Primal, School of

The Primal School
Technically any "school" of magic is within a Circle because it was thus named by the Circle. However, the type of magic exists both within and without of the Chantry institution and the differences between the two can be quite vast in some cases. Primal is a type of magic that deals with the primal forces of the world, such as the elements. This magic is deemed extremely offensive and the ability to use it to attack and destroy is something that concerns anyone who might be on the wrong end of such magic - as well as those who seek peace.

Within the Circles
The Primal School is a watered down version of elemental magic. The reason for the Circle's nullifying of this type of magic is because of its destructive capabilities. The Chantry felt that they should not allow the most powerful spells to be taught, nor would they allow experimentation and exploration within this school. Thus the curriculum for Primal is very basic and over the centuries has become more and more simplified. What is has become is a shadow of what one might see outside of the Circles. For instance, a Circle mage's fireball would not be as powerful as a non Circle mage's fireball, even if they are of equal time spent learning and strength in mana. The fact is that a hedge mage is more likely to have been taught the more complex spells.

Without the Circles
It is commonly believed by anyone who is not an Andrastian (or indeed an Imperial but for completely different reasons) that any magic learned outside of the Circle is inferior. This, by and large, in not true. In fact, in the case of Primal magic it is a bare faced lie. Outside of the Circle this magic is taught in its purest and most powerful forms. It is so intense that mastering all the elements is almost impossible and certainly cannot be done in under forty years. The main difference is the variety of spells and even specialisations within the type of magic, the freedom to explore the elements and adapt the magic to culture has led to Primal being a vastly different magic from what one might see in Circles. A pyromancer would not be allowed to remain a pyromancer in the Circle. Anyone with such a talent would be made Tranquil or not allowed to learn Primal magic - especially fire based spells. However, elsewhere a pyromancer might be revered and taught magic that has been handed down for Ages via culture and religion.

Chantry Propaganda
The Chantry have a habit of painting all non Circle mages as untrained hedge mages or power hungry, out of control heathens, and these mages - if allowed to remain unchecked and outside of a Circle - will create a Tevinter like state. The general populace believe this myth and it is something the Libertarians and the Resolutionists seek to alter. In the war between mages and templars this was a core part of the fighting, both sides seeking to win the hearts of the people, by any means necessary for some factions. Those who propagate the Andrastian beliefs assert that the Chantry does not oppress magic but it does have it taught in a "safe manner". Of course their opposition fiercely disagrees, leading to war and continuing tensions.

Tevene Primal Magic
Within the Imperial Circles there are areas of the Circle dedicated to different elements. Only this -type- of magic is named "Primal", the schools themselves are named after the elements. So they have (in Arcanum) "Domus Gelu" (Tower of Frost), Domus Incendia (Tower of Fire), Domus Terra (Tower of Earth), Domus Aer (Tower of Air). This devotion to the complexity of Primal is echoed in the rest of Thedas, especially in cultures where the Circles have had no influence. For instance, the Avvar have a group called the "Fork Light Sisters" and though they are proficient with air magic in general they are masters of lightning. This is commonplace, such Primal focused specialisations appearing all over the world - except in the Andrastian Circles.