The Schools of Magic - Kithkin in Lorwyn

As we've seen, the schools of magic can vary depending on the plane in question. Nowhere is this more true than Lorwyn, where the schools are focused on the various races inhabiting the plane instead of the colors of Magic. This week I will be talking about the schools of Magic that the inhabitants of Lorwyn use. I will not be discussing each card for two reasons. First off, there is no particularly easy way to separate the cards based on race. Second, I really don't want to. While I'm glad that I did it, by the end of the week it had become a chore and incredibly aggravating. Also, I imagine it was as boring to read as it was to write something that became so repetitive.

The Kithkin of Lorwyn are a hard working race, able to work together flawlessly through the use of the Thoughtweft, an emotional bond that links all Kithkin together. It is through this bond that they have managed to hold their own against the bigger and stronger races that inhabit the plane. Hit the jump to learn more about the Kithkin!

Kithkin

The Thoughtweft is the key to understanding the Kithkin. It is part of every moment of their life, and it informs everything they do. The obvious conclusion is that it is also the primary source of their magic.

The simplest expression of this is also the ability the Kithkin are most renowned for - the fact that the Kithkin can feel many of their neighbor's emotions fosters an impressive sense of cooperation. This allows them to work extraordinarily well together, and this is bolstered by some simple applications of mana. This is most apparent in the spell Surge of Thoughtweft, which uses a small amount of mana to temporarily strengthen the connection the Thoughtweft provides, providing the Kithkin with an instinctual knowledge of where each stands, allowing them to fight as one. The Cenns, leaders of the Kithkin communities known as Clachan, provide a similar boost in the power of the Thoughtweft just by being present.

The Thoughtweft also serves to coordinate the Kithkin on a broader scale. If a single Kithkin goes into battle, many more will be right behind him. Their sentries are able to warn the soldiers immediately upon spotting the enemy. In battle, this allows the archers to coordinate their attacks to lethal effect. In certain circumstances, this can even lead to sharing abilities between Kithkin.

However, the Thoughtweft is not the only magic available to the Kithkin. While it is certainly their greatest weapon, they also use Alchemy to great effect. Most of their alchemy is in the form of potions, and it is used to make them stronger in myriad ways. It is also used together with the Thoughtweft to make their healing potions more effective.

However, they can also apply their alchemical knowledge against their enemies more directly. Some of their mages are able to use a special material called galepowder to both fly and banish their foes from the battlefield. For the most dangerous foes, they are able to forge an inescapable prison. Perhaps their most impressive alchemy is represented by the card Austere Command, which represents multiple potions - it can either destroy all magical items, all lasting magical effects or destroy either the most or least powerful creatures.

It is the combination of Thoughtweft and Alchemy that has enabled the Kithkin to thrive on Lorwyn among beings much stronger than they, and it is these same strengths that allowed them to survive when Lorwyn became Shadowmoor, but that is a discussion for another day. If you have any thoughts to add, please leave a comment - I'd love to hear it!