Affinity

The Wheel of Magic.

All creatures, whether magically gifted or not, are born with an affinity to a particular element or elements. They all fall somewhere on what magi call the Wheel of Magic. In the vast majority of cases, they are attuned to either Air, Fire, Water, or Earth. These elements merge to create life as we know it. A mage born with Fire affinity will find Fire-based magic the easiest to use and most powerful. They will also be able to use Air and Earth magic, but will find Water magic extremely difficult since it is their opposing element, located on the opposite side of the Wheel. Similarly, an Earth mage would find Air magic difficult to use. For a non-magical person, their elemental affinity would be expressed in other ways, such as their preferred climate. Though in very exceptional cases individuals may be born with Light or Shadow affinity, no mortal creature is ever born with Demonic, Divine, Runic, Arcane, Spiritual, or Death affinity.

The Wheel of Magic also serves as the emblem for the secret Council of Magi, while its lower "hook" - the one representing Shadow, Demonic, and Death magic - can be seen on the emblem of the Hidden.

Environment

An individual with a particular affinity will often gravitate toward environments that reflect that affinity, such as someone of Water affinity enjoying a life at sea or near the shore. The opposite also applies, making someone with Water affinity dislike dry, arid environments such as a desert. An enviroment opposite of someone's affinity can actually weaken them, if only slightly, making their natural preference to live in a suitable environment a good instinct to follow. This applies doubly for magi, who find their spells considerably harder to use in an environment that contests their affinity. However, not everyone who lives in the desert is of Fire affinity, nor is everyone on the sea of Water affinity; affinities do not restrict where individuals can live, it merely may influence their preferred type of environment, as well as how well they operate in certain climates.

Personality

Another influence upon someone's affinity is their personality. More often than not, certain affinities pair with certain personalities, such as someone of Air affinity being a free spirit and someone of Fire affinity being temperamental. How someone's affinity is reflected in their personality may vary, but the wisest of mages can guess a nonmagical person's affinity merely through observing their personality paired with their reaction to different environmental and other factors.

List of Affinities

Fire

An individual with Fire affinity is adapted to living in arid, warm environments. They are weakest when surrounded by water, such as at sea. Fire magi have the greatest difficulty casting Water spells. Fire is one of the most common affinities.

Earth

An individual with Earth affinity is adapted to living in mainland and underground environments, such as forests and caverns. They are weakest when they are away from solid land. Eath magi have the greatest difficulty casting Air spells. Earth is one of the most common affinities.

Water

An individual with Water affinity is adapted to living in humid environments and at sea. They are weakest in dry environments, such as deserts. Water magi have the greatest difficulty casting Fire spells. Water is one of the most common affinities.

Air

An individual with Air affinity is adapted to living in open environments not closed off from the sky, such as open plains or at sea. They are weakest when cut off from the open air, such as when underground or underwater. Air magi have the greatest difficulty casting Earth spells. Air is one of the most common affinities.

Lightning

An individual with Lightning affinity walks between those of Air and Fire affinities. They are adapted to living in warm environments not closed off from the open sky, such as deserts. They are weakest when cut off from the open air, such as underground or underwater, but they are not greatly weakened by water. Lightning magi have the greatest difficulty casting Clay spells, and they are more attuned to spells of Fire and Air than those of Earth and Water. Lightning is a slightly rarer affinity than its Air or Fire counterparts, but still fairly common.

Magma

An individual with Magma affinity walks between those of Fire and Earth affinities. They are adapted to living in very warm environments. They are weakest when exposed to great cold. Magma magi have the greatest difficulty casting Frost spells, and they are more attuned to spells of Fire and Earth than those of Water and Air. Magma is a slightly rarer affinity than its Fire or Earth counterparts, but still fairly common.

Clay

An individual with Clay affinity walks between those of Water and Earth affinities. They are adapted to living in very humid environments. They are weakest when in extremely dry environments. Clay magi have the greatest difficulty casting Lightning spells, and they are more attuned to spells of Water and Earth than those of Fire or Air. Clay is a slightly rarer affinity than its Water or Earth counterparts, but still fairly common.

Frost

An individual with Frost affinity walks between those of Water and Air affinities. They are adapted to living in cold environments. They are weakest when exposed to great heat. Frost magi have the greatest difficulty casting Magma spells, and they are more attuned to spells of Water and Air than those of Fire and Earth. Frost is a slightly rarer affinity than its Water and Air counterparts, but still fairly common.

Light

One of the two rarest affinities, almost never seen in any mortal creature except under very special circumstances, an individual with Light affinity is suited to any well-lit environment. They are weakest in total darkness. Light magi may find it impossible to cast Shadow spells. Many beings with Light affinity are somehow divinely touched and often have a natural aptitude for Divine magic. This does not always apply, however, nor should it be assumed that anyone with Light affinity is inherently "good." They also always generally have an unusual appearance, such as strangely-colored hair and eyes.

Shadow

One of the two rarest affinities, almost never seen in any mortal creature except under very special circumstances, an individual with Shadow affinity is suited to any dim environment. They are weakest in brightly-lit environments. Shadow magi may find it impossible to cast Light spells. Many beings with Shadow affinity are somehow demonically touched and often have a natural aptitude for Demonic magic. This does not always apply, however, nor should it be assumed that anyone with Shadow affinity is inherently "evil." They also always generally have an unusual appearance, such as strangely-colored hair and eyes.