide travel over shorter distances & don’t require the same large berths. also? they’re a lot better for like… dropping a team into a mission or getting some recon/scouting going.

um, in the future, there’s actually an even that happens called the “continental split”, which breaks eldora into two continents (the “north” and “south”). which is fun, especially given the cause links back to the main plot (heroes vs literal goddess).

thats stuff i had to cut, but, a few things i would love to work in properly somehow (but have yet to find a way)

floating!! islands!! in the sky!!! i actually potentially have a way to do this in upcoming books but i’m not totally sure abt it yet

dragons 🥺 i’ve had a vague mention of their existence but i’ve yet to work them in properly

mer-stuff! i do have the potential for that right now but it will be a while before i actually get to do anything other than reference & foreshadow that >:(

[livvywrites]

What's a cool fact about Slaeyrs that you haven't had the opportunity to share yet/might not make it into the final manuscript?

So I think this is for Worldbuilding Wednesday, and I’m a few days late for that, but!! Thank you for the ask :D

So my memory is *wiggles hand* on the best of days, and I can’t quite remember what I’ve talked about as far as Slaeyr go versus what I haven’t, so uhhh. Have a list of my favorite aspects of the Slaeyr :D

The average lifespan of a Slaeyr is about 7,500 years, give or take a few centuries. This number may be changed, if I decide that it’s actually too long. Much like most species on Eldora, the more magic that a person has, the longer they’re likely to live.

Slaeyr have internal healing magic, which allows them to recover from wounds quicker! This healing magic is not something they can consciously control, at least not without a lot of practice/effort. When it activates, it makes them feel extremely itchy, and tires them out. They get really hungry/thirsty afterwards, too, though this can be mitigated by absorbing the magic naturally in Eldora’s air.

Though Slaeyr are more powerful than most of Eldora’s races, Slaeyr are limited to using magic from one of Eldora’s five elements. These elements are earth, water, spirit, air, and fire. I’m still working on how elemental magic works :D

In addition to that, though, Slaeyr are able to use another form of magic. They call it majera, and it’s magic that comes from music. To use the magic, they have to either sing or play an instrument. The magic can be weaponized, but is more often used for shielding and protection. The magic is called up by focusing on emotion & memory. Negative emotions will cause it to be uncontrollable and violent, while positive emotions cause the protective effect.

The last, and most powerful, aspect of a Slaeyr’s unique ability is their ability to  absorb other people’s mana. This ability is forbidden except in very rare cases, as doing so not only takes another person’s magic, but also their life--and it leaves nothing else. It makes the Slaeyr more powerful, and increases their lifespan as well. This is what makes Kai’os so dangerous in The Martyr Queen, and so difficult to kill---and the same for Kaltain in later stories.

Slaeyr tend to cluster in groups, even after their tribes disband in favor of creating a unified nation. These groups are called teams. Most Slaeyr will bond with a specific person as a partner, as well---a partner can be a sibling, close friend, or romantic partner. These groups are nearly inseparable.

Slaeyr often form telepathic bonds with one another. There are different ‘levels’ of bonds, as well, with some being deeper than others. Most bonds are temporary, though there are some that, once forged, cannot be broken.

One such bond is known as the soul bond. A soul bond is a link between two souls, which cannot be severed. These occur naturally in twins, but can be initiated between anyone. A soul bond creates a telepathic bond that can stretch across untold distances, only stifled when someone is in a dead spot for magic. (And even then, the empathetic bond remains!) There’s also an empathy bond, which I just mentioned, that allows them to feel what the other is feeling emotionally, and physically in times of great emotion. Due to the nature of soul bonds, it’s rare for a Slaeyr to initiate them.

And one final fact, which. I haven’t decided if I want to keep in canon or not!!

When Slaeyr die, they leave behind “dust” instead of a body. There are three kinds of dust-- silver, gold, and black.

Silver dust means that the Slaeyr is not dead. They sustained wounds too great for their body to heal and so they’re going to reform somewhere. (I don’t know where.)

Gold dust means they’re dead and have passed on into the afterlife / have assumed a ghost form, provided a Reaper has not come to reap them.

Black dust means they have been eradicated, without even a soul left to pass on. This is the ‘worst’ death, as it means there is no possibility of reincarnation or reuniting in the afterlife.

[livvywrites]

15 for the magical asks please?

thank you for asking! (& btw, you have a lovely username!)

15. How is magic use affected by the emotional state or physical or mental condition of the magic user?

Emotion can affect the power of a spell, but how exactly it affects it depends on the user. For instance, some people who are angry might find their spells more destructive—while others may find themselves more controlled.

Physically, someone whose ill may find their magic weaker. Someone having a breakdown may find their magic exploding out of control (or find it locked away from their use).

Basically, it really just depends how it affects a person, but it absolutely does!

[ wanna know about magic in the meta ‘verse? ]

[livvywrites]

Worldbuilding Wednesday! What are some of the things that people might do for fun in your world?

Fun question!

So, I’m going to answer this primarily for Slaeyr, because they were the first culture I started developing, and I still have the most stuff for them. (Oops!) Anyway. A few things they like to do for fun, in no particular order:

“medley” - a musical game where a group of slaeyr hums a tune and one person sings part of that song, and it goes ‘round a circle with different songs. usually children’s or bar songs are used. (this is actually inspired by the medleys Peter Hollens puts up on his yt channel!)

“shield surfing” - self explanatory. it’s very dangerous, but a lot of younger slaeyr think they’re invincible.

another musical game without a title, but it involves trading off line by line or even word by word. sometimes played as a group, sometimes just between partners.

“soliloquy” - a game where each person takes turns telling a story about an adventure they have. details are embellished or even outright fabricated. at the end, there’s usually a heated debate about who’s was the best, ranked by either a) how outlandish it was, b) how truthful it seemed, c) how many details were accurate, or d) how entertaining it was. this is an especial favorite after people have been drinking lmao

[livvywrites]

Happy Worldbuilding Wednesday! Let's talk divination! What are some ways people have tried to predict the future? Are any of them effective? What's people's general opinion on it? Are any groups violently opposed, and if so, why? Can anyone do it or does it take something special?

excellent question!!! i’m. actually a couple weeks late on this one, oops 😅

What are some ways people have tried to predict the future? Are any of them effective?

There are various methods of predicting the future, some more effective than others.There’s the standard stuff, like what people use in our world. Cards, tea leaves, palm lines, etc. These have varying degrees of accuracy, with some people being better at interpreting them than others. Some people are less good at interpreting the future and more in reading people.

However, there are also those who are able to see Threads--the invisible strings of Fate that are wound through people’s lives. These Threads are connected to big events, things that are set in stone, as well as all of the different decisions and possibilities. Some are more difficult to see than others, and which ones are strongest can shift based on a person’s mood or state of mind.

Those who can see the Threads are rare, though. Many people claim to have this ability even when they don’t, which has made people approach future-telling with high degrees of skepticism.

What’s people’s general opinion on it? Are any groups violently opposed to it? If so, why?

Most people are skeptical, considering people who claim to see the future as charlatans or attention-seekers. There aren’t any groups violently opposed to it, but there are those who heavily frown upon it.

Can anyone do it, or does it take someone special?

Anyone can interpret things, or make predictions, but those who can see the Threads are few and far between---and even they can’t always interpret what they’re seeing.

[livvywrites]

Magical asks! What careers require magic use? How so, and how are those in these careers treated by society?

thank you for asking, & excellent question!!

Most careers in Eldora require magic, though they don’t really… mean to? But when everyone has it, it’s so threaded into daily life that it’s hard to exist without it! For instance, most doors are keyed to open with magical signatures! Everyone’s is different, see—and a restaurant might use this to only let employees in the kitchen door.

However, there are some jobs that do require more of a foundation of magic, or more blatant magic.

For instance, any career in the Mages Circle usually requires magical knowledge, even just teaching. The Magus College has many positions that require magical knowledge, but also those that don’t (such as a melee class).

Jobs with the Enchanter’s League also require a lot of magical knowledge, mostly because to make an enchantment you need a working knowledge of magical theorem. (I don’t know much about that, though xD)

[livvywrites]

maGIC ASK GAME. 8, 13, 14?

THANK ❤️

8. Are there certain identifiers for magic users? Appearance or behaviour-linked?

Not really! People of Eldora all have magic—and so do most of the creatures and plants! The one exception is Alinora, & she doesn’t have any special identifiers either.

13. When magic is being used, is there any obvious indication? Does something about the magic user’s appearance change, or is there a sound or appearance or smell, etc. of the magic itself?

It depends on the spell and the person! For instance, a flashy person might always have their fingers / eyes / etc. glow when they cast a spell. Whether they consciously or unconsciously do so depends on their spell knowledge.

Magic does always leave a smell for others though—and the person casting it / having a spell cast on them will taste something. These are unique to a person & can change after specific events.

14. What symbols are linked to magic? How is magic often depicted in illustrations? Are there different words for magic/types of magic?

There are different schools of magic, each of whom have a different symbol to represent them. (This is. Not something I have designed, however.)

There is also a runic language! Most people don’t have to know it to cast spells, but more complicated spells do require you understand it at least in part.

[ want to hear about magic in the meta ‘verse? ]

[livvywrites]

Happy Worldbuilding Wednesday! It's time to talk about rules :P What are some of the things that constrain people in your world. Laws of magic, laws of society, laws of physics--whatever applies to your WIP. What are some of the rules that your folks have to work with? And what are some of the ways they can be broken?

ooh, excellent question! i am not nearly knowledgable enough in the area of physics to tell you what’s the same vs what isn’t, so let’s assume that unless magic is in play, everything is the same there.

magic only really has two concrete rules -- you cannot raise the dead (animate their bodies? establish a connection that allows you to communicate with the soul? yes. restore life to them? no.) and you cannot permanently alter a living object. (by which i mostly mean humans / animals! plants are fair game)

society adds a couple of rules, though -- no mind magic (though there are some exceptions) and no time travel. the first was made by the kingdoms & magical institutions of Eldora, but the second was made by the god of Order. anyone caught breaking the second rule will get a visit from Order’s Justiciars and that’s not something anyone wants.

other rules can vary from country to country, though “don’t murder” and “don’t steal” are generally common to all, though there are different caveats throughout each country.