Basics of Magic

  "A Primer in the Mystical Arts

  This primer has been collated from years of our research into the metanatural arts commonly known as 'magic.' All those wishing to set forth upon the Astral Path should read this primer until the concepts within are fully understood so that their potential may be fully realised.

  Chapter 1: Myths and Misconceptions

  Those Familiar with the history of our people will know that the source of 'magic' has always been a contentious issue.

  Our Fremennik forefathers believe 'magic' to be a possesion of the gods, and that our use of it risks far more than any benefits it may bring; We of course take the more enlightened view that we should use all tools at our disposal for our own betterment.

  Beyond any ethical or moral issues surrounding magic however, lies the key question: What exactly is magic? The other obvious question that presents itself then would be: Where exactly does it come from?

  I intend to explain here how both of these questions are actually the same question phrased differently.

  The first major misconception relating to magic is that the stones we use for our arts somehow contain magic within them.

  Although roughly correct, to believe this is how magic works limits your understanding of our own potential, and will prevent you ever achieving the feats which we are all capable of.

  Rather, the 'rune stones' that we shape to our purposes serve to focus your own power, rather than containing the power themselves.

  A short history of how the runes were first discovered will serve to illuminate this point to you more fully.

  As we all know, from the tales told to us in the Secret Tounge, 'magic' was first discovered in these lands by V------- when he accidentally stumbled upon the Stone of J--. The stone was clearly not of this world, and the mere touch of it unlocked something within the mind of V-------. As we know, the stone was instantly removed by those powers who walk a higher Astral Path than ourselves, but its very existance showed V------- possibilities that had never occured to our kind before.

  His lifelong search for the stone did reveal its eventual fate, and the myths suggest that the stone may yet still lie somewhere within this world, but he did discover something of great importance in the caves where first he found the stone; the very rocks that had surrounded it had been subtly changed by its presence. The rocks in their contact with the Stone of J-- had gained a yearning to be something they were not, and V------- discovered that by focussing thought upon them he could tranform them entirely for short periods of time into the very elements of the universe.

  This is a mere parlour trick, as many of our young have done the same thing with essence as children, making the cold-burning fire in their hands on summer nights, and V------- knew that should be able to affect a permanent change upon these stones, he could have access to the very powers of the gods themselves!

  And so was created the Astral Temple. This was the first, and to this day we honour those who walked before us on the Astral Path, and prevent it falling into the ruin that this dimension has caused to its counterparts.

  By regular concentrated effort of will upon a large dolmen of essence, by a number of people simultaneously, the dolmen was finally convinced that it had become something which it was not. The Astral Rune, symbol of our very way of life, it is a testament to what is possible if we seek understanding. "

  Reflections
  Unfortunately I do not have access to the entire thing, but this chapter should do well enough. I can see them climbing a big, dark rock. And I can see them falling, falling from the sunlit peak. The people of the Lunar Isles seem peaceful and wise. So may be, for now. They clearly possess a great knowledge and understanding of a great power known as magic. At least relatively when compared to their counterparts in the followers of Saradomin and Zamorak. And to a lowly mage, they do appear to be peaceful. Yet, for us who can see further, beyond their glass eyes, we can see a great hate.

  These people are fragile. What will happen once they fall and their hatred for their ancestors, the Fremennik, overwhelm them? Haha. I'm guessing we should draw yet another line for Zamorak. We still have time, though. As far as I know, there are no vampires in among the people of the moon. One would think there would at least be some Tremere hiding in the shadows. Hmm. Maybe there are? I need to investigate this. If not, we may have something to use here. Otherwise, we still have something to steal.

  (The quoted text and images can be found in a book in RuneScape, registered trademark by Jagex Ltd.)