Overview

The central component of magic in the Kaiju Realms is sonon, a certain type of the many vibrations that comprise a sound and that can be manipulated in order to perform supernatural feats referred to in common parlance as magic. Whether the ability to manipulate sonon is derived from the divine and spiritual, or learned and practiced through rigorous academic study, magical feats are often considered to stretch the realms of possibility to their limits.

Sonon

Sonon (sacred sound) is a fundamental concept of magic in Kamiato and the Kaiju Realms as a whole. It refers to the inherent magical potential of sounds in Kamiato, and the Kaiju Realms, more broadly. The sonon is imperceptibly to most living things, however, individuals with the necessary talent or skill can manipulate it to perform feats of magic. These magic-users may acquire this ability through rigorous academic study, an innate talent, or a connection to nature, spirits, or even the kami. While many use words, phrases, or other vocalizations to produce or manipulate the sonon, others may use an instrument, the snapping of a branch, or even a firecracker. Sonon is not, in and of itself, magic. This unique aspect of sound is instead, the raw material that is reshaped and manipulated into magic.

Some claim that the sonon is specific vibrations and frequencies within sounds that are manipulated to produce magical effects, while others argue that performing magic is a matter of engaging in a "conversation" with spirits of sound, who then perform these magical effects on the magic-user's behalf. Regardless of the true nature of sonon, the result is the same.

Magic-users

Magic-users in Kamiato are those who have the ability to manipulate the sonon in order to perform supernatural feats that stretch the realms of possibility. This is called magic. Magic-users in Kamiato may acquire this ability through various means, which may influence the way that they perform their magic. Wielders of magic can broadly be divided into two categories, those who wield arcane magic, and those who wield divine magic.

Arcane Magic

Arcane magic can be both innate or learned. Innate casters are typically born with, or otherwise come to possess a hypersensitivity or awareness of the sonon. Some might be required to experiment in order to gain control of this gift, in order to accurately manipulate the sacred sound to produce the magical effects they desire, while for others, the means of manipulating the sonon itself is also innate. Innate casters are often described as sorcerers or warlocks.

Learned casters acquire the ability to manipulate the sonon through rigorous academic study. Some may not be gifted with a particular sensitivity to the vibrations of sonon, but instead learn to hear through intense focus and practice. Once one can detect the sonon, they can then begin to manipulate it through a variety of difference means. Learned casters are often labeled as bards, wizards, and artificers.

Divine Magic

Divine magic, as the name implies, is derived from spiritual sources, deities, kami, or the millions of spirits throughout the Kaiju Realms. Divine casters vary in regards to how they acquire their abilities. Some learn and are taught the ways of the sonon by greater priests and priestesses who have already mastered its ways, and are thus, quite alike to innate casters of arcane magic. Others gain the ability to harness divine magic entirely by their own devotion, listening to the dieties, the kami, and other spirits, and learning the ways that their own spiritual power is carried through the sonon.

Typically, though not always, those described as clerics or paladins acquire their gifts through devotion to deities, while druids' powers come from the kami and myriad spirits.

Onmyō

Onmyō refers to a type of occult divination magic that was once practiced in the Imperial Court of Hinode by a group of magicians known as Onmyōji. After a great tragedy befell the Empire, the head onmyōji was executed and the rest were cast out. As a result, divination magic is viewed with suspicion by many within Kamiato. Whether the onmyōji committed any true wrongdoing, or whether their divinations simply contradicted the will of the emperor is not known to any but those closest to those events which transpired nearly a century ago. Regardless, any who practice fortune-telling and other sorts of divination magic must be cautious not to draw undue attention, as certain factions and clans, particularly within Hinode, may seek further retribution for the apparent downfall of their nation.