Loci are areas with special magical properties. These properties may be an attenuation or focus of mana (magic energy) which makes magic harder or easier to use at this location. The attenuation may affect all magic, or it may affect only a certain type of spell. This more specific effect is known as an anointing.
The mechanics of how this works may vary from locus to locus. Each locus will have at least of the following effects:
Vida trees may grow on loci.
Mages, wizards, etc often prefer to reside on loci, in order to take advantage of their magical benefits.
Loci may also contain portals. One or more portal may exist at any locus. A portal can not exist outside of a locus. A portal is a gateway to “the beyond” which exists outside of spacetime (& outside of the physical universe). Objects in the beyond are not bound to any specific spacetime, but may retain “threads” to their last spacetime location. Living objects are automatically placed into a state of suspended animation when leaving spacetime. The laws of physics do not apply in the beyond.