Magic in the Sands

[Jewel]

Shugenja: The wrath of Shilah's gaze either banishes or destroys kami - shugenja are not entirely certain which - but in either case the magic of Rokugan finds nothing to call upon within the sands.

Maho: Like their pure counterparts kansen do not exist under Shilah's gaze. It is known that, in some dark and hidden places known as Black Earth, the barrier to Jigoku can be thinner and kansen can pass through quickly enough to exist in minor numbers. In these places maho will function as normal but they are rare and isolated and as such few would-be tsukai ever find them and those that do are loathe to leave their newfound place of power.

Meishodo: The gaijin arts mastered and modified by the Iuchi allow for limited use of magic within the sands drawing upon the elements directly without the aid or intercession of the kami. Meishodo shugenja may only use their amulets and may not cast spells without them. In addition the Commune spell does not function, even with an amulet, as there are no kami to speak with.

Hakhim's Seal: The dominant magic of the Burning Sands sahir call on the power of Hakihm's Seal as an intermediary to draw upon Shilah's power. Exploring the mysteries of the Seal, and how to manipulate it to various effects, is something that will likely consume a sahir's entire life and, despite the art existing for a millennium, there is still untold knowledge not yet learned and revealed. This process has slowed considerably with the Caliph's war on magic and destruction of the Qabal libraries.

Cokaloi: The magic of the Ra'Shari operates independent of Hakhim's Seal. Some believe it is something inherent to the Ra'Shari and perhaps always has been. Others within the Ra'Shari believe it may be linked to the Chronicle - either the Ashalan magic that bound it to them or their pure devotion to their duty. Whatever the cause it remains effective even under the eye of Shilah.

Strength of Ten Thousand: While the results are often indistinguishable from those of sahir the priests of the Senpet draw not upon Hakhim's Seal but instead upon their many deities. The Qabal posit that both draw upon Shilah but simply use different intermediaries. The Senpet, generally, do not worry or care - as long as they are devout their prayers will be answered.

Ancestor Magic: Not yet witnessed within the sands rumors hint that the newcomers, the Yodotai, wield a strange magic that allows the spirits of their ancestors to fight beside them. In addition some sahir speak of a resistance they seem to wield against the magic of others.

About Invindi Magic: While all Brahmin are priests to the gods of the Invinda only an extremely rare few actually possess the ability to channel their power. Revered above all others they remain within the Ivory Kingdoms to best serve their people. Some Invinda, since arriving in the sands, have dabbled in other forms of magic but their culture does not yet posses any sahir school of its own.


Magic in Medinaat al-Salaam
While the Caliph often worked at odds with other magic users even before her rise to power it was not until the attempted Qabal uprising against her rule that things escalated further. Since then all magic within Medinaat al-Salaam other than her own, that of her Khadi, and the rare exception of House Hazaad has been strictly outlawed. Qabal libraries were burnt to the ground, shrines and temples closed, and any other practitioners of magic were executed if caught. Now the Caliph and Khadi seek out and hoard, or destroy, all magical information and artifacts that can be found within the city and the surrounding region. Despite her efforts the Qabal survives, as do other rogue sahir and other spellcasters, and magic still exists in the shadows of Medinaat al-Salaam though wielded rarely and with great guile.