Enchanting

Enchanting is the art of imbuing objects with magical properties. It is among the oldest forms of magic, and one of the most closely studied.

Enchanting works by manipulating spiritual energies, often passively, through materials that are  susceptible to manipulation in this way. The active participation of a mage may or may not be required in order to activate the effect of the enchantment. The spiritual energy is typically siphoned through the object to achieve numerous, varied effects that may have specific or nonspecific conditions for activation (ex. being in close proximity to a specific mage).

Enchanters keep grimoires which are distinct from those kept by mages of other classes in that they feature diagrams, weights of materials and the rites used in order to make a given enchantment function properly.

Laws of Enchantment

 * 1) Some metals, gemstones and other naturally occurring materials are naturally inclined to be conduits for magical energies. Each of these materials has a broad but specific capability. The relationship between a material and elemental, magical energies will dictate how it behaves. Some materials have narrower effects than others, but each overarching, material effect is predicated of a range of more specific effects.
 * 2) In addition to the type of material, its wieght is directly linked to the resultant effect and the strength of that effect. By scaling weights of materials up or down in a given project, an enchanter can produce narrower or more specific effects in the end product. In addition, the density of some materials may dictate how strong the material effect's influence is in the end product.
 * 3) Though the shape of the object has no particular impact on its effect, some intended effects lend better to specific shapes. (ex. An object designed to produce flame would be better served by the shape of a torch than a helmet.)

Sacred Metals
Sacred metals are highly sought after for their versatility. They are necessary components in many kinds of enchantments.
 * Iron: Iron enhances the physical abilitiies of a mage (ex. strength or agility) to their peak. The use of iron in enchanting is taboo throughout most of Etherel, as contact with enchanted iron poisons a mage's blood, and shortens the lifespan.
 * Cobalt: Cobalt enhances the effect radiuses of enchantments. It also facilitates tethering of effects between multiple objects.
 * Cadmium: Cadmium is used predominantly in binding rites. It binds and/or absorbs energy, and may be used in area of effect Silencing. Cadmium can also be used to bind the spirits of recently deceased mortals and dark spiriits. In the binding of mortal spirits, its use is strictly taboo.
 * Silver: Silver amplifies magivcal power. It serves as an effective go between for rites by facilitating more effective blending of energies.
 * Gold: Gold facilitates the creation of barriers. It also opposes the binding effects of cadmium without breaking the bonds formed by enchanting cadmium, facillitating the temporary release of energies in more complex enchantments where cadmium is also involved.

Unbound Metals
Unbound metals are characterized by their versatility and their inability to sustain any effect without being in the presence of other materials.
 * Platinum: Platinum facilitates the setting of specific activation and deactivation conditions in enchanted objects. It is commonly used for tethering the effects of enchantments to time or the presence of specific energies.
 * Tin: Tin is used for refraction. It is a medium for drawing in hard energies like magnetism, heat and gravitational energy.

Bound Metals
Bound metals have very narrow uses, and are elemental in nature. Each has a dual polarity, or the ability to bind two forms of energy.
 * Copper: Copper is used for binding fire and starlight energies.
 * Lead: Lead is used for binding water and darkness energies.
 * Zinc: Zinc is used for binding air and sunlight energies.
 * Tungsten: Tungsten is used for binding earth and tectonic energies.
 * Aluminum: Aluminum is used for binding sa and moonlight energies.

Linguistic Gemstones
Linguistic gemstones are so called because they work in concert with each other to open communication channels over large distances. These may take the form of distress signals, written communications or a go between for oral conversations, etc.
 * Topaz: for receiving communications.
 * Peridot: for sending communications.

Elemental Gemstones
Elemental gemstones are used for storing and ejecting materials of a kind that belong certain elements. Each is representative of a class of elemental materials, and encompasses all materials inherent within that class, but must be modified in some way to identify which specific elemental material it is to contain. (ex. A particular gemstone that stores water may be modified through the use of other materials for the purpose of storing steam or ice.)
 * Aquamarine: for storing and ejecting water.
 * Onyx: for storing and ejecting light.
 * Quartz: for storing and ejecting darkness.
 * Calcite: for storing and ejecting fire.
 * Ruby: for storing and ejecting earth.
 * Emerald: for storing and ejecting air.

Predator Gemstones
Predator gems are so called because they take on various effects the original enchanters associated with the behavior of predatory animals.
 * Diamond: for casting illusions.
 * Fire Opal: For lulling targets to sleep.
 * Lapis Lazuli: For slowing.

Prey Gemstones
Prey gems are so called because they are are antithetical to predator gemstones.
 * Turquoise: for dispelling illusions.
 * Pearl: for waking sleeping targets, or preventing them from sleeping.
 * Agate: for quickening.

Unclassified Gemstones
Outside of the traditional classifications is one gemstone which has a curious nature. As a more recent discovery than the others, it's effects are not well understood. Few enchanters make use of it; however, in Ozos, it's use is very common in the works of a specific class of enchantments.
 * Jade: for storing and ejecting sentient souls.

Internal

 * Wood: for repressing spirit energy and immobilizing the dead.
 * Bone: conduit for cursing and curse breaking.

External
Feathers
 * Gourd: for displacing and storing active rites.
 * Fur or hair: for controlling living creatures.
 * Reptile scales: For manipulating living matter.
 * Fish scales: For storing and ejecting healing energies.

Feathers are used for inducing or soothing emotional states. Each variety of feather is tied to a specific emotion.
 * Raven or Crow: fear
 * Eagle: anger
 * Peacock: confidence
 * Kingfisher: melancholy
 * Crane or Heron: passion
 * Hummingbird: joy
 * Grouse: intuition
 * Falcon: morality
 * Chicken: suspicion
 * Cardinal: vulnerability
 * Sparrow: love
 * Vulture: self-possession