Every existing race has its origin in the Divine Folk, and they in turn originate from the gods themselves; therefore, the energy of divinity flows in the veins of every race, though it grows more and more diluted with each passing generation. Ancient ancestors were far more proficient in magic than their contemporary descendants, who achieve only with difficulty and slowness the power and wisdom with which their forebears were born. However, all of the same blood possess a natural talent for the doctrines of their ancestors, and this is the only “natural magic” that persists even in entirely barbaric conditions, if only at the level of instinct.
GANDHARIANAH: Among the common folk, remnants of the original inherited magic persist, completely amalgamated with the cult of birds of prey and their gods, and other purely Gandharan cults. However, ages ago, Gandhara became a land entirely dominated by the Maghavans, and thus racial magic was gradually displaced by the Order of Maghavans, who fulfill the roles of chieftains and shamans in all communities.
DRUVIAS: One of the few nations that has preserved its racial magic in full force and further developed it. The racial magic of the Dryads is so exclusive that it can be practiced by no one other than a Dryad, for both energetic and physiological reasons. A great deal of Dryadic magic grows from the energies of Dryadic bodies and souls, which over the ages have intertwined in various ways with the trees, plants, and wild beasts of the forest, adopting their capabilities.
ARHAIKAS: The Archaics have changed little of the ways of their ancestors for a very long time. Their magic is very similar to the magic of the Azharians themselves, though it is quieter, weaker, and more human. The Archaics overcome the gradual weakening of the bond between the world of gods and men—which grows with each subsequent generation—through collective spells involving entire families, tribes, and the whole nation, the power of which is immense.
ARKINAR: The great ancient teacher of the Arkins was Suvarna, an ancestral spirit of the Azharian lineage. He instilled much of the Azhar wisdom into his children and, like the Archaics, taught his pupils to face the widening rift in the heavens through collective magic. From his dark brother, he was the only one to learn the Runes, and from his lips, the Arkins learned them; thus, runes circulate in their blood as life force.
ALPAS: Much like the Dryads, the Elves have their own magic that is strongly innate and non-transferable to another race. Furthermore, like the Archaics and the Azharians themselves, they command magic naturally to some extent even without deep education. However, Elven magic is quite different from what most Grey Elves study in Sairis, Uldar, Asvittara, or Garion. The Grey Elves throw themselves into these studies because they feel the energy of their “Elvenness” dying within them. Yet their forefathers in the deep forests of Alpatarnas speak the ancient tongue and walk in the doctrines of original Elvenhood, of which few outside the Forest know.
CHIRBATIM: The inhabitants of the ice of the far north are the only relatives of the Siranians on Qurand. Magic is strong in them, but due to the influence of their shamans—who descend from ancient Maghavans—little of it has been maintained outside of folk and healing traditions.
SIRANIKAS: During the Great Division, a great division of magical talents also occurred: the White Siranians are the only nation on Qurand incapable of using magical energies of a complex nature, whereas the Black Siranians are gifted beyond measure. Few suspect all that is actually contained within this division and how it is even possible.
NORTHMEN: The nation of Old Uldar and its surroundings has always relied, besides their swords, on innate strength and resilience in the world of magic. Their fabled toughness and ability to withstand the attack of almost any magical force may itself be considered a magical talent. If we add to this a natural gift for runes and charms (perhaps related to mixed Arkin blood), we have a picture of this nation’s nature.
HUMANS IN GENERAL: The peoples of the West and South, in their short lives and countless generations, have drifted furthest from their semi-divine ancestors; therefore, they have no magic that is entirely innate. Yet, no magic is completely forbidden to them, for all sorts of things circulate in their blood. Some say their magic consists of customs and rites, and that it is the magic of Charms. Others say many other things. What is certain is that the magic of the Elements is particularly popular among them, perhaps for its clarity and practicality, though few nations possess a true innate talent for it.
