Magical Theory

Each spellbinder draws magical energy from some place. There are a great many theories about where and what this place may be, or even if it is a place. The countless theories will be discussed in a separate lecture, for now, let us assume that magic exists in everything and the spellbinder merely learns to draw upon this power.

Think of this source of magical energy as a vast and endless sea. The waters are neither good nor evil, lawful nor chaotic. They are just waters, without intent, purpose, power, or guidance. They sit vacantly, awaiting the magus to bind them to his will.

Each spellbinder taps into the energy in the same way, whether he is a generalist spellbinder or a Gnomish illusionist, whether he is a wandering minstrel dabbling in the Art or an Elf born to it. Though the means of tapping this energy is the same for all, each individual has subtle differences. Just as two individuals scribing the same words will show unique characteristics in their text, so too do two magi casting the same spell show unique and subtle differences in their "spell signatures."

With spells such as Detect Magic, I can see the bound energies, learning the nature of the magic that has been cast. More advanced spells exist which allow me to analyze the signature of the spell's caster. This signature cannot be duplicated by another individual, for it is unique to each spellbinder.

When a mage registers with the Academy, his magical signature is recorded.

As a basic rule of thumb, when a mage binds a spell, the signature can be discerned throughout the duration of the spell. Thus, a spell with an instantaneous duration such as Magic Missile has a signature that is only there for an instant, while a spell such as Continual Light has a permanent signature. Some spells with a permanent duration, such as mending, will only be detected as magic, and only have a recognizable signature for the space of a few minutes.

Of course, the power level of the magic used can lengthen the time the signature is in place. For example, if an Apprentice were to cast Magic Missile, the signature would vanish the moment the energy impacted its target, while the signature of a Master Magus would hang in the air for several heartbeats.

Privacy is certainly a basic right of every Imperial mage. The recording of Spell Signatures is not to pry into privacy, it is to aid in the regrettable instances when an Imperial mage goes Rogue. The IMI can trace such a Rogue by his Signature. In short, the Spell Signatures are not used to restrict or identify any except illegal spellbinders. Any who fear the use of their Spell Signature against them may do well to examine the reasons behind their fears. The Spell Signature is a part of magic... the spell to analyze and record it is merely an information-gathering process that we've harnessed to aid in Lawful spellcasting.

Only the "standard" spheres of magic radiate a recognizable Spell Signature. Many monsters utilize such spells, and those that do have a unique Spell Signature. However, some monsters do NOT utilize magic in the same way. Rather than using the pool of magical energy, some creatures seem imbued with their own natural energies, which lack the subtle twist that is a Spell Signature.

It is also worth noting that Religious energies are tainted by the faith of the clergy utilizing them, and lack the purity to contain a Spell Signature. The True path of magic lies in Spellbinding, and Spell Signatures are reserved to Magi, not Clergy.

Alteration magics that continue to radiate magical energies do continue to exhibit the Spell Signature. The test-method is to ask oneself, "Would Dispel Magic change this thing back?" If so, a remnant of the Spell Signature remains. If the item would be unaffected by Dispelling, the Spell Signature is no longer present. A simpler test is, would Detect Magic cause the item to radiate magic? If so, a Spell Signature is present.

Spells that have been affected by other spells "meld" signatures. The resulting signature appears as a new, unique signature, different with each Melding. It is rumored that it is possible to extract both signatures, at least for the IMR.

Some spells, by their very nature, conceal their Spell Signatures. This is especially true of Illusion magics and spells which are meant to hide things about their caster.