Magic, Mages and Psychic Barriers

Magic

Magic is a broad term that is most frequently used to refer to the effects and reactions produced when psychic resonance from Ichus is combined with energy, intent, or pattern. Entities and substances created from and dependent on these reactions are referred to as Magical. Magic can attach itself to Concepts, or elements, fusing with them to alter its properties.

Notably, Vido cannot use magic.

Mages

All organic beings are born enveloped in a Psychic Barrier, something that acts as a natural protection to the various other types of consciousnesses, curses, and entities that fill Ichus (including Ichus itself). Mages are beings that purposefully (or sometimes not) poke a pinhole in that barrier in order to allow a tiny bit of Ichus' consciousness through.

This is an incredibly dangerous process and often requires the mage to dedicate years to constructing mental "labyrinths" in order to ensure Ichus does not immediately find the core of their psyche and destroy it during the connection. The result of a successful connection...is a limited ability to influence Magic.

The deeper of a connection with Ichus, the higher a percentage of their body may catalyze into something inorganic. If a mage pushes this catalyst too far or relies on magic to the point of neglecting their original organic body, they may turn into a Lich.

Due to their hybrid bodies, Mages require both organic and magical energy, and ones living in magic-scrubbed zones may suffer, finding themselves craving any sources they can get. Occassionally a mage may call themself wizard, though this is not to be confused with True Wizards, which are an anomaly on their own, and practically mythical.