Pawataki Magic

If you are not adding magic to your fantasy story, you may find this topic unimportant. But as I mentioned before in the Species Topic. This is a good place to practice in case you do decide to add magic to any of your future stories.

ASSIGNMENT
Create a magic system that your characters must follow.

This is important because just like science, magic needs to have limits. Without it you can have too powerful heroes and villains and it would not make your story interesting.

Again I bring you questions to get your mind thinking.

DEADLINE
You must post your item in the main forum by January 25th

My Pawataki people employ no magic.  It is completely frowned upon and what they perceive as magic is not what others in their world see as the same.  Therefore I have made a brief outline of what they believe and how the perceive magic which is used and sought after in their world.

RULES OF MAGIC
What things can magic not do? What are the limits to magical power? How do magicians try to get around these limits?

The Pawataki do not use "magic" but, they are superstitious.  They see many anomalies of nature and quirks of mankind as "magic".  What is magic to them would be ordinary technology to the rest of their world.
The nearest things they have to magic is their Emblems.  Although the emblems carry no supernatural power, they believe that these Emblems carry the power of the deeds performed to attain them.
So in a way, they imbue these articles with a "magical" power, by believing in the articles power to protect, imbue, or define the act accomplished.
For instance:  A young man shows exceptional bravery against a foe.  He is awarded an emblem.
An emblem is an embroidered piece of cloth about two inches square which, by the use of symbolism established centuries back, display the deed for all to see.  The Emblem will be worn on either the Pawataki scarves or their vests. 
When a warrior goes to battle, or a hunter leaves for the hunt, they wear their Emblems and believe that these pieces of cloth will amplify their abilities.

When confronted by technology that they do not understand, ie: a flying machine, a motor car, or any electronic or hydraulic device, they will pronounce it "magical" and will not approach for fear that evil will be generated against them.

They are totally isolated from the rest of their world which has progressed to a higher technological society than they.

Most of the items used by the Pawataki are made from natural sources; a sluice, a water wheel, horse drawn mill for crushing grain, animal pulled wagons or sledges.  They have a remarkable inventiveness, but do not trust the natural elements to the point that they have harnessed, or want to harness electricity.

Electricity is seen as something that comes from their God.  They have seen its destruction and have a deep respect for this power.  But, to use any artificial means of generation goes against their God's intention for the use of such things.
The Pawataki believe that Nature is perfect in and of itself and mankind cannot improve upon it.

For this reason do they not accept outside medical help, their priests being well versed in herbal healing.  They accept that death is a natural progression of life and everyone has to die.  They do not feel that a person can die at too young an age, it is their time to go and if the Priests cannot heal them, then God takes them.

Despite all this, the Pawataki are not fatalistic.  They believe only in the natural rhythm and flow of life and death.  Therefore they would not accept outside medical help, believing that God is being cheated if a critically ill person is brought back.

Some exceptions apply:  In the case of a person who has almost drowned; the Pawataki will seek to revive the individual.

A person unconscious from  fall will be revived if possible.

However, a person struck by lightening will be seen to be favored of God.  If the person survives he or she will be honored and brought to live at the Temple.  They will be looked upon as a Holy Personage and sought for to give advice and blessings.  If they are taken in death, their memories and belongings will be cherished much as we honor saints.  The priests may seek their help in decisions made that affect the Pawataki society.

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The Pawataki land sits atop one of the richest gem deposits on their continent.  In Wildemeer, gems are used to amplify magical powers and as a form of direction for certain spells.

The Pawataki understand these abilities, but do not partake of any of them.  They see this as a major infraction of the natural rules and as tipping the scales of nature in favor of a person.  Since The Pawataki are a highly organized social union, one person with an inordinate amount of power, is not only frowned upon, but is frightening to their psyche.
Therefore they do not permit outsiders to mine their gems.

This causes warfare at times when other races wish to take over their territory to mine the gems.  They are extremely watchful of their borderlands and usually are merciless to trespassers, either killing them outright, enslaving them to work in the villages, or returning them to their people after terrible mistreatment, with dire warnings not to return.  Usually these captives will be deprived of food, beaten and sent back.

Persons among the Pawataki who dabble in "magic" are ostracized no matter the benefit to the tribe.  They look upon short term gain from technology as a long term loss to their societal standings.
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Priests are probably the closest things that the Pawataki have to magicians.  They are looked upon as persons who are first hand conveyors of God's wishes.  They are also looked upon as interpreters of heavenly signs.

However, even Priests can be accused of "magic" if they appear to be using their powers in a way unacceptable to the people.

IE:  The foretelling of major events by a priest; invasion, famine, is looked upon as what the priest is supposed to know and do.  If a priest uses his foretelling abilities to gain for himself or another an advantage over other Pawataki, this is forbidden that the priest will be stripped of his station and banished.

Everything in the Pawataki society is centered around the good of the whole of the community.  Therefore any one person who stands out above the others through his personal gain either by "magic" or by greed is banished.

ONE EXCEPTION:  The Pawataki believe that God has imbued certain persons in their society with a natural healing ability.  These persons are thought of as rare and must pass rigorous testing by the priests in order to practice this craft.  All healing done must be undertaken in the Temple and the healer is not permitted to marry or have a family as they are expected to be completely dedicated to the common good. 

The basic idea of the Pawataki social network is that no man or woman should ascend over anyone else.  All actions must be performed for the common good or they are suspect.  So, a Healer is kept separate from the rest of the society.  Usually a parent will note an outstanding healing ability in a child before the age of twelve when they must enter their adult trials (see Pawataki Customs and Belief system outline).

If it is noted that a child displays great deal of compassion and the ability to alter an ill person's state of well being then the child completes an audience with a priest and may be taken as a healer.

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The Pawataki are superstitious.  They will put great store in talismans, sacred water, or trees.  They see certain animals as having critical relationships with their God and will only kill them for very special occasions or when in dire need.

A Pawataki family will revere an ancestor's weapons, (bow, arrow, quiver or spear) and display them prominently in their homes.  Although, they are not allowed to use these weapons because that would be trying to use someone else's power, these items are carefully displayed and kept in top condition.

Certain days of the month are looked upon as more auspicious than others, especially if pronounced as so by the priests.  Priests are consulted before hunts, battle, weddings and births as to the outcome of the circumstances.

There are some items that are never given to a pregnant woman, such as clothing for their unborn child.  The Pawataki believe that a person doing so is presuming that the child will be born whole and healthy and only their God can know such things.

A man going into battle will not be given new weapons.  They believe that new weapons will not know the enemy and may kill other Pawataki by error.

Children are not given to any profession below the age of seven years.  Unless their birth is accompanies by some auspicious sign such as:  A flock of Silver Geese flying over at their birth, a shooting star or comet, an unusual bout of weather, or, a surprisingly good hunt when it was not expected. 

If a child is given to a profession before this age it is seen as a mother and father trying to tell God what is in store for their child rather than the other way around.

Potential priests are given at birth to the Temple.  This is decided by a priest when the child is still in the womb.  The mother is visited and oral examinations carried out that ask questions about the conception and signs that may have occurred prior to and after the child was conceived.  If the priest is satisfied that the child is "sacred" then he will be turned over at one year of age to the priests to be  raised as a shaman or priest.

A Shaman will live close to the village but not in it.  He is aloof to all familial influence.  He will most likely be the healer of the priestly society.  Since he is using what the Pawataki term as magic, he is respected, but also approached with suspicion.  That is why the Shaman is the only hierarchy paid for his services in the Pawataki society.  The Shaman is a powerful entity and they believe he is appeased by payment so that he will not turn against the people and use his powers for evil.

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The Pawataki revere certain natural objects.  The Silver Goose is believed to have started their civilization by carrying them to the home they now live in.

The Bouleng tree is said to have eternal life because it never goes brown or loses its leaves in winter.  No one may cut a Bouleng tree down, no one may consume their berries  or use the sap of the tree.  All the materials derived from the Bouleng are only incorporated into their memorial services for the dead, or used in extreme times of need, ie: famine, natural catastrophe, invasion.

If someone is given a Kepo pup  (a wild dog that lives on the plains). The dog must have its ears clipped by the priest so that he will not hear and carry plans or news to the wild lands about their hunting strategies.  Kepo pups are treasured, because once trained they are loyal, excellent hunting companions and can see the Pawataki in their camouflaged state.

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For those who are not Pawataki, the gems mean magical power.  Although they do not produce magic on their own, the gems amplify and help to direct that magical source.  Certain gems are used for certain things, Earth stones such as Amethyst, Topaz etc. are used for minor magic, casting small spells such as glamour spells, (the ability of a mage to portray himself as different to onlookers).

Shape shifting spells where the body is altered to a different configuration requires gems of the higher order, emeralds or rubies.

The diamond is the most rare and most sought after because the diamond may be used for many points of amplification to many spells. 

I have not fully developed the magical system as yet for those outside  the Pawataki race.