War Spells
War spells are dangerous spells that can be used as weapons to cause physical or mental harm. Usually created via a combination of other magics, war spells take a lot of training and dedication to be able to use safely.
The practice is monitored, though not outright banned, as war spells are believed to have their uses in self-defence and guard-work. Many travellers will hire mercenaries skilled with war spells to protect them from being robbed on the road, and many kingdoms will have their guards trained with battle-ready magic in case war breaks out.
The most common form of war spells uses a mix of summoning magic and telekinesis. Summoning to bring forth a weapon, such as blades, bola, or elements like fire and lighting; and telekinesis to control the summoned weapon of choice and direct it.
Other magic can be used to create war spells, of course; anything that can cause harm can be turned into a spell of war.
There are also a few spells banned by the International Alliance that are not allowed to be used, even in times of war. Many magics that could be classed as dark spells are forbidden from being used, as are magics that are considered overly-torturous.
An incident during the Konde/Bonark war in the 9,200’s that involved a spell that could raise a person’s own internal temperature to cook them from the inside-out lead to a complete revision of banned magics and what magics are considered war crimes.
Despite the few extreme examples of the magic’s misuse, war spells are, socially, treated the same as the use of any other weapon such as swords or maces; keep it off the streets, and only draw your weapon when necessary for defence.