History Main / Whatevermancy

See {{Necromancy}} for a common specific subtrope. ThePornomancer sounds like a subtrope, but only uses the same naming convention.

* The ''Literature/{{Mistborn}}'' trilogy features metal-fueled magic called allomancy, in which only four out of sixteen metals involves divination (the mythic atium that gives you a few seconds' sight into the future, its pair malatium that allows you to see glimpses of a person in their own past, gold which allows you to see a glimpse into your own past, and gold's alloy electrum which lets you see a few seconds into your own future and is largely useless except as a counter to atium). The similar magical system is called feruchemy, which is poorly named for the opposite reason -- it is indeed a chemical magic, but only two of the sixteen metals contain iron. The blood-based magic, hemalurgy, is the only one with a truly appropriate name, deriving from the words hemoglobin and metallurgy.
* ''Literature/TheDresdenFiles'' have a few; Pyromancy, Necromancy, Neuromancy, and the like. Joked about when Harry refers to wizard Peabody as a "Bureaucromancer." When he calls Mac "a master Beeromancer". He's not kidding, either. Queen Mab refers to mortal technology as "Ferromancy". Harry's medium friend Mortimer Lindquist is occasionally referred to as an "Ectomancer" (a somewhat fair use of the name).

* Toshiko Tatsuno of ''Manga/SoredemoMachiWaMawatteiru'' practices {{meido}}jutsu, described as the art of "luring men with the illusion of gentleness, and taking their money".

A standard naming convention for specialized magic- (or [[MagicByAnyOtherName magic-equivalent]]-) users; they are referred to as something'''mancer'''s, and their specialized form of magic is called something'''mancy''' (nevermind -mancy refers to divination, not magic in general). The something is usually the Greek word for the thing or some other acceptably important-sounding term for it. As an example, death mages are known throughout all of fiction as necromancers. This structure makes it quite easy to create names for branches of magic using just about anything you can think of. You use [[PlayingWithFire fire]]? You're a pyromancer. [[MakingASplash Water]]? Hydromancer. [[AnIcePerson Ice and cold]]? Cryomancer. It's that simple.

[[quoteright:350:[[Webcomic/{{Erfworld}} https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/erfworld_mancies_9.png]]]]

[[quoteright:350:[[Webcomic/ErfWorld https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/erfworld_mancies_9.png]]]]

[[quoteright:286:[[Webcomic/ErfWorld https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/all_the_mancies3_699.png]]]]
[[caption-width-right:286:Because names like Flowermancy, Hatomancy, and [[{{Retconjuration}} Retconmancy]] would just be ''silly''.]]

* ''TabletopGame/{{Eon}}'' uses Whatevertropy, which, unlike -mancy and -kinesis, is not a misnormer in this setting as Eon employs FunctionalMagic to the umphteenth degree, with reality itself being composed of magical fields, magic being the setting's stand-in for science, and wizards being the stand-in for scientists. As of the 4th edition, the scientists of Eon sort magic into 7 schools containing 24 aspects of magic: [[ElementalPowers Elemental Forces]], which include [[PlayingWithFire Pyrotropy]], [[DishingOutDirt Geo]][[ExtraOreDinary tropy]], [[MakingASplash Hydrotropy]] and [[BlowYouAway Pneumotropy]]; Fundamental Forces, which include [[ConvectionSchmonvection Termotropy]], [[AnIcePerson Cryotropy]], [[LightEmUp Phototropy]] and [[CastingAShadow Skototropy]]; Celestial Forces, which include [[PowerOfTheSun Heliotropy]], [[{{Lunacy}} Selenotropy]], [[StarPower Astrotropy]] and [[PowerOfTheVoid Kosmo]][[TheSacredDarkness tropy]]; Primal Forces, which include Nomotropy, [[EntropyAndChaosMagic Ataxatropy]], [[TimeMaster Chronotropy]] and [[SpaceMaster Topotropy]]; Life Forces, which include [[WhiteMagic Biotropy]] and [[BlackMagic Necrotropy]]; [[SoulPower Spiritual Forces]], which include [[MindManipulation Psychotropy]], [[DreamWeaver Oneirotropy]], [[ReligionIsMagic Theotropy and Daimotropy]]; and, finally, Sybol Forces, which include [[ArtAttacker Ikonotropy]] and [[GeometricMagic Semotropy]]. On top of these, there are also some anti-aspects to some established ones as well as some as of yet scientifically unproven aspects. Players are encouraged to explore the possibilities as any scentifically driven person during UsefulNotes/TheEnlightenment would have.

A standard naming convention for specialized magic- (or [[MagicByAnyOtherName magic-equivalent]]-) users; they are referred to as something'''mancer'''s, and their specialized form of magic is called something'''mancy'''. The something is usually the Greek word for the thing or some other acceptably important-sounding term for it. As an example, death mages are known throughout all of fiction as necromancers. This structure makes it quite easy to create names for branches of magic using just about anything you can think of. You use [[PlayingWithFire fire]]? You're a pyromancer. [[MakingASplash Water]]? Hydromancer. [[AnIcePerson Ice and cold]]? Cryomancer. It's that simple.

* In the ''Roleplay/GlobalGuardiansPBEMUniverse'', Madras, who could telekinetically control fabric, called his power "Fasmokinesis", bastardizing "yfasma", the Greek word for "cloth". Also, there was [[MakingASplash hydrokinesis]], [[PlayingWithFire pyrokinesis]], and many others.

** One exception is the NPC class Oracle, introduced in one issue of Magazine/{{Dragon}} magazine. The class is a diviner with 26 different divining abilities, all pertaining to a different thing, and each ending with -mancy. However, this one is actually an appropriate use of the term -mancy, as the Oracle is a diviner.

** Also, the Diplomancer, the slang term for a build with such high Diplomacy skill that a roll of the dice would turn enemies into fanatical servants.

* ''TabletopGame/UnknownArmies'' uses this heavily. Every magic school is some kind of "-mancy." Examples include the entropomancer (who powers up through risking her own life), dipsomancer (power from alcohol), bibliomancer (power from acquiring rare books), and many others.
** However, calling everything _____mancy is mentioned as a modern fashion. The name "Urbanmancy" is an example of this, with the book [[{{Lampshaded}} stating that if mages cared about language]] it would be called "Polisurgy". Earlier schools of magic were generally named things like The Way Of The Cogs, or The Way Of All Freedom.
** One notable fan-made school of magick from the website is "[[http://ua.johntynes.com/content_comments.php?id=3139_0_3_0_C1 Tropamancy]]". Yup. Inspired by this very wiki.

* ''TabletopGame/MagicTheGathering'' is full of mancers, and while they do have their share of future-seeing mancers, most mancers use the "control whatever it is" version 'cause it's more fun (some, like Retromancer or Anathemancer, are a little shaky on even what their prefix means). Matt Cavotta gives us the scoop on Magic's 'mancers [[http://www.wizards.com/magic/magazine/Article.aspx?x=mtgcom/daily/mc63 here]].

* ''TabletopGame/{{Eon}}'' uses Whatevertropy, which, unlike -mancy and -kinesis, is not a misnormer in this setting as Eon employs FunctionalMagic to the umphteenth degree, with reality itself being composed of magical fields, magic being the setting's stand-in for science, and wizards being the stand-in for scientists. As of the 4th edition, the scientists of Eon sort magic into 7 schools containing 24 aspects of magic: [[ElementalPowers Elemental Forces]], which include [[PlayingWithFire Pyrotropy]], [[DishingOutDirt Geo]][[ExtraOreDinary tropy]], [[MakingASplash Hydrotropy]] and [[BlowYouAway Pneumotropy]]; Fundamental Forces, which include [[ConvectionSchmonvection Termotropy]], [[AnIcePerson Cryotropy]], [[LightEmUp Phototropy]] and [[CastingAShadow Skototropy]]; Celestial Forces, which include [[PowerOfTheSun Heliotropy]], [[{{Lunacy}} Selenotropy]], [[StarPower Astrotropy]] and [[PowerOfTheVoid Kosmo]][[TheSacredDarkness tropy]]; Primal Forces, which include Nomotropy, [[EntropyAndChaosMagic Ataxatropy]], [[TimeMaster Chronotropy]] and [[SpaceMaster Topotropy]]; Life Forces, which include [[WhiteMagic Biotropy]] and [[BlackMagic Necrotropy]]; [[SoulPower Spiritual Forces]], which include [[MindManipulation Psychotropy]], [[DreamWeaver Oneirotropy]], [[ReligionIsMagic Theotropy and Daimotropy]]; and, finally, Sybol Forces, which include [[ArtAttacker Ikonotropy]] and [[GeometricMagic Semotropy]]. On top of these, there are also some anti-aspects to some established ones as well as some as of yet scientifically unproven aspects. Players are encouraged to explore the possibilities as any scentifically driven person during the age of enlightenment would have.

* Technomancy is a real form of [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technopaganism witchcraft]]. Although it's usually called Techno[[UsefulNotes/NeoPaganism paganism]]

* It's not used for prophecy, but in Creator/VernorVinge's ''[[Literature/ZonesOfThought A Deepness in the Sky]]'', the early attempts of the aliens called Spiders at electronics displays can only produce a limited range of colors. Many Spiders assume that a display capable of reproducing their entire visible spectrum would be impossible to construct, and derisively call the idea "videomancy". Of course, they later develop displays capable of producing their entire visible spectrum, including infrared and ultraviolet "colors".

* '''Aleuromancy:''' Answers and messages baked in a dough then chosen at random with a question in mind. Fortune Cookies. Can also be the interpretation of shapes in flour spread or dropped on a tray or on the bakers floor. Another form similar to tea cup reading was from ‘reading’ the signs left in the mixing bowl. (Aleuron meaning Flour + Mancy meaning divination)
* '''Alomancy:''' Casting salt into the air and read the patterns as it falls to the floor. Can also be salt cast into a fire.
* '''Alphitomancy:''' A specially prepared loaf of Barley bread was given to a person suspected of a crime. The innocent would digest it easily the guilty would have indigestion.

* '''Arithmancy or Arithmomancy''': are early forms of Numerology where predictions are made through numbers and the number value of letters. Arithmancy has found renewed popularity with its inclusion in the Harry Potter stories.
* '''Astraglomancy or Astragyromancy:''' (Similar to Cleromancy) Making of decisions based on the throwing of dice.

* '''Austromancy:''' Deriving meaning from watching the winds especially during thunder and lightning.. “The winds of change”.
* '''Automatic Writing:''' is sometimes done in a trance or psychic state but sometimes with the writer’s awareness but the message is not from the writer’s mind.

* '''Bibliomancy:''' means interpreting a passage chosen at random from a book and offering up a prophecy from so doing. Prophesies in this form were predominantly taken from the Bible in earlier times.

* The ''Literature/{{Mistborn}}'' trilogy features metal-fueled magic called allomancy, in which only four out of sixteen metals involves divination (the mythic atium that gives you a few seconds' sight into the future, its pair malatium that allows you to see glimpses of a person in their own past, gold which allows you to see a glimpse into your own past, and gold's alloy electrum which lets you see a few seconds into your own future and is largely useless except as a counter to atium). The similar magical system is called feruchemy, which is poorly named for the opposite reason -- it is indeed a chemical magic, but only two of the sixteen metals contain iron. The blood-based magic, hemalurgy, is the only one with a truly appropriate name.

* The ''MortalKombat'' series has a resident necromancer and cryomancer in the form of the evil sorcerer [[TheNecromancer Quan Chi]] and [[McNinja Lin Kuei]] assassin [[AnIcePerson Sub-Zero]] respectively.

* If Hawk trains as a Ninja in ''VideoGame/SeikenDensetsu3'', he learns 4 Jutsu attacks corresponding to the elements: Water Jutsu, Earth Jutsu, Thunder Jutsu, and Fire Jutsu.

** In the Spanish translation, Occlumency was translated as «Oclu''mancia''», playing the trope straight.

* '''Tasseography, Tasseomancy:''' Means Cup Divination. Reading tea leaves or coffee grains that remain in a cup once the beverage has been consumed.

* '''Sortilege:''' Medieval term for sorcery or one who divines. Sortilege has also has been associated casting bones or drawing lots for divination.

* ''Literature/GhostStories'' has Ambulomancers, people attuned to walking the open road and able to read the future through its curves. Similar groups of people include the Routewitches and the Trainspotters.

* Subverted in ''Film/{{Hellboy}}''. Liz notes that her powers could be described as "pyrokinesis", but she doesn't like the term.

* '''Divining Rods and Dowsing''' more recently known as Radiesthesia. Divination using a forked stick, rods and pendulums for the discovery of hidden water and other metals, minerals, objects or missing persons. (Buy Divining Rods / Dowsing Rods from Amazon)

* ''TabletopGame/{{Eon}}'' uses Whatevertropy, which, unlike -mancy and -kinesis, is not a misnormer in this setting as Eon employs FunctionalMagic to the umphteenth degree, with reality itself being composed of magical fields, magic being the setting's stand-in for science, and wizards being the stand-in for scientists. As of the latest edition, the scientists of Eon sort magic into 11 schools containing 24 aspects of magic: [[ElementalPowers Elemental Forces]], which include [[PlayingWithFire Pyrotropy]], [[DishingOutDirt Geo]][[ExtraOreDinary tropy]], [[MakingASplash Hydrotropy]] and [[BlowYouAway Pneumotropy]]; Fundamental Forces, which include [[ConvectionSchmonvection Termotropy]], [[AnIcePerson Cryotropy]], [[LightEmUp Phototropy]] and [[CastingAShadow Skototropy]]; Celestial Forces, which include [[PowerOfTheSun Heliotropy]], [[{{Lunacy}} Selenotropy]], [[StarPower Astrotropy]] and [[PowerOfTheVoid Kosmo]][[TheSacredDarkness tropy]]; Primal Forces, which include Nomotropy, [[EntropyAndChaosMagic Ataxatropy]], [[TimeMaster Chronotropy]] and [[SpaceMaster Topotropy]]; Life Forces, which include [[WhiteMagic Biotropy]] and [[BlackMagic Necrotropy]]; Spiritual Forces, which include [[SoulPower Psycho]][[MindManipulation tropy]], [[DreamWeaver Oneirotropy]], [[DivineIntervention Theotropy]] and Daimotropy; and, finally, Sybol Forces, which include [[ArtAttacker Ikonotropy]] and [[GeometricMagic Semotropy]]. On top of these, there are also some anti-aspects to some established ones as well as some as of yet scientifically unproven aspects. Players are encouraged to explore the possibilities as any scentifically driven person during the age of enlightenment would have.