This wonderful world is unlike any other our people have set foot on. Everything from the air we breathe to the ground we stand on here is imbued with magic! Unsurprisingly, those who reside in Eldorath will eventually notice some magic of their own begin to manifest. If your fireplace roars when you’re upset or your sneezes shift the direction of the wind, consider perusing the contents of this guide. You may find the answers to any of your burning (literally burning, sometimes) questions.

Chapters

• Chapter 1: Elements (Basic, Advanced)
• Chapter 2: Spellcasting and Spell Scribing
• Chapter 3: Arcane Tinkering (Soul Gems, Gem Cuts, Gem Slots)
• Chapter 4: Conclusion

Within the chaotic and fascinating world of magic, there are four primary elements: water, earth, fire, and air. Ancient manuscripts theorized these to be the universe's fundamental substances, building blocks from which anything can be constructed within the confines of reality.

That’s too much for us to wrap our heads around, however, so let's instead discuss what it means to be blessed with the power of the elements.

Part 1. Primary Elements

As discussed earlier, the list of primary elements is water, earth, fire, and air. Every person who is magically attuned has been observed to resonate with one of these elements. Resonating with an element unlocks the user’s full spellcasting potential with that element.

Part 2. Advanced Elements

Those who master the four basic elements are presented with the choice to transubstantiate their mana pool, gaining the ability to practice the advanced counterpart to their current element (read further for list)

Transubstantiation marks the beginning of a new chapter in your journey with magic, unlocking a whole new set of spells to be mastered. This is a process we can only speculate upon, as there are little to no records of how to conduct such a ritual. As of right now, we have no understanding of how to recreate the procedure for transubstantiation.

Thanks to our research, we’ve deciphered a diagram found underground, allowing us to come to this conclusion:

• Water → Ice
• Earth → Life (aka Healing)
• Fire → Lightning
• Air → Void

Part 1. Types of Spellcasting

Somatic Spellcasting

Sometimes referred to as “handheld spells”, this technique only requires one hand for a spell, leaving the other free to wield a weapon, shield, etc.

Mana is emitted from the user’s hand along a prepared channel, requiring the user to have memorized the spell and maintain concentration on it whilst casting (hotbar slots).

Focused Spellcasting

The advantage of focused spellcasting is the ability to switch between multiple spells with ease. 

This technique involves the channeling of mana through an arcane tool or focus, vastly decreasing the mental strain of somatic casting. 

Arcane focuses can also discharge bolts of elemental energy for additional damage, making them a versatile and powerful weapon.

Scroll Spellcasting

One particularly interesting phenomenon is the ability to cast any spell of any element using a scroll, regardless of one’s elemental attunement.

The spell’s incantation is inscribed into parchment, written in an ink imbued with the essence of the spell’s element. When the incantation is read aloud, the scroll consumes itself to reproduce the spell’s effects. Spell scrolls can be created by any user who already knows the spell.

Part 2. Spell Scribing

Spell scribing is the process of creating a spell scroll. As mentioned previously, only someone already familiar with the spell can scribe it. Have some paper parchment ready! It’s time to prepare some special ink.

Pictured above is the recipe for the first water spell: Tidal Wave
It requires paper, a quill, an ink sac, and three basic water essence.

A glow ink sac can be substituted for ink to scribe the second spell of any element. Scribing spells for other elements requires their respective essence. The recipe is unshaped and does not need to match this orientation in the crafting table.

When life is taken, the violent collapse of spiritual energy can form a small crystalline object of great power. These soul gems can be cut and polished so their spiritual energy can express itself in a unique way to fit the user’s needs. Gem slots corresponding to these cuts are often etched into weapons, tools, and armor. When a gem is inserted into the appropriate slot, the gear piece will be imbued with an enchantment specific to its cut. The stronger the gem, the greater the effect.

Part 1. Obtaining Soul Gems

There are three tiers of gems: basic, advanced, and pure

• Basic soul gems are obtained by chance upon slaying an undead mob (e.g. zombies, skeletons, etc.)
• Advanced soul gems are obtained by chance upon slaying a magically attuned undead mob (e.g. Fire Zombie/Skeleton)
• Pure soul gems are obtained from slaying bosses

Part 2. Soul Gem Cuts

There are three distinct cuts for soul gems, each representing a prayer according to previous civilizations’ customs.

• Saraswati: Wisdom, Art
• Shri: Prosperity, Wealth
• Parvati: Power, Energy

Saraswati cuts are most commonly found on armor pieces. Their effects tend to shield the user from damage, but many prove to have other useful abilities as well.

Wisdom:

• Preservation: 4 / 8 / 16 percent total damage reduction
• Warding: 5 / 10 / 20 percent magic damage reduction

Art:

• Thorns: 15 / 30 / 45 percent chance to deal 1-4 damage to attacker
• Respiration: Extends underwater breathing by 15 / 30 / 45 seconds and a chance to ignore drowning damage of 0.50 / 0.67 / 0.75
• Aqua Affinity (I): Removes underwater mining penalty
• Depth Strider: Increases swimming speed by 22 / 44 / 66 percent
• Lightweight: 24 / 36 / 48 percent fall damage reduction

Shri cuts are embedded in tools in order to enhance their harvesting capabilities. Great civilizations have been built on these enchantments.

Prosperity:

• Momentum: Increases tool speed by 2 / 10 / 26
• Lure: Decreases wait time for bite by 5 / 10 / 15 seconds

Wealth:

• Fortune: Increases ore yield by 33 / 75 / 120 percent on average
• Looting: Increases maximum yield of mob loot by 1 / 2 / 3, also increases rare drop rate by around 1 / 2 / 3 percent
• Silk Touch (I): Allows for collection of select original blocks instead of shattering or obtaining usual drops
• Luck of the Sea: Increases frequency of higher quality fish by 2 / 4 / 6 percent

Parvati cuts empower weapons and enable the user to channel abnormal strength in battle. Gems of these cuts precede great acts of destruction.

Power:

• Wrath: Increases weapon damage by 10 / 20 / 30 percent
• Guidance: Increases projectile/thrown damage by 50 / 100 / 150 percent

Energy:

• Sweeping Edge: Increases portion of damage dealt by sweeping attack to50 / 67 / 75 percent of weapon’s attack damage
• Forceful Impact (I / II): Increases melee & arrow knockback by approximately

3 / 6 extra blocks

• Loyalty (III): Allows thrown spear to return to user after impact
• Infinity (III): Shoot unlimited arrows if possessing at least 1 arrow
• Velocity: Increases arrow velocity by factor of 1.5 / 2.0 / 2.5

Some pieces of equipment may sport many types of gem slots. In most cases, they will accept any appropriate gem as long as the cut matches, allowing for unorthodox ways to customize gear.

Part 3. How to Cut a Gem

Once you have an idea which cut you want for your gem, it’s time to prepare the materials necessary to shape it.

• Raw Soul Gem: The potency of the enchantment is directly related to the purity/rarity of the gem (basic, advanced, and pure).
• Lapidary Template: Sheet with markings used to precisely measure and cut gem stones into the correct shape.

Finding a particular Lapidary Template can range from relatively easy to annoying depending on the particular shape you need. Some templates have been reverse-engineered by the guild and can be purchased for some coin. Others have only been rumored to exist, alluded to in manuscripts recovered from archaeological sites. You may very well come across some during your travels!

While holding the correct Lapidary Template, bring a Raw Soul Gem to a Lapidary table to begin cutting and polishing the gem. You can craft one with sticks, a stone slab, and diamonds.

Part 4. Gem Removal

Gemstones cannot be pried from their slots by mundane forces. You must make an appointment (a lore ticket) with an arcane jeweler to have them removed. It will come at a minor cost, and the specialist should arrive within a tenday to have your gear fixed.

Everything in this world, from the food you eat, the water you drink, and the air you breathe, is brimming with mana. While we don't know why, we are working towards that elusive answer as we uncover clues from the past. How did the world come to be this way? How did it end, for those who came before us? We, the Adventurer's Guild, humbly request your assistance in investigating these matters. We all stand to benefit from answers, and something tells me we will find plenty working together.

Sincerely,

X Architect Evelyn "Ivy" Athena