All magic stems from the circle. A circle forms a gate, through which magic is channeled and the caster at the center of that circle has control. There are many ways to manipulate that circle leading to different magical arts but the three available from the outset are Sorcery, Necromancy and Witchcraft. Sorcery is based on the manipulation of latent magical energy and is by far the simpler form. Witchcraft is far more complex and invovles envoking power through the use of runes and ancient signs. Though there are major differences in the how of magic both rely on the circle to channel magical energy at their very core.

Witchcraft is far more complicated than sorcery and no one totally masters it. But for those who devote enough time to understanding it witchcraft can be the key to the greatest powers.

Witchcraft is not based on natural abillity but rather on knowledge. One must assemble a spell from components consisting of Runes and Sigils to complete a magical circle, and place sheer force of will behind it to enact it upon the fabric of the universe.

When casting a spell at least three components are needed to complete the magic circle. The Sigil of the being you envoke is the first component. This is the source of power, the muscle of the spell. Next comes the runes. There are two runes to a spell. The first rune (the second spell component) is your effect rune. This will tell the spell what it's doing, and is the primary determining factor in what spell you create. Finally there's the target rune which tells the spell what you're doing the spell to. It could be simplified as saying "Hey you, do this to that."

The combination of effect and target runes are going to change the spell while the sigil will change the alignment. See the rune guide for a list of availabe runes and sigils. By mixing these you can create new spells.

Of course in order to use witchcraft you need to first find the runes and sigils you need. They vary in rarity and will appear to those who search carefully in quests. Only witches and warlocks can find Sigils and runes. To anyone else they will look and feel like ordinary stones. Once a rune has been found it dissapears from its stone and is imbedded in the memory of the finder. In the event more than one craft user finds a rune, it is capable of imbeding in multiple casters before it fades.

The actual act of casting a spell is done in one of two ways. The first and most common is verbally. A series of hand signs and chants is needed. First one draws an imaginary circle around ones self by pointing their finger. This establishes the circle of magic and forms the base of the spell. During the casting of the spell the caster can not leave this circle. Then with a hand sign representing the sigil is made as the caster recites the name of the spirit they are envoking. Next the effect rune is signed by hand and also recited, and then the target rune is signed and recited. Finally to finish the spell the caster points to the intended target for specifics and the spell will cary its self out. Once the target has been pointed to the spell is considered complete. The caster is free to move again even if the effect of the spell is still being carried out. Since the circle has been completed the caster themself isn't needed, thus the spell will finish its self on its own. If the caster leaves the circle before the spell process has been finished it will fizzle out.

However there is an optional step. If the caster remains within the circle after the casting is completed, they can manipulate the spell through force of will. This is handy for using a spell to track a moving target, or add a little extra oomph to it by forcing extra magical energy through the circle.

The second way a spell may be cast is written. A circle is drawn and within it the apropriate runes must be drawn. This makes it conveniant to cast spells if they are prepared in advance. To enact the spell the caster merely needs make the written spell visible and place force of will behind it to bring the spell into reality.

Be it written, spoken, or signed by hand, so long as the circle of magic is complete the spell can be brought to fruition. The circle is all important in witchcraft. In addition the power of a spell can be altered by changing the size of the circle. There is a line of sight limit to the size of a spell circle. The edges of a spell circle must all be within a line of sight of the caster in order to hold this together.

There also exists a form of five point spell casting known as "Double Casting" which makes use of one sigil, two effect runes, and two target runes in different combinations, and can be used to either cast two spells at once, or to combine two different spells to create a new spell. The following is a rough guide for five point casting:

The sigil always remains the same.
If both effect runes, and both target runes are the same, then the same spell will be cast twice.
If one effect rune is different from the other, and both target runes are the same, a spell with the effects of both runes will be cast on one target.
If both effect runes are the same, and the target runes are different, the spell will drastically change, and can be used to cast spells normally intended for different targets.
If both the effect runes and target runes are different, two drasticly different spells are blended together into a drastically new spell. In this case concentration, and spell customization are key to making the spell work.

Necromancy is a magic type drawing directly from the power of a black deity. In necromancy dead flesh can be reanimated forming servants and eventually armies of the dead.

In order to cast a spell under necromancy a long chant is used by careful repetitions of specific phrases forming a verbal circle calling upon the power of one of the black deities. Like witchcraft however a written circle can be substituted for faster casting, thought he circle must completely surround the dead to be risen.

There are three forms of necromancy, envoking one of the Black Deities. Ik'Tutlhu Necromancy envokes the extra planar, black god. It is widespread in secret cults around the world. It utilizes the deltagram a circle encasing an inverted triangle, forming a three point circle.

Satanic necromancy stems from before Satanic cults began to form and goes much farther back in human history when people would make bargains with demons in exchange for power. As time went by these bargains lead into true Satanic cults and passing down of the rituals of necromancy. This method is employed by Necromancers who serve under Count Dracula. Obviously the inverted five pointed pentagram is utilized as a circle in Satanic Necromancy.

Nu'u was first envoked in necromancy by the Egyptians. Not many practice this form of Necromancy in these times, and those who do are self taught from ages old texts. Nu'u spell circles have no points, but contain the symbol of an eye in the center.

The Black Deities however are bitter rivals and their methods exclusive. Necromancers must choose one style to practice. In actual aplication however the results are the same from any Black Deity, for the most part, but they do offer different specialties to advanced necromancers.

There are also additonal forms of magic which, while not normally playable, may factor into the storyline.

Arcane Magic: A long forgetten form of magic, its users long since extinct but even today spells woven eons ago still hold strong. One of the few forms of magic where a spell may continue long after its caster has died. While no class or species exists that allows players to access Arcane magic, one may encounter creatures or items created or posessed with old Arcane spells. The Egyptians and Babylonians were the first humans to make use of Arcane magic, however this magic predates the human race by many millions of years, originally envoked by the old ones.

Shamanic Magic: A form of magic directly beseeching gods and spirits, through extensive prayer and ritual. Shamanic magic is practiced in deeply hidden parts of the world. In certain circles Shamanic magic has evolved into Voodoo. Although Shamanic magic is too secretive and obscure for ordinary people to learn, items posessing shamanic magic are found quite frequently, especially voodoo, which has become more prevelent in recent years.

Eastern magic: A mystery to even experianced western magic users. How it is obtained and how it is cast is completely unknown, and those whom have mastered it are extremely secretive. It's rare but not impossible to find items posessed by eastern magic or even meet users of Eastern magic. Whatever you do, don't hit an eastern spell with a witchcraft spell. They don't play nicely together.

Dark Magic: The most evil of all forms of magic. Dark Magic can only be obtained through a direct pact with Satan. The most prominent practicioner of Dark Magic is Dracula himself. It is known that stars of multiple points, most frequently the inverted pentagram is employed within the circle of dark magic to summon forth the power of Hell. The depths of its deranged power are still not entirely known. While no player ever starts with dark magic it's not impossible to aquire. Only by reaching high vampire rank could one aquire dark magic. Somewhere in the world are those, known as "Dark Lord Candidates" whom were born, with some of Dracula's dark power fused to their souls, and posess a powerful, hidden dark power, that could be awakened if certain conditions were met.