Spell Casting 102: Magic of Khemet

Individuals who lived in the lands of ancient Egypt knew that the power to do miraculous things dwelt within the power of he gods themselves.Many such individuals sought knowledge and petitioned certain deities such as Thoth, Isis, Ptah, or Set for this power. Thoth was the God of Scribes, and new a great deal of secrets from the knowledge he gathered. Isis was the goddess of magic, she knew many mysteries about the universe.
Ptah the creator was a being of immense power, one that many could tap into. Set was a god of power, he was a god who could bring strength at a price. Although these gods were often petitioned by arcane spellcasters, magic was an essence that can be tapped into called "Heku". It permeated existence and could be pooled, collected, and stored in a variety of ways. More often than Shabuti (small idols), jars, scrolls or small amulets often held Heka as reservoirs needed for spellcastings. Large structures such as pentacles, obelisks, and pyramids could be used to gather and pool this energy as well.

Most respected of the arcane spellcasters were the Kheri-Heb, individuals who were masters of Heka magics through the use of scrolls. Many were well studied scribes who worked for the nobility, and well well versed in the secrets and mysteries of the gods. They often worked hand in hand with priests, usually as a vessel of power for powerful Heku rituals that needed to be performed.

Hekai on the other hand were often commoners who had the innate ability to harness heku for their own use.
They often learned on their own and went by instincts on how Heku works. Most knowing of the gods often petitioned guidance from one of the patron deities of magic. Even non-spellcasters could gain some mastery over Heku with pact made to Seth.

Traveler's Note:
Visiting spellcasters can learn about ambient magic and it's ability to be stored and gathered. Such practices can help arcane spellcaster build up reservoirs of spell power. However, most Kheri-Heb guards there secrets jealously. Ever practitioner of Heku is a potential rival.

Those that travel from Mulhurond and Thay of Abeir-Toril, Erypt of Oerth, Egypt of Aerth, Empire of Senpet of Ningen-Do, and Nithia of Mystara will notice some familiarity with Heku magical practices.