Magic

Magic, in essence, is the result of exposure to microorganisms native to Thaeta. These complex, microscopic, multicellular organisms, known as Phylomageia, have been a part of Thaetan oceans for eons. With the recent influence of sentient life, and aeroforming spreading and producing more breathable air to circulate, Phylomageia has thrived. The potency of this biological magic has progressed further than Thaeta alone could have brought it.

History
As of present day, much to do with Phylomageia—even the name—is completely unknown to most of Thaeta. In 102 AL, a small group of Laurean scientists discovered and placed them as the indisputable source of the mutations in Thaetan organics that allow for supernatural capabilities. Over the last decade, this information has been well-guarded and may be Laures’ best-kept secret—even from itself, kept classified and beyond the reach of citizens and government alike. However, doctors and most practitioners of magic are aware of the glandular mutation from that of Earth humans, and many government-sanctioned scientists continue to investigate the cause--mysteries already long-solved.

Overview
Phylomageia emit water and airborne particles that have altered the physiology of all organics exposed to Thaeta’s air by way of mutating the eccrine sweat glands, located in the skin over the entire body. These glands have adopted the ability to produce a host of new chemicals, not unlike other hormones controlled by other glands. Combined with the power of a organic’s intellect, these chemicals can be controlled and manipulated by force of will. Individual nodes can be activated with enough concentration and practice, and aim and intent can be achieved.

While the side-effects of the Phylomageia are not genetic, the toxins from Thaeta's air and water pass from mother to child in the womb. Organic children are born with adapted sweat glands, but the chemicals do not synthesise until puberty, leaving their ability for magic largely dormant for the first ten to twelve years of life.

Organics can effectively alter the nature of these hormones to make them perform various tasks. If they want to heal someone, they emit a type that spurs the production of new cells in the target; if they want to practice psionics, they send out a pheromone that goes to the target and then returns, altered by the target's state; animation bends the will of the natural world, coaxing growth and expansion and communicating on a cellular level with insensate organic matter.

Though many recognise the direct relation to their organic selves, most believe there is more to magic than biology; that the ability is a connection to their very soul.

Types of Magic
There are three known types of magic and three secondary branches of magic.

The Primary Magics
Otherwise known as the 'discovered magics', or the 'known magics', all organics have the innate ability to unlock these talents.

Healing - The ability to mend and influence flesh with touch, or near-touch, has been dubbed healing, due to the restorative nature of the magic and the powerful tool it has become for doctors.

Psionics - The ability to keenly read emotion by sensing chemicals in another have drawn organics together. Many describe it as a smell, a taste, or even a sixth sense that gives them insight into what their target is thinking or feeling. Some claim they can even transmit their own thoughts and emotions into their target.

Animation - The ability to influence and change the appearance and properties of inanimate organic matter through cellular manipulation. Animators can alter the growth of plants and make unclean water drinkable.

The Secondary Magics
The secondary magics are a result of vast amounts of practise and skill in primary disciplines; few are fortunate enough to know of them, and fewer still have the skill and resolve to learn them. [OOC note: You must seek administrator approval and meet mimimum skill requirements in order to obtain secondary magics.]

Transmogrification - The ability to manipulate sentient organic tissue in order to change its form; transmogrifiers can change their shape and those of others.

Divination - The ability to see into the immediate future, be it through dreams or a shift in emotions. Diviners have also discovered telepathy, and can communicate privately and instantaneously across short distances.

Kinetics - The ability to change the density and speed of inanimate molecules in order to control the elements of nature itself.

Learning Magic
Much in the way of magic is learned through self-discovery and meditation, though it is not uncommon for families to hand knowledge down through generations. There is no true initiation to any of the three known magics; mature organics, bionics, and cyborgs are all capable of magic, though the latter two classifications have difficulty reaching competency. Pure organics, that is to say, individuals with minimal chips and tech upgrades, come about magic more easily than those who have less organic tissue.

There comes a point where magic cannot be learned beyond the rudimentary basics, and further still, when the intangible concepts and biological components that require magic are no longer present in the individuals' mind and body.