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Metaphysics

Remember that all elves have magery. They are a magic-sensitive race. Magic is like the wind to them. Everywhere, all the time. Well, not precisely like the wind. It is more like the felling of the wind on your skin. It is the tangible evidence of something much deeper.

The world and all things we see in it are the corporeal representations of an underlying structure. A natural harmonic, if you will. Change the underlying harmony, the chord that makes up your peice of the universe, and you change the universe in accordance with that. This is all that magic is, the manipulation of universal harmonics.

Now, no group in which 100% of its members are magic aware are going to be easily convinced that they are all that seperated from the magic source itself. The caster herself is just as much a part of the spell as all the other conponents. This is important! You see in both Elven magics -- and all things derived therefrom -- the emotional content of the spell is as important as anything else the mage is doing about casting that spell. Truly, in these forms of casting, the specific intent of the ritual is to get the caster in the proper frame of mind (i.e. emotional state) to make the magic happen.

Bonuses and Restrictions from understanding of Magic

• The good thing about this approach to magic is that no college of magic is barred to them. They can learn any school equally well. No inate bonuses, no inate minuses.
• Strong emotions will tend to interfere with casting. Optionally, the player may attempt to invoke (or the GM may assess) a modifier in the (-4,+4) range based on the emotional state of the character. Things like healing while extremely angry, or using a combat spell against someone you are strongly motivated not to harm, are examples of things that are likely to fail. The easy way to do this is that the caster gets +1 or -1 for every 5 points in applicable advantages/disadvantages. A Pacifist (30 points) would be at -6 to cast a spell that hurt someone. A character with Bloodlust or Sadism would be at similar minuses to heal.
• It is simply impossible to cast any spell while under the influence of mind altering spells. Casting while under the influence of chemicals is tricky and can be very dangerous. (Again, the caster is part of the spell.)
• From this point of view, element spells, animal spells, plant spells are all common. It's just easy to find people who know these because they are the things in your corner of the universe that affect you daily.
• Despite the previous example to this effect, Elves do not get to ignore the prereq chain. The biggest reason for this is game balance. But, that aside, an equally valid reason is "how can you espect to play 1812 if you can't even play Chopsticks?"

Moral bonuses/restrictions

Bonuses/restrictions by tradition

• Elves place an extremely high premium on life. Especially Elven lives. Killing an elf will get them angry, quickly. But, taking the view that life is sacred and should be extended whenever appropriate means that the most common spells around are Healing, Protection, and Body -- the things you need to avoid injury and to repair it once it happens.
• Elves do not practice Mind magics (Comm/Emp or Mind) of any sort. It's not polite to go messing around in someone else's head. (Elves place a very high premium on being polite.)

Outward signs

• Elves take their time. While an elf is allowed to cast a spell in quick time, it is rare. Except in combat situations, it is considered bad form to hurry. Ceremonial magic is the order of the day. Ceremonies are very elaborate. You can never be too careful when you are alterring the fabric of the universe.
• The early, easy spells are cast in Modern Elf. These are the ones that have been practiced and taught repeated over the recent years. The older ones, the more powerful ones, the ones not in Healing, or Protection colleges are usually in Old Elf. (Not surprising, the shift of language lends itself well to "getting in the right frame of mind.")
• In general, just look for an elf on this one. They are all magic adept. There just is no sense is marking who is and who isn't.

Program/Spell Lists

• The elven program of learning magic takes a long time. First, you have to be mature enough to handle the forces you will learn. Mature enough, that is, in the eyes of your prospective teacher. Then there is the time it takes to teach this stuff -- they take their time and make sure you get it right.
• It is not allowed to actually learn spells in this manner until you have at least 4 points in ThM-Elven. Nobody will teach you a spell, until you understand the basics.
• The first spells they teach are always Healing and Protection. This way, you can be better protected in case the more advanced spells go awry.

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