Hard Magic

Glossary of Magical Terms From the notes of Jake Sullivan, 1932

A

Active-The catch-all term for people with magical abilities. Specifically those who have strong enough connections to the Power to utilize their ability at will and with a greater degree of control than a Passive. Actives vary in the amount of Power available to them, with some being more naturally gifted than others. The conventional wisdom has always been that Actives are only able to use one type of Power. Actively Magical-Old-fashioned term for Active. Angel of Death-(see Pale Horse)

B

Burner-(see Torch) Beastie-Similar to Dolittle, but stronger, with the added ability to control animals telepathically. Extreme cases can actually put part of their consciousness into the creature and fully control it, including broadcasting the Beastie's speech, etc. There have been some rumors of Beasties capable of controlling human beings, but that may be antimagic propaganda. Beastman-(see Beastie) Boomer-Unknown type of Active. The Special Prisoners' Wing guards at Rockville mentioned holding one of these in solitary confinement in a special lead-lined chamber. Brute-One of the most common of all Magicals. Brutes channel Power through their bodies, increasing their physical strength and toughness. They must work up to greater feats of strength. If too much Power is used too quickly, severe injuries or death can occur. They have been banned from professional sports in most countries, but there is always work available for a Brute.

C

Cog-The second most popular of all Actives. Cogs are able to tap their Power to fuel their intelligence, and to receive strokes of magical brilliance. They usually only have one area that they are gifted in, for example Ferdinand von Zeppelin was a Cog when it came to airships. If it weren't for his bursts of magical ideas, who knows what we would be riding. I do not know if all Cogs are already intelligent, but I've never heard of a dumb one. Crackle-Capable of channeling, harnessing, and controlling electrical current. They are a relatively common type, and most make their living as electricians or in industry. The more powerful Cracklers can draw energy from the air and generate their own lightning.

D

demon-(see Summoned)

E

Edison-(see Crackler) I have been told this is considered the polite term now. elder-Member of the Grimnoir Society leadership. Enemy-Unknown predatory creature that may be pursuing the Power, according to Chairman Okubo Tokugawa.

F

Fade-Capable of walking through solid objects. Perhaps they do this through modifying their density so that other matter fits between their molecules. They are the opposite of the Massive, yet both on them originate from the same Density related section of the Power. Fades are universally loathed for their reputation as thieves, cutthroats, and peeping toms. Finder-Related to the Summoner, but dealing more with disembodied spirits rather than physical beings. Finders are primarily used as scouts, and their sensitivity varies greatly. It is possible that Finders and Summoners are using the same region of the Power, with Summoners simply being more powerful. Fixer-(see Cog) Usually a term reserved for lower level Cogs, who are better at repairing than inventing. Fortune Teller-Charlatans who pretend to have magic and know the future to rip off suckers. There is no proof of any precognitive Active.

G

Gravity Spiker-(see Heavy) The much more dignified term for an Active Heavy. Grey Eye-(see Traveler) All known Travelers have strange grey eyes. Grim Reaper-(see Pale Horse) Grimnoir Society-A combination of the French words grimoire, for book of spells, and noir, for black, because at the time the origins of magic were shrouded in mystery. The Society was founded to protect Actives from the Normals and to protect the Normals from Actives. Their primary operatives are known as knights, and their leaders are referred to as elders. They work in secrecy.

H

Head Cas-(see Reader) Heale-The rarest and most popular of all Actives. They are capable of accelerating the natural healing process. Even the weakest Passive Healer is worth a fortune. Strong Healers can fix most wounds almost instantaneously. I have been led to understand that even without using their Power, they can always see a person's insides. I suppose it's a good thing they're paid so well, because that would make me ill. Heavy-A very common type of Active. Most Heavies are limited to changing the gravitational pull in a very limited area. Strong Heavies can change the pull and also the direction in a larger area. Heavies are one of the few types of Actives that all tend to fall into the same physical category, most of them being large of stature. There is an undeserved stereotype that Heavies are dumb. (see Gravity Spiker)

I

Icebox-Always handy to have around when you want some ice in your drink, the Icebox is able to lower temperatures. Stronger Actives can freeze water or even blood and tissue instantly. There have been stories of Iceboxes who could produce ice walls or spikes out of thin air, but these may be the result of a popular radio program, The Adventures of Captain Johnny Freeze. As a physical benefit, Iceboxes cannot be harmed by frostbite or extreme cold.

J

Justice-This is a rumored type of Active. Supposedly, they can always tell truth from lies. Personally, I'll believe it when I meet one.

K

kanji-(see Spells) The Japanese term for physical spells. Their Kanji tends to be more stylized and artistic than the western European style markings of the Grimnoir, but is very effective at channeling Power. knight-An operative of the Grimnoir Society.

L

Lazarus-An Active capable of chaining the spirits of the recently dead to their bodies, creating tortured undead. They are the worst of all, sheer magic scum, and the only good Lazarus is a dead Lazarus. Lightning Bug-(see Crackler) Lucky-I had heard about these for years, and thought they were a fairytale to explain people who cheated at cards. They use their magical ability to alter probability. The term used by Dr. Fort to explain this ability to influence chance was psychokinesis.

M

Machine Head-(see Cog) Usually a Cog who is in tune with physical machines rather than theory or science. Magicals-A common term for people with Power, which can include both Actives and Passives. Massive-An extremely rare type of Active, capable of increasing their physical density, until they are almost invulnerable. I believe they are related to Fades, but in the opposite end of the spectrum. Mende-(see Healer) Mover-The scientific term is telekinetic, which means moving things with your mind. They are very rare, and very few are capable of moving more than a small number of small objects at a time. As a Mover's Power increases they are able to lift more weight, lift more individual items at once, move them to higher velocities, and most difficult of all, exercise a finer degree of control over the controlled objects. Mouth-The most hated or most loved Actives, depending on if they are in charge or not. Mouths are able to influence anyone listening to their voice. Passive Mouths can alter moods and emotions, while a powerful Active can directly control your thoughts and feelings. The smarter you are, the harder it is for a Mouth to steer you. Mouths tend to gravitate toward politics.

N

Nixie-Unknown type of Active, cataloged by Dr. Spengler and referenced by Dr. Einstein's work relating to particle physics. There is no official documentation on this type of Active, and it is possible that this name is referring to some other known Active type. Normals-Term used mostly by Actives to describe people without any magic. Depending on who is using it, it can be a derogatory term.

O

Opener-(see Lazarus) short for Grave Opener.

P

Pale Horse-The opposite of the Healer, the touch of the Pale Horse causes disease and sickness. No Active is more hated than these. Luckily for us, most Normals think that they are a story used to scare children. Passive-A Magical who does not have active control over their Power. They usually have one small trick that they can do, but are unable for whatever reason to grow their ability. For example, Passive Heavies are instinctively able to pick up heavy things. Passive Healers can accelerate the natural healing process just by their presence but cannot target specific areas or wounds. Passive Readers can pick up snatches of other people's thoughts but often go insane from being unable to control the input. Pipes-Unknown type of Active. Intelligence reports during the Great War showed that the Germans held one of these in reserve, but it is uncertain if we ever encountered him. Power-1. The energy that all Magicals possess. As the energy is used, our reserves are depleted. The rate that it recharges and the total amount that can be stored depend on the individual's natural gifts and practice. It is currently unknown if a Magical is born connected to the Power, or if the connection forms at some point during their early life. Power-2.The living being that all magical energy originates from. Its origin is a mystery. I believe it to be a symbiotic parasite. It grants magical abilities to some humans, and as we develop those abilities, the magical energy that we carry grows. When we die, the Power 'digests' this energy and feeds. The process is then repeated. The growth of the being explains the increase in our numbers over time.

R

Reader-Someone possessing the magical ability to read another's mind, sometimes called telepathy. Weak Readers can get general feelings from their target, while a strong Reader can crack your head open and watch your memories like a motion picture. Readers can also broadcast thoughts and memories. The stronger their target's will or intelligence, the more difficult they are to Read, and the more likely they are to sense the intrusion. Ringer-An extremely rare type of Active who can change their appearance and voice to perfectly mimic another. It is unknown if they actually physically change, or if they just create the illusion in other people's minds. I met one once in Rockville but he escaped within 24 hours of arrival. Rune Arcanium-A book of spells collected by the Grimnoir Society.

S

Scales-(see Justice) Slinger (see Lucky) Shadow Walker-(see Fade) Shard-A rare type of Active that can modify their bone structure at will. I had one start a fight with me in Rockville. They still squish just like everyone else. Shifter-(see Ringer) It is believed in some circles that there is a type of Active that can actually change their physical form, but my personal belief is that these are just talented Ringers. Spells-Through creating a representation of one of the coordinate sections of the Power, specific magical energies can be channeled into, and connected to, those markings. Grimnoir-designed spells tend to look like old European style writing, while Imperium Kanji are more artistic. Summoned-A being brought into our reality by a Summoner. The strength of the creature is dependant upon the Summoner's skill. Summoned only communicate at a rudimentary level, though they do have some language. It is unknown where they originate from and they will never communicate on that subject except in the vaguest terms. Summoned remain in this world until destroyed or dismissed. Summoner-An Active that can bring in creatures from another world to serve their bidding. It is unknown where these beings come from. The personal beliefs of the Summoner seem to affect what the Summoned looks like. Extremely powerful Summoners can bring in drastically strong creatures. The more forceful the creature, the more Power and attention it takes to keep it under control.

T

Teleporter (see Traveler)-A scientific term that has recently come into common usage. Torch-The single most common type of magical ability, Torches control fire. Passives are usually limited to very small flames, while a powerful Active can put out a flaming hydrogen dirigible. Unlike the Icebox who can't be harmed by cold, Torches can still be burned just like any other human. Trap-(see Mouth) Usually used with a dual meaning, as in "That politician is a Trap." Traveler-One of the only Actives that can be spotted by a physical trait. All known Travelers have grey eyes. They are one of the rarest types, but not by birth, but rather because so few of them live long enough to control their ability. Travelers are able to move instantly between two places. The stronger the Traveler, the further they can go, and the more they can carry.

U

Undead-A being created by a Lazarus. Physical death has occurred but the body remains animated. Consciousness and intelligence remains but so does the pain of whatever killed them. Undead possess no natural healing abilities and only continue to deteriorate. They cannot be magically Mended. Very few undead remain sane for any length of time and they tend to grow increasingly violent and erratic. They do not truly die until their body is utterly destroyed. There is a special place in hell for anyone who would curse someone to being undead.

W

Weatherman-A Magical with the ability to influence the weather. Strong Actives can actually stop or start storms and change wind patterns, sometimes even up to hurricane force. Too harsh use of this skill can cause severe side effects, such as the Great Dust Bowl of 1927. Words (see Mouth)

Z

Zombies-(see Undead) The first known Lazarus originated in Haiti. It is believed that is where the term zombie originated from. Diagram of the Power Drawing by Jake Sullivan Table of Contents