Quote:
Originally Posted by AlexanderHowl
A magical Asia would have likely not changed too much history before the 15th century. The vast majority of the human population on Earth right now believes in supernatural phenomena of some sort, and that belief was only stronger in the past. When Europeans encountered supernatural creatures on their journeys to Asia, they would have likely just avoided them.
The rise of Christianity and Islam would have likely caused the magic users of West Asia to retreat into seclusion until they were needed by the local rulers. As for supernatural creatures, Islam historically accepted the ability of djinn to convert, so supernatural creatures would have found acceptance (or at least tolerance) under the rule of Islam. In fact, they would have likely found more acceptance under Islam than under Christianity.
Imagine a Persian dragon who converted to Islam during the Islamic conquest of Persia in the 7th century. By 1900, they would have been a follower of Islam for over twelve centuries and would have likely advised dozens of rulers of Persia. It would have likely claimed Qeshm Island as their high mana home, allowing the local humans to live in peace.
The reason for the 1500s is because Vasco de Gama arrived in India in 1498. He would have reported the existence of the magicians of Kerala to the Portuguese Crown. The Portuguese used their ships to conquer a number of small islands, especially in the Persian Gulf, in order to gain control over the spice trade. If they were incapable of gaining control over the Asian spice trade, the Portuguese would have invested more of their attention on Africa and South America.
An interesting consequence would have been the inability of the Europeans to gain control over Maritime Southeast Asia due to the islands being high mana. While ninety percent of the benefits could have been obtained through trade, Europeans would have lacked control unless they had recruited their own magicians (probably from the local population). Recruiting local magicians would have likely been done quietly due to potential disapproval from the religious authorities, though enterprising Europeans may have recruited female magicians by marrying them.
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Christianity was less hostile to magic than determined to have a monopoly over magic. Read
The Rise of Magic in Early Medieval Europe. In a magical world, Christians would have either recruited magicians or only Priests, Monks, and Nuns would be allowed to openly be magicians. Between Protestantism and contact with Asia, the Renaissance would see the return of secular mages.