Arcane vs. Mundane
There are two primary types of energy manipulation used in IGNOLand - Elemental (Mundane) and Magical (Arcane).
Elemental ability is a natural-born power to tap into the purest forces of the natural world. As such, it is considered a physical, or Mundane, ability. Magic - or Arcane - on the other hand, is the combination of mental and spiritual ability to harness these forces. Thus, while both are abilities that tap into the same 'network' of forces that make up our world, the means through which they operate are different.
As both forms share many similarities, it is not uncommon for the average layman to confuse them for one another. My hope is to help illuminate the differences between the two and usher in a deeper understanding of these fascinating abilities.
The fact that we are all born with an elemental affinity is common knowledge - however, a major segment of the population will go their entire lives without learning to actually manipulate their element, benefiting only from its passive attributes. For those who put in a little time and effort, however, elemental manipulation is a fairly natural and straightforward ability.
While it does typically require some training to master, one's element is considered to be an extension of one's physical capability. Thus, training to control one's element is no different than honing one's physical body to run, swim, or fight. Everyone has within them the means to throw a punch or swing a blade, but it of course takes practice and training to develop the proper form for using these skills efficiently. The same can be said for elemental power. While we are all born with the capacity within ourselves to use these elements, only those who put in the effort to practice can bring out the power to manipulate their elements skillfully.
Studies indicate that elemental affinity is related to the environment in which one is born more than any genetic predisposition. Those born in humid areas with volcanic activity have a higher likelihood to be Fire than any other, for example.
Like the elements, everyone is born with some degree of magical energy within them. The primary difference lies in how MUCH, and how DIFFICULT it is for one to tap into this energy. While elemental control can be seen as an extension of one's body, arcane affinity is an extension of the spirit. This is why certain races (particularly the older ones) have a higher tendency to become skilled at magic than others - they are historically more attuned to the spiritual forces that allow them to bring out this power.
I'M STILL HAVING A REALLY FUCKING HARD TIME EXPLAINING ALL OF THIS WITHOUT SOUNDING CONTRADICTORY OR PORTRAYING MAGIC AS BASICALLY THE SAME SHIT AS ELEMENTAL. I'M SITTING HERE STARING AT THIS, TYPING SENTENCES AND THEN BACKSPACING OVER THEM, AND JUST GENERALLY STRUGGLING TO COME UP WITH A WAY TO EXPLAIN ALL OF THIS TO WHERE IT'S NOT FUN ANYMORE AND I'M STARTING TO LOSE INTEREST. I DON'T WANT TO LOSE INTEREST. THIS ARTICLE NEEDS TO BE WRITTEN. I'M JUST REALLY STRUGGLING WITH IT RIGHT NOW AND HAVING A HELL OF A TIME MOTIVATING MYSELF TO WRITE IT.
Arcane ability on the other hand requires more of an inward focus and is a more studious pursuit. It is often considered to be a 'learned' ability, though this is also not quite true. Like Elemental abilities, we are all born with the potential to utilize magic - however, while everyone is essentially equal in their ability to manipulate their element if only they practice, Arcane affinity can be thought of more as a talent. Some are simply born with a greater affinity for magic than others. As there are many races known for having a stronger affinity for the Arcane than others, it is believed that genetics play some role (compared to Elemental affinity which is more often based on one's birth environment, regardless of genes). Even so, much like Elemental abilities, magic is useless unless properly honed. While Elemental manipulation is fairly easy to learn with a bit of practice, magic requires a greater amount of investment and determination. Meditation and study are more crucial here than physical training - if elemental manipulation is an extension of one's physical being, magic is an extension of the mind given form. The greater the feat of magic, the greater the concentration needed to make it a reality. One could be born to one of the most magical races in IGNOLand, but without the dedication to studying it properly all that magical potential will simply go to waste.
It is worth noting that 'elemental magic' exists as a means for people to manipulate an element that does not come naturally. However, this is a notoriously difficult form even among the already-difficult arcane disciplines, and comes with several caveats as a result. Since attempting to tap into an elemental force one was not born with is, in essence, going against the natural order, it is a very difficult skill to learn - let alone to master. Even if one does become able to manipulate this element comfortably, the energy cost is significant and it will only ever be, at most, half as powerful as it would be in the hands of one born with that element naturally. Given these factors it is often seen within the magic community as an undesirable discipline, however others find that the versatility afforded by learning other elements makes it worthwhile.
While it is possible in this fashion to learn multiple elements (even for dual-element users), it is important to note that, the further one goes beyond their own affinity, the more difficult and draining an element will be. Each element has those they work well together with (as noted on their individual pages) - for example, a Fire user is highly compatible with Earth and Wind. Thus a studious and magical Firebrand may seek to study Wind magic and learn it without too much difficulty. However, Lightning magic would be far more difficult to learn, and require even more energy to use...for a result that is unlikely to be even 25% as powerful as that of a natural Lightning user. And of course, as Ice and Water are Fire's opposing elements, they cannot be learned at all, in the same way that dual-element users are never born with opposing elements. These rules can potentially become even more restrictive to those with dual-elements as they will have four opposing elements, further limiting the elemental magic they are capable of learning.
Finally, Shadow and Light cannot be learned as forms of elemental magic, regardless of one's affinity. As these forces are intensely spiritual and require a great commitment already, they are simply not possible to handle for one who does not take these elements on naturally. There are no exceptions to this.
With all this in mind, one can easily see how elemental magic would be an unpopular discipline. Thus as a general rule people tend to stick with mastering their own element(s) and/or studying other forms of magic instead.
(talk a little about the non-elemental types of magic - Ruination, Clonomancy, Typomancy, possibly Alchemy, etc)
(talk about how technomancy has properties of both arcane and mundane disciplines and is simultaneously both but also neither, the debate in the magical community over its inclusion in some magical courses, affinity with Metal users, etc)
