Dark Magic
The same power as light magic, twisted by ruthless intent and forbidden methods.
The source material does not provide any information about 'Dark Magic' as a distinct category or concept within The Riftwar Saga. The term does not appear in the provided text, and no specific magical practices, users, or origins are described that could be labeled as such. The source focuses on the characters Pug, Macros the Black, and Tomas, and their use of magic (Greater Path, Lesser Path, Sorcery) without any mention of forbidden or dark arts.
- Origin
- Kraysis (Malloreon Empire)
- Energy Source
- The Great Divide / The Source
- Primary Users
- High Mages of Malloreon, Dark Council
- Status
- Forbidden in Midkemia
- Perception
- Feared by the Order of Magi
Lore & Background
The Order of Magi in Midkemia teaches strict discipline to prevent corruption, viewing uncontrolled power as inherently dangerous. Conversely, Malloreon mages prioritize results over ethics, often employing rituals that accelerate mastery at great cost. This ideological clash fuels the magical warfare seen during the conflicts between the two realms.
In Their Own Story
The air grew heavy, smelling of ozone and old blood. The Malloreon mage raised his hands, fingers weaving a pattern forbidden on the other side of the rift. Shadows coalesced around him, not as a trick of light, but as living tendrils drawn from his own vitality. He did not ask permission of the Source; he took what was needed.
Reader's Guide
Practitioners deemed dark often bypass standard safety protocols to achieve faster or more destructive results. This includes rituals involving life force extraction or necromancy, which are strictly prohibited by the Order of Magi. Major artifacts associated with this path are rare but include focus items forged in Malloreon that channel power without regard for the user's well-being. These tools often require blood sacrifice to activate.
Did You Know?
- Macros the Black is described as the most powerful magician in Midkemia and Kelewan, following all paths of magic, but no 'dark' path is specified.
More in Magic & Artifacts
Related in The Riftwar Saga
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Elsewhere in the The Riftwar Saga universe
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