Magic in Kracked Moon

Forms of Magic

A base element of the setting of Kracked Moon is that magic users are presumed to exist, but are also not publicly recognized. Some are witches by blood, and others are either magically inclined or have resources that can help them. This page should inform you on the basics of these rules of magic, though you may not find they are very firm.

The first and more important detail is that magic can roughly divided into two categories: Internal Magic and External Magic.

Internal Magic

aka High Magic; Fantasy Magic (derogatory)

This type of magic refers to magic that involves the user's body. Primarily witches or others with magically inclined ancestry use this form of magic, though a deal with a powerful entity such as a demon can grant others these same capabilities. Even when external methodologies are used to bring out the magic, such as reciting spells, the distinction is that the magic is being drawn from the user directly.

Due to a perceived exclusivity, most teachings about this form of magic are closely guarded by secret societies, such as schools dedicated to teaching the craft. This has caused a sort of elitism, which is why witches often look down on others who can only use external magic. Privatizing magic also protects witches and others from those who may be pursuing them over superstitions.

While the body is the only essential tool for use of internal magic, the scope of power is potentially volatile. Traditional forms of magic are slow moving, like a rumble, but advanced techniques often come with a risk of backfiring less like a wave and more like an explosion. Because of this, anyone using internal magic is recommended to use a channeling tool, such as a wand or staff. As they say, "A wand can be replaced: your hand might not."

External Magic

aka Low Magic; Earth Magic

This type of magic covers manipulation of forces that do not travel through the user's body. Many religions practice external magic, though these are often slow manipulations that are more comparable to a nudge. This can take the form of small everyday rituals or elaborate events with parties and feasts. The key idea is that magic is being drawn from one place to another in order to influence the world, but said magic does not travel through the user's body in any way that is able to intentionally move the energy.

Otherwise unremarkable persons can use external magic, but witches have spent generations protecting ingredients and methods that fit more legendary descriptions, especially for inscriptions and potions. This means that a lot of potions exist with seemingly dull or vague effects, even when including supposedly supernatural ingredients. By most, external magic might as well be a non-magical religious ritual, but it may still find itself working, though often in subtle ways.

When used by witches, external magic is typically meant to increase the odds of a successful craft. It may even come off as decorative, with choices being made for aesthetics, and meaning assigned secondarily. Potions are a popular choice among witches even today, though reliance on them is often mocked due to non-witches with the right resources can be just as good with potions as any witch, though an elite witch would never admit as much. Some even dismiss the actual effects of external magic as psychological more than anything influencing physiological change.

Notable Magic Users

To offer examples of witches, and how they might use magic, here are a few witches who may exist in the world of Kracked Moon, though may not make appearances. Note that some may have titles, but these are less like exclusive titles and more summations of their capabilities or school of craft.

Cats, the Mad Witch

A legend among witch societies, Cats was once a young prodigy at a well-regarded school. When she was cursed in a duel with another witch, she was disfigured and ran into the woods. Reportedly, the magic that disfigured her had made her immortal, and she was then raised by wolves. Generations down the line, the wolves ripped off the mad witch's arms, and she somehow returned to society shortly after, with two fully regrown arms.

Cats is best known for her opposition to major religions and systems. Cats refused to return to high witch society, and instead used a form of earth magic she learned from wolves. Her damaged psychological state made her an unreliable witch to work with, though her assistant, the alien Craig, has managed to bridge gaps and result in successful deals with those who would commission Cats's work. The two once systemically destroyed every nativity within a 100 mile radius.

Phila, the High Witch

A renowned witch who dueled Cats many years ago. She expressly sees Cats as a stain on her otherwise perfect academic history. A battle between the two as adults resulted in Phila being split into multiple tiny versions of herself, who were then captured by Craig. One escaped and operates as Phila in name and identity, and continues to pursue Cats's undoing.

Phila once unsuccessfully tried to form a lawsuit against Cats for the actions of Craig. After proving Craig was not from Earth, the case was dismissed as high witch society has a pre-existing standard that they do not interfere with alien activity, and there was no indication that Craig's actions were due to instruction from Cats.

Chizoba, the Chaotic Witch

Self-proclaimed rival to Cats, Chizoba is a witch who desires chaos, and tries to create chaos wherever she can. Nomadic by nature, Chizoba once lived in Seattle and would find opportunities to cause chaos in mundane places, such as business offices and government property. With her herd of literal sheep, and right-hand sheep Salami, Chizoba would do her best to antagonize society.

The source of Chizoba's magic is unclear, and no records exist of her in official records of high witch society. It is believed that Chizoba likely gets her power from a powerful entity, but no such relationship has been confirmed by Chizoba or Salami.

Winona, the Mad Witch's Apprentice

Apprentice to Cats, Winona holds an associate’s degree in witch studies and hoped to learn how to use high magic from Cats. Upon finding out Cats only uses earth magic, Winona persevered and continued to study while staying in a spare room in Cats's mansion. She likely learned less about magic and more about Cats's mess of a life.

Koko, the Silly Witch

Mother of Cryztal, Koko is a witch who has left her home for private pursuits. She is a former member of a local and estranged community of witches in Georgia, and spent many years specializing in magical creatures, potions, and charms for local clients. After raising Cryztal for 18 years, she has since left to an undisclosed location. It is not public knowledge that she made Cryztal, and is fact that she did not have any sexual or romantic relations with Craig to make Cryztal.

Her title comes less from the type of magic she does, and more from her personality. She has a history of keeping moods light, and clowning around while having serious conversations.

Nai-bu, the Silly Witch's Apprentice (formerly)

As a child, Nai-bu was being taught how to make potions, as she has no natural magical inclination. These lessons ended when Nai-bu was sent away to a boarding school. She has forgotten all of her lessons, but maybe she could relearn if she were to use Koko's study? But Cryztal couldn't possibly let her do that, could she?

Magically Affected Entities

The AZ-NM Lizards

Created by the Mad Witch Cats, the original batch were frat boys from a local college in central Arizona who were turned into lizards, and continued living their lives. As they developed a culture, they would worship Cats like a goddess and continue to reproduce and spread, being raised in the former frat house, now Cats's manor, and eventually going to school and either moving out or living at the home while pursuing local careers. They could be seen in the general public in many parts of Arizona and New Mexico as normalized citizens.

Chizoba's Flock

Their origin and numbers are completely unknown. Aside from the head sheep, Salami, the herd of sheep often listen to Chizoba's demands and reflect her chaotic magical capabilities. They have been seen defying gravity, changing form, and eating entire parks of their grass. Due to Chizoba's own unpredictability, the sheep are to be engaged with suspicion, never trust.

Craig the Alien

Supposedly the only known lifeform to originate from somewhere other than Earth, and the Milky Way Galaxy for that matter, Craig has properties that go beyond earthly perception. As is relevant to the subject of magic, Craig is a zero-point that will neutralize any magic that flows through his body. External magic can be used by Craig with limited success, and Craig can use enchanted objects without neutralizing their magical potency, though may still invoke negative influences.

Cryztal

Being the only know descendant of Craig the Alien, Cryztal also has influence of magic in her proximity. Because she is a magically created hybrid of alien and human material, her mother Koko has documented that Cryztal acts less like a zero-point and more like an unpredictable variable. Even using external magic has unprecedented effects, and thus Cryztal should not be asked to do any form of magic. She is capable of using enchanted objects and does not appear to change the effects of potions applied to her. As she is human, she can also be influenced by the same psychological principles that allow for hypnotism in most humans.