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]

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.