Ama'Etha Vi

Definition
In Dalish the name “Ama’Etha Vi means “Way of Protection, to keep safe”

New Magic or Old
It is difficult to say what is considered old and new magic by the elves, but they will maintain it is all derivative of ancient Elvhen Magic so it matters not. In the case of Ama’Etha Vi this is a type of magic that came to be as a result of the barrier of Ostagar. This barrier was a long term project of the elves and they had been trying to create it over Ostagar, but it was not until they discovered some hidden knowledge in the great library beneath the city that they were able to “fill in the gaps” of their knowledge and make the barrier work. The ancient Tevene knowledge was stolen from the elves of Arlathan, so it made sense for the elves of Ostagar to figure it out and to make use of it.

Ama'Etha Vi is a type of magic that is not only defensive and imbues others with protection, but it is also restorative. There is no element of healing but there are spells that rejuvenate the mind and help concentration, some that enhance the mana of a magic and restore energy needed to cast. These spells were a natural progression from the barrier since they were needed for the mages who were creating and maintaining it. The essence of this magic are spells which combine elements of Arcane and Spirit to create protective and magical maintenance effects. It is not surprising, therefore, that Ama’Etha Vi mages are paired with the Emerald Knights in combat.

Spellcraft
What must be understood about elven spellcraft is that they do not treat it as a task to be learned. Everything a mage learns has a purpose in this world and it is balanced by the talents and needs of others. The way magic is taught is extremely organic, and though Ostagar elves have more structure the nature of magic remains rooted in ancient beliefs and traditions - that all magic is useful and is woven into the world. It is not segmented and the mages are an part of elven society and the world, thus their magic is in harmony with their surrounding.

Never compare Elvhen magic to that which is taught in The Circle of Magi, it should and could be contrasted. Their spells do not line up alongside each other with equality since elvhen spells and magical abilities tend to be more powerful and more a part of the mage and intrinsic and intuitive. For instance, the spell that the elves use for the barrier is similar to a Fade Shield but on a much larger scale. In order to create both a physical and magical barrier simultaneously a spirit shield is raised. Since this drains the mage of mana another barrier mage is close by to cast the mana rejuvenation spell - this spell created for the conjuring of the barrier. There are suggested spells, but since they work in combinations with each other one could say that Ama’Etha Vi is simply one huge magic wielded by highly trained and special mages.

Elgar’enansal (Spirit)
The gift of the spirits is the elves “version” of the school of spirit. This magic is used as support magic only and is not offensive in any way - at least, not for the elves.


 * El’an’etha (our place to be safe) - passive spell, maintains the shields of ena’uthalas
 * Lana’din (do not allow) - Anti magic
 * Tu eth’el (to make safer) - Dispel magic
 * Tu elvar’el (to make longer) Spell might - makes spells more powerful

Ena’uthalas (Arcane)
Arcane magic for the elves is not mundane as it seems to be treated in the Circle. For the elves “ena’uthalas” has a literal meaning of “to come from everything” but to the elves of Ostagar it means “the magic that comes from the foundation of everything”. For them “arcane” magic is the base or foundation of *all* magic. It draws power from the deepest parts of the Beyond and is used in the protection of the elves (the barrier, for instance).
 * ena’sal’’ama (continued protection)- spell that sends a ripple of repellent energy that stuns those in close proximity.
 * na’elgar (wrath of the gods) - spell that shoots a sphere of arcana energy, usually from the elf’s hand/fingers.

All Shields need to be used in conjunction with “spirit" magic.
 * Lath’Mythal (Mythal’s Love) - a personal barrier that repels magical attacks (including elemental, but only one element at a time), protects against physical attacks
 * Har’sal (to fear again) - attacks sucked into fade, then remade into waves of repulsion energy. Converts attacks into counter attacks.
 * Thana Shala (strongest protection) - Mythal’s Love that can extend around a group
 * Hima atisha (to become peaceful) - more attuned to surrounding magical energies
 * Ir’then (very awake) - a spell that Invigorates the body and mind and replenishes mana

The Barrier (Rosa’Uth)
"This barrier will stand forever - such is the will of the elves." This is how the Elders describe their unique defense and that it is a defence is not something they shy away from. After Arlathan and Halamshiral the elves will not see their third city come to ruin. The barrier is invisible until you are within a few feet, and then it is a shimmering blue that appears on the edge of vision. Looking directly at it renders it invisible again.

It is both a physical barrier (to protect against physical attacks such as rocks that may be launched from catapults) and a magical barrier, protecting the city from any magical onslaught. The barrier is not erected at all times, but it can be cast over the city quickly due to its mages being strategically placed and awake and ready to cast. They take guard watch with the Emerald Knights in shifts. It is not know by anyone but the elves of Ostagar how many mages are needed to create the barrier.

Nadas’Ama - The Maintainers
From the Dalish word meaning “something that must be” or is inevitable (nadas) and “to protect” or “to keep” (ama) comes the word “nadas’ama” which is the name given to those mages who maintain the barrier of Ostagar.They use the magic of Ama’Etha Vi to generate and maintain the barrier and between them all it can be created and kept. As the name suggests, they have a huge responsibility upon them. The barrier is an important part of Ostagar’s defences and therefore there are few of these mages who are not often in the company of Emerald Knights. Those of Nadas’Ama may not know it (all of the time), but they are watched over and kept as safe as they keep the city.

Limitations
The Feedback Loop - These mages have a mental connection to their spells. So, when the barrier, for instance, is attacked, they feel it. This has the positive effect of the mage being able to pinpoint the place of the attack, but it also renders the mage pretty useless - sometimes it can even kill them. In terms of other spells, if they are interrupted whilst spellcasting they can have mental and physical pain that disorientates them. Those who master this type of magic have this happen very rarely and are the ones who are usually paired with the Emerald Knight mages in battle.