Overview:

The Mystic Arts come in many varieties, and upon each Path there are foundational techniques that are similar. But, as one delves into their primary branch of the Art, the Paths quickly diverged and differentiate. Many mages have tried mixing together Paths and Ways into a congruent and streamlined True Path, yet have always failed. For each road of the Art is paved in different stone and structure.

Homogenization of the Paths is as impossible as the tips of the branches of the World Tree touching. Yet, there are models that are good enough to be used in practice.

One such model is the Foundational Technique model. It is a grouping of theory and technique that can be applied to many different Paths of magic. It divides magic based on its effect rather than medium or execution. The Foundational Technique model aims to create a hybrid Path of all others, considering spiritry (the spirit arts, or spiritualism) as the base for its branching disciplines.

Projection Domain

The projection domain is about projecting and controlling mana outside the body and spirit. Though, a mana or spirit-construct may still be attached to one's ethereal body.

Striker:

Striker techniques are melee magicks where mana is applied to the outside of the corporeal body, but does not leave the influence of the aura itself. A flaming punch is one such example as mana is not made into a stable physical construct such as a Forger technique.

Emitter:

Emitter techniques are similar to striker techniques, but are different in that they are ranged and leave the influence of an aura. Mana being emitted from the spirit and body as a projectile attack is one such example.

Forger:

Forger techniques may overlap with many other techniques of the projection domain, yet one may identify a pure Forger technique by one property: density. One must Forge a mana-construct that is stable enough to last outside the influence of the body. Forger techniques are about making mana into a physical entity and giving it stability, given its namesake. Well-forged steel does not break.

Ruler:

Ruler techniques are predicated upon controlling the mana of a given area to exact an effect. Manipulating and bending water ether to condense water from the air is one such example. Though, such a technique as described before, also falls under the Condensation ability type. A sub-type of Forging.

Focal Domain

The focal domain is about internal spirit techniques that do not leave the influence of an aura nor a body.

Enhancement:

An Enhancement technique is simply that: a technique that enhances already existing qualities. Imbuing aether into a spirit organ or an aura is one such example. If one were to gather wind mana into their lungs and exhale a furious breath, such a technique would fall under Enhancement. All techniques, be they of the projection or focal domains, involve Enhancement in some form. Enhancement may be permanent or temporary.

Enforcement:

An Enforcement technique enforces another state upon a spiritual or corporeal system through magic. Cycling fire mana through one's veins or infusing it into a shroud is an example of an Enforcement technique. Auric shrouds in general fall under this category. Enforcement is not permanent and is usually only temporary, a counterpart to Enhancement.

Imbuement:

An Imbuement is a technique that imbues mana into a body of matter to give it magical properties. Imbuing of fire mana into one's muscles to exchange bodily heat for augmented force is one such example. A mage may also imbue wind mana unto a blade to enhance its speed.

Infusion:

A subtype of Imbuement that deals with fusing alien and differing mana types into the body.

Meta Domain

The Meta Domain is about changing the properties of mana and matter at their core. The Focal and Projection domains are about state, shape, positioning, density, and aggregation of mana to give it different properties. These are field manipulation techniques that do not directly change mana at its core, but instead control planar membranes to fold magical energy into a desired shape. Superficial, such so that they may be easily unfolded and unraveled by another mage. Meta Domain also attributes conjurations into its repertoire of technical categories.

Transmutation:

Transmutations, also known as arcane techniques work by altering arcana of mana, knowledge that defines what mana acts as. Arcane techniques may function as Infusions, transmuting blood mana in one's vein to arcane fire. Sorcery and wizardry both act as mediums for Transmutation.

Transfiguration:

Transmutation changes nature and innate quality, whereas Transfiguration changes shape and external presentation. As such, Transfiguration is considered a subtype of Transmutation. It deals with changing only the shape of mana. Instead of cold radiating like a reverse heat, it may instead present as a white flame with a winter-blue core while under a Transfigurative technique.

Conjuration:

Deals with summoning and conjuration magicks. Conjuration as a whole is too complicated a Path or even discipline to bridge and explain in but a few lines. The oversimplified view is oathbound summoning. Conjuration may present under the Focal Domain as a soul-bond or under the Projection Domain as summoning a body of matter from one space to another.

Addendum: The scholar Heidenach does differently than the current consensus (as presented by this tome). He separates Conjuration into three disciplines under different domains. Conjuration as in soul-bonds under the Focal Domain, in which case the namesake stands. Conjuration as in summoning a body of matter or mana from one plane or space to another under the Projection Domain, known as Summoning. And finally, Conjuration as in patron or pact magic with a deity, under the Meta Domain as Theurgy.

I myself disagree slightly with his methodology as soul-bonds falls under pact magic in general. But, at risk of wasting more of my precious parchment, I shall only write as much.

Conclusion:

One must always remember that the categories of techniques described above are only concepts. They are arbitrary nomenclature designed to classify and help mages better learn various different magicks. They are not set in stone, much so the opposite.