The Paths of Magic
Air
The Path of Air deals with different manifestations of air such as wind, lightning or illusion. Air mages receive +1 Precision per level of Air magic.
Air magic offers powerful and precise Evocations, useful protection spells and good summons and is considered a very strong path of magic. The air magic gems are called Air Gems.
Astral
Astral is the first source of magic and it is very versatile, useful and powerful. It can be used to alter the fate of the battle or used to empower or dispel other spells.
Astral magic draws it's power from the celestial spheres and it has a number of utility spells such as Teleport and Dispel, protection spells like Body Ethereal and Twist Fate and mind or world-altering combat spells such as Astral Tempest, Control, Horror Mark and Mind Burn.
Astral magic gems are called Astral Pearls
Blood
Human Blood is the second source of magic and it is banned by most rulers. It's sacrificial rites and techniques are unlike any other magic Path. Mages of the Blood Path can command 5 undead units per level in Blood magic.
Blood magic is quite different from other Paths of Magic as you must use the Blood Hunt command with your Blood mages to get Blood Slaves, sacrificial virgins used to fuel the Blood spells. These are the "gems" for Blood magic, but in battle Blood Slaves appear as actualy units. In the strategic map they go into the commander's gem box like other gems.
Blood spells are often either powerful summons which call forth demons or other terrifying creatures such as fallen angels, crossbred abominations or Horros or then very fatiguing combat spells that deal with burning, boiling, bleeding or draining blood from your enemies.
Death
The dark path of Death deals with necromancy, reanimation rituals and destruction of life. A strong knowledge in Path of Death is required to command great hordes of undead. A mage can lead 20 undead units per one level of Death magic.
Death magic offers numerous summoning spells that call undead creatures ranging from lowly Soulless to terrifying Tartarian Titans. Death also provides good magic items for those who pursue Construction. Some powerful combat spells such as Disintegrate appear later on in the game.
Death magic gems are called Death Gems.
Earth
The Path of Earth deals with the control of the different manifestations of earth such as metal, stone and the very ground. Earth magic is useful in alchemy and in forging magical weapons. Earth mages receive one point of Protection per one level of skill in Earth magic.
Earth magic offer protection and enchanting spells such as Invulnerability and Weapons of Sharpness, good magic items, some potent battle spells like Blade Wind and summoning spells like Cave Drakes and Fall Bears.
Earth magic gems are called Earth Gems and can be alchemized into 10 gold each.