Seven Schools of Magic

Globally there are primarily seven different schools of magic, though it is commonly believed that the Gift School is the most effective method for tapping into magic.

Gift School of Magic (13 States)
Found and primarily practiced in the Thirteen States, magic is refined by the Gifts, which provide three separate paths forward for witches.

Mage School of Magic (Europa)
One of the most common school of magic in developing countries, involves identifying witches based on knacks and then attempt to match them with master mages for years of apprenticeship. Likened to indentured servitude, not a very efficient way to identify and grow magical talent.

Oudon - The West African School of Magic
Oudon? Similar to witches in Native tribes, but communication with spirits and access to magic based more on objects and fetishes. Bone and blood are powerful components used by witches to enhance their ability to manipulate magic.

Spirit School of Magic (Native Americans)
Various tribes rely on appeasing spirits, who manipulate magic. In their communities, witches primarily serve as go-betweens that help convey the tribe's desires to the spirits. Often this involves trances, drugs, and chants.

When a young witch shows a knack for magic, she becomes an apprentice under the community's most powerful witch. Young witches who develop talents for calling on spirits and manipulating magic train under the current leader their entire lives, placed in a line of succession by power. It is not uncommon for many young witches to struggle to connect with spirits and magic; they generally return to their families and live with a knack, pressured to only use it for the community's benefit (if caught self-teaching, punishments vary depending on community but often result in ostracizing the witch).

Europan settlers, who had middling success communicating with spiritual familiars, adapted Native techniques for appeasing spirits, which yielded modern familiar partnerships.

Minor Schools
Other magical schools that exist in the Global Magic Community.


 * East Asia
 * South America including Meczica
 * West Asia China/Russia
 * Meanwhile islands are influenced by multiple schools plus Mer culture.

Underlying Magical Theory
Some view it as a religious force, like The Goddess, but it's more commonly accepted as a neutral force that surrounds and connects living things. Witches have attempted to describe it as connective tissue, interwoven strings, particles, etc.

Only witches can alter and manipulate magic. Beliefs on why this is vary. In the Thirteen States, a commonly held belief is the Tool Theory of Magic that posits that tools--be they human (witches) or items like wands--can aid and enhance one's connection to magic. In Europa, where all fae are born with witch-like abilities, witches have historically been viewed as abominations or anomalies, though that view has shifted in the Modern Era of Magic.