Dominion Sorcery

Dominions refer to the power sources for our sorcery. They’re other planes of existence that we can reach into to gather material and accomplish sorcerous effects.

Intermediate Dominion Sorcery

An excerpt from Intermediate Dominion Sorcery by Erik Tarren, one of the most commonly referenced tomes for sorcery research in major cities.

It is a most unfortunate truth that the average sorcerer never sees the necessary training to begin to comprehend his or her own potential. With the slightest talent, a sorcerer can be turned from a farmer into a devastating weapon or a bastion of hope – with the proper tools and motivation. Among the Rethri, sorcery remains relatively common, but still poorly instructed. Among humanity, it is viewed with hostility and superstition among the residents of small towns and used for parlor tricks in the few vast cities that remain.

This book is intended to teach certain fundamental points of knowledge that every sorcerer should be aware of, but few today are. That being said, the concepts presented here are intended for those that have already unlocked their sorcerous talents. My previous work in this series, Introductory Dominion Sorcery, is dedicated to teaching how to establish an initial connection with a dominion and learn to use it. This book will make little sense without that context, or similar knowledge from having learned how to use sorcery from another source.

The Costs of Sorcery

As a sorcerer gains experience, he or she surely will begin to notice the exhaustion that comes with casting too many spells in a short period of time. It is only upon medical examination, however, that we can uncover more specific details of what is occurring – dominion sorcery, in spite of the name and the concept, is powered by the body.

This, of course, may sound contradictory and on the surface appears to defy the very term “dominion sorcery” – but before you discard this tome as the ramblings of an old man, read on.

As the Rethri have known for centuries, sorcery takes a toll on the body – a measurable toll. Unbeknownst to many, however, this “Sorcery Exhaustion” differs considerably based on the specific Dominion that is being utilized. Most people are still trained that “Sorcery makes you tired,” or “Channeling the energies of the planes takes a toll on your body.” These statements are both true but greatly oversimplify the situation. It has been my conclusion, after many years of research, that the body is not simply channeling the energy of the Planes when you cast a spell – it is serving as a catalyst.

Ask a Dominion of Flame sorcerer – if you are lucky enough to know one – how they feel when they have exhausted themselves from using too many fire spells. In every case I have encountered such a sorcerer – and see the collected data section at the end of this tome for examples of some of those brave enough to volunteer their names and proficiency levels – they have explained it as thus, “At first, I begin to feel chills as I cast. As I continue, I grow colder, and my movements grow more sluggish. It requires more and more effort to continue casting spells.”

Exhaustion is present, yes, but we see another important element here – a cold splashing across the body. After hearing this description several times, I thought to investigate it with the aid of a medical doctor, and remarkably, the symptoms were not just in the perception of the sorcerer – the body’s temperature is physically lowered when a Dominion of Flame sorcerer casts their spells.

This revelation lead to intensive study on the subject matter, and upon further examination, I realized that each Dominion takes a slightly different toll on the body. Water sorcery causes dehydration, whereas life sorcery appears to more generally impact the body, preventing blood from clotting at its normal rate and impeding other necessary bodily functions.

This suggests that each of the prime dominions, at the very least, have a presence within the body – and that their presence is necessary for basic bodily functions. Conversely, some may suggest that it is a backlash – that is, the influence of the opposing dominion on the body – that causes these side effects. In either case, the side effects of most prime dominions can be measurably observed.

Below, I have cataloged a list of the Prime Dominions, their uses, and their primary side effects.

Redundancies and Connected Functions

The functions of Dominions in the body are not isolated. Instead, they function as a system, and many of them are interconnected. The Dominion of Death, for instance, works with regulatory Dominions as the function used to stop processes. Similarly, the Dominions of Flame and Water work together to regulate body temperature, while also having other separate functions.

As a result, there is also overlap in the side effects of weaknesses in specific Dominions.

I theorize that the usage of Deep Dominions impacts the body in much the same way, but my research on the subject is still in progress.

Prime Dominions

Dominion	Function of the Dominion	Side Effects for Using This Dominion
Life	Governs the function of the organs, such as the rate at which the heartbeats. Note that this includes the development of new skin. The Dominion of Life does not govern the brain or thought, however. When used by a sorcerer, the Dominion of Life can accelerate the process of healing an injury, sometimes drastically. This often causes side effects, such as preventing a bleeding wound from clotting until it has sufficiently healed. In addition, applying the Dominion of Life to a wound can cause it to heal disproportionately, causing unusual scarring.	Mild use can result in simple pain. Anecdotal evidence suggests the possibility of spontaneous “injuries” appearing on the sorcerer. A sorcerer who overuses the Dominion of Life would gradually suffer from a loss of function in their internal organs. Just casting a few basic spells might temporarily cause pain in the stomach or kidneys with no long-term effects, but overuse of powerful spells could cause a heart attack, liver failure, or infertility.
Death	The Dominion of Death allows the body to stop a process it has already started. For example, the Dominion of Death signals the body to wake up when you have slept for long enough (otherwise you would only wake up you were woken up by an outside source). The Dominion of Death also stops certain other functions when it is appropriate to do so; for example, the Dominion of Death signals the body to stop feeling pain after a certain period of time has elapsed from receiving an injury. When utilized by a sorcerer, the Dominion of Death can stop bodily processes. Some claim it can even be used to trick a corpse into believing it is still alive.	A subject that uses the Dominion of Death would have a delayed response to things the body should force to stop, such as feeling pain. The body might also continue to sweat after leaving a hot environment. Overuse would prevent wounds from clotting or prevent the subject from waking from unconsciousness (i.e. the subject would be comatose).
Shadow	The function of the Dominion of Shadow within the scope of the body is a mystery. Sorcerers who manipulate the Dominion of Shadow claim to be able to hide in plain sight, concealing the presence of their body from eyes and ears.	Studies suggest that sorcerers who practice the Dominion of Shadow have a difficult time recovering from injuries, diseases, etc. An extreme version of this would be hemophilia.
Flame	It is theorized that this Dominion functions to regulate the body’s ability to maintain its own healthy temperature in any environment. When utilized by a sorcerer, the Dominion of Flame can be used to produce sparks of fire.	Without the Dominion of Fire, the body’s temperature would be more greatly impacted by the environment. For example, the body would lose the ability to sweat and other self-regulating features.
Water	Regulates the level of moisture in the body, including the processing of water in the body and excreting fluids. When wielded by a sorcerer, the Dominion of Water can produce water from the air or flush toxins out of the body of a subject.	A weakened Dominion of Water would cause the body to show symptoms of dehydration, as it can no longer properly process water. The subject would need to drink larger amounts of water to prevent dehydration and their skin might dry out. In extreme cases, this would also prevent the proper flow of blood through the body.
Wind	Controls the lungs and the ability to breathe. When manipulated by a sorcerer, the Dominion of Wind can be used to project blasts of wind, levitate, or breathe in any environment.	Weakness in this Dominion causes slight breathing problems that can be temporary (such as coughing) or chronic (such as asthma). Completely losing this Dominion would prevent the body from breathing.
Stone	Regulates the creation of bone, muscle, cartilage, and bone marrow. When manipulated by a sorcerer, the Dominion of Stone can harden the muscles and the skin, making the body more resilient. Experienced Stone Sorcerers can reportedly manipulate actual stone, changing its shape as they desire.	A weakened connection to this Dominion can result in weakened bones and muscles, and eventual muscle loss and death.
Knowledge	Within the body, the Dominion of Knowledge controls the basic ability to think and process information logically. When wielded by a sorcerer, the Dominion of Knowledge can be used to gather information.	Overuse of the Dominion of Knowledge would cause a loss of reason and logical thinking. This can impede grammar and vocabulary and the ability to perform mathematical computation.
Deception	Within the body, the Dominion of Deception controls the ability to think contextually, and to approximate, etc. When manipulated by a sorcerer, the Dominion of Deception can be used to trick a subject with false sensory information, i.e. illusions.	A weakened Dominion of Deception causes the body to have a difficult time processing things that are abstract, such as creative thoughts, approximate numbers, and contextual dialogue.
Light	The Dominion of Light is used to break down and/or expel that foreign material. Thus, the Dominion of Light is necessary for recovering from many forms of poison or disease. The Dominion of Light also allows for recovery from foreign dominions introduced into the body. Thus, someone with a powerful Dominion of Light would quickly recover from enemy sorcery. When utilized by a sorcerer, the Dominion of Light can be used to treat poison or disease. It can also be utilized offensively by controlling the light to treat anything it touches as “foreign material”.	A character with a weakened Dominion of Light would have difficulty recovering from poison, infections, and enemy spells.
Stability	The function of the Dominion of Stability on the body is unknown. When utilized by a sorcerer, the Dominion of Stability can extend the duration of a spell that is already in effect on a target.	The side-effects of using the Dominion of Stability are unknown. Unlike most forms of sorcery, using the Dominion of Stability does not appear to noticeably fatigue the caster. Nevertheless, as with any form of sorcery, caution is advised. It is likely that there are side effects, but that they are too difficult to notice.
Motion	Governs muscular movement. When manipulated by a sorcerer, the Dominion of Motion can enhance or diminish the subject’s speed. Some claim that the Dominion of Motion can also be used to amplify or nullify the force of a physical movement, such as swinging a hammer.	A weakened Dominion of Motion would initially result in stiffness in the joints and a lack of flexibility. In extreme cases, this could eventually result in paralysis.

Deep Dominions

An excerpt from Deep Dominions by Edrick Theas

While my good friend Erik has made an admirable effort to classify the Deep Dominions, I fear that research into their interactions within the body has been largely overlooked by my scholarly brethren. The functions and costs of the Prime Dominions are well-classified – indeed, Master Tarren has done much of this work himself, and I credit him for his efforts. Nevertheless, I found the subject intriguing enough to warrant additional research, and here I will present some of my initial findings.

Erik tends to classify dominions based on their manifestations – physical, mental, or energy. I prefer to classify each dominion based on its relevance to the body, which I tend to find more practical. Of the deep dominions, some have clear effects on the body that relate to everyday functions. The most obvious is likely the Dominion of Sight – its utility is obvious from the name alone. I refer to these as “Requisite Dominions”, in that the quality of our daily lives would be drastically reduced without them.

Others serve important functions but are less obvious. The Dominion of Protection, for example, helps bone and skin growth, which serves to both improve the physical capabilities of the body and provide protection against sorcery. It’s important to note that not all creatures appear to have this dominion in measurable quantities – indeed, humans and our cousins like the Rethri appear to be the only species in which this dominion is present.

This helps to explain why some forms of sorcery are vastly more effective against other creatures than they are against humans – the Dominion of Protection enables our skin to act as a natural filter, preventing external sorcery effects from entering our bodies. This does not grant any sort of immunity, of course; it is merely a layer of inherent defense that other creatures do not appear to have.

Similarly, the Dominion of Spirit – which I have long studied along with my colleague Ulan’dir Ta’thyriel – appears to have an important function in assisting the body in recovering from trauma. I admit that in spite of the egregious number of apostrophes in his name Ulan’dir is presently better versed in this particular subject, and thus I will leave it to him to explain in one of his own future essays.

Dominions such as protection and spirit are thus quite important, but less obvious in their functions. I refer to these as “Beneficial Dominions”.

There are other Deep Dominions that have no obvious role in the body at all – these I call “Esoteric Dominions”. The effects of these dominions on the body are much more difficult to quantify, but I will continue in my efforts to catalog their functions and side effects in the future.

There are many other Deep Dominions in existence, most of which are poorly understood. I hope to gather more information on these to write about them more in future essays.

Requisite Deep Dominions

Dominion	Function of the Dominion	Side Effects for Using This Dominion
Sight	Governs the sense of sight.	Weakness in this Dominion would prevent the body from seeing properly.
Sound	Governs the sense of hearing.	Weakness in this Dominion would prevent the body from hearing properly.
Blood	Controls the flow and function of blood in the body.	A weakened Dominion of Blood would prevent the blood from flowing or functioning properly. This can lead to a number of blood-related disorders. This can also prevent the blood from properly clotting, similar to hemophilia.
Heat	Allows the body to draw warmth from outside. Similar to the function of Flame, but only functions to keep the body warmer, rather than cooler.	Using Dominion of Heat spells will draw directly from body heat and cause the character to shiver and eventually suffer hypothermia.
Ice	Allows the body to cool itself by drawing from external sources. Works with the Dominions of Heat and Flame to regulate body temperature.	Using Dominion of Ice spells wreak havoc on the body’s ability to regulate its own temperature, causing symptoms similar to heatstroke.

Beneficial Deep Dominions

Dominion	Function of the Dominion	Side Effects for Using This Dominion
Protection	Influences bone density and skin composition. Skin developed by someone possessing a strong Dominion of Protection serves to protect against some forms of sorcery.	Without the Dominion of Protection, the skin will have fewer layers, easily breaking and providing minimal filtration against sorcery. Bones are similarly weakened by a lack of the Dominion of Protection within the body.
Metal	Regulates iron in the blood, although the function of iron in the body remains a mystery to us at this time.	The side effects of using the Dominion of Metal are unclear. The most visible symptom of this is paler skin, but it also can cause general fatigue, difficulty with blood flow, and the eventual failure of organs.
Travel	Enhances reaction time and muscular movement.	Generalized fatigue and muscular weakness. In extreme cases, paralysis can occur.

Esoteric Deep Dominions

Dominion	Function of the Dominion	Side Effects for Using This Dominion
Blades	The so-called Dominion of Blades is most likely a particular form of the Dominion of Radiance, a Deep Dominion connected to Light and Motion. The function appears to be to purge foreign sorcery from the body.	Most people do not manifest the Dominion of Blades in any measurable quantity. Stories indicate that its users experience generalized fatigue, and it would be expected that they would also lose some of the efficacy of the dominion’s ability to purge foreign dominions from their bodies.
Destiny	Destiny sorcerers are incredibly rare. Most claim that their abilities enable to them to have glimpses of the future. These sometimes manifest visually, other times in dreams or in the form of memories.	Overusing the Dominion of Destiny appears to interfere with cognitive functions, similar to overusing the Dominion of Knowledge.
Void	I have yet to meet a human void sorcerer, but my studies indicate that this dominion may serve a similar function to the Dominion of Protection for the Esharen. This would make some sense, given that when used, the Dominion of Void has an effect that weakens or nullifies sorcery.	Unknown. Without any human sorcerers, I have limited data available.