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What is the Divine fire?
The divine fire is the “seat of divinity” which exists as a separate plane of existence, where every concept that exists in the world resides. It is the place we would call the afterlife, although it will appear and function differently for different people.
What is a soul?
A “soul” is a human divinity. It is the concept of that person set in the divine fire. Because the concept of each person is so limited, they are unable to live forever, like gods, who embody larger concepts. The more widespread that concept, the longer that divinity will survive.
What are the gods?
The gods are manifestations of divinities. They each represent a concept, and usually those are larger concepts. The important thing to know about them is that each god can have a different representation based on culture, and in Era 3, each one has a different form for each world. This leads to vastly different expressions of their divinity. A god is immortal, and if killed, can focus their power to regenerate that form.
How does magic work?
The specifics of magic work differently based on era, sustainer, and cycle, but the basics of magic are the same throughout, and two things stay constant. Magic is an outward manifestation of Grayscale, Onyx and Ivory. This can change a lot, and there are many methods. Whether it be through blood, the energy between worlds, or speaking to the magic itself, there is always some kind of give and take to magic. One who uses the energy between worlds will be able to cut between worlds, but this can reopen old wounds or reduce one's grayscale as payment. One who speaks to magic may be able to make requests of it through song and music, however if they ask too much of the magic, it may take their voice or their will. Anything is possible with magic, although only theoretically. Using the Onyx and Ivory is different though, as using them as a source is using the will and soul of something for your power. This means it will be much harder to do anything you want, as the soul of that thing gets a say in how you can use its magic. It’s why you don’t see many people pull on their own or others lifespan, as their wants and will can heavily impact what you can do with the magic, as well as shortening their lifespans.
What is Grayscale, Onyx, and Ivory?
Grayscale is power, and soul, and the source of all things spiritual and metaphysical, to put it simply. Grayscale can function most commonly to mark who is important to their current time period. Grayscale grants power to all people and concentrates in different amounts on different people. It has a will, and will choose people to give power, but will also do so unknowingly. Grayscale was given to The Rose, in infinite amounts in the hope of a companion. The Rose did the same for Lima, and the flowers took it to ascend. Grayscale also makes up the soul, and so a way to track importance and power among certain magicians is to check the strength of their soul. Onyx is the soul of the earth, and Ivory is the soul of the sun.