In the Loyalty Fallen magic system, every kingdom has a different way of practicing magic, though all are based on the use of gemstones as catalysts. Here’s all the info on the magic system of Iridalys, also called the Opal Kingdom. Feel free to comment to offer criticism or questions below, and please like and follow if you’d like to learn more about the Loyalty Fallen novel series which will be serialized here starting June 4th.

Fundamentals:

• Core Element: Opal
• Characteristics: Smooth, deep, round, varied, unpredictable, with magic’s color reflecting the opal used.

Source and Catalyst:

• Gemstones as Catalysts: Opals are necessary for performing magic, losing their vibrancy and becoming pale after use. White opals are an exception, capable of being reused for memory storage.
• Mythological Origin: The first opals were discovered in the Whispering Woods, marking the site as the birthplace of opal magic in Iridalys.

Usage:

• Primary Use: Historically focused on forestry and agriculture, shifting to combat during the war with Navinor.
• Unique Applications: Fire and green opal magic in royal ceremonies to symbolize the king’s duty. Boulder opals in mining, blinding and black opals for warfare, white opals for record-keeping.
• Opal types: There are six types of opals in Iridalys: White opals have a unique property that allows them to contain memories, but they are the rarest type; black opals bring darkness and can cause blindness when used in large quantities by the best wardens, boulder opals bring cracking (in the earth or in weapons but not on living beings), blinding opals (what we call matrix opals in real life) bring confusion which is kind of like an illusion that distorts vision, a green opal brings life and growth (in plants) or some control of plants, and a fire opal as mentioned can be used to bring fire.

Practitioners:

• Wardens: Scholars turned soldiers, specializing in specific types of opal magic. Their powers are dedicated to serving the monarchy and the kingdom.
• Social Standing: Wardens are often ostracized by other classes due to superstitions and their exclusive service to the crown.

Societal Integration:

• Royal and Military Power: Opal magic underscores the monarchy’s authority and plays a crucial role in Iridalys’s warfare strategy. 
• Trade and Diplomacy: The uniqueness and demand for opal magic and opals themselves have shaped Iridalys’s international relations, especially during times of war.

Limitations:

• Resource Scarcity: The finite nature of opals, particularly after their use in magic, poses limitations. The rarity hierarchy among opal types further complicates their application in magic. White opals are the rarest. Blinding opals are the second rarest, then black opals, then boulder opals, then fire opals, and green opals are the most common and pretty plentiful. However, the supply of opals in general has been down ever since the war, since Navinor stole many opals during its invasion.
• War-Time Depletion: The war with Navinor led to a significant loss of opals, impacting their availability for agriculture and other peaceful uses.
• Damage from overuse: White opals can cause memory loss. Blinding opals can cause semi-permanent confusion. Black opals can cause blindness, boulder opals can cause dry and cracking skin, fire opals can cause elevated temperatures, green opals only seem to cause miscoloring. 

Geographical and Historical Influences:

• The Whispering Woods: The discovery of the first opal mine here is a cornerstone of Iridalys’s magical heritage.
• The Miner’s Revolt: A crucial event that led to reforms in mining practices and possibly influenced the development and application of opal magic.

Inter-Kingdom Relations:

• Opal Trade: Iridalys’s reluctance to share opals and opal magic knowledge has led to tense relations, though strategic exchanges have occurred, such as with Tephraya during the war.

Magical Fauna:

• Horned Wolves and Opal Dragons: Creatures with affinities for opals, influencing both the discovery of new opal sources and the mythology surrounding Iridalys’s magic. Horned wolves proliferate in Iridalys’ forests. However, they are savage and wild, so you have to follow them with care. Their horns look like deer antlers, and their eyes look like opals. Opal dragons live deep in mines. They are scared of humans and therefore are almost never seen; however, they are believed to take on the characteristics of the opals that they live near or possibly eat (no one is totally sure.) 

Defensive and Offensive Capabilities:

• Versatile Combat Applications: Utilizing different opals for varied military strategies, including creating illusions (black opals and confusion opals), manipulating the environment (green opals, boulder opals) and direct attacks (fire opals and boulder opals).

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– Image by freepik