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.

Spell Casting 102: Magic of Krynn

One the world of Krynn, primal magic followed through the bloodlines of certain creatures such as elves, titans, scions, and dragons. The Dragons who were the children of Paladine and Tiamat were the most blessed, and were free to use these powers as they saw fit. Takhisis children were showered with gifts and amazing abilities. They used magic for their own amusement and dominance among themselves. The Scions, who Reorx blessed used their powers to continue the work of the Great Smith. The elves, favored of Paladine used their magics in harmony with the world around.

Yet as the centuries come and go, this primal magic bought down the Titans, released chaos on the world at the hands of scion, and was unchecked source of power. The gods came together and gave birth to the gods of magic who would tame the primal magics of the world. From the Pantheon of Light, Paladine and Mishakal had a son known as Solinari. From the Pantheon of Balance Gilean created Lunitari from his own essence. From the Pantheon of Darkness Takhisis and Sargonnas had a son known as Nuitari. Although the respective Pantheons had their designs on who primal magic should be tamed, the three cousins came together instead and formed a pact.The three young gods dedicated their existence to magic itself and decided to dwell within the heavens of Krynn literally. They each created a moon which orbited Krynn; the white moon of Solinari, the red moon of Lunitari, and the black moon of Nuitari. They managed to regulate the power of primal magic with the phases of their moons.This would influence magic users on Krynn depending on.their affinity to magic.
Those that used magic for the good of other and in harmony with the world are tied to the white moon, those that used magic for the sake of study and research are tied to the red moon, while those that used magic for their own selfish purpose and to dominate the world were influenced by the black moon.

On the continent of Ansalon an arcane order was established to monitor the spellcasting community. The Orders of High Sorcery has lasted for centuries, composed of wizards of all types who where colored robes of the lunar patrons. Note only do they keep magical traditions alive, but they also hunt down renegades and primal magic users who live outside the law of the order. The other two continents never consolidated any orders are pretty much left individual spellcasters alone.

Other gods also granted magical abilities as well. Branchalla the Bard, is the god who provide bardic enchantment to music.Takhisis, from time to time, had her own spellcasters that were outside the influence of the moons. At one time she even managed to gain co-operation with the gods of magic to bless her Knight of the Thorn.Even when Krynn was ripped from the universe, Takhisis still managed to influence magic.She even managed to entrench herself as the Shadow Sorcerer, a being who helped the mortals of Krynn tap into the power of Primal Magic aka "Sorcery". However this only lasted a couple of decades before the return of the gods and the regulated use of magic returned.

Traveler's Note:
While on Krynn your spellcasting abilities will be influenced by the phases of the moon. Depending on your ethical alignment as a spellcaster, magic will be enhanced during the full phases of the moon and decreased with eclipsed. Conjunctions between the moons will even boosts the effects of your spellcaster.
Each moon orbits around Krynn at different speeds; 36 days for Solinari, 28 days for Lunitari, 8 days for Nuitari.

Sorcerer's and off world wizards should be wary of Ansalon, as the Orders of High Sorcery do not look kindly upon them. The Order often forces individuals to join the order or face the consequences.