Pyrádrū

Thaumaturgic Form of Magic

Pyrádrū is the study of the Form of Magic. Some scholars study Pyrádrū alone (i.e., Pyrádryr), but other than forming “knots” and other basic spells, the art has few independent applications.

“It seems possible to utilize most Chaos within the framework of a defined Order, but the limits of that Order emasculate the potential of the original power.” – early masters work, Master Gezir of Pæð, 312 DR

Pyrádrū is a relatively new direction in the history of magic. Early Weavings were likely performed blindly. In the beginning, magic was much more simple but its underpinnings were not understood. When a combination of words, components, and gestures were discovered to generate a magical effect, that sequence was recorded and cataloged. These basic invocations were the first spells. Over time, the magical corpus grew, and magicians began seeing trends between similar results. These observations led to the development of more complex spells, and an understanding of mechanisms at work within the Skein. Further research resulted in the art of Pyrádrū, the study of magic as a meta-element.

“All laws must conform to one Law. This elusive Law should allow you to extrapolate all others. Discover the Law and you will become the Eleventh.” – Master Kir of Pæð’s address to the Council of Sylòr Bað, Panæð, 571 DR

Not all learning has occurred in a vacuum. In many cases, Yrūni magicians have had the benefit of Dwürdèni or Eylfi mentors. Additionally, Mortal magicians have also “benefited” from the insight and tutelage of otherworldly sources (i.e. demons, Aspects, outsiders).

Spells

Dragàmyr

Vornàmyr

Foci

  • Outsider’s Heart. There are many foci available for use with the Form of Pyrádrū. Perhaps the most potent of these components are the hearts of outsiders, e.g. creatures from outside the Waking World. The host creature of this organ does not need to be innately magical for the component to be useful. All creatures that move between worlds carry with them a store of magic that resides in the heart. By using this battery, the magician is able to tap into the magical essence of the outer worlds. The power stored within a heart depends on the type of creature harvested (i.e. the heart of a Nether Urdar is worth less than that of a divine Aspect).

Resources

  • Reflections on Magic Lost. A book of magic theory that continues discussions of a hypotheses presented in Lerrùl’s Wev Dragor Lor II, published 80 years prior. Supporting Lerrul’s arguments, Zenar provides examples garnered from ancient texts of magical experiment and their effects. Zenar summarizes that the Weave has weakened considerably in the past 600 years but that evidence exists to show that the drought will not last. This is a book of theory and is not of much use to student magicians. It is however a good reference for understanding some of the ancient rituals detailed within. (52 pages)
    • Author: Nembèr Zenar (Nor Lōdùnin of Evermið)
    • Language/Script: Dekàlic 13+ / High Davar
    • Written: Taldàna, bet 580-593 DR
    • Published: Taldàna, Valas Press, 593 DR
    • Copies: Unkn.; House of Ðarád’Zor (Oð)
  • Talòr Eshwon. A standard thick and heavy book with a deep blue cloth cover and parchment sheets. Originally produced in the Age of the High King, the tome has been reprinted and scripted innumerable times and in as many places. It is a common find in libraries throughout the Old Empire. Talòr Eshwon contains the spell “Illya’s Bind” which may be used to metaphysically graft talismans to a magician. (94 pages)
    • Author: Illya (Lōdùnin of Ildûn)
    • Language/Script: Dekàlic 10+ / High Davar
    • Written: Ildûn, cir 1100 HK
    • Published: Panæð, Sarádta Scriptorium, 430 DR
    • Copies: Unkn.; House of Ðarád’Zor (Oð)
  • Tirrùld’s Drag Nòrnydðyon. A thick pale red book with parchment pages and colorful illuminations. The writing is difficult to decipher due to elaborate calligraphy and abstract subject-matter. The Drag Nòrnydðyon is subtitled “Secret Compilations on Theories of Advanced Magic”. The book is a useful resource for students of Dragùli magic, but largely indecipherable to most others. The tome was made in large quantities but the natural attrition that accompanies all things magical has reduced the number of copies to less than a hundred. (410 pages)
    • Author: Gæra Tirruld
    • Language/Script: Dekàlic 15+ / High Davar
    • Written: Panæð, bet 300-420 DR
    • Published: Panæð, Tanàdtar Scriptorium, 422 DR
    • Copies: 250; House of Ðarád’Zor (Oð)
  • Tūmùnor Udra Sìril. A wide book of vellum sheets with a deep violet cloth cover. The book has seen many printings, but the first editions are easily spotted by the brass binding and cornering. “Channeling the First Circle” is a wizard’s primer often given to apprentices to study on their own time. The book is written in a cramped Dekàli script that is jokingly blamed for the bad eyesight of many magicians. (148 pages)
    • Author: Unkn. (various contributors)
    • Language/Script: Dekàlic 10+ / High Davar (Compressed)
    • Written: Ildûn, cir 920 HK
    • Published: Oð, Shrod’s Press, 438 DR
    • Copies: 24; Ændroth’s House (Oð)
  • Vorrōs Temadð. A narrow book with a black cover and no outward decoration or title, the Vorrōs Temadð is a collection of gestures and positions that are useful for somatic Weaving. The book suggests that precise motions increase spell potency and allow the Weaver to alter spell effects. The book is a valuable resource for magicians wishing to brush-up on the basics of gesture, but falls short of teaching the student how to finesse spells. Interestingly, the author suggests adopting the Jædðàri temadð to traditional Dekàli Weaving, a practice adopted by Panæði magicians a century later. (54 pages)
    • Author: Ezlèbar Tàrdan (Thōllin of Jædð)
    • Language/Script: Dekàlic 14+ / High Davar
    • Written: Jædð, cir 470 DR
    • Published: Jædð, Shabūlos Nuk, 462 DR
    • Copies: Unkn.; House of Ðarád’Zor (Oð>)
  • Wev Dràgor Lor II. A bulky grimoire of beige padded leather fastened with an iron lock. The intra contains the author’s views on magic and his theories regarding fluctuations in available magic between current and Dekàli times. Lurrel supports the idea that like a wave, the Skein will get stronger following the low-magic age following the End War. Wev Dràgor Lor II is the second volume of a treatise of magic, continuing where the first volume finished. The book is an invaluable resource for insomniac magicians wishing to advance their art. (394 pages)
    • Author: Lerrùl of Irclūnne
    • Language/Script: Old Oðic 13+
    • Written: Oð, bet 500-512 DR
    • Published: Oð, The Black Press, 513 DR
    • Copies: 24; House of Ðarád’Zor (Oð)
  • Zenar’s Principles ia Arcanum. A thick book whose leather cover is inscribed with elaborate thaumaturgical designs and dull semi-precious stones. The spine of the book has a single Dekàli silver “zeh”. This is a good resource for studying the principles of advanced magic. The author claims that the book is based on older unnamed works of private collections that were made available during the course of research. Three of the books reportedly were marked with Zenar’s shimmering sigil. (320 pages)
    • Author: Nembèr Zenar (Nor Lōdunin of Evermið)
    • Language/Script: Dekàlic 15+ / High Davar
    • Written: Taldàna, 600 DR
    • Published: Taldàna, Valas Press, 604 DR
    • Copies: 40; House of Ðarád’Zor (Oð)

Nomenclature: Pyradru Dekàlic: Pyrádrū (magical form), Pyrádri (pertaining to), Pyrádryn (specialist), Pyrádryr (specialists)