A Shiver Tree Primer
One of the greatest things about the fantasy genre (for me) is the magic within. I always love getting to know new magic systems, reveling in their various wonders, so imagine the fun I had creating my own. Though not far afield from some other known systems, I hope readers find the details unique enough to tickle the imagination.
So, what magic waits between the pages of The Shiver Tree? Well, since the book is inspired by a Dungeons & Dragons campaign, I did stick close to home on that one. You’ll find the expected arcane, divine, and natural magic. However, gone are wizards and warlocks and melee classes like rogues slinging spells. Magic users can certainly become proficient with swords and daggers and bows, but they tend to stick to their casting, with the possible exception of paladins, whose divine magic is more focused and limited. They are first and foremost holy warriors, granted the occasional use of magic by the deities they honor.
Here's the general breakdown:
ARCANE CASTERS call on the magic within their bloodline, which has been imbued with power from a magical creature or fey. There are two types of arcane casters:
Mages – Your average mage is born with the ability to harness one type of arcane magic, such as necromancy or illusion or evocation. No matter how much they practice, they will never cross over into another school of magic.
Sorcerers – Very rarely, a mage will be born with the ability to access all schools of arcane magic. They are known as sorcerers. Sorcerous bloodlines are almost all magically imbued by a fey, griffin, phoenix, or—rarest of all—dragon.
DIVINE CASTERS call on their respective deities for power. Their level of magic varies widely, depending on which god they serve and how high they rank. There are two types of divine casters:
Paladins – Holy warriors devoted to their gods roam the lands to carry out the wishes of their deities. Their magic is typically limited to imbuing their weapons with power, minor healing, and spells that protect themselves and others.
Clerics – Clerics are holy acolytes who are rarely seen on the frontlines. They are around for support, protection, and healing.
NATURE CASTERS are exactly what they sound like: those who call upon the magic of nature, specifically that granted by the goddess Nelami. There is only one kind:
Druids – These nature mages are dedicated to the balance between the natural world and those who dwell within it, as well as the balance between elements. They seek peace, harmony, and the well-being of all. They are the most easily identifiable of the casters, as all druids are born with a mark on their forearm that eventually blooms into what is known as a Regent Tree. It is through this mark that their magic is harnessed.
This is obviously a very brief glance. Why? Because I can’t wait for you to discover the rest on your own. Check out The Shiver Tree November 12, 2024! You can pre-order your copy here.