Magic Theory

By Fresnel2, in Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay

In the classical four elements theory you had oppositions, domanances and qualities.

Fire opposed Water

Earth opposed Air

Fire was Hot and Dry

Water was Cold and Wet

Air was Hot and Wet

Earth was Cold and Dry

I am trying to work out a similar thing for the Eight Winds - different qualities of course. Is this already in canon though?

the following bit of lore is found in "Uniforms & Heraldery of the Empire", a book released by GW not FFG. But I guess the information should hold true in FFGs version of the warhammer universe. The wheel can be fond at page 8 in ToM.

The eight winds are often represented in "The Wheel of Magic", where the winds in close proximity to each other (in the wheel) share similarities like words of command, rituals or abilities. All winds also have an opposing winds and this is noted as the reason why a single (human) wizard cannot learn all the different winds of magic without great risks involved.

According to the the wheel these are the oppositions:

  • Hysh (Light) is opposed to the Ulgu (Grey)
  • Chamon (Gold) is opposed to Shyish, (Amethyst)
  • Ghyran (Jade) is opposed to Aqshy (Bright)
  • Azyr (Celestial) is opposed Ghur (Amber)

While writing this I noted something that might be a mistake from FFG. Since both Ghur and Ulgu are represented by arrows they must have mixed them up. According to my GW book Ulgu is (as I stated) opposed to Hysh, but at page 8 in ToM Ulgu is opposed to Azyr. The correct order should be (from the top of the wheel at p 8) Light, Gold, Jade, Celestial, Gray, Amethyst, Bright, Amber.

Thanks. That's about all I found too.

I am not sure if 'opposition' has any meaning on the wheel through. To be oppositional in the same sense of the classic elements the qualities would have to be apposed.

Well, according to Units and Heraldry, and I quote: "Each lore shares key words of command, rituals or abilities with the other lores in close proximity, while existiong in opposition to the lore that sits on the opposite side of the wheel.It is little wonder that men cannot master all eight lores simultaneously, for doing so would be to hold right polar opposites in balance..."

It's not the classical, elemental, oppositions but the winds are supposed to be opposites.

The Light - Gray opposition is fairly straightforward a light to banish the shadows, darkness to swallow the light thing. And the Celestial - Amber could be opposed because one deals with the heavens and the shy and the other with more earthly magics. The other two oppositions is not as easy, but could be interesting do discuss. Why isn't the Amethyst order opposed to the Jade order? Amethyst is dealing with dead things and Jade manipulating the life and creation. Why is Gold the opposite of Amethyst?

Is the Jade order opposed to the Bright order because the Jade order is basicly dealing with growth, life, seasons while the Bright order is purely destructive? Where Ghyran is creative Aqshy is destructive, that could be it.

The reason Amethyst and Jade are not opposed may be due to them both being about the cycle of life, just at opposite ends? And maybe Gold opposes Amethyst because metal (and more particularly gold) is "undying" in some way?

Could be that Gold is permanency and Amethyst is decay or something like that.

The color wheel is nice "in theory" but I don't think it's a practical way of doing things. It seems inspired by the old D&D opposing schools, except that Warhammer's schools arent' as obviously opposed. Hence, IMHO, it's just there becasue something needed to be opposed. Justification is always going to be patchy ;)

jh