Magic

Think of magic as accessing the source code of the universe through various means of programming.

All types of magic draw from the same source and the same rules, they just use a different approach. Whatever ways of accessing magic you use, they are just shortcuts that help you concentrate on solving the puzzle that is "how do I bend reality to make this happen".

There are two types of wielding magic: Modular and specific.

Modular magic, mostly wielded by the Folk, works closely like programming language or mathematics. One learns the "building blocks" of a spell one by one, as well as their cause-and-effect relationships, and then constructs spells by using these blocks. It requires deep understanding of the workings of reality, and as an extension, a lot of teaching.

Specific magic, mostly wielded by humans, works just as shortcuts for complicated mental processes. Specific magic cannot be spliced and modified like modular magic - though this is due to the different approach, and not a property of magic itself. In theory, one could modify specific spells just like modular ones, but it would require deeper understanding of magic than the wielders of specific magic tend to have.

There are also ways to access magic without the understanding and complicated thought processes it usually requires. Gods, for example, have magical powers that can be accessed through specific rituals or sometimes even general prayers.

Vocal Magic
Hurians, High Folk

Modular song magic is mostly used by High Folk. Every vocalization is a part of the "magical equation" one creates; essentially it's singing in a programming language.

Specific magical songs are just shortcuts for (sometimes excessively) complicated spells. The song doesn't matter - it's just a way to concentrate your thoughts on whatever it is you want to happen. Usually, though, they spell out what is supposed to happen in order to make the process easier.

Many Hurians know a simple spell or two through their house-songs, but not everyone can make them work. They don't quite understand why some people are better spell-singers than others, believing it to be either an intrinsic quality, a blessing, or both.

Chant magic is the lowest form of vocal magic, as it requires the least understanding of a spell's meaning. Chants are designed so that as long as the singer knows what they're trying to do, repeating the chant enough times, under the right conditions, should bring one to the right mind-state for the spell to work.

Vocal magic is slower than gesture magic, but better at complicated spells as it's easier to form a narrative through language and melody than through increasingly complicated drawings.

Enchanted objects usually need the user to sing a specific song to be "awakened".

Drawn Magic
Valhir

Drawn magic is modular. Every gesture represents one part of the logic puzzle that is your incantation. It's like drawing mathematical formulas in the air. Like in mathematics, you can use shortcuts if you're advanced enough to immediately grasp what they represent.

Drawn magic is the fastest form of spell-casting, as simple spells can be cast by quick movements or, in theory, even by visualization only.

Enchanted objects stay enchanted as long as the script is intact.

Prayer Magic
In the strict sense priests aren't really using magic; rather they are asking gods to do magic for them. In practice this means priests have a very limited arsenal of 'spells' than actual magi but easier access to more complicated magical processes. For example a dancer-priest of Azmara can mesmerize an entire crowd with mere seconds of dance, and do complicated mind-bending that is far beyond the capabilities of most magi. However, a dancer priest could never light a fire with magic or do even the simplest of healing spells.