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Free Magic is that which is unconstrained by the Charter. It existed as the sole magic in the Beginning, but when the Charter was created, it was made “ordered, subject to structure, constrained by symbols.” Many Free Magic elementals were bound in order to be harmless to Life at this time, but Free Magic remains, especially in the form of Free Magic creatures whose power can be used by sorcerers (the primary way that humans use Free Magic).

Mogget tells Clariel that Free Magic "can shape itself to almost any need. Swift travel, unseen passage, impenetrable armor, unbreakable weapons..." and that one must "simply will whatever is needful." In this way it is the opposite of Charter Magic, which requires knowledge and practice of many Charter Marks. However, Free Magic is damaging to all Life, corroding and eventually destroying it. As such, it could be considered "dark magic."

Consequently, unlike the comforting, strengthening nature of its counterpart, Free Magic is unpleasant to use and causes adverse effects on its casters. A hot, acrid metallic odour always identifies the presence of Free Magic. Speaking its spells burns the tongue and blisters the lips. If the caster has a baptismal Charter mark, using too much Free Magic will corrupt it and the caster's connection to the Charter will be severed. Abhorsens, in their mission to lay the Dead to rest, are the only exception to this rule.

Clariel reveals that in the past, Abhorsens worked more with Free Magic and Free Magic creatures. They wore protective gear for this purpose, such as gauntlets, robes, and masks, but despite being strongly Charter-spelled, these garments would quickly lose their protective power and disintegrate.

All necromancers are Free Magic sorcerers (save the Abhorsens). Their bells use the raw power of Free Magic, unconstrained by Charter marks. The Disreputable Dog says that the magic which they seek to master “ultimately devours” them, distorting their body and spirit.

Clariel, desperate to avenge her family and ensure her aunt's safety, frees the Free Magic creatures known as Aziminil and Baazalanan from a waterfall prison under Abhorsen's House, using sheer force of will from her berserk episodes to overpower them. With the Abhorsen of the time shirking his duties, and with untrustworthy information from a particularly villainous Mogget, she sets out with her "servants" to Belisaere to avenge her parents' deaths and "save" the king. However, she is betrayed by all three Free Magic beings who seek the king's blood to break the Great Charter stones. She is saved by Belatiel and the timely arrival of the Clayr, at terrible cost to her body and connection to the Charter, and is ultimately banished for her safety.

Free Magic creatures[]

See Free Magic creatures.

These creatures are the remnants of Free Magic from the creation of the Charter. Most of them are only briefly mentioned in the Old Kingdom series.


Many Free Magic elementals who had been turned into harmless aspects of nature at The Beginning began to reappear when Orannis grew closer to becoming whole again. After his re-binding, they again disappeared.

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