Hi,
With more tests of current typing limitations comes more variants. This has been on my mind for years now, and it might not be for you. So:
Realms are Only a Theory, a Magic Theory
Magi theorize about there being four realms, but it is just theory. Standard Hermetic Magic can in no way distinguish one Realm from another. Any spell or other other Hermetic effect that affects or detects or otherwise interacts with one supernatural Realm interacts the same way with all of them:
- Demon's Eternal Oblivion affects angels, faeries and Puff the Magic Dragon
- A Hermetic effect can detect that something is a supernatural being, subject to possible resistance or manipulation, but not what Realm it is from.
- Magic Foci that cover only beings from one Realm are not valid. This will make some foci unavailable.
- Hermetic Magic can still cover other subsets of supernatural beings. For example, a focus in Elementals remains possible, although there is no guarantee that all elementals covered are of the Magic Realm.
- Merinita magi believe they have a superior understanding of Faerie, and their House Virtue allows them to create magical effects to detect Faeries and Faerie Auras, to only affect Faeries (or supernatural beings that are not Faeries), have Faerie-specific foci, and so on. It is likely that some non-Merinita magi suspect Merinita are dangerously deluded. Fortunately, the Order and Quaesitors generally accept Merinitan Faerie expertise.
- Other virtues allow exceptions for other realms. For example, magi with Holy Magic can create magical effects to detect Divine beings and Auras, to only harm Divine beings (or supernatural beings that are not Divine, ie are unholy), have Divine-specific foci, and so on. The Order does not officially recognize the superior discernment of Holy Magi (or magi with other, similar virtues) or their purported superior holiness.
- Although InVi cannot detect an Aura's Realm, it can detect an Aura's stability, which is reported as the number of botch dice it inflicts. This replaces existing guidelines that detect Aura type at the same level of difficulty.
- Instead of detecting an Aura's magnitude, InVi can detect how much an Aura improves Hermetic Magic, reported as a bonus or penalty. This replaces existing guidelines that detect Aura magnitude at the same level of difficulty.
These rules affect the setting.
For example, a magus confronted with a supernatural being urging him toward conflict cannot simply cast DEO at it to decide if a demon is urging him toward sin, and cannot easily determine if this is a faerie interested in provoking a story or a Magic being just doing its thing, but must instead deal with the situation on its merits. Various Lores (Divine, Infernal...) and Abilities can help.
For example, a magus cannot absolutely be sure he is in an Infernal Aura. But he might infer this by seeing that the Aura is imposing penalties to his magic and is adding botch dice, and by noticing that everyone's temper is on edge.
Additional option: Holiness is as Much about the Perceiver as the Perceived
Maybe later. I know what I want here, but it needs to be written with delicacy and precision.
Anyway,
Ken