Loading...
Loading...
Sympathetic Magic
Magic in Sylvan Accord follows the law of Conservation of Energy. It is not created — it is moved. A practitioner (a “Conductor”) acts as a physical bridge between an environmental Source of energy and a Vent where that energy is released as a spell. There is no mana pool. Every spell draws from the world around you — and the world pays the price.
Casting magic is a three-step process. Each step carries risk, and rushing any of them can get you killed.
Establish a connection between a physical source and your Conduit (Staff, Wand, or Glove). The closer you are to the source, the more efficient the transfer. Linking takes 1–3 seconds — during which you are vulnerable.
Once linked, you begin drawing energy from the source. This physically alters or destroys it. A tree siphoned for Vital energy will wither and turn to ash. An ore vein siphoned for Structural energy will crumble into useless dust. You must choose: gather materials for crafting, or harvest them for immediate magical power.
Release the stored energy through your conduit to create an effect. The more energy you siphoned (or the higher quality the source), the more powerful the vent. But no transfer is perfect — a percentage of the energy bleeds into your body as Feedback.
You encounter enemies near an Iron Ore vein. You have a choice:
Save the ore. Craft a better sword later. Fight the enemies with what you have now.
Destroy the ore vein. Unleash a Gravity Crush to end the fight instantly. The iron is gone forever.
Four types of energy exist in the world. Each has its own sources, effects, and consequences. Vital and Structural siphoning destroys resource nodes permanently — the core tension of the magic system.
You do not cast spells with your bare hands (unless you want to die). You use Conduits to manage the energy flow between source and vent.
Best for utility spells. Surgical precision with almost no backlash.
The primary tool for combat. Channels massive energy at a safe distance.
The battle-mage's weapon. Raw power at the cost of your own body.
Often catches fire or shatters after a single high-power vent.
No energy transfer is perfect. A percentage of the energy (the “Leakage”) bleeds into the Conductor's body, building up as Aetheric Tension. Your Stability attribute determines how much Feedback you can absorb before suffering serious consequences.
Siphoning beyond your Conduit's limit causes it to explode, dealing massive damage to the user. Know your limits — or carry a spare.
Magic in Sylvan Accord follows the action-based progression system. You don't pick a mage class — you become one by doing.
Feedback Capacity
Your ability to absorb Feedback without suffering consequences. Increased by siphoning energy, crafting complex items, and meditation.
Example Class Title
Unlocked by being struck by lightning (and surviving) or mastering Wind magic.
Channel to draw from the nearest valid source. Movement is slowed while siphoning.
Release the stored energy through your conduit as a spell effect.
Magic isn't just combat — it's a survival system woven into every decision you make.
Before entering a cave, decide: are you bringing a charged conduit, or will you rely on whatever energy sources you find inside?
Every resource node is both a crafting material and a potential spell. A forest is either lumber for your base or fuel for Vital magic. You can't have both.
Feedback management is critical. You might need to jump into a river to cool down from Thermal Feedback, or eat high-tier food to recover from Kinetic strain.
Alchemy directly supports magic users with potions that manage Feedback and enhance siphoning.
The magic system is evolving live on stream. Come watch it being built and help shape how it works.