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

[inagutterson]

D'you feel like whinging all the time? Because that's a big thing with mages. Speaking as someone from the one race that can't do any magic at all and has to listen to them going on and on and bloody on.

[extramural]

Oh, this ought to be interesting.

[ ]

You would be considered a witch of sorts even in our world, you know.

[gatheringstorm]

If you can cast magic, it doesn't matter if you consider yourself a mage or not. In Thedas, you'll be treated as one anyway, with all the baggage that brings. Shades of grey isn't something that this world excels at, as you might have guessed.

[circleprodigy]

I don't understand. Why would you not identify as a mage, when you use magic?

[Political issues aside, since that doesn't seem to be what he's getting at.]

[limier]

That's a new one.

[ she'd love to have seen someone try it ]

Pray tell — do you think it would work the other way around?

[alankazam]

Oh. Like rope tricks, juggling. [ A pause. ] I think there is a word for that.

[provenforce]

Have you seen Templars in action? They use what I would say is magic, but aren't condemned as mages are.

This world's definition of mage is both maddeningly large and surprisingly narrow. I'm not a mage, though I have abilities that appear to the outside observer, as magic. I have been called a mage several times.

[There's a slight pause, before she adds grudgingly:]

I also carry a staff. Though I use it for hitting things, not casting spells.

[meds4sale]

I do not think the people of this world care for such... nuance.

[Far be it for him to dictate to others how define themselves, but there were some realities that could not be denied.]

There is a saying about ducks that may apply.

[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?

[conqueredhearts]

Mm. That's a good question. After all, not all who use magic are mages in my world. Yet that seems the common meaning of it in these lands from what I can see.

[He hums in thought a bit.]

I wonder if people would think what I can do is magic.

[thehiddenking]

Mages are like Wizards to me. Their power is unknown to me - I do not particularly like it or possess it - but I do believe they can do great good with it.

To your second question, yes; I believe all that possess magic should be considered Mages.