Conjuration (Hedge Magic)

Hedge Magic

Introduction: The master conjurer can move items (though not himself) through space; scientists call this ability apportation or telekinesis (depending on whether or not the items passes through the intervening space between where it is and where the conjurer wishes it to be), whilst those knowledgeable in Sphere magics claim that this is a limited application of the Sphere of Correspondence.

Many sorcerers who choose to practice their Arts openly, or somewhat openly, master Conjuration, if only to earn a living from their studies. With it, all manner of parlor tricks and stage magics can be emulated - of course, when a conjurer claims that there’s nothing up her sleeves, there really isn’t!

For the best effect, an object must be prepared ahead of time, in a ritual designed to bond the item to the caster, making it easy for her to latch onto and command later on. This doesn’t mean that the Conjurer has to do this; theoretically, a conjurer can take control of anything that she can see, although in practice this is very difficult to do and much more draining.

The more experienced the conjurer is, the more she is able to move and the farther and more precisely she can move it; an experienced conjurer can thread needles, summon a rabbit into a hat from miles away or move an elephant across a room. The skilled conjurer can also manipulate multiple objects.

It is very difficult to use conjuration offensively (even beyond the length of time it normally takes to effect a change). A willing subject, properly prepared (which usually involves at least a low level of mesmerism) can be the subject of a conjuration, but the least resistance renders the effect almost impossible. With enough luck, a sorcerer might be able to conjure a weapon out of the hands of an opponent, but attempts at this are dreadfully prone to failure.

• Less than an ounce. A coin, business card, penknife, etc. No more than a couple of feet.

• • A few pounds, a hardcover book. At this level, very small or simple life forms (insects, snails, etc.) can be manipulated as well. Objects can be moved 20 feet or so.

• • • A largish object (computer monitor, telephone) weighing up to 100 pounds. Living beings can be moved as well, although the conjurer cannot manipulate humans. The conjurer can summon an object from over 100 feet away.

• • • • Something as large as an armoire, weighing 1,000 pounds or so can be moved. Humans can be manipulated, so long as they are willing, unconscious or hypnotized. The object being manipulated can be summoned forth and from (or sent away to) a location up to half a mile away.