Here are definitions for some of the more common words, places and phrases found in Magical society:
Annar: The seventh plane of existence. A city-state, Annar serves as the home base for the Magical population. All six races (Dwarf, Elf, Faerie, Goblin, Gnome, and Human) live and work in Annar, as well as a small percentage of nons for work purposes (once they’ve gone through a blood oath ceremony which binds them to secrecy). The Council is based in Annar, as is the University all Magicals are required to go to.
Ascension: All Magicals, at the age of 18, Ascend, or gain all of their powers. Magicals are born with roughly fifteen percent of their powers; through Ascension, they gain the rest. Ascension occurs in a secret location a half mile below Annar with the help of a Medium. Every Magical goes through Ascension differently.
Blood oath: All beings who go to Annar, both Magical and non-Magical, are required on their first visit to go through a blood oath ceremony. A vial of blood is collected from each person and then stored in the vaults beneath Karnach. The oath given at the ceremony is binding as prohibits any revelation of Annar and/or its inhabitants to any non-Magicals.
Connection: Rare in the Magical worlds, a Connection is a bond created at birth between two individuals meant to be soul mates. Connections are permanent and very strong. They are coveted by many who want to be assured of true love. Connections who find each other tend to become powerful Magical pairs who work in tandem with their crafts.
The Council: A group of highly powerful, important Magicals that serve to dictate what happens on the six planes of existence. Council membership is dictated at birth by a Seer and cannot be refused. There is at least one representative for each Magical craft on the Council; in some instances, there is a representative from each race for each craft. Council members are revered by all Magicals. Most Council members live in Annar, although some commute back and forth between their home planes and Annar. Their seat of power is in Karnach.
The Guard: A group of highly powerful, important Magicals that serve as both offensive and defensive protectors of their kind. The Guard is akin to a cross between a police and military force. It is often considered to be a sibling of the Council and highly close knit. There are several Guard who are both Guard and Council.
Karnach: A rotunda reminiscent of the Pantheon in Rome, Karnach is the seat of power for the Council in Annar, the seventh plane of existence. Every Council member has an office in Karnach. Within the structure, there is an assembly room for Council meetings, plus museum rooms featuring art from all the planes as well as the main Library.
Planes of existence: There are seven planes of existence --Dwarven, Elven, Faerie, Goblin, Gnomish, Human, and Magical (also known as Annar). These planes are, for the most part, unknown to each other (i.e. each plane’s inhabitants believe it is the only plane of existence) with the exception of Annar, which is more of a city-state than a world. All planes are similar in that they have continents which have deserts, mountains, plains, glaciers, rain forests, lakes, and oceans along with major and minor civilizations. Magicals can move between the planes through portals connected to the Transit Station in Annar.
Portal(s): Every plane has a number of portals, or doorways, that Magicals use to travel in between their plane and Annar. Portals can be found areas ranging from caves to buildings; all are secret and heavily protected from detection from non-Magicals. Portals can only be activated and accessed by Magicals who have gone through a blood oath ceremony in Annar. All portals lead to Annar’s Transit Station, but Magicals can move between planes by going from one portal to another within a matter of minutes in the Station.
Races: There are six different races in the worlds – Dwarven, Elven, Faerie, Goblin, Gnomish, and Human. Magicals can come from any and all of these races. Most crafts will have at least one representative from each race, although there are exceptions. Most races live on their respective planes of existence, although there are examples (such as Faeries) who can be found on other planes.
Shift: When a Magical experiences a highly important event in their life, there will be a shift. Shifts are like earthquakes, only no non-Magical can sense them. Depending on the importance of the event, a shift can be minor and felt only by the Magical projecting it or major enough that all the Magicals in a city, state, region, or continent can feel it.
Surge/Surging: All Magicals can surge, or enter into another being’s mind, both Magical and non-Magical. Surging allows a Magical to access thoughts, memories, and the feelings associated with them. Non-Magicals are not aware when they are surged upon; Magicals, however, can always feel the presence of another Magical in their mind. It is considered bad manners to surge with another Magical without permission.
Transit Station: Located in Annar, the Transit Station is high-tech facility that houses all of the portals to the different planes of existence. Nearly thirty stories high, the Transit station is, in many ways, similar to an airport. However, unlike an actual airport, there are never delays or cancellations. Portals are only closed by a Creator, and only then by Council decree.
University: Every Magical, once Ascended, is required to attend the University of Annar for two years of specialized classes to help hone their crafts. While there are professors and assignments, the U, as it’s commonly known amongst Magicals, does not offer grades or a graduation. Curriculum is tailored specifically to a Magical’s craft and how best to build proficiency. After two years at the U, Magicals then go through an internship year with a more seasoned Magical in their field.