User:Alba Corpus/Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha terminology

This is a glossary of terms from the anime and manga series Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha, and its sequels Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha A's and Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS.

Magic
In this world, magic is prepared as "programs", and arias or concentration are used as triggers for activation. Magic users set these programs within themselves or in a Magic Activation Complex to perform magic.

Mana (magic power), the energy used to activate magic, is generated from within the user's body, and the nature and capacity of this energy differs between people. People who undergo training and master magic are called "mages".

From disaster relief to investigations, mages are active in a variety of settings.

Linker Core
As the name suggests, an organ in a mage's (knight's) body which works to link and manifest Mana generated within themselves.

The disposition of a mage thus depends on their Linker Core, and currently any analysis of a mage's abilities are done by examining the Linker Core.

Mana Conversion Affinity
Among mages, there are rare cases where individuals possess an innate ability, called a [Mana Conversion Affinity], which allows them to naturally convert Mana directly into a physical energy. What normally requires regulation via Magic, these abilities allow conversion to occur spontaneously. It becomes simple to convert one's own Mana into energy, and when Mana is converted intentionally, this can even occur at high efficiency. An individual can only have one type of affinity. Among Riot 6 members, Fate and Erio have an [lightning]-type affinity, while Signum has a [flame]-type affinity.

Device
Intricate tools used by mages as Magic Activation Complexes.

The first devices were staff shaped, but now devices come in many different forms and types. Devices can also be used in various ways depending on an individual's needs, such as storage or activation assistance of magic data, as offensive weaponry, etc.

It has been shown in the series, however, that a mage need not use a device to use magic; examples include Yūno Scrya and Lindy Harlaown. In their inactive states, devices have varied forms, from marble-like crystal spheres to cards. When activated, the device may transform its structure depending on the type of magic that the mage intends to cast. As magic "spells" are defined as "programs" in this series, the device can act similarly to electronic storage media, recording and recalling the spells that the mage has cast. Devices are primarily used as weapons in the Nanoha series, whether through the use of combat magic or through swinging the devices themselves.

Devices generally have the ability to speak, although their coherence and verbosity depends on the type of device. For example, an Armed or Storage Device will generally speak in very short phrases, whereas Intelligent or Unison Devices are capable of constructing more complex sentences. The language spoken by a device depends on its system—Mid-Childa Devices speak English, while the known Belka Armed Devices speak German (however, the advanced Reinforce has shown proficiency in Japanese, perhaps due to her nature as a Unison Device). In the series, the mage is always shown to understand what his or her device is saying. It can also be noted that devices tend to refer to their mages with male titles even if the mage in question is female (Master, Sir, Meister). Ironically, the gender-neutral “Boss” refers to the already male Chrono.

Devices have an auto-repair mode when inactive, and will automatically deactivate if the damage inflicted is significant. Particularly severe damage can warrant both the auto-repair mode and reactivation to replace components within the device.

Five types of devices are recognized in the series as of 2007: Intelligent Devices, Storage Devices, Armed Devices, Unison Devices and Boost Devices. Intelligent, Storage and Boost devices are used in the Mid-Childa magic system, while Armed and Unison devices are used in the Ancient Belka system. The Modern Belka system uses Intelligent and Armed devices.
 * Auto guard:The magic spell that automatically activates if the mage is under attack but cannot respond due to surprise or injury.
 * Cartridge system: Cartridges are capsules (shaped like blank rifle rounds) containing compressed magical energy. When used in a device, it releases that energy all at once, providing a significant boost in power. Intelligent Devices are not usually able to handle cartridge systems, due to the potential instability, and the strain on the user. By the time of StrikerS, however, cartridge systems are said to have become much more reliable to use.
 * Full drive:The most powerful form of an Intelligent Device.

Intelligent Devices
Intelligent Devices, as the name implies, incorporate sophisticated artificial intelligence in their programming, enabling them to have some degree of autonomy.

If an Intelligent Device does not "agree" that a maintenance operation is complete, it can persistently manifest its "displeasure" with an error code. Both Raising Heart and Bardiche, after severe damage from the Wolkenritter's Armed Devices, raise code E203 and request the TSAB to install a CVK-792-compatible system—more precisely, the Belka-type cartridge system—into their systems.
 * Raising Heart (レイジングハート)
 * Nanoha's intelligent device. She refers to Nanoha as "master" and speaks only in English. Her magical colour is magenta. She has three "modes": Device Mode (initial appearance), Shooting Mode (for casting Divine Buster), and Sealing Mode.
 * As an intelligent device, she provides assistance and advice in the processing of magical attacks and fire control. Her special attack is Starlight Breaker and the auto-guard is Protection.
 * The bonus information card that accompanied the anime DVDs reads "Raising Heart".
 * Voice: Donna Burke


 * Raising Heart Excelion (レイジングハート エクセリオン): In A's, after being badly damaged in the first engagement against Vita and Graf Eisen, Raising Heart insisted on being retrofitted with the Belka-type cartridge system. She is capable of a fuller range of attacks with cartridges (loaded in magazines akin to those used in modern automatic weapons), and was officially renamed (though Nanoha still only addresses her as Raising Heart). Her three forms are called Accel Mode, Buster Mode, and Excelion Mode. In StrikerS, Exceed Mode replaces Excelion Mode to provide a safer powered-up form, and Raising Heart is given a new Blaster Mode, allowing it to generate Blaster Bits that amplify Nanoha's power even beyond Excelion Mode.
 * In the manga, Nanoha comments that Raising Heart is "so finely tuned in her functions that the [TSAB] maintenance staff has a hard time with her."


 * Bardiche (バルディッシュ)
 * Fate's intelligent device. He refers to Fate as "sir" despite her gender, and also only speaks English. His magical colour is yellow. Like Raising Heart, he has three "forms": Device Form, Scythe Form, and Sealing Form.
 * Voice: Kevin J. England


 * Bardiche Assault (バルディッシュアサルト): In A's, after being badly damaged in the first fight with Lævatein, Bardiche also is retrofitted at his request with a revolver-style cartridge system and like Raising Heart, was officially renamed (like Nanoha with Raising Heart, Fate just calls him Bardiche). His three forms are called Assault Form, Haken Form, and Zanber Form. In StrikerS, Baradiche also has a Riot Form, and a combined Riot Zanber Form.
 * Mach Caliber (マッハキャリバー)
 * Subaru's Intelligent Device which takes the form of a pair of rollerblades. She autocasts some of Subaru's spell such as "Wing Road" and "Assault Grip" during combat and claims she was made to make her stronger and faster, to which Subaru disagrees due to her view that Mach Caliber, as an intelligent device with her own will, has a soul and was born, not made. Mach Caliber's design was based on Subaru's own magic rollerskates, which she was had made during her days as a cadet due to her fighting style being completely different from her peers. Mach Caliber is also in synch with Revolver Knuckle, Subaru's Armed Device, allowing it be stored in Mach Caliber when both are inactive as well as some deal of interaction between the two devices. During episode 19 of StrikerS, it was reinforced to be able to keep up with Subaru's cyborg capacities. In episode 23, Mach Caliber fought while Subaru was unconscious using Wing Road, its jets and Revolver Knuckle.
 * Voice: Kaoru Edo


 * Cross Mirage (クロスミラージュ)
 * Teana's Intelligent Device. A completely non-standard device, he was a remodeling of Teana's old "Anchor Gun" pseudo-Storage device. He's armed with a cartridge system and resembles a pair of handguns, though he can also be reduced to just one handgun in his "One-Hand Mode". While he more closely resembles a hybrid of Armed and Storage devices, he is classified as an Intelligent device due to his sophisticated AI, which helped Teana form her magical bullets during his maiden battle, a task she normally has difficulty doing in her more complex spells. While Teana was thankful for this help, she notes that it could prove weakening for her if she continues to rely on it. It has a second form dubbed "Dagger Mode" which, as the name the name suggests, transforms it into a close range weapon by generating blades of magical energy.
 * Voice: Jamie Schyy


 * Blitz Caliber
 * Ginga's Intelligent Device, which is basically identical to Subaru's Mach Caliber. After Ginga recovers her memories but is too injured to continue fighting, Subaru temporarily uses both Devices simultaneously.

Storage Devices
Despite infrequent appearances, Storage Devices are actually much more commonly used among mages than intelligent devices - Bureau regular enforcement officers also use the general type. These lack the AI of intelligent devices, and have a single form, besides the non-battle shape taken in civilian form (like Raising Heart turning into a jewel; S2U, specifically, becomes a playing card). On the other hand, they supposedly process magic faster and the mage can't become overly dependent on the AI.
 * S2U
 * Chrono's storage device. S2U is named for "Song To You" from the Lyrical Toy Box version of Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha.


 * Durandal: A new storage device that is optimized for freezing an opponent. He refers to Chrono as "Boss". Given to Chrono by Gil Graham for the final battle in A's, the Durandal is extremely powerful.
 * Voice: Thomas King


 * Anchor Gun
 * Teana's old device. It is considered a Storage device, but is loaded with a cartridge system. Teana made it during her cadet days because of her interest in using a cartridge system, which resulted in her being given Subaru as as a partner due to their magic styles being different from the other cadets. As a gun-like device, it is optimized for shooting and bombardment spells. True to its name, it also has a grappling "anchor" at the bottom of its barrel.

Armed Devices

 * Graf Eisen (グラーフアイゼン): Vita's armed device, also called the "Black Iron Count (鉄の伯爵)". It appears to have no programmed gender, and speaks only German. Its general-purpose form is a two-sided hammer that distantly resembles a polo mallet and handles up to 4 circular bombs (Schwalbe Fliegen), or creates a massive sonic shockwave (Eisengeheul) as a distraction. Expending cartridges, it can also transform into a rocket-powered hammer with a sharpened tip, or change its own size.
 * Voice: Tetsuya Kakihara.


 * Levantine (レヴァンティン): Signum's armed device, also called the "Demon Blade of Flame (炎の魔剣). It appears to have a personality but no programmed gender, and speaks only German. The name may be a reference to Lævateinn, of Norse mythology. Its regular form is a sword. Expending cartridges, it can transform into a chain-whip or a bow.
 * Voice: Tetsuya Kakihara.


 * Klar wind (クラールヴィント): Shamal's armed device, translated as "Clear Wind". These four rings are never used for combat, but can create portals, find Linker Cores and heal allies.
 * Voice: Alexandra Haefelin.


 * Schwertkreuz (シュベルトクロイツ): Hayate's device, also called the "Sword Cross (剣十字)", is categorized as an armed device in the merchandise. In the A's manga epilogue, Amy Limietta refers to it as "version 8" . It has been revealed in an interview and in the DVD accompaniment materials that this is in fact Hayate's staff device used in A's episode 12.
 * Revolver Knuckle (リボルバーナックル): Subaru's armed device, in synch with her intelligent device "Mach Caliber". Subaru's sister Ginga also has a Revolver Knuckle, but it fits a left hand while Subaru's fits a right hand. Apparently, Ginga's Revolver Knuckle is more suited to attack, and this opened a debate in the fandom regarding whatever or not Subaru's own Revolver Knuckle is more tuned for defensive purposes. Both Revolver Knuckles are capable of changing color - when Subaru wears them, they turn black with blue decals, while both Quint and Ginga have them white with purple decals.
 * Strada (ストラーダ): Erio's device. When inactive, it takes the form of his wristwatch. When active, it takes the form of a spear, and has much of the same function as one. Its second mode, dubbed Düsenform, is very similar to the original one, but with a greater number of rocket thrusters. This form grants Erio limited aerial combat capabilities, although is extremely complex to handle. Its third form seems to be tuned to optimize electric-based spells. When Erio was first introduced he had an American voice. However all sub-sequent appearances have Strada with a voice similar to Graf Eisen's.
 * Voice: Tetsuya Kakihara

Unison Devices
Also commonly known as a Unity-Type Device. A device form developed only by Belka, it is a type of device that has taken the design ideology of the Midchildan Intelligent Device to extremes. Devices which possess their own wills, and given a complete human form and sentience, these devices can "unite" with users to provide Mana control and assistance according to circumstances. These devices exceeds other forms greatly in response speed and in the volume of Mana handled; however users suitable for Unison are rare, and much work is required to fine-tune and ensure compatibility towards the disposition of each specific user. Furthermore, since by nature these devices can cause loss of consciousness and other effects during Unison, these devices have emergency countermeasures set that are not dependent on the host's awareness, allowing even solitary users to employ these devices on themselves, enhancing Mana usage. However, at times these devices may "take over" the user and operate autonomously, causing a "Unison accident", so these devices were nearly never manufactured practically. During a successful Unison, striking hair or pupil color changes become apparent, and will sometimes even change the color of the clothes or armour the user is wearing at the time. However, whether the appearance after Unison is more similar to the user or the device depends on whether the user can manage the device. In the event that a user cannot handle the device, the user will lose all control, and will completely take on the appearance of the device.


 * Reinforce (リインフォース): Reinforce is a Unison Device, and the master program of the Book of Darkness. When the book was completed in episode 10, she merged with Hayate but largely was in control until Hayate reiterated her position as the device's master. Hayate, when she separated the viral defensive program from the rest of the Book and turns the spirit into a more normal-looking version of her familiar form, gives her the name Reinforce and takes her on as a partner. Reinforce's special attack is Ragnarok.
 * Voice: Sanae Kobayashi


 * Reinforce II (Zwei) (リインフォースII): Reinforce II (simply called Rein by Hayate) is Hayate's unison device in the A's epilogue and StrikerS series. She is also known as a "control device (管制デバイス)", meaning that she helps Hayate organize and control her magic abilities. This function may be comparable to the AI programmed into the intelligent devices Raising Heart and Bardiche, but Reinforce II also has the heart and will characteristic of the Wolkenritter, and can manifest a hologram of herself as a smaller version of the original Reinforce. Reinforce II carries a blue book called the "Book of the Azure Sky (蒼天の書)", which is apparently a storage medium for magic spells.
 * Voice: Yukana


 * Agito (アギト): A masterless Unison Device which experts in fire-based elemental magic, and has been traveling along with Lutecia and Zest ever since they rescued her from a laboratory where illegal researches were being performed. She sees Reinforce Zwei as a rival for the sole fact that she has a "Meister", while Agito has not. While she usually went into Unison Mode with Zest for a majority of the StrikerS series, after Signum defeats Zest and gives him last moment of honor as a knight, Agito agrees to go with Signum and later goes into Unison Mode with her. This gives Signum a different appearance from when she went into Unison Mode with Reinforce II and also gives her weapon, Levantine, a permanent fire attribute to all of her attacks as well as drastically increasing the power of Signum's own fire-based attacks, being able to compltely wipe out over fifty Gadget Drones with one attack.
 * Voice: Mami Kameoka

Boost Devices
Introduced in StrikerS, a Boost Device (ブーストデバイス) is a special device that specializes in a specific kind of Increase Magic called "Boost Up", which enchants another device with a power boost in a particular area (e.g. Boost Up - Barret Power). They are also used in the newly introduced Summoning Magic (召喚魔法).


 * Kerykeion (ケリュケイオン): A Boost Device, specializing in Mana augmentation, manufactured for Caro's use. Scrapping the complex magic support functions found in regular devices, Kerykeion boosts Caro's own Mana, and specializes in releasing it in the most suitable form for the task at hand. Kerykeion was tuned with two main points in mind: to reduce the amount of Mana needed during Summoning, and to strengthen Boost magic. As for AI, Kerykeion is relatively amenable. In the words of the master devicer Shario, the Lightning Squad devices are "pretty similar in personality to their users".
 * Voice: Kaoru Edo


 * Asclepius: Lutecia's Boost Device, is nearly identical to Kerykeion, but with purple jewels instead of pink ones. Named after the symbol of the Greek demigod of medicine: Rod of Asclepius

Card
Cards inscribed with a magic array, and charged with Mana. A disposable Mana storage tool which works similar to a simple cartridge, and does not require combustion within a device. It is believed that each card is charged using the owner's Mana over a long period of time, and then saved in this form.

Familiars
A familiar in the Nanoha universe is a magical creature that is created by a mage, based on an animal form. The process of creation is not known in detail, but in Arf's case, Fate created her when her former self was on the brink of death. A familiar may be granted a specific purpose upon creation, and will vanish or expire once this purpose is fulfilled.

Familiars are, generally, fiercely loyal to their masters (to the point of breaking the law), but may have the liberty to question the motives of their masters. Familiars apparently retain some instincts of their "past lives": for example, Arf is voraciously carnivorous. Familiars also have the ability to transform into their animal form, and in their humanoid state will have the ears and tail of the animal they are based on. The familiar can, however, hide these features if necessary.

Familiars are also linked to their masters empathically and are dependent on the magical power of their masters. The more lifelike and complex the familiar, the greater the necessary power upkeep. It follows, then, that a familiar will perish should his or her master die. The light novels reveal that the master may choose to sever the empathic link.

The use of familiars may be a feature of the Mid-Childa magic system. In episode 05 of A's, Zafira insists that he is a "guardian beast" (although Arf retorts that there's no difference), but later he refers to his rival as a "fellow beast of protection". Alternatively, the difference may simply be that of nomenclature, just as Belka system practitioners are called "knights" as opposed to Mid-Childa "mages", despite the fact that both are users of magic.

Known familiars : Arf, Liese Lotte, Liese Aria, Rinis and possibly Zafira as he has the same abilitys as any other familiar.

Lost Logia
The term lost logia refers to artifacts or technologies from a highly advanced civilization that collapsed in the Nanoha universe past. Many of the lost logia are unstable or dangerous, and the Time-Space Administration Bureau (TSAB) is charged with their recovery and supervision. Other than the Jewel Seeds, one other lost logia is used in the Garden of Time: a red jewel in a reactor that powered the drone guards.
 * Jewel Seed: One of twenty-one crystalline artifacts, each with its own serial number. Allegedly, these had the power to grant wishes, although in the series they are highly unstable and prone to cause violent disturbances in the host it fuses with and in its environment.
 * The Scrya clan originally discovered the Jewel Seeds, and Yūno Scrya was in charge of their excavation and transport. However, during an accident in the transport process, the Jewel Seeds were scattered in Uminari City and the surrounding area.
 * At the end of the first season, nine Jewel Seeds were thought to have perished with Precia Testarossa when she triggered their powers and destroyed the Garden of Time; the TSAB later retrieved the other twelve. However, in the third season, it was revealed that some Jewel Seeds are in the possession of Jail Scaglietti; which set, and how he obtained them, is unknown.
 * In StrikerS, Jail Scaglietti's gadget drones are powered by Jewel Seeds, or at least tiny fragments of them as seen in episode 6.


 * The Book of Darkness (Buch der Dunkelheit): The "Book of Darkness (闇の書)", also known as the "Tome of the Night Sky (夜天の魔導書, 夜天の書)", is an ancient artifact that had been under TSAB investigation several years prior to the events of Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha A's.
 * The Book of Darkness may be more accurately described as a collection of artifacts and technologies. In addition to the Book itself, which is a storehouse for stolen knowledge and spells, it includes the Schwertkreuz device, the Wolkenritter guardian knights and their devices, and the master program/Unison Device that Hayate later names Reinforce.
 * After the book was destroyed, Hayate eventually made a new Tome of the Night Sky, using it as a storage medium for her spells.


 * Relic: A relic is a red jewel with immeasurable power, similar to Jewel Seeds in having a serial number. Relics are normally associated with disaster and Jail Scaglietti intends to use them for his own plans. Relics are the main focus of Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS's plot.
 * During the events in StrikerS, Hayate's Mobile Division 6 was tasked with monitoring and containing all relics being smuggled into Mid-Childa so as to keep them out of the wrong hands.
 * Lutecia and Zest were identified as "Relic Weapon Experiments" (レリックウェポンの実験体) and were searching for relics with specific serial numbers (Lutecia, herself, is looking for Relic No. 11). They were working with Jail Scaglietti in an agreement where they would find relics for him and if the relics they found aren't the ones they want, they would give them to Scaglietti.
 * Relics are normally contained in boxes marked with the relic's serial number.


 * The Saint's Cradle: A Belkan battleship armed with mass-based weaponry. Measuring several kilometers, it was considered a royal treasure of the Saint King Family in the Ancient Belka. During the age of Ancient Belka, it was simply known as the "warship", however, among the members of the royal family it was called the "Cradle" since it was normal for them to be born, raised and finally die inside of it. It has been said that it was responsible for the large-scale dimensional dislocation that happened in the year 462 of the old Mid-Childan calendar, mentioned by Yuuno in the episode 8 of the first season, which resulted in the destruction of the Belkan homeworld along with many others nearby it. It was continuously searched for by historians, theologians and archaeologists, but it remained missing until the events told in StrikerS, when was first classified as a highly dangerous Lost Logia. In episode 21, Yuuno's research about it revealed that it was already considered a Lost Logia during the time of Ancient Belka and that its origins could be traced back to Al-Hazard, although details were scarce. For its activation, a member of the Saint King's bloodline is necessary, which was made possible during StrikerS due to the presence of Vivio, an artificial human being created with using the Saint King's genetic information.


 * The inside of the battleship is covered with a high-density AMF but, because magic is an abundant and highly efficient power source for its activities in Mid-Childa, it was not nullified completely at first. In the ancient times, the Belkan Knights and the crew of the Cradle received training to act under AMF conditions so to increase their efficiency when protecting the ship from intruding mages. It is said that if positioned so it could receive energy support from the two moons of Mid-Childa, its defensive capacities greatly improve, becoming capable of magical bombardment, precision snipping, ship-to-surface strikes and dimensional-crossing attacks. Furthermore, it is perfectly capable of fighting both within the atmosphere, outer-space and within the dimensional sea. Among the the weapons available for the Cradle's magic-using soldiers, worth of note are the half-globes made of a glass-like substance that are spread along its hull and are actually an anti-aircraft gunport laser. The Cradle possess a total of 56 of these: 42 in the lower part of the hull (21 in each side) and 14 in the upper part. However, they are concentrated mostly in the front, leaving a blind spot in the rear bottom of the ship. In StrikerS, the Gadget Drones were mainly protecting this blind spot during the climax of the story. The Cradle's interior are extremely wide, to the point that aerial combat becomes possible, and can easily comport an army Type IV Gadget Drones. Note that these Type IV are not Scaglietti's work, but were part of the Cradle's equipment since the beginning and played a very important role in the defense of the ship during the ancient times.


 * Most of the ship's important internal facilities are located in the rear, near the bow between the the Throne Room and the Engine Drive. The engine is a big, red crystal which, once attacked, will be protected by an automatic defensive that will begin to retaliate indiscriminately. The purpose of the chambers where Quattro positioned herself are unknown, but is believed to be a sort of control room, since she was able to control the Cradle's actions from there.


 * Jail Scaglietti and his Numbers tried to hold Mid-Childa hostage with the Cradle's power, but they were defeated and the ship was later destroyed by Chrono's fleet at Episode 26.

Mage
The word mage (魔導師) is used to refer to a practitioner of the Mid-Childa magic system in the Nanoha universe, although the less formal magician (魔法使い) is used synonymously. The phrase magical girl (魔法少女) is mentioned sparingly in the series itself (despite being a part of the titles), usually in Nanoha's monologues.

Nanoha has been called a "bombardment mage (砲撃魔導師)" and Yūno a "force field mage (結界魔導師)", but apparently there is no formal classification according to a mage's specialties. A mage is ranked, however, according to the skill and magic power.
 * Mage ranking:One of 11 "letter grades": in increasing order, F, E, D, C, B, A, AA, AAA, S, SS, SSS. Like similar grading systems, the grade may have a plus or minus. Typically, the TSAB armed forces are ranked D to C, while B is an unpassable wall for many Air/Ground mages at first, officers are ranked AA to S.

Knight
The word knight (騎士) denotes a practitioner of the Belka magic system, especially those who have mastered the style and techniques of the system. The Wolkenritter (Signum, Vita, Shamal, and Zafira) are all considered Belka knights.

In the A's epilogue, Hayate Yagami is called a "mage knight (魔導騎士)", although it is unknown whether she has mastered both Mid-Childa and Belka systems.

Magic classification
The Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha Visual Fanbook, a Nanoha universe guide book, provided the first system of classification for the various spells seen in the anime series. Apparently other categories have appeared in the manga series, describing each spell in detail as they are thrown.

Attack spells

 * Area-of-effect type: This type categorizes all attacks that affect targets within a general area.
 * Bombardment type: This type denotes any attack that fires a cone or stream of energy. This includes "collection type " spells such as Starlight Breaker.
 * Magic-enhanced attack type: As the Belka system prefers melee attack over other magic types, spells of this type enhance the attack power of the device, or expand its attack capabilities.
 * Melee type: This type affects attacks that directly use the device as a weapon. Melee type spells include "energy blade type" (described in the fanbook) spells such as Scythe Slash.
 * Shooting type: Spells of this type are guided (like Divine Shooter) or aimed (like Photon Lancer) at targets.

Capture spells
Capture spells inhibit or attempt to inhibit a target's freedom of movement and the use of action triggers.
 * Bind type: Bind type spells directly inhibit the movement of the target by specifically attaching themselves to the target. Bind type spells may prevent movement outright, as in Restrict Lock, or contain the target's mobility, as in Chain Bind.
 * Cage type: Cage type spells surround the target in an immobile prison.

Ceremonial spells
There are fewer ceremonial spells seen in the series than any other spell type, and are thought to be the most complex. Considerable time or magical power is needed to cast such spells, and they may have long arias as passphrases. Examples include Thunder Fall, and the first Reinforce's final spell.

Defensive spells
Defensive spells are specifically designed to protect the caster from attack magic or melee attack.
 * Barrier type: These spells erect defensive barriers such as Protection. Generally they can defend a wide range of directions, but are relatively easy to break. They work by absorbing the power of an attack in order to reduce damage.
 * Field type: Not to be confused with force field spells below, field type spells directly affect an area around the user to nullify a specific energy type, thermal or electrical for example.
 * Shield type: This type describes spells that generate powerful shields. In contrast to barrier type spells, shield type spells can only guard in one direction, but are much more difficult to penetrate. Also unlike a barrier type defense, these spells defend by repelling the energy driven against them.

Force field spells
In contrast to defensive spells, force field spells apparently have more varied roles, from protecting property and civilians from collateral damage, to confining enemy magic users to a predetermined area.
 * Circle type: These force fields originate from a magic circle, which can be placed by the caster at any location. An example is Yūno's Round Guarder Extend.
 * Area type: Area type force fields affect a large region, and generally are much more powerful than circle type fields. The imprisoning field used by the TSAB Armed Forces in A's episodes 04 and 05 is one such type of field.

Support spells
As of 2006, these are the three known support spell categories. There are also a large number of uncategorized support spells, ranging from telepathy, shapeshifting, and sealing.
 * Increase type: Directly heals or replenishes the target.
 * Decline type: Presumably, spells of this type lower the target's defenses. However, the known spells of this type directly target other magic spells and attempt to deactivate them. An example is Bind Break.
 * Transport type : Spells of this type include movement enhancement spells such as Flier Fin, as well as teleport spells.

Magic system
The magic system refers to the style and methodology of a practitioner's abilities and devices. Two systems are recognized in the series: the Mid-Childa system, and the Belka system.

The Mid-Childa system is the prevalent form of magic in the Nanoha universe until the reappearance of the Wolkenritter in A's. Although much is known about the classification of its practitioners' spells, there is little information about its background or history.

The Belka system once rivaled the Mid-Childa system in terms of influence, but has since been in decline, though powerful users still exist. Its practitioners, known as Knights, often eschew ranged attacks for anti-personnel melee combat tactics. One of the defining features of the Belka system is the Armed Device, which incorporates a cartridge system to dramatically boost the magical power of its user.

Chrono, in a conversation with Yūno, states that 891 classes of magic have been documented by the TSAB. Whether this refers to separate systems of magic, such as Mid-Childa and Belka, or some other way of categorizing types of magic is not specifically explained.

Triggers
A trigger, as the name implies, is something that initiates or triggers a magic spell. Four types of triggers are recognized in Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha Visual Fan Book.
 * Aria (詠唱):A long incantation, required for complex or powerful techniques, such as magic spells. Arias often include a mage's personal incantation, such as Nanoha's "Lyrical! Magical!"
 * Command phrase:A short command to the device. For example, Fate's command phrase for her shooting skills is "Fire!". In cases where a mage does not need an incantation to activate a skill, the device may bark the command in his or her stead.
 * Action trigger:A motion, usually a distinctive swing of the device. Action triggers usually accompany command phrases.
 * Device activation:The activation sequence for an Intelligent Device. This can sometimes activate automatically, usually when the user is in danger from an incoming attack. Depending on the skill or talent of the user, this may require a complex passphrase.

History
Pre-history ~ Warring Ages
 * Belka expands its own territory not only into other countries but also other worlds thanks to the use of more advanced weapons.
 * It is believed that these “advanced weapons” were attained due technological outflow from Al-Hazard.

At the middle of the Warring Ages (about 1000 years ago)
 * With great technological advancements in the field of human life manipulation, many Kings decide to strengthen their own bodies artificially and force that same fate upon their descendants.

End of the Warring Ages (hundreds of years ago)
 * Conflict ends with the fall of the Belkan nation after the loss of most of its territory. Furthermore, the Belkan home-world become an inhabitable land due hundreds years worth of pollution.
 * There is an unconfirmed possibility that the above was caused by the unrestrained use of mass-weaponry.
 * The Saint King lineage transfers itself to peripheral worlds using the Cradle and starts a movement to regain control over the other countries. The resulting conflict, which would be known as the Saint King Unification War, ended with the loss of the Cradle and the annihilation of the Belkan royal family.
 * The survivors establish themselves in their remaining worlds and abandon the name of “Belka” completely.
 * It was also around that time that the Ancient Belka magic style was almost wiped out.

Currently
 * The Belkan royal family becomes an object of worship for putting an end to the war and the Saint Church is formed as a result.
 * MidChilda bans mass-based weaponry due their great danger and creates the TSAB to promote peace among the dimensional worlds.
 * As a thanking gift for helping form the TSAB, MidChilda confers the region that is now the Belkan Self-Administrated Area to the Saint Church

Places

 * Garden of Time: This refers to a small asteroid-like structure, that is the residence of Precia and Fate Testarossa during the time of the first season. It is well-hidden from the TSAB, as they could only locate the small hideout by tracing Precia's transport spell.
 * Mid-Childa: This is the home world of the Harlaown family and the Scrya clan, and is home to a technologically advanced society. The capital is called Cranagan (クラナガン).
 * Uminari City (海鳴市): This is the home town of the Takamachi, Bannings, Tsukimura, Yagami, and (later) Harlaown households.

Time-Space Administration Bureau
The Time-Space Administration Bureau (時空管理局), elsewhere abbreviated as TSAB or Bureau (管理局), is an interdimensional security force formed by a joint union of several worlds, including Mid-Childa. They also monitor cultural growth and provide disaster relief to each world.

Positions and ranking

 * Admiral (提督): Presumably the highest rank in the Bureau. Admirals are given administrative roles, including ship command. Although the advisor and commissioner Gil Graham, ship commander Lindy Harlaown (and later Chrono Harlaown), and Bureau HQ staff officer Leti Rolan are all referred to as Admiral, it is unclear, as of 2006, whether there is a further hierarchy among those of this rank.
 * Known members: Lindy Harlaown, Gil Graham (A's; retired in epilogue), Leti Lowran, Chrono Harlaown (A's epilogue, StrikerS manga).


 * Commissioned Officer (執務官): Commissioned officers in the TSAB are the lead investigators in incidents under Bureau jurisdiction, akin to detectives in modern police hierarchies.
 * Known members: Chrono Harlaown, Fate T. Harlaown (A's epilogue, StrikerS manga).


 * Tactical Instructor (戦技教導官): Similar to military and police special forces instructors, tactical instructors in the TSAB provide additional training to the Bureau's armed forces in combat strategy and techniques. They are considered among the best of all the mages in the Bureau. They regularly test new spells, new tactics, and act as OPFOR in exercises.
 * Known members: Nanoha Takamachi (A's epilogue, StrikerS manga).


 * Special Investigations Officer (特別検査官): This is Hayate Yagami's title in the A's epilogue and StrikerS manga.
 * Contract Mage (嘱託魔導師): Contract mages are "hired" by the TSAB, however, the Bureau requires an intensive examination before contract mages are approved to work in Bureau matters. Fate Testarossa, after the Jewel Seed incident, underwent this examination primarily to be able to meet Nanoha sooner.
 * Known members: Fate Testarossa (A's).


 * TSAB Armed Forces (武装隊): The armed forces are both the main line of defense for the Bureau, as well as its corps of peace officers, although they bear some similarity to American police SWAT teams.

Technology

 * Arc-en-ciel (アルカンシェル): The most powerful weapon of the TSAB investigative vessel Arthra (and as of 2006, the only known weapon of the Arthra) though it is likely that all of the TSAB's ships are equipped with it. Called a "magic cannon (魔導砲)", it destroys a region with a radius of over 100 kilometers around the target point by distorting the time-space of that region. Because of its great destructive potential, it can only be fired with the ship commander's key. In this way, it serves a deus ex machina function common to leader ships in science fiction series, such as the Chrono Break Cannon on the Elsior in Galaxy Angel.