Magic in Imperium

Overview
Magic is an ubiquitous form of energy, not visible to the human eye, that is considered to be related to the energy that was required for the cosmogony. The knowledge of magic goes back to the first wielder of this power, the first emperor and founder of the empire, Magius Aeternus. Fabius Musca, the classical writer, describes that when Magius was sent to earth by his grandmother Gaia, she gifted him the abiility to access a type of energy that was previously unknown to mankind. Fabius writes "as Prometheus gave mankind fire, it was Gaia who gave mankind, through Magius, access to that part of the divine energy, emanating from the aether, which is able to permeate the material world as perceived by the human senses". Divine energy is considered to be the remnant of the energy as used by the great architect to create the universe and is what the home of the gods, the aether, consists of.

Few humans are born with an ability to tap into the divine energy and can be taught how to harness and use magic. The study of becoming a Theurgus (wizard) is difficult and not many manage to become proficient users. Wizards of higher proficiency, named Magi (sing:Magus), are extremely rare. Youngsters where the ability to use divine energy is detected are brought to Magium to study in the Grand Academy (Academia Magna) in the center of the city. The study of magic is subdivided is various categories wherein specialization is possible.

The usage of magic is bound by certain rules as set by Magius himself, these rules are controlled by the Normatorium in Magium.

Categories of Divinatio (Magic)

 * Ars Elementalis (Elemental magic)
 * Aeromantia (Air)
 * Volatus (Flight)
 * Geomantia (Earth)
 * Permotus (Movement of earth elements)
 * Hydromantia (Water)
 * Permotus (Movement of water elements)
 * Permutatio Elementalis (Cause effect of an element on an object)
 * Pyromantia (Fire)
 * Ars Proscripta (Rogue magic, that what is forbidden by the normatorium)
 * Ars Remedialis (Healing magic)
 * Longaevomantia (Study of incrementing human lifespan by magic)
 * Sanatio (Restoration to health)


 * Augurium - Prophecy and interpretation based on omens, or events
 * Auspicium (Based on birds)
 * Fulgatoria (Based on lightning)
 * Haruspicium (Based on entrails of animals)
 * Hermeneuma (Based on supernatural events)
 * Canalisatio (Mind magic and channeling)
 * Ductus (The art of guiding and using binded magic)
 * Nexus (Binding together various magic users)
 * Telepathia (Direct contact between magicians over distances)


 * Cognitio et Spectatio (Seeing magic, past and present)
 * Spectatio (Vision magic)
 * Circumspectatio (viewing all around)
 * Magiospectio (viewing magic usage)
 * Perspectatio (viewing through walls/natural objects)
 * Spectatio (View far in the distance)
 * Retrocognitio (Seeing into the past)
 * Corpospicium (Seeing the past of objects)
 * Necrospicium (Seeing the past of dead bodies)
 * Coniectatio (Dream magic)
 * Divinatio Somnorium (Prophecy based on dreams)
 * Internuntia (Sending or receiving of messages through dreams)
 * Incantatio (Enchantment or imbuement of objects with magical qualities)
 * Purgamen / Delustratio (Purge or disenchant magic)
 * Theurgia (Divine magic, magic used to be in contact with dieties)
 * Hariolatio (Prophecy in temples)
 * Hierophania (Summon a deity during a religious service)
 * Oraculum (Petition a deity for advice)

As Magius and all his direct ancestors were powerful wielders of magic, it is usually believed that the ability to perform magic is related to being part of the bloodline of Magius himself. Through the ages the importance of magic has gradually dwindled, some think this is due to the rise of technology, others believe the cause to be in the dilution of the bloodline itself.