Miasmic Magic

This page addresses information about miasmic magic and its in-character uses as they apply to World 42 roleplaying. Any valuable contributors are welcome to add, especially as new content or ideas come out in-game.

The Basic Concept of Miasmic Magic
To use miasmic magic in roleplay is to have a character make use of charms, runes, and spells to supernaturally manipulate the ancient force of miasma. At its most intuitive level, a magician using miasmic magic has the ability to manipulate miasma around at his will so long as he has the runes and physical energy to continue. As with most magics, there is a direct correlation between the experience/skill of a magician, the quantity of miasma he can control at once, and the intricacy with which he can control it. So, a mid-level miasmic magician could either roughly control a large volume of miasma or could delicately control a small volume of miasma.

Offensive Methods
The ways to combat an enemy with miasmic magic are really only limited to the creativity of the player and his character. That being said, these are three common techniques for attacking with miasmic magic. These include [blank], [blank], and [blank].

"[Blank]" is perhaps [the most basic technique? most aggressive? fastest?]. The basic premise of this technique is that [the gist]. [Detailed explanation]. Note that [any possible complication].

"[Blank]" is perhaps [the most basic technique? most aggressive? fastest?]. The basic premise of this technique is that [the gist]. [Detailed explanation]. Note that [any possible complication].

"[Blank]" is perhaps [the most basic technique, most aggressive, fastest]. The basic premise of this technique is that [the gist]. [Detailed explanation]. Note that [any possible complication].

Defensive Methods
Defending with miasmic magic is just like attacking with it - the possibilities are limited only by creativity. Two basic ways to defend against an assailant include [blank] and [blank].

[Blank] is [description]. [Detailed example]. [Possible complications.]

[Blank] is [description]. [Detailed example]. [Possible complications.]

Defending Against It
The key to staying safe from miasmic magic is to either disable the mage, dodge the spell, or prevent it from hitting you. Disabling the mage is a basic idea - if he can't cast the magic spells, you won't be harmed by them. The way to go about disabling him depends on your combat style. Dodging spells works mostly for projectile-type fighting methods that throw dangerous objects or concentrated masses at you. The simple answer for these is to get out of the way or out of range. If all else fails, though, prevent the spell from colliding with you by using some kind of barrier method. Put another element - especially water or solid earth - between you and your enemy miasmic magician. Jump behind into the ocean or behind a building or rock. Wooden, cosmic, dragonfire, or ceramic shields work well against concentrated blasts of miasmic magic, and any kind of leather armor will weaken the effects of a magical spell or, even better, cancel them entirely. However, note that any magic involving a fluid substance (a gas or liquid) is best defended against if you can get away from it or hinder the mage, as barriers are only so effective when the magic can see through and around them.

Miscellaneous Uses
Miasmic magic has a number of practical uses outside of combat. The following is a list of potential ways to use miasmic magic in everyday or commercial life.
 * None yet

Common Mistakes
This category addresses traits that players, often new ones, give their blood mage characters but that aren't actually legitimate or acceptable traits in users of blood magic.
 * Just because you can use miasmic magic doesn't mean that you can use all of it effectively in every way. A 28 year old human would be competent if he had committed a lot of study to the one element or style of magic, but the realm of expert is not yet within his grasp. Remember, if everyone is a prodigy, no one is a prodigy.
 * Typically, roleplayers accept generating one level of spell per turn. That means an ice spell the size of a low-level missile would be at full power immediately. In contrast, to build up to an miasmic barrage, your magician would have to avoid the enemy for a few turns in order to operate it at full power.
 * Given the archaic nature of ancient magicks, no character without close knowledge of zaros or intensive practice at a school of magic like the wizard's tower would know how to use miasmic magic.
 * Miasma is even more restricted in this respect, as it requires Zuriel's staff to cast (or some well-founded explanation as to how you might be casting without it).

Other

 * As with most magics, metal conducts miasmic magic. Miasmic magic that comes into contact with an enemy in metal armor would most likely accellerate through the armor and continue on its trajectory.
 * Also like most magics, leather weakens miasmic magic. Miasmic magic that comes into contact with an enemy in leather armor (especially dragonhide) would lose a lot of its power and do much less damage than it otherwise would have.
 * The word "Miasmic" very likely refers to medieval theories about illnesses such as cholera or chlamydia that presumed bad air and bad blood were the causes of disease. This was, of course, before bacteria and germs were theorized.