Vith Magic: A study

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The Vith school of magic is somewhat a misleading in its title, in that it is not considered a subset of conventional schools of magic. As it is understood magicka is a universal force, and the schools of Conjuration, Destruction and so forth are manipulations of that force. For the longest time the origins of that force has been thought to be from Aetherius, the realm outside Mundus that is pure magic. It is only after understanding Vith magic that this is revealed to me false. 

This distinction is possible because of the contrast created by the two schools, conventional magic follows the basic rules of Mundus, while Vith does not. Studying deeper into the contrast between the two the base function of Mundus becomes evident; the conversion of Magicka into substance, into the physical world. A common misconception is that Magicka converts into substance then is converted back into Magicka within this reality, which many now know isn't so, in fact Magicka in this reality is a relationship between two realms, Mundus and Aetherius. 

Our realm converts the substance of Aetherius into the physical world, while Aetherius in turn converts it back. It is unknown whether this process is balanced as no study has yet been able to quantify it. Conventional schools are merely a manipulation of the Magicka in the physical world, and while some argue that Conjuration, Mysticism and Alteration are forms of magic that reach outside the material world, it would be incorrect in that the mortal mind is still based in Mundus and can only operate within the rules of the reality, thus those schools are still subject to reality. 

It is why so many under the tutelage or power of a Daedric Lord lose their minds to madness, a Mundus based consciousness cannot truly handle or comprehend magics or concepts based in the realms of Oblivion. Once released from the physical form it becomes another matter.

As it is with Oblivion magic, it is with Vith magic. The most powerful mage can only truly master the most basic spells, and often it is only from exclusive teachings of the Dragon Elves. The DovahFahliil seem to be the only mortals in Mundus that have the ability to master the Vith schools of Magic. While the common mage only has access to simple Vith magic, it is well known through witnesses accounts that there are far more minute and complex expansions of this practice. 

The most common account would be the use of the Dovah Battlemage Stave, which projects and beam of magic powerful enough to separate any metal or stone with varying degrees of effectiveness. Most staves of this type have blades adorning them to use as a spear or halberd, and like all Dovah bladed weaponry, exhibit the same ability to separate metal and stone with varying degrees of success. It is for this reason they are thought to be enchanted with Vith magic.

Many believe that the Dragon Elves became able to access this type of magic after the change, but some believe they used it before the change, or as it is called, the Dinok'Se'Wuth'Laas, when they were part of the Order, the secret organization in service to Ruvaak'Se'Brom, then known as Ruvaak Wolf-Born. While this hasn't been confirmed, it would explain a great deal about their swift rise of influence, power, and their fairly quick victory over the Aldmeri Dominion. 
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menapia's avatar
Great storyline work, especially since it gives the reader the sense that no matter what the great hero (the dragonborn etc. take your pick) is doing there's a whole world in the background with people going on with their lives.