Lita Burke

Within the pages of the Necronomicon Enchanter book in Lita’s library, the curious may learn the Enchanters’ magical matters. Beware, for the knowledge might drive the reader mad with bitter desire and luscious regret. Today we learn about deadly consequences for non-Enchanters.

Previously:

• Evolution of Sole-Source Magic
• Magical Discipline
• Essence Kiss
• Five Schools

Uslar Rings

In the early days of the Enchanter Schools, the Magic and Merchant Guild workers had free access to the school’s grounds.  The schools’ early foundation spells did not differentiate between the Enchanters and the other school residents. The schools pulled essence from everyone on site and the non-Enchanters fell ill. The weakest died from magical deprivation.

Many non-Enchanters fled the schools to protect themselves. To stop the crisis, the Grandmasters talked with the sentient schools and devised  powerful charms that would identify the bearer as an Enchanter. The schools fashioned the charms into beautiful gems. The schools produced seven gem colors: Earthe (brown or deep green), Mer (aqua or blue), Aer (clear), and Fyre (scarlet or amber).

Pool of Light

The Old Forest School created a place called the Pool of Light and placed the stones at the bottom.

Magician Uslar was the first candidate to enter the pool and take a gem. Later Enchanters named the gems Uslar Stones. For convenience, the schools set the gems into intricate rings that Enchanters wear on the middle finger of the left hand. The Uslar Ring gives the Enchanter access to the school’s essence reservoir. The beautiful gems sparkle during spell casting, and they identify the wearer as an Enchanter.

The plan worked. All Enchanters claimed a gem from the Pool of Light and experienced a heightened connection to the schools. The essence drain on non-Enchanters stopped.

After the Uslar Stones emerged, the Old Forest School closed access to the essence-producing trees, making it exclusive to the Enchanters wearing Uslar Stones.

Shutting away the Enchanters had serious repercussions for those not living in the schools. Even those who were not essence mad now relied on magical essence for their wellbeing. Many people disliked the wanton affection and enthrallment that come from sharing essence kisses.

The Enchanters’ concentrated magic needed balancing. Sye itself righted matters, but with great pain to the Enchanters.

Next time: Church Magicians

Find out more about the books in the Enchanters of Sye world:

• Wrath, Prequel to Tredan’s Bane
• Tredan’s Bane