Demotic Magic

Demotic Magic, more commonly called 'folk magic' is a broad category that includes any intentional, but otherwise informal or non-academically trained use of magic. The ability to ride and handle a galimshara requires the use of demotic magic. A zavian by definition does not use demotic magic. Wizards and other professional arcanists have traditionally regarded practitioners of demotic magic with some contempt. Legally demotic magic is problematic as it is necessary for many tradespeople and commoners in order to perform their functions and therefore if outlawed or heavily regulated would seriously harm trade and commerce. In practice, commonly used demotic magic, such as the law-lock, is rarely regulated. Many kinds of divination, including fathersaying are considered forms of folk magic.

Folk magic does not require any sort of arcane notation and is generally learned by direct experience, intuition, and direct observation of another person practicing folk magic. A grunterer can use folk magic. Folk magic employs symbolic actions and 'trigger' words making it broadly similar to ceremonial and other forms of high magic. However, in folk magic, the symbolic actions are directly part of a practical action. For example, tethering an animal is itself a non-magical act, but may be performed with idiosyncratic gestures and specific statements that enable the magical effect from the practitioner.

Folk magic itself can be further divided into practices which could be performed without any magical capacity, such as riding a gibgibsew (although highly unrecommended without folk magic) or administering a rejuvenating broth to a sick person or administering first aid to a trauma victim and practices which have no practical world effect, such as summoning a wild animal which is too far away to hear the voice of the summoner.

In antiquity, the practice of energism was often mistaken for folk magic.

Here is a list of some of the uses of folk magic:

• Control exotic beasts, such as reptiles and domesticated dragons
• Control skycraft
• Control windships
• Crops
• Petty theft, legerdemain
• Crafts like metallurgy—the first smiths were like shamans

In Kahonri, the word 'jihan' means folk magic and can refer to different kinds of folk magic.

See Also

• Law-lock
• Magic