Magic Views Among the Frolm

Some of the frolm know how to use magic. They usually learn either from the School of Magdad or through a mentor/apprentice relationship. Here are some of the views of magic when it comes to the frolm:

1. The Way of the Waterspirit

–The oldest and most popular belief —

View of Magic: Necessary, natural, and sacred.

Clerics & Shamans: These frolm must be good at water-based or dream-linked magic.

Philosophy: Magic is considered to be a whisper from the marsh and an extension of natural rhythms.

Why it requires magic: Priests are usually viewed as intercessors between the waking and the spirit world. They need magic, or they are spiritually blind. Dreamwalking, weather-reading, and healing are all expected magical skills.

2. The Ember Brethren (a fire cult)

—considered a heretical sect dwelling in the dry areas—

View of magic: It’s generally not trusted unless it is fire-aligned or destructive.

Cleric: They use highly ritualized and controlled forms of magic.

Philosophy: They believe that magic is a flame that cleanses, and it is only to be used to purge weakness, decay, or corruption. Intuitive or emotional magic is viewed as being dangerous.

Why they restrict magic: Fire magic is viewed as a holy fire, but other types of magic such as dreams, water, and animal affinity are labeled as “mire-spawned trickery.” Their priests are required to master fire rites while rejecting all else

🌫 3. The Silent Fog

— A Monastic Order of Isolationist Mystics —

View of Magic: In daily life, it is forbidden, but is only allowed in extreme ritual.

Clerics: They are not allowed to use magic directly.

Philosophy: Magic can attract both benevolent and malevolent spirits. The Silent Fog shows that magic corrupts purity, and this draws too much attention from what lies beyond.

Why it’s forbidden: Monks who perform this kind of magic believe that the more you use magic, the thinner your soul’s shield will become. This will make you vulnerable to being possessed by a spirit. They generally rely on stillness, prayer, and symbolic gestures.

🌀 4. The Chorus of Echoes

— A Mystical Tradition Focused on Sound, Memory, and the Past —

View of Magic: This view of magic believes that it is essential, but it must be channeled through ritual or song.

Clerics: These clerics must be trained in “Croakcasting,” which is an art of producing harmonics that have an influence on magic.

Philosophy: They believe that magic without structure is dangerous. Whenever someone casts a spell, it must be done through approved sacred songs.

Why it’s structured: They view reality as being held together by echoes; therefore, unstructured magic breaks harmony. Rogue casters are generally punished for using it off-key rather than being punished for using magic.

5. The Order of the Still Pool (Secular/Scientific Sect)

— A Rationalist Reaction Against Magical Dogma —

View of Magic: They see magic as being real but not necessarily sacred. It is merely a biological or elemental force.

Clerics: They usually avoid religious titles, but practitioners are called Observers.

Philosophy: Magic is seen as a neutral thing like heat or gravity. Using it doesn’t give someone spiritual favor or disfavor.

Why it’s neutral: Frolm who subscribe to this point of view believe that spirits are natural forces that are misunderstood. Magic is seen as something to study rather than worship. They seek to demystify it and often clash with the shamanic traditions.

🌘 6. The Croak of the Void

— A Forbidden Cult Among Frolm Exiles —

View of Magic: It is forbidden unless it channels the “Echo of the First Drown,” which is a primal dark spirit.

Clerics: They are required to be powerful void-mages.

Philosophy: They see magic as power, and that any restriction on it is controlled by the weak. They embrace such things as the shadow, decay, and the ending of cycles.

Why it’s Corrupted: During the First Age, this cult was outlawed by the Croakbind Council. It was because they caused a magical flood that destroyed three villages. The Silent Reed hunts them.