03. Magecraft

Magecraft, the ability to use what some would call Magic. But it's not exactly true. Firstly, Magecraft and Magic are two different things. True Magic, aka Sorcery, is something that is completely unobtainable by modern Magi. In fact, the Holy Grail War itself is an example of "True Magic," and it's a worldwide phenomenon between forty nine different mages. Magecraft however, is something that can be widely performed by modern Magi.

Modern Magecraft as known was not always usable. Before, in the Age of the Gods, Magecraft was only able to be performed by those who were blessed by the gods in some form. However, when King Solomon took the throne, he managed to grant the gift of Magecraft and make it accessible to all mankind. Modern Magecraft is divided up into five elements; Fire, Water, Air, Earth, and Aether. Most Magi have affinity for only one element, but some multiples exist. Even more rarely, an Average One, a Magus who has all five affinities, comes into play. However, they are exceptionally rare and will only be accepted on a case by case basis.

After Affinity, there is Attribute. How do they apply it? Do they use it for defensive spells? Do they use it for offense? Healing? Buffs? There's really no one way, but most Magi only specialize in one area. Really, Magecraft is just a thing that you can use to make your own spells. Just list your spells and they'll be graded. Just keep Alignment and Attributes in mind.

Thirdly, there is Magecraft with Verses and Lines. Lines are a single line of an incantation. For example, "I am the bone of my sword" is a single line of the incantation used to manifest Unlimited Blade Works. Verses on the other hand, is the equivalent of three lines. So,

I am the bone of my sword,
Steel is my body and fire is my blood,
I have created over a thousand blades,

Would be a single verse. So when someone has a six verse incantation, the incantation has eighteen lines.

As one might expect, if the spell takes more preparation and time to complete, the more powerful it is. As a result, in combat, the best a Magus can manage is things that are either single line or single action (Gandr). They can perhaps perform better magecraft if something is willing to keep danger away from then, meaning ideal cooperation could result in some nasty spells. Longer is stronger.

It IS possible for modern Magecraft to affect a Servant, but only if the rank of the spell can beat the target Servant's Magic Resistance, assuming they have it, at which point the Servant's Mana Rank takes over to protect itself. If the rank of Magic Resistance matches or beats the rank of the spell, it just cancels the spell outright.

It is also worth noting that due to the Mages Association's disdain for technology, that the older the family, the less likely your Master is to use technology. Most importantly, Magi in the Nasuverse follow Harry Potter rules. Absolute secrecy at all times or things will be bad.