Where Magic Comes From

 I realize I haven't really said where magic comes from in N:Era. Are some beings just born magic or not? 

 Essentially speaking: There are nine general elements of magic, the basic building blocks. These are: Fire, Ice, Lightning, Light, and Dark, as well as Nature, Poison, Psychic, and Water. The magical world is separate from the physical world in a few ways, as scientifically, ice and water are the same, but magically, they are different. Even steam is different, being a mixture of fire and water. 

Manipulating certain structures may require specific mixes. Goldmaking would be intensely easily if that was just nature magic. No, gold's true fusion of elements hasn't been found yet. Also, two casters cannot generally fuse their abilities just to manipulate something - so a fire and water caster cannot just make steam. They can both blast, and create steam that way, but cannot channel those abilities to create steam on the spot. 

Magic can be either manipulative or generative. Generative is harder as that requires making the substance out of thin air. For example, Cyras' flames are created by using magic as the fuel, and she even produces oxygen for those flames, and that's why they burn underwater. Manipulative magic however, requires less energy and has less strictness in substance. A nature mage cannot create mud, but can theoretically throw mud around, as that already has earth within, and is simply soaked.

So how does one learn magic? 

Wilders usually learn their innate magic. Everyone usually has an elemental affinity they're born with that even influences the colors of their furs. Cyras was affinitied with fire. However, not everyone taps them like Lilu or Ahmond. Wilders have more pressure to learn magic, while Civics treat this like learning martial arts.

There is no true maximum of elements one can learn. However, typically, an individual only learns one or two elements within their lifetime. Even gods or godlike beings usually only learn how to manipulate one. A theory for this is that every magic inherently requires different thoughts. 

Examples: 

Fire: Cyras and Swillow both share a sense of impulsiveness and even ferocity, while having the valor to stand up for others. Owlis also shares these traits to a lesser extent.

Water: Ryvoh and Kryyk seem to both have a sense of authority about them, or a following of a natural order. They also have a stronger detestment of others advancing, as does Despair. Wasting somewhat follows this rule.

Earth: Cyras, Kryyk, and Ryvoh all have a sense of nature with them, and also have streaks of stubbornity and rigidness. Owlis also shares this rigidity and lawfulness. 

Psychic: Rosod seems to showcase high intelligence and shrewdness as does Sumhyr. This might also mean Cyras is capable of learning psychic magic.

Furthermore, Civics learning magic tends to require teachers. Wilders learn from parents. Civics may learn more organized magics and different tricks from refined teachers, but usually they only accept certain clientele. The Grand University of Western Wysdom in Sunnyvilla has created a model that is seen as proper throughout Aplepsis. This model is: 

Practitioner: 

Sophmore: 

Intermediate:

Adept: 

Expert:

Master: 

Grandmaster:

Elementalists: 

Elementalists are even capable of godlike feats.

Finding an Adept teacher is common is most cities. Villages will at least have a sophmore. However, only in the biggest cities can one find the best elementalists, and this requires lots of networking to even access them.

Quick other notes: 

-Theoretically someone may learn an element that seemingly has nothing to do with their fur color or even their personality. 

-The actual limit of a god's power are unknown. They cannot showcase their full powers without causing cataclysmic damages in all/most cases of Ascended.

-Magic cannot be taken away. Everybody processes magic naturally from the world. Stealing someone's magic... just means they take magic from the atmosphere. Sorta like trying to stand five feet away from someone and suck up the air they're breathing, just kinda weird mate. 

-Ahmond actually has an ice affinity. Rosod's affinity might be psychic but is unknown. Lilu's affinity isn't sand. 

-Water and earth traditionally makes mud. Add fire, and you can cast brick.