The Kenomitian Universe is a realm where magic is not just a fantasy, but a tangible force, a “Gift of the Demiurge” that shapes reality itself. This intricate system of supernatural power, explained through a unified “thaumaturgical paradigm,” dictates everything from how spells are cast to the very evolution of its practitioners.
The Essence of Magic: Mana and True Will
At its core, magic in Kenoma is the realization of impossible phenomena through supernatural power. This power is fueled by Mana, an essential energy produced by mixing Orgone and Aether. Aether is the “substance” of the soul, while Orgone is a potent “radiation” generated by sentient beings, known as hayyoth, from the direct experience of negative emotions, sensations, thoughts, and desires. Mages can harvest Orgone by focusing their will and experiencing or causing negativity, then mix it into Mana. All mages can perceive Mana as a “red” energy and Orgone as “gray waves,” using a conscious “sixth sense” called Da’as Elyon. Overloading a mage’s system with too much Orgone can unleash uncontrolled, destructive spells.
Mana (Credit: Kenomitian)
Spells themselves are defined as any contact with the soul that results in willful observation, interaction, creation, protection, alteration, destruction, projection, consumption, restoration, comprehension, or manipulation of reality. They fundamentally, yet temporarily, alter reality by following parameters known as True Will. Casting spells can be done through various means: targeting oneself (solipsistic), targeting what the mage can perceive (sensory), focusing on targets whose true name is known (nominal), or channeling any connection with the target (sympathetic). Maintaining these magical effects requires a continuous expenditure of Orgone.
Magic: the realization of impossible phenomena through supernatural power (Credit: Kenomitian)
Paths of Power: Pardes and Evolution
A mage’s potential is determined by their Reshimu, which indicates their innate Way of Magic (Kochos hanefesh), and their Pardes, which signifies their connection percentage to Abraxas and thus their magic power. These Pardes levels — Peshat (1-49%), Remez (50%), Derash (51-89%), Sod (90-99%), and Partzufim (100%)*— correlate directly to the amount of Mana a mage can produce and manipulate. Each level beyond Peshat grants new powers.
Pardes (Credit: Kenomitian)
While astrological determinism (Pardes are linked to lunar phases at birth) plays a role, mages can actively evolve their connection to Abraxas and ascend to new forms through a demanding, thirteen-part program known as seder hishtalshelus. This evolutionary process is described as extremely painful, debilitating, and immunocompromising, with each “level” requiring more time and commitment. As a mage progresses, their spells become more powerful, distinct, Orgone-efficient, and harder to dispel. The seder hishtalshelus involves rigorous practices like the active study of magic (Emet, the Brain), analysis of other mages’ spells (Notzer ḥesed laalafim, the Eyes), mastering one’s current magical possibilities (Raḥum, the Ears), and even intentional self-infliction of suffering (Ḥanun, the Torso). The process takes about thirty years to reach the Archmagic power cap, provided the mage adheres strictly to the program and avoids Yeridat ha-dorot, a de-evolution due to lack of “training”.
Seder hishtalshelus and Yeridat ha-dorot (Credit: Kenomitian)
Tools, Creations, and Divine Intervention
Mages can also infuse Mana into objects and beings through Goetia, creating Enchantments. These include Talismans (spells stored in symbols), Amulets (special buffs or debuffs), and Grimoires (items that facilitate Charming). Charming is the act of sharing spells or magical power with another through a Mana transfusion, often stored in an additional body part.
Beyond enchantment, mages can create Automata, “ex nihilo” creations defined by “Signatures” inherited from their creator and “Materials” simulated by Mana. These range from Cryptids (like parasites and homunculi) and Nehushtan (vril, artifacts, golems) to Familiars (mentally “uplifted” creatures) and powerful, hive-mind Phoenixes.
The Supernal (divine beings) also play a role through Theurgy, expressing their Sympathy or Antipathy towards magic users. Their blessings, known as Charismata, are wielded by Nephilim (beings who cannot use regular magic but have divine favor) and manifest in different levels of “Supernal Favor” such as Chosen, Favored, and Ascended.
Theurgy (Credit: Kenomitian)
The Thirteen Ways of Magic
Magic in the Kenomitian Universe is categorized into thirteen distinct “Ways of Magic“, or Kochos hanefesh, each linked to a specific constellation and Star Sign. These Ways grant different abilities based on the mage’s Pardes level:
- Logomancy: The Way of Wisdom (Synesis) allows for information manipulation and psychometry.
- Telegnosis: The Way of Observation (Autophyes) provides clairvoyance and mind-reading.
- Mesmerism: The Way of Illusion (Mixis) grants invisibility and sensory deception.
- Correspondence: The Way of Direction (Monogenes) allows for telepathy and the creation of pocket dimensions.
- Kinetomancy: The Way of Movement (Paracletus) provides telekinesis and physical enhancement.
- Aspidomancy: The Way of Shielding (Ainos) creates force fields and magical seals.
- Pyromancy: The Way of Flame (Syncrasis) grants control over fire.
- Psychomancy: The Way of the Ruler (Acinetos) enables mind control and memory manipulation.
- Xenogenesis: The Way of the Womb (Gonicos) allows for the creation of various artificial lifeforms.
- Gastromancy: The Way of the Maw (Hedone) confers the power to digest anything and siphon lifeforce.
- Hematomancy: The Way of Blood (Macaria) grants healing magic and fertility rites.
- Necromancy: The Way of Undeath (Theletus) provides control over ghosts and zombies.
- Abacomancy: The Way of the Forge (Elpis) allows for the crafting of magical artifacts and alchemical elixirs.
Telegnosis: The Way of Observation (Credit: Kenomitian)
Gastromancy: The Way of the Maw (Credit: Kenomitian)
Archmages and Magical Professions
At the apex of individual magical development are Archmages, “godlings among the elioud” who represent the closest mortals can get to the Supernal state. They achieve this title through a “Magnum Opus,” which can be a natural occurrence (Ipsissimus), an impossible magical achievement (Ageratos), access to a secret type of magic (Sublimatus), or divine grace (Tzadik. A Lich, for example, is a ghost that retains its intelligence and inner essence (pnimi), generating a Shekhinah (a rainbow-colored “back-up” of its soul) in place of its physical body. Archmages can even temporarily achieve a variant of the Yosher state known as Hermes Trismegistus, granting absolute control over reality before its effects are “corrected” by Abraxas. The Yosher state itself is a perilous act where any mage can “incinerate” their soul to achieve instantaneous sympathetic connections with everything in the Augoeides, culminating in a suicidal explosion.
Magnum Opus (Credit: Kenomitian)
Ageratos (Credit: Kenomitian)
The Kenomitian Universe also features a sophisticated magical society, with institutions like Scholomance, a premier magical academy founded by the Supernal to train powerful young mages and nephilim. The world is filled with various magical and charismatic professions, categorized by their involvement with the supernatural. Sorcerers are exclusive spellcasters, such as Infomancers (Logomancy for profit) or Healers (Hematomancy with medical licenses). Incantators integrate magic into mundane professions, like Magicians (magical artists) or Battlemages (magically augmented soldiers). Witches use magic for illegal activities, such as Bogies (selling suffering as Orgone) or Hexers (magical assassins). Finally, Occultists are those who study magic, from Esotericists (studying magical mysteries) and Thaumaturgists (career mages/teachers) to Hermeticists (striving to become Archmages) and Exorcists.
Sorcerers (Credit: Kenomitian)
In summary, Kenomitian magic is a deeply integrated, complex system, powered by raw emotion and spiritual essence, guided by cosmic influences, and mastered through immense dedication and sacrifice, offering a wide array of powers and roles within its unique universe.
