Lingua Magica by Antos Introduction Magic is a vital force in Sosaria that has developed and evolved significantly throughout the ages. While a comprehensive grimoire that attempts to codify all of magical theory would be an exercise in folly, the following work is a an endeavor to compile and provide commentary on the Words of Power - or the “Lingua Magica” - from the earliest Ages of Darkness through the present day. THE AGES OF DARKNESS Chapter I Beginning with the Age of Akalabeth and the First Age of Darkness, Sosaria was just beginning to rediscover The Art in hopes of countering the sorcery of Mondain. Arcane and Sacred spellcasters practiced The Art through two distinct schools. Spellbookswere not yet the standard, so mages utilized scrolls which were consumed during casting. The following words associated with the few known spells of that age originate from Latin; a dead language from the world of Lord British. However, what role he may have played in the renaissance of magic remains unclear. Ducis-Educo (Blink) Struxi (Create) Delio (Destroy) Interficio Nunc (Kill) Ascendo (Ladder Up) Infernus (Ladder Down) Vasto (Magic Missle) Apertus (Open) Potentis Laudis (Prayer) Pecunia (Unlock) CHAPTER II No Words of Power are known to exist from the Second Age of Darkness, but two texts of significance endured the cataclysm following the Third Age of Darkness: “The Book of Amber Runes” and “The Ancient Liturgy of Truth”. Words of Power from “THE BOOK OF AMBER RUNES” by the Druid Selzhanik, Arch Mage and Keeper of the Ninth Circle REPOND (banishment of orc-kin) REPOND MITTAR (magic missle) MANJI MULA NESPON LEVI MITTAR NOPSEN ALUM CAVI LORUM (lesser light) OBREY URICUM OBRA SUM DOR ACRON (descent) LIEDLAN SPULGER IDSKRIN GRUEN BEAST TRENTLE BAN SUR ACRON (ascent) LIEDLAN SPULGER IDSTRIN FAUN BEAST FENTRI CHEM FULGAR (fireball) FLAM FLETIS PONDI DAG ACRON (teleportation) DAG FULNUS ACRON FRIEDA ACRON BOONT MENTAR (fear) ZANBAR LEECHEN CERDI MENTAR DAG LORUM (greater light) OBRUM URICA OBLA SUM URICA MANI SUM LEVI FAL DIVI (access Liturgy spells) FAL DIVI DOM MI NEA FAL DIVI REQUI SEM NOXUM (meteor) NOXUM MENTON LANU FLAMA DECORP (death bolt) NON CRONO PAS NUMEN TI SONI ALTAIR (negate time) ALT MAN FUL MINAR LAE FIN CRIM BONTAIR DAG MENTAR (greater meteor) FENDI MENTAR DIVI CREMBI MENTAR BONI NECORP (necrosis) DON CORPUS MIEDA FUTZ RIEDA DON NEMI “P” (exorcism) The caster must speak the name of “The Evil One” as this highly taboo spell is cast. The preceding spells comprised the sixth circle of arcane magic practiced by the Cult of Runes. The spells listed above are known to supersede the fifth circle text, “The Book of Jade Runes”. While no other writings exist related to the Cult of Runes, two spells (Dor Acron and a variant of Sur Acron) date back to the time of Akalabeth and are still currently used as words of passage at the Serpent Pillars. Words of power from “THE ANCIENT LITURGY OF TRUTH” by the Prophet Alizarkanon PONTPORI (Turn Undead) APPAR UNEM (Unlock/Untrap) SANCTU (Heal) LUMINAE (Lesser Light) REC SU (Ascent) REC DU (Descent) LIB REC (Teleport) ALCORT (Cure) SEQUITU (Greater Ascent) SOMINAE (Greater Light) SANCTU MANI (Greater Heal) VIEDA (Map) EXCUUN (Offensive Spell) SURMANDUM (Resurrect) ZXKUQYB (Anti-creation) ANJU SERMANI (Greater Resurrection) The preceding spells were utilized by practitioners of sacred magic within the Cult of Truth which claims that they were codified 3000 years before the Third Age of Darkness. Again, the only words of power still in modern usage are variations on the words of passage “Rec Su” and “Rec Du” which are used for passage to the Lost Lands via the passage in Moonglow. Chapter III THE AGE OF ENLIGHTENMENT While it is commonly known that Lord British's rise to power as the sole monarch of Sosaria following the great cataclysm brought humankind into direct conflict with the race of Gargoyles, it it not widely known that the words of power utilized by human mages during this Age of Enlightenment actually find their basis in Gargish tongue (“gargl”) An – (an) – Negate Bet – (bet) – Small Corp – (korp) – Death Des – (des) – Down Ex – (ex) – Freedom Flam – (flam) – Flame Grav – (grav) – Energy Hur – (húr) – Wind In – (in) – Create/Cause Jux – (jux) – Harm Kal – (kal) – Invoke Lor – (lor) – Light Mani – (mani) – Life Nox – (nax) – Toxin Ort – (ort) – Magic Por – (por) – Movement Quas – (quas) – Illusion Rel – (rel) – Change Sanct – (saengkt) – Protect Tym – (tim) – Time Uus – (úus) – Up Vas – (vas) – Great Wis – (wís) – Knowledge Xen – (zen) - Creature Ylem – (áilem) – Matter Zu – (zú) – Sleep These Words of Power are used to empower the sixty-four spells commonly found in the existing eight circles of modern magic. Rumors persist that a ninth circle of experimental – and possibly extra-dimensional – magic may be attainable as it was during the Third Age, but it remains unavailable to most practitioners. In addition to these, there are also words of power for each of the three Principles: TRUTH – VER LOVE – AMO COR – COURAGE Together, these form the Word VERAMOCOR which was used to seal and reopen the Dungeon of Doom The other Dungeons also have associated seals and words of passage: FALLAX – Deceit VILLIS – Despise ONOPIA – Destard MALUM – Wrong AVIDUS – Covetous INFAMA – Shame IGNAVUS – Hythloth These appear to be rooted in Latin and were clearly formulated by Lord British. SUMMARY: Other Words of Power almost certainly exist, but have yet to be discovered by human mages. However, those currently available are capable of a wide range of magical effects. As stated previously, Magic is in a state of constant evolution and it remains to be seen what future ages will be able to accomplish through the evolution of The Art.
What a nice combination of mythology and philology Congratulations, @Antos for such an original entry!