Ilcoum com shet magni asendo
The art of "Black Magic" proper is a relatively recent idea. The name itself comes from the times of the enslavement of African Americans in the United States. Plantation owners would call the spell craft and religion of imported slaves, almost as a blanket term, "Black Magic". However, though this is the first coining of the term "Black Magic", the art itself and references to it as a black art have been around well before that time. The older term comes from the Black Magician's propensity for using the shadowy aspects of mysticism and bringing them to focus in a purpose of their own design. Because of the symbolic associations of darkness, Black Magic acquired religious illusions to Evil, Death, Selfishness, and Immorality. This symbolic alliance with evil persuaded people to consider Black Magic an evil work of the devil for a very long time. In modern times, however, the idea of Absolute Evil has a much weaker grasp on the minds of the people and this art has once again availed itself to the average caster without bringing fears of Hell or Damnation. Black magic, as an art, consists of the use of what is called the Dark Others. Its power dwells in the channelling of netro force (similar to branches of Chaos Magic which use "chaos" as an element of its own). Though occasionally difficult to distinguish from Necromancy , the Dark Others can be understood best as the focus of neutro-negative energy and, to put a slightly scientific spin on things, as Entropy. Entropy here being defined as the tendency of an energy system toward inertness through the breakdown of organized structure and pattern. The black essences are the power of neutro-negativity and destruction congealed and put to work by the dutiful practitioner of Black Magic. When a novice magi becomes angry they are often fuelled enough to cast a spell in the heat of the moment which leads to the destruction of their target, hence the tales that are often told afterwards of being so furious that a person's life was brought to ruin. Accounts of magics fuelled by hatred and negative passions are the essence of Black Magic, and the basis of the use of the Dark Others. This emotional firebrand is the means through which many mage find their release. It is a way, in psychological terms, to vent themselves in a meaningful way. Unlike other venting techniques, though, these power manifest in the form of destruction on a target or targets. They can be used to influence the mind of a sentient target through innundation, to destroy the animate or inanimate target by inducing a concentrated charge of entropic force, or simply as any other energy to manipulate things around them in a more subtle way. The old saying "The best defence is a good offence" is the rally cry of the black mage, and their methods often revolve around this philosophy due to the proactive nature of the dark energies. By channelling their own spite, hate, anger, or even a simple will for destruction (which may or may not carry the previously mentioned emotional baggage) into a sentient target, the black mage actually has a curious ability to replicate these feelings in a human target with results somewhat reminiscent of demonic oppression. This ability to recreate spite, or any other variant of bitter feeling, can leave the black mage in a very good position. By eliminating the competition, black mage can often seize rare and unique opportunities that would pass by the average person. Much like the politician who wins office by default, due to all other candidates dropping out or other such disqualifications, the black mage can truly seize the day and tactfully manoeuver themself into advantageous situations. Such a skill is undoubtedly the reason this art will never die out, and a defining ability within this caste. Turning to non-sentient targets, the black mage remains undaunted. They need not balk at many of the trivial things which bother the average person due to their keen sense of bringing a quick end to the discomforts of life. Enhancing the decay process of obstacles or using other variables under their control to crush adversity, even the smallest things in life bend to this overwhelming power. The specifics of where this power is usually applied remain foggy due to the different needs of the individual, but the point remains that, for a black mage, the issue is not a matter of "what shall I do?" but rather "what shall I target next?". In this caste, more so than many others, Ripple Effect is something to be mindful of. Like throwing a rock into a pond, a disciple of this art must be wary of what they target and how powerfully they decide to influence the target. A rock thrown a fair distance into the pond splashes only in the middle of the pond and sends out waves that have all but dissipated by the time they reach the shore, but one thrown with too much force or too near to the edge will splash back. Not to trivialise this awesome power with examples of rock tossing, perhaps think of it more like setting dynamite. Regardless of the example used, however, this is also a facet of using the dark ethers that a black mage must consider: how will the spell affect the caster in the end? Be wary of using such a powerful force, yet by the same token do not be afraid to exert the unique powers of the black mage. They are a force which is seen every day, and which can be harness to perform a function, though they are often ignored because they are considered "evil" or "wrong". Be a responsible magi/mage, and be wise in your casting, but let it be known that there is just as much to be gained from harnessing this potent force as with any other disiplines.
The Gifts one might aquire in learning they have:
the t bon angi
the scrolls abbadon/axion/anytee/nox/astor sygils
the 18 keys
the alchemical puzzle
the dark sight
dead eyes, and the works of Emnot
