Magic on Galwyndor - during the time of the Everwind Series - is outlawed and regarded by most of the population as a myth. According to lore, its use and study was widespread during the time of the Befores (people from antiquity) until it was universally outlawed for fear that magic would destroy the world. A massive campaign was undertaken to seek out all magic users with the aid of powerful eggs called Eari Stones, and all who practiced magic were put to death. An unintended side effect of this was that any races with more than a trace of Soul Stray were also killed. This included the Inar and the Meninar.
A scattered number of groups and individuals have attempted to learn, revive, and restore magic throughout the ages up to the current time with no success due to the existence of the Eari Stones. The Arkaeni are dedicated to revival of magic. It was believed that magic was impossible, but recent developments have proven that it can be done with limited but devastating effects. The drug adoxipham is believed to be infused with magic.
Grellist Mythos
The Strays
There are four types of magical energy, called the Essences of Grellis, or Strays. These four essences were released, or strayed, when Grellis created the world, and they are said to permeate all of his creations, as well as the creations of the celestial gods. These essences are Soul Stray, which is the highest and purest form, with the three minor or lesser essences being Bone Stray, Breath Stray, and Blood Stray, which were all released during the creation event.
Soul Stray
Known to scholars as omnifex, Soul Stray is the purest and more powerful essence of Grellis, as it contains a portion of the soul of Grellis. This was solely used to create the Eldinar race of beings, who predate the gods. The other creations, such as the earth, air, and water, contain only a portion of Soul Stray with the rest coming from lesser essences. Even the gods do not possess only Soul Stray, but half omnifex and half another essence.
Bone Stray
Drenifex, or Bone Stray, is a lesser essence of Grellis, which was infused in the earth when a piece of Grellis broke off during creation. This was used to create the god Drend, and thus all the creatures Drend created. It permeated throughout the earth, the land creatures, and all the plantlife.
Breath Stray
Orifex, or Breath Stray, is a lesser essence of Grellis, which was infused in the air when Grellis cried out in pain after the earth broke off during creation. This was used to create the god Orend, and thus all the creatures Orend created. It permeated throughout the air and all the creatures of the sky.
Blood Stray
Helifex, or the Blood Stray, is a lesser essence of Grellis, which was infused with the water when Grellis bled after the earth broke off during creation. This was used to create the god Helirend, and thus all the creatures Helirend created. It permeated throughout the water and all of the creatures there.
The Embers
In addition to the Strays, Grellis imbued some of its creations with Embers, which are required for creation. Embers are akin to a spark of life, another type of essence of Grellis, that when combined with another essence, can bring new things into existence. There are two types of embers: inward and outward. It should be noted that the Eldinar were imbued with neither of these embers.
Inward Ember
The first of the embers is the inward ember, which Grellis imbued into the etherwood tree, the espitris, and the flidfish. These embers enable a creature to self-replicate, but do not allow for creation of other species. Grellis provided the gods with a piece of its heart called the Emberdel, which was only to be used on their creations to imbue them with inward ember so that they could self-replicate. The only celestial being to use the Emberdel against protocol was the angel M'ranin, who used it to beget her seven children, the Fouled Seven. As a result, her and her offspring were all banished to the Shadow Lay for eternity.
Outward Ember
The second of the embers is the outward ember, which Grellis imbued into the gods. These embers allow for creation of other species and things, but not self-replication. If they wish to give their creations the ability to procreate, they must imbue them with Inward Ember using the Emberdel.