Magic

What is Ethereum, and how does one become a mage?
Ethereum is an element present in this universe, but science currently does not have the understanding of how to find it or create it.  Rather, an ethereum shard appears to a mortal seemingly at random.  Once a shard appears to a mortal, that mortal becomes a mage, and has access to the abilities granted by that particular shard.  Players have the option to customize and define how they want the abilities granted by the crystal to work for their particular character, within the game rules and point values available to them. 

A mage can try to get rid of their shard, but it will keep coming back.  When a shard is lost, stolen, or discarded, it appears next to them or on them the next time they get a full night's worth of rest.  Ethereum is the hardest substance in the world, and it can only be destroyed by very powerful magic.  If you have a lot of magical potential, then it is dangerous to ignore your shard and refuse to practice magic, since unused magic can get out of control.

Many mages have their shards put into a ring, bracelet, gauntlet, or handwrap on their dominant hand.  Some shards are too large for that and are built into a wand or staff instead.  

What are the different colors and abilities?
Just as real-life rubies and sapphires are made of the same element (corundum), Ethereum shards come in different colors.  The color(s) of the shard gives a clue about what kind of magic it enables.  A shard that does multiple types of magic may be multi-colored. Now, magic can be wonky and these definitions are not always perfect, so players have some discretion and creative license to describe and define the color of the shard and the magic it grants (within game rule and point values!).  In other words, describe how you want your magic to work, and then we'll figure out what color(s) it should be.  Generally, here are the different colors and what they mean: 

Obrium (red): Illusions and fire. Illusions act on the senses, giving you the impression that something is there. Whether you believe it is contextually based. Fire is hot. 

Tesmine (green):  Earth/plants, physical manipulation. Manipulation of physical objects including earth and plants, as well as physical enhancements on a being. 

Madrium (blue): Water and divination.  Manipulation of water.  Divination is the magic of obtaining information, though it generally can't give you information that isn't already there.  If it's believable that technology can get the information somehow (even if IRL technology isn't there yet), then magic can do it.  Blue magic can predict the weather and tell you if someone has opened this door recently, but it can't tell you whether I'll die tomorrow. 

Iestrium (yellow): Air and mental magic.  Air includes air currents and lightning.  Mental magic includes communications, and any manipulation of the mind, whether it's harmful or friendly.  Telepathic communication and magically sharing languages are examples of mental magic. 

Vathian (black): Manipulation of life force. Life force cannot be created by Ethereum magic. You can't just lay hands on someone and heal them... You have to kill a rat to fix a nasty cut, you have to kill a sheep to mend a compound fracture in the femur, and you have to kill another human to cure terminal cancer.  This is the most rare type of crystal. 

Generally, Ethereum magic can affect the here and now.  The range is very limited.  For example, if a Tesmine shard gives you the power to teleport, you may be able to teleport into your neighbor's kitchen, but you will never be able to teleport across the world.  Any large, significant, or impactful magic like that would be done with a Jesnite crystal. 

Important notes
Again, your character needs to have their shard on their person in order to do magic.  The shard can be taken away, in which case they cannot do magic until they get it back.  The shard will come back to them when they get a good night's sleep.  This means that a mage can be disarmed for a scene, but generally not for much more than a day.  

A person displaying a shard or in any way implying intent to use magic is generally going to be assumed to be wielding a deadly weapon.  A stranger encountering a mage does not know what kind of magic they have, and it would be reasonable to assume that your magic can hurt them.  If you are seen walking around with your shard, it's just like being seen walking around with sword. 

Jesnite crystals give you the power to do spells.  They are always clear in color and tend to be larger (at least fist-size).  Unlike Ethereum, Jesnite crystals can be smashed with a hammer.  Jesnite does not just appear; it is naturally occurring and can be mined.  Jesnite also does not attune to a specific person, anyone can pick one up and use it for a spell that they know.  Jesnite crystals also get "used up" over time and lose their potency.  A person can attune an Ethereum shard and still use Jesnite spells; they have no effect on each other.

Jesnite magic can do just about anything, but the spells are intricate and specific.  In order to perform a spell, you may need special materials (think eye of newt), and/or complex geometrical patterns drawn on the ground, but however the spell is done, it takes time and precision. It is important to take the time to ensure it is done right the first time, lest you waste the crystal's usable life.  Only the most brilliant, studied, and well-funded scholars can actually invent new spells due to the scarcity of the crystals.  The trial-and-error it takes to derive a new spell can be expensive. 

The relative power and usefulness of a Jesnite spell can vary greatly.  On one end, the spell could predict the weather or mend your coat.  On the other end of the spectrum, it could theoretically move a mountain, but that would require a huge crystal in the hands of a very experienced and talented practitioner, the likes of which are highly unlikely to occur more than once or twice per millennium.  

Jesnite is also used in the production of all magic items. 

Some magical creatures may have other magical abilities without the use of crystals.  For example, dragons can breathe fire and pixies can turn invisible.  Magical creatures exist in the setting, but are not playable. 

Generally, the type of magic that a person can get is determined by geographical location and personality only, not by genetics.  The information below is true about 99% of the time, so they are not rules, and players may deviate from this to fit their character concept if they wish. 

Arindor: In the northern 2/3 of the mainland, where the Faelin live, the most common type of Ethereum to appear is Tesmine. Other types can appear, but there have been no known appearances of Vathian shards. Ethereum shards appear to about 5 per 1000 people. This region has small amounts of Jesnite deposits. Down by the Ebonryft, where the Elvar live, is a bit different. This area has the most plentiful deposits of Jesnite in the world. Ethereum shards of any kind can appear to roughly 50 per 1000 people. Vathian is still the least common color, but its rate of appearance is greater here than anywhere else in the world. And then there is Aure Nova, the large island to the north of Arindor. Just about any color of Ethereum can appear here, and there is a moderate amount of Jesnite.

Diminora: The dwarves in their caves and tunnels have found copious amounts of Jesnite. The majority of magical research among the dwarves is centered around enchanting magical items. The other Bantam races have also found Jesnite deposits and/or traded with the dwarves for it. Ethereum crystals in any color appear to about 10 per 1000 people, with Vathian being the most rare.

Kyoshu: Residents of this continent have not found any Jesnite deposits. It can be acquired through trade, of course, but the Eldrisi are behind in magical research compared to residents of other places. Ethereum shards appear to roughly 100 per 1000 people, but they are one color and grant elemental powers only (99% of the time).

Nordavia: There are no Jesnite deposits in this part of the world, and Ethereum does not appear here. Jesnite can be acquired through trade, of course, but humans are behind in magical research compared to other folks.

Serenya: There are no Jesnite deposits in this part of the world, and Ethereum does not appear here. Jesnite can be acquired through trade, of course, but humans are behind in magical research compared to other folks.