I promised one of my students that I would cover Cyromancy in this tome, however, in order to understand Cryomancy, I must first speak on the matter of elemental magic as a whole. There are many different schools of magic, each distinct in their goals, how spells are made, and how spells are learned. There is much overlap between elemental magic and evocation, so it can be hard to distinguish the individual spells.
The key difference between the two lies in the core understanding of each school. Evocation is defined as the school of magic dealing with the creation and manipulation of raw magical energy and, while the same can be true in regards to elemental magic, Evocation studies and creates specific spells, such as magic missile and fireball. Their studies focus on the nature of magic, rather than the nature of the element. Evocation learns specific spells that they summon when they believe the circumstances are right. It is much less flexible and adaptive than elemental magic. That is not to say that it is any less effective or useful, though. Old Drelutar is a firm believer that it is the caster that defines their worth as a wizard, rather than the spells that they cast. Do not fear if the distinction does not permeate your mind adequately, however, as I will indulge further into the specifics of elemental studies.
Elemental magic stems from the fundamental nature of the element in question. A Pyromancer must understand fire at its deepest roots and embody the nature of flame. A Geomancer must become familiar with the feel of the earth. A Hydromancer must be at home in the water. This understanding can come with practice, meditation, or by spending time surrounded by the respective element. There are cases, as will be elaborated on momentarily, where one has a strong affinity to a specific element. Through a strong will and personality, one can easily master an element that they already embody throughout their daily life. Everyone will naturally have more, or less, of an affinity to certain elements as an individual.
Once adequate understanding of an element is accrued, manipulation and technique can be practiced. Since this magic comes from a fundamental understanding, masters can control the element as easily as speaking. This is what largely separates elemental specialties from the traditional schools of magic and Evocation. Elemental manipulation requires more skill and adaptability. A Pyromancer can emit an aura of heat, scorching anything close, but also shoot pillars of flame from their palm. Geomancers can create a prison of stone or a mighty stone hammer. The limit of elemental magic lies only in the empathy, creativity, and technique of the caster.
There are many different elements, sub-elements, and combinations of elements. These are the most distinct in nature;
Pyromancy: Magic relating to the understanding of heat and fire.
Geomancy: Magic relating to the understanding of dirt, rock, and minerals.
Hydromancy: Magic relating to the understanding of water.
Cyromancy: Magic relating to the understanding of ice, snow, and the cold.
Aeromancy: Magic relating to the understanding of wind.
Electromancy: Magic relating to the understanding of electricity.
Luminomancy: Magic relating to the understanding of day, light and color.
Umbramancy: Magic relating to the understanding of night and darkness.
Naturamancy: Magic relating to the understanding of plants and life.
Each of these elements have accompanying attributes that would give one affinity towards it. For example, someone with an impulsive tendency will more likely be able to learn Pyromancy, but less able to learn Cryomancy. This is not necessarily a science, however. There are many contradictory attributes within each element. Fire can be both a raging, destructive force, but also a warm, contained comfort. It is for these reasons that elemental magic and how it is practiced is unique to the caster. Despite the differences, one may be able to learn Cryomancy and Pyromancy equally, as long as one can embody the characteristics of both. Even though it would be most efficient to practice the elemental magic as preferred by your personality, your goals, personal experience, or simply training could cause you to choose otherwise or even replace the necessary affinity altogether.
I, Drelutar, the Whimsical, am a practitioner of Aerotheurgy. This is not dissimilar to Aeromancy, but also, simultaneously, very distinctive. Aeromancy deals with wind and can embody the speed, force, and even cutting nature that can relate to wind. Aerotheurgy deals, at the greatest degree, with the weather. There is much overlap, and also exclusion, between Hydromancy, Electromancy, Aeromancy, Cryomancy, and Geomancy. I may be able to cause the ground to split, as would a Geomancer, but manifesting a wall of stone to protect me would not fall under this specialty. Whatever types of weather and accompanying forces you can think of, I would be able to manipulate. While I do dabble in all-of-the-above, Aerotheurgy is my preference and I figured this sub-element would be a good insight into the variation that can occur in the elemental magics.
This is all I have to say about the elemental magics, as a whole. I will, indeed, likely cover all of the basic elemental specialties in later chapters. If you are an impatient student, an Electromancer, possibly, I implore you to contact me directly, as anytime is a good time to learn. I am always open to any and all questions.
To end this chapter, I will teach to you a very simple protection spell that many of you should be able to conjure up, with practice. When practicing, please do remember that you must put yourself into the essence of the respective element. If you are practicing the Pyromancy iteration, remember a time you were burned, or if Naturamancy, maybe being pricked by a thorn or poisoned by an ivy. This spell increases in utility as one masters a respective elemental school, as it continually and passively prevents one from harming themself with their own magic. While using a specific ward or the elemental magic itself as a defense would be much more effective, this spell is better than nothing and can use fear and lack of experience to its advantage.
Elemental Resistance
School Varies
Procedure: When protecting against an element imagine, intensely, what sort of effects and damage it could cause you. The more detailed, empathetic, and intense the imagination is, the stronger the resistance will be. Then as you complete the feeling in your mind and your heart, focus your mana into a manifestation of fear against such dangers, as a repellent of related forces.
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