shellphones | text | un: astudyinviolet

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text | un: astudyinviolet

Type:Text
Sender ID: astudyinviolet (Sherlock Holmes)
To: public
Subject: Magic: deciding, gaining, learning
Warnings: none atm

[ Perhaps this was inevitable given recent events and Sherlock's insecurities about his worth and ability to have purpose in this world. ]

I have a small series of questions to ask those who have gone from not having magic to having magic. Of particular interest are those who have only gained magic from this world, but I will not turn away answers from others either.

The reason I ask these questions is I come from a world where magic is usually a trick using sleight of hand and obfuscation. I inherited my brother's notebooks covering magical theories of this world, but they do not go into the more practical applications or personal aspects of magic. Surely the tattoo is only a single step among many.

How did you decide on what magic to learn?
How did you learn to control that magic?
Do you feel who you are fundamentally has changed? How so?
Have you created any contingency plans in case something goes wrong with your magic or yourself?

[ He... really hopes no one reads too deeply into that last one, but it is a worry Sherlock has given family history and having others within his head before.

And because he learned from Alhaitham's survey... ]

I understand that such a topic might be very personal. Respond anonymously if you desire and only what you are comfortable with sharing. If you'd rather meet in person, I can arrange that as well.

S.H.

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You decided not to yet also couldn't learn magic?

[ Is this an example of not being able to and then claiming it was his choice as a point of pride? Or something else? ]

Oh I think I worded that badly. Back home I couldn't learn magic. On my world people have something called "elemental affinity" which links them to one of the four mana types. You're tested early to see your aptitude. My brother and I had no elemental affinity which usually means we can't draw out any mana. And since schools will only enroll people who can learn magic, we weren't allowed to go to school.

When I saw the tattoos here, I considered getting one but it just felt like was cheating.

Ah, I understand now. You spoke of two different instances, back home and here.

[ Schools aren't the best thing ever. Sherlock was constantly bullied, thought of as a nuisance, and couldn't study what he wanted to. ]

What made you feel gaining magic here was cheating?

Because I'm not a fan of power that isn't exactly earned. I mean, if I just walked in and got a tattoo so I could learn fire magic it just feels like it cheapens everything I did to get to where I am now without it.

I don't need really need it even if it could be useful in some ways.

Though I'd be lying if I said I wasn't interested in contingency plans for people whose magic has gone crazy.

[He means himself. He's looking for contingencies for himself in case his powers ever go crazy.]

To relate it to something else, you equate it to a skill or talent more than a tool.

To be perfectly clear, I am not suggesting we as a whole create contingency plans for others.

[ He's not trying to stir up trouble. He's just trying to... figure things out for himself. ]

Yeah exactly! Skills need to be cultivated and trained. I'm not sure how much I like the idea of anyone just being able to learn magic that easily. It's like putting a weapon in the hands of someone untrained. As a smith, that bothers me.

I know but having a device on hand that could help neutralize someone's powers in case they go crazy? Maybe not a bad plan. A couple of months back, corsairs were kidnapped and challenged to escape a paladin prison. They had shackles on that completely negated their magic.

I had assumed that the tattoo allowed access to magic which then had to be learned and practiced to be used effectively. However, I have no information to confirm whether that is the case or what you suggest.

[ If the tattoo somehow gives access to magic and the knowledge on how to use it, Sherlock will reject the idea of ever getting one. The last thing he needs is some mysterious force putting unknown information into his head.

But Darin brings up something interesting... ]

Let's put the neutralizing shackles aside for the moment. Were those Corsair kidnapped, given an absurd crimes, and then challenged to escape from prison? A challenge rather than a crime charge?

I don't think you're granted mastery and you still need to practice it. I guess I'm just wary when people are given powers that they might not fully grasp the ramifications of? I don't know I have a weird bias I guess.

[Considering he's hidden his powers for his entire life and decidedly hates that he has them at all. He's sure people would see what he can do as something they want but Darin knows from experience what the trade-off is.]

Yeah exactly! I was one of them! Why?

I had heard of such an event, but I had been under the impression that it had been far more serious in nature.

[ He really did horribly during that investigation, and worse, he had been so certain he was right. ]

More serious? What did you find out? It's been months and I still don't know why I was taken.

No, I did not find out anything. I took it at face value as the person who I spoke with had been quite disturbed by the whole ordeal but did not know or neglected to say it had been a challenge.

Figures. Either way, I came away with one set of those shackles that sealed up magic. I want to see if I can work it into something more potent. Something that could maybe stop something like that giant bird that attacked Eltrut awhile back.

[ Hell's bells... Sherlock will need to review all the facts stored in his mind attic and discover where he went so wrong. ]

I assume you mean something other than clasping a shackle around its talon.

Obviously! But I need to figure out how it works first. Really pick it apart and test its strength. It might not even be calibrated for something that big.

Regardless, if it could stop me then it's gotta be potent.

I thought you said you didn't have magic. Why did they work on you?

[ Unless it was also stronger than Altway, but he is incredibly strong. ]

Beats the hell out of me. I'd like to know that as well.

I have to wonder if they block magic by blocking someone's physical connection to mana or...something. I had no mana affinity but that doesn't mean I don't have any mana.

I don't know, it's weird.

[ Sherlock wonders if he has any mana at all since there is no magic in his world. Regardless, he would not be able to help as the shackles could still stop him with their physical construction. He lacks Altway's strength. ]

I wish you luck in your endeavor.

Thanks! I've got some ideas in mind but the trick is making sure they actually work. No use making a deterrent when it won't actually stop the thing trying to be deterred, right?

I'll need to find people to help me test it.

A MANTA request would be the easiest way to get that help.

It would but would you answer a call that asked for someone to use untested power-stealing equipment on you? I'm not sure I'd get a lot of takers.

There have been requests to test potions and drugs with unknown results. What you would propose is far tamer.

Huh, you know you raise a good point. Once I get a prototype going I think I'll consider it.

Thank you!

[ Don't underestimate what people will put themselves through for some coin. ]

Think nothing of it.

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