What measure is a mage?

[watchesandlistens]

FORM: Sending Crystal
SENDER: Corvo
RECIPIENT: Everyone
WHAT: Corvo's not like the other girls mages
WHEN: Now
WHERE: Everywhere
NOTES: is a mage an animal, vegetable, or mineral?

[ The voice that speaks is low, gravelly. Not one often heard over the crystals, or around Skyhold in general. He's not the chattiest guy around. But he's curious. ]

I can use magic, but I would not consider myself a mage.

[ Pause. ]

Not that I have anything against mages. I simply...do not identify as one, particularly within the context of mages in this world.

[ Another pause, to let that sink in. Then he gets to the point. ]

How would you define a mage? Is everyone that's capable of magic truly to be considered one? Perhaps there should be a label for people who do not so easily fit into those categories--if one does not already exist.

Comments

[justice_is_blond]

You use magic, and many fools fear anyone who can use magic here. That's enough for them. Why does it matter that you not be called a mage?

[watchesandlistens]

Because I'm not one...?

[justice_is_blond]

The ability to do magic generally defines someone as a mage. So by the rules of what goes on here, you are one.

the f and d key are too close together this tag almost took a very different direction

[watchesandlistens]

I can also quack like a duck, if I'm so inclined. I possess the ability to do so. Does that make me a duck, as well?

[justice_is_blond]

...How old are you? Don't answer that. There are far more things that make a duck a duck than simply the quacking. The ability to do magic is all that's required to make someone a mage.

[watchesandlistens]

Everyone else was using duck analogies. [ Two people are everyone. ] I thought it best to stick to the theme.

From what I've seen of your world, being a mage is...an identity. It's a significant part of who you are. At least, for all of the mages I've spoken to thus far. Hardly surprising, all considered.

But I only gained the ability to use magic within the last six months. It's a useful tool, and one I appreciate having. But my relationship with it is hardly the same.

[justice_is_blond]

It's an analogy that doesn't apply to this conversation.

There are a few young mages who have only been ones for months or weeks, and none of us chose this identity. It's a part of who we are because of how we're treated. You're going to be treated in a similar way as someone who can do magic. I don't follow why it's a problem to be identified as one of us, unless you've an objection to us.

[watchesandlistens]

The only objection I have is to classifying people in a way that doesn't fit them. If not for rifters, than for your new generations of magic-users, who will have the freedom to choose what they dedicate their lives to.

...And I've been treated quite well, really. I'd have no idea what things were like before, if I hadn't been told.

[ Mostly because most people he meets don't realize he can use magic. ]

[justice_is_blond]

But it's... It's what you are. I'm human, I'm classified as, well, I think I count as human again, but the point is that I don't choose that classification, just as I don't choose whether I can do magic or not. There are things one doesn't choose, they simply are, and it's not a bad thing. You can do magic; you're a mage. You don't need to dedicate your life to it, but it's what you are.

[watchesandlistens]

You're very passionate about this.

[ His tone isn't accusing, or negative. He's more curious, than anything. ]

[justice_is_blond]

I am. I've had to fight for freedom for most of my life because of what I am. I'd no choice in being a mage or not, though I'd not stop being a mage if I could.