Wands and Staffs.

[somethingwild]

FORM: Crystal.
SENDER: Newt Scamander.
RECIPIENT: Everyone with a crystal, though the message itself is directed toward fellow magic users/mages in particular.
WHAT: Wizards and mages and their proper tools.
WHEN: Early Justinan/June, after the Grand Tourney.
WHERE: The Gallows
NOTES: Unintentional (and otherwise) sexual innuendo, magic talk, Newt making an unintentional fool of himself (but what else is new?), etc. Will add more warnings if they become necessary. There is probably a good chance this post will not be safe for work.

[Trying desperately not to think about the recent news about the phylacteries, Newt mostly focuses on his own work in the Research division. But during his down time, his mind yet lingers on the uncomfortable possibilities of said recent news, and so he tries to distract himself by sating his own curiosity about something he's happened to notice about the native mages in Thedas.]

Hello all! Pardon me if I'm not using this crystal device correctly; it's, oddly enough, more advanced than some of the Muggle technology from my own home.

If we haven't yet met, my name is Newt Scamander, and I'm a rifter. [A brief pause as he considers what he wants to say next. Perhaps it isn't wise to announce himself as a rifter with magic so openly, but, frankly, he would like to reach out and connect with others with magic, to get himself familiar with the magic of this world if he can help it. It's much preferable to dwelling on the phylacteries, after all.]

A wizard rifter, to be precise, and so this message is mostly geared towards mages and others with magic themselves, particularly those native to Thedas.

And because it must be said, no, this message is not about phylacteries of any kind.

I can't help but notice that you lot use staffs to conduct your magic instead of wands. I just wanted to know: what is it like using such large tools to do so? Do not get me wrong, the staff work I have seen so far has been very impressive. And they are very neat-looking, and seem to make for good weapons, especially for hitting things. But they also seem so unwieldy? And a pain to carry around everywhere. Do you charm them to make them lighter?

I myself use a wand, which is much smaller and of a different kind of build. Perhaps, if you would be willing, we might compare our instruments some time?

[Newt says all of this with a completely straight face, entirely unaware of how he sounds. He is genuinely curious, and he's engaged with some very interesting conversations through these sending crystals before. He looks forward to the responses, though he can't yet know how they might turn out.]

Honestly, the magic of this world is fascinating, and I look forward to learning more about it.

Comments

[circleprodigy]

[Her tone is more solemn, as this is never a pleasant topic of conversation.]

Tranquil are mages who have undergone the Rite of Tranquility, either voluntarily or not. This rite severs their connection to the Fade; Tranquil can no longer dream nor draw on the Fade to perform magic. As a side effect, their emotions are removed as well, making them undesirable to demonic possession.

To my knowledge, there is at least one. His name is Casimir Lyov.

[somethingwild]

[Newt immediately sobers himself upon hearing her explanation, shaking his head to himself as he listens. For such a soft name, the act of Tranquility sounds rather violent to him.]

That...that sounds rather...terrible, frankly. The removal of emotions reminds me of the Dementor's Kiss back home, though I know of no ceremony to remove one's magic.

People are forced to undergo this rite? [He tries not to sound outraged, but he can't keep his own emotions from spilling out into his voice at the very thought.]

[circleprodigy]

Were; with the fall of the Circle, it's no longer in practice. But yes, it was often done to mages who weren't likely to pass their Harrowing or to those who committed grave offenses. That isn't to say the rite was never abused, though. Kirkwall saw a disturbing amount of that before the rebellion.

...I think Hermione mentioned the dementors before. They sound horrific.

[somethingwild]

Well, that's a relief, that such a practice is no longer in circulation. I can only imagine the ways such a rite might be abused.

They are. They are terrible creatures. They look like...well, they were robes, and they walk as though they float. You'll always know if one's near, even if you can't see them; they suck the happiness out of wherever they are.

The Dementor's Kiss is used similar to the Tranquility rite, actually; for those who have committed grave offenses. One loses their soul after such a trial, and they lead lives as shells, essentially.

It is truly terrible, and I would not wish such a punishment on anyone, frankly.

[circleprodigy]

...their description sounds rather close to that of Despair demons. They don't take souls in the fashion you've mentioned, but the resemblance is eerie. They flourish in areas where hope is fragile or nonexistent.

[somethingwild]

These Despair demons sound delightful. I'm certain now I'm likely destined to run into them, given the resemblance.

What is the best way to repel these particular demons, in case I do run into them? We have a spell, a charm, really, specific for driving back Dementors. I wonder, given the similarities, if the magic of this world has the same?

[circleprodigy]

There are some minor things, but it's worth focusing on getting a demon-slaying rune for a staff. That alone would be quite a deterrent to despair demons and any other kind.

[somethingwild]

Interesting. I will have to look into it. You have various runes specified to work against the different evils here?

[circleprodigy]

Certain ones, yes. There are dragonslaying runes for the obvious, cleansing runes which work against red templars and so on. I recommend taking a look at what we have available, and researching the weaknesses of common foes. Rage demons are also vulnerable to frost runes, for example.

[somethingwild]

[Newt manages to refrain from commenting on the dragon slaying runes, much to his own surprise. He has to keep telling himself that the dragons here pose a significant threat to the population.]

Very interesting. I will certainly have to include all of this in my research list the next time I find myself in the library.

Would I need a staff to be able to make use of these runes?

[circleprodigy]

To make use of their offensive properties, yes. Some can also be affixed to armor for defensive purposes. A staff isn't as bulky as one might think; if you want assistance in learning how to wield it effectively, I can offer my time.

[somethingwild]

Really? They can be used for armor as well? That is good to know.

That is very kind of you. I would appreciate that very much. Is there a good place to purchase a staff here in Kirkwall?

[circleprodigy]

The armory ought to have staffs available, but if you want to purchase a particular style, I would inspect the market just inside Hightown. There is a weapons stall with high-quality items.

[somethingwild]

[Merlin, Hightown. He tries to avoid the place, but it might very well be worth venturing into for decent weapons, he supposes.]

That's very good to know. I think using the ones provided by the armory might suit well enough, for now. I imagine it's better to start with the basics, as is.

[circleprodigy]

That's quite true, you can work your way up from there. Avoid those with a blade at the end until you know what you're doing. I've healed too many who thought it wise to start with one.

[somethingwild]

[Smiling wryly on his end of the crystal.]

Yes, I would rather avoid stabbing myself, if I can help it.