In the universe presented within WS, magic exists as a fundamental force present within the universe along side basic atomic forces, gravity, and electromagnetic forces.

This force has been observed to be impacted by certain bands of delta wave brain activity in a variety of ways among the known species in the setting. Through this influence an individual utilizing magic is capable of influencing the other fundamental forces of the universe.¹⁾

The methods, and results of interactions with this fundamental force differ between cultures, however there are core traits observable between all users.

• Requires an investment of time both to preform and improve.
• Requires practice and adherence to a set of rules, often unique to the practitioner's culture, however universal for their 'style' of application.
• Only individuals of a biological species are capable of interacting with magical forces. Robots, and synthetic species are incapable of producing magical effects.
  • During initial cell division, a connection is established between the organism and magic, a connection which improves as the organism develops to maturity, the repeated biological process tying the force more closely to the organism and forming the basis of what is observed, and referred to as the 'analogue soul.'
  • The development of the organism creates a template within their structure attuned to their specific 'soul' in the event that an individual is cloned, a duplicate of this 'soul' is imprinted upon the clone allowing the clone to interact with magical forces in a loosely 1:1 manner when compared to the original. Effectively functioning as a 'signature' for the individual?
• Some schools of magical practice are capable of imbuing objects, or creating objects with magical properties. Though this is universally an activity that requires a large investment of time and resources.

Do magical effects occur in certain physical locations? If yes, what kind?

Occurrence of materials that do not follow natural physical laws? Alternative life forms that rely on magical interactions to exist? Stuff?

Magic's a complicated thing. In this universe, it exists as an entity entirely separate from Psionics. It's incredibly versatile, but there are some basics to adhere to when writing magic.

1. Magic requires an analogue soul - so machine intelligences and synthetic beings can't access it, having digital souls. Digital or Quantum-state souls lack the ability to sync to a magic waveform. There are “gaps”, which lead to any attempt fizzling out (Think of the difference between digital and analogue recorded audio). Clones and gene-bred, depending on the method of cloning, might be able to..
2. There is no such thing as time-travel magic. Slowing down and speeding up things may be possible with enough training, but no jumping back or forwards in time. Stasis does not count as time travel.
3. The stronger a caster's belief in magic, the more adept at they are at casting more powerful thing. If this were an RPG, it would be akin to having a higher INT/WIS, giving you access to more powerful abilities.
4. Unfortunately, this also means that the more adept casters are more susceptible to other people's magics. Like an incremental floodgate, water can flow both ways.
5. Every mage has a tell. Casting happens in their own way, but they must indicate it. It could be a word, it could be a gesture.
6. Each caster has their own flair when it comes to spells. One caster's spells may have flamelike flares coming off of their castings, another's may ring like bells when spelled. Or it might let off a scent of cinnamon. Essentially, no two casters need to look the same when casting the same spell.

• If it applies to clones too, I can see an underground slave trade involving cloning talented casters for their talents to groom a clone into a bodyguard, soldier, etc.
• I did also have an “aura” system in place for some of my characters. . . not like a “GAIN +5 TO ALL ALLIES” type of aura, but more of a sort of passive deal to a caster. One was a magic ward, reducing the effects of magics cast on them. Another was an analytic aura, able to scan magics around them and feed their caster information.