𝒂𝒅𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒂, 𝒏𝒐. (
thunderproof) wrote in
therookery2018-03-12 05:45 pm
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FORM: Sending Crystal
SENDER: Adalia (
thunderproof
RECIPIENT: Errybody with a sending crystal
WHAT: What's up with your mages, guys?
WHEN: Drakonis 12
WHERE: Kirkwall
NOTES: N/A
SENDER: Adalia (
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RECIPIENT: Errybody with a sending crystal
WHAT: What's up with your mages, guys?
WHEN: Drakonis 12
WHERE: Kirkwall
NOTES: N/A
I have a question for the native mages among us, if you all don't mind!
❰ adalia sounds inquisitive, curious, sort of sing-songy — she's been pondering this for a while, both in general and today specifically. ❱
Would you consider magic something you are, something you have, or something you do? A combination of those? All three? Something I haven't yet considered?
❰ a sound of shifting fabric as she sits up on her bed. ❱
See, I would consider myself magic, innately. I'm a sorcerer where I'm from — we have magic in our blood. I would be considered a mage by Thedosian standards, but to me "mage" is a very broad word. Anyone who does magic could be considered a mage where I'm from, and then there are breakdowns within the broader "mage" classification — there are sorcerers, who are magic innately; wizards, who learn magic through study; warlocks, who are granted power by others — not to mention bards, and those who are given access to divine magics for worshiping their deities.
All of these different classes of mage approach magic in a different way. What is your relationship to magic? Is it part of you, or is it merely a tool? I'm curious.
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It is interesting to hear of the different ways those in your world come to have magic. It can be learned without having it be a part of you from the start?
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So more like a limb than a tool, then. That's about how I think of it, too.
Yes! It can take years of study, but wizards who devote themselves to accruing magical knowledge can be some of the most diversely talented mages alive. I only know so many spells, but I can... change them, or make them stronger, because I just... know how. Think of it like a switch I can see that no one taught magic would ever think to notice. Sorcerers sort of feel their spells, and cast them innately, making whatever changes they need at the moment they need them.
Wizards, on the other hand, know their spells as they learned them and that's that, with no ability to make changes to the formula. They cast them the same way every time. On the flip side, though, your average wizard will know more spells than your average sorcerer, because they can study all known spells and add them to their repertoire. When they specialize in specific schools of magic, they learn techniques that non-focused wizards and all sorcerers will never know, because they dedicate years to the study of these schools.
Does any of that make sense...?
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Yes, I follow you. It is different for us. We are sort of... in between a sorcerer and a wizard. We are all capable of magic, and indeed, we first discover we are mages by accidentally casting a spell. But we have no control until we learn it. We learn to cast the spell the correct way, with the right amount of mana. And there are many different branches of magic. Some prefer to focus on a few over others. And we have specializations, of course, which are perhaps like your schools of magic? What are some of them, if you do not mind my asking?
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...bards, huh? Here, that has nothing to do with magic. It's all part of the Orlesian court and all that politicking. What a mess. But any bards who can co magic would be considered mages first and foremost. Trust me, Thedas will never let you forget what you are.
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❰ a moment as adalia reconsiders her question, humming quietly to herself. ❱
I suppose what I actually mean is, do you think Thedas' reaction to magic has affected your relationship with yours? That's what I'm really getting at, I think. I wonder if Thedosian anti-magic sentiment clouds some sorcerers' opinions of their natural gifts.
❰ bards without magic??? wat. ❱
To me, a bard is a mage who manipulates the Weave — or, I guess, the Fade — through the medium of song. It's a bit innate and a bit learned, sort of a blend of wizardry and sorcerous talent.
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[Pause.]
...sure. I wasn't raised with any Chantry propaganda, so I wasn't taught to hate myself in that sense. But when you see the fear and resentment in people's eyes, it's impossible for it not to affect you at all. Especially if it comes from someone you care about.
But no, I still wouldn't get rid of it. All that shit makes me want to make something of myself, just to spite the assholes who try to cage me.
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I say this as Warlock is my favorite class
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There was a time before; there has been a time after. As a child, I wouldn't have been considered a mage.
[ now is more often a matter of debate ]
That child is as much a piece of me. It's often forgotten, by those who would see magic before man.
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❰ adalia knows of tranquil, but she's never spoken to one. the very idea of them makes her vaguely nauseous — living without magic would be difficult enough in its own right, but being completely without emotions...
it's not something she's cared to consider overmuch. as such, it is not the first conclusion she jumps to. ❱
I'm sorry, I'm not sure I follow. You talk about having magic like it's past tense for you...?
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I would say that it's a combination of all three? Magic is a part of me, I use it, it's a skill. It's just as defining as saying I'm Fereldan, it's what I am. I don't introduce myself with it though as it's only a part of me, not the only me.
Well we don't have sorcerers or wizards, but mage is still a pretty broad spectrum here as well; it gets broken down to a degree. For instance I'm a Spirit Healer.
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Not the only part of you, but surely an important one? I couldn't even imagine being without magic, before I came here. Exhausting myself would be one thing, losing access to my magic entirely...
❰ and then she'd come here, and the illness last month had completely cut her off from even a small bit of her magic, and it had been like being unable to breathe. ❱
Well, that's still breaking it down within the same general idea of where magic comes from, right? Not to say your distinctions don't matter, and I'm interested in Spirit Healing, but your mages all get their magic the same way. A mage is a mage is a mage, when you get right down to the essence of it, but a sorcerer is not a wizard is not a warlock is not a bard is not a cleric is not... You see?
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late post is late
late post is also late
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No gift to be born with, but a skill to be taught. One might have more or less knack—as some will always have a tin ear, no matter the dedication of their music tutor—but no different in nature to any other skill that one might study, or not study. Were I to set magic aside, my prior practise of it would leave little mark upon me; yet I would be called witch still, for I am known to have been.
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❰ ever he proto-scientist, adalia welcomes all new opinions and ideas, even if in the end she decides those opinions and ideas are wrong and dumb. ❱
This is strange to hear... If magic isn't innate, then how does anyone know that magic exists in the first place, where you're from? Where does it come from? What are you manipulating in order to make it work?
❰ learned magic makes sense to adalia. learned magic without there first being innate magic that those incapable coveted does not. ❱
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It's all very interesting.]
I am a mage, as much as I'm an elf, but my magic's a gift from the Maker. Though it's been a part of my life so long I can't imagine who I'd be otherwise, even though I remember a time I didn't have it.
[Curious, now.] What do your gods ask of those they give magic to?
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As I understand it, that's not the way it's traditionally taught. Magic being a gift, that is. I'm glad you see it that way, though!
❰ which, like. she agrees with you, myr, but does the chant? ❱
As far as I can tell, the gods just want their followers to enact their will on the Prime Material Plane. They can't usually do it themselves, for... reasons? I don't know, I've never been interested in theology, so I never looked into it. But the paladin I traveled with was given his abilities by his goddess in order to help prevent an ancient evil from escaping its intraplanar prison to take over the Prime Material Plane.
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Does that make sense? It's the difference between magic as a possession and magic as you.
1/2
2/2; private
private
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Defined in what way?
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