Free Magic
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Free Magic appears in Garth Nix's Old Kingdom series of novels (Sabriel, Lirael: Daughter of the Clayr, and Abhorsen).
Free Magic is the raw, original magic of the world that existed before the creation of Charter Magic. Its chaotic nature seems to enable it to spawn various Free Magic creatures. When the Nine Bright Shiners (extremely powerful Free Magic creatures) came into existence, seven of these beings sacrificed their power to convert a great deal of Free Magic into a more structured, controllable magic called Charter Magic.
According to the books there have existed three types of Free Magic:
- The first type of Free Magic was completely consumed by the creation of Charter Magic; it no longer exists.
- The second type of Free Magic assisted the creation of Charter Magic but was not consumed in the process. It is not necessarily evil and can be used beneficially (like binding dead creatures). It is very likely that this type of Free Magic is used in the creation of the Abhorsen's bells and is present in the Disreputable Dog.
- The third type of Free Magic was never bound and converted into Charter Magic. It exists as the complete opposite of Charter Magic and is the Free Magic used by necromancers and Free Magic sorcerers to summon and control Dead and Free Magic creatures. This type of Free Magic eventually consumes the wielder, making it less alive and more of a Free Magic creature.
Free Magic is not defined by Charter Marks, but rather by words and will power. According to the books, Free Magic smells like red hot metal and is very deadly. Users occasionally spout white fumes out of their mouths. It can be used to destroy, create, bind, transform, etc. (often in tandem with necromantic bells). Free Magic is the only magic that can animate and control the Dead as well as summon Free Magic creatures and create Free Magic constructs.
| Garth Nix's Old Kingdom series | |
|---|---|
| Novels | Sabriel • Lirael • Abhorsen • Across the Wall: A Tale of the Abhorsen and Other Stories |
| Characters | Chlorr of the Mask • Disreputable Dog • Kerrigor • Lirael • Mogget • Orannis • Sabriel • Terciel • Touchstone |
| Magic | The Charter • Five Great Charters • Free Magic • Nine Bright Shiners |
| Places | Ancelstierre • Death • Old Kingdom |
| Magical objects | Necromantic bells • Nehima • Paperwing |
