What Is A Spell?
A spell is a living thing.
They live and move and breath within the realm of soul.
Their hearts are strong and thoughtful.
Their desires are felt by those who employ them.
Spells can be tempted and coaxed by offerings, hunted and trapped by rituals.
The greats of old even claimed to have bred spells.
Spells want things. The spell known as "Luminescence of Lugl-Kisba" is attracted to light, presumably because of a primal fear of the dark. Many speak of hearing whimpering and crying when traveling with Luminescence in a place devoid of light.
The shamans of the twilight forest Karsaanu Sakutu make offerings of fireflies to coax Luminescence into their totems so it will provide them bright light. The offerings are for as long as the light is needed. The totem is spacious and safe and the offerings are plentiful; the spell feels no need to leave. How they are able to create a place for a creature of soul within a home of wood or stone is still unknown. A secret of the shamans they are not keen to share.
The magi in their scattered, isolated abodes in the desert Rimanis use their sunstones as bait, the brilliant yellow glow an oasis in the dark. The magus speaks the ritual words, a tune Luminescence loves to hear, and sets the heart-trap. Luminescence seeks the safety of the glow; the trap has sprung. Now the spell is trapped within the heart of the magus until she should release it. The soul of the magi must be strong, for any heart-trapped spell will whine and howl like trapped animal while in their heart.
The priests are given tamed spells by their gods. The gods are gods of the spells as much as they are of us, and they have as many spells to do their bidding as they do us. These tamed spells are gifts, given in dreams, entrusted to the faithful. Within the holy symbols Luminescence resides, beckoned by the call of the priest - one faithful soul serving alongside another. The power of a spell and priest united in purpose is as beautiful as it is terrifying.