Casting elemental spells in TLN

[Arin]

Casting elemental Magic

<Fire>	<Ice>	<Wind>
<Earth>	<Light>	<Darkness>

Due to many misconceptions with the topic of Magic and how one is able to cast spells of certain elements. Here is a basic rundown of how different people can learn different elements. This article will target both those with an affinity towards a specific element, and those without that same affinity. For these examples, we will use fire as the element one is trying to master. To learn about specific elements, their common uses, and how to master them, click the name of the element in the links above.

People with an affinity to the element

Sometimes, these individuals who have an affinity towards a specific element will come across the ability to convert mana into their element by mistake, when trying to cast magic from a different element without realizing their elemental affinity, or a basic arcane spell. Or, it could happen on instinct, if they are in a desperate situation.

When a fire mage is first learning to channel mana, that affinity for fire automatically takes base mana, that has a natural balance of all six elements (fire, ice, wind, earth, light, and darkness) and tips the mana scale in favor of fire, converting it into fire mana. At this point, it's all a matter of body movement, hand gestures, or simple mental focus to cast the desired spell.

People without an affinity to the element

If a fire mage wishes to use magic of a different element entirely, he/she must be able to force the mana conversion his affinity produces to convert the mana into a different elemental type entirely. To do this, he/she must go through a rigorous process of studying and practicing the new element's magic arts. Like with learning a new craft from scratch (carpentry, tailoring, blacksmithing, etc) it will take a long time and many failures to master converting mana into an element he/she is not originally affiliated with, let alone learning spells.

Learning to use a spell that you do not have a natural affinity for requires months, even years of dedicated studying, practice, and exposing oneself to the element desired to cast, depending on the individual. And to convert mana into an element not natural to the caster, it will take more focus in conversion and casting than spells of the caster's natural type. Because of this, these non-natural spells are less varied to casters who have an elemental affinity (or have no affinity at all, and specialize in arcane magic) unless they have spent several years mastering this new element.

The difficulty of learning different elements

Depending on where your elemental affinity lies on the mana scale (found in this diagram), it may be easier or harder to master certain spells. Spells further away from a non-adjacent element are more difficult than those that are closely connected to the caster's natural element, which are easier, because they are more alike than opposing elements would be. 

For example: A fire mage would have less trouble learning light and earth magic than they would with wind or darkness, which would be more difficult, and trying to learn earth ice magic would seem almost impossible, due to it being fire's polar opposite on the elemental scale. The one exception to the rule would be light and darkness magic, because there are equal parts light and darkness within everything in the world, and one cannot exist without the other.

Arcane mages are fairly diverse, and can master multiple elements with enough practice on tipping the mana scale in any direction with equal levels of effort. This is due to the fact that they have no affinity towards a specific element.