text | un: astudyinviolet

[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.

Comments

[astudyinviolet]

I am now curious why you would normally be against taking on magic.

[ramuhs]

Have a bit of a negative history with it in my world. Fortunately things are much different here, but I still advise to use magic more as a supplementary tool than the only means.

[astudyinviolet]

If I do decide to obtain access to magic, it would be for use like a tool.

[ At least, that is his intention. All he knows for certain is that he struggles with the tools currently at his disposal. ]

[ramuhs]

Fortunately for you, you can actually choose which type of magic to learn, and even change it if it's not to your liking. Something that was not available to us in my world.

Have you ever considered what kind you'd use? Support? Offense? Type of element?

[astudyinviolet]

I haven't a clue. The most I could say is that it should not impair my deductive skills and not be related to water. I think there is enough of the latter in the world.

[ And not that he is actually afraid of water... ]

[ramuhs]

[There's an arch of the brow at the mention of water, but Cid won't ask.]

I can't imagine most of the comment elements would impair your abilities. Rather, if you want something that could help supplement them...

More of the investigative type, are you? And not looking for much combat? Defense perhaps?

[astudyinviolet]

[ Sherlock Holmes does not have the best reputation with waterfalls, and this particular Sherlock Holmes has an additional, greater aversion to water. ]

Is there an element better adapted toward defense? I was under the impression the magic here was elemental based first.

[ Now that he thinks about it in combination to his fears, he does not need additional ways he could be a danger to others should something enter his mind. ]

[ramuhs]

You are correct, however you can still be create creative.

For defense, any element could be used, however EARTH would be a common choice. The ability conjure rock walls and shields would certainly be a boon, and you could create your own protective armor. Go further and attune more with NATURE and you could utilize your environment, such as the trees or even animals to come to your aid. I believe it's a common element for herbalists and healers to use, so you could expand into healing or medicine as well.

AIR is another potential as you can use the winds to escape. Learn to fly or boost your speed, and the winds themselves can prove a formidable shield to cut opponents or create fogs to obscure. There is also the wind itself to help blow back your foes. You can also try to listen to nearby conversations, create little sprites to help gather information.

A DARK based element such as utilizing shadows is another option. I'm not as familiar, but from what I've seen while and with just some big of imagination, you could perhaps use shadows and darkness to obscure or hide yourself, or blind your opponents to allow for a chance to escape. I know many who are more into thievery utilize such tricks.

LIGHT would work similar. I think HOLY is in the same family, and have better access to healing spells. However, any element can heal. I haven't done much but with my LIGHTNING I can help numb and accelerate the natural healing regeneration through the electrical stimulation.

Those are, of course, just a few suggestions that immediately come to mind.

[astudyinviolet]

[ This is a lot of information, and Cid can bet that Sherlock is copying it into his casebook. ]

I suppose I should ask about water in the interest in having all the information since you are providing such a detailed description of each.

You are the second person to say light is an element. I am familiar with the duality of light and dark but as separate from what is considered the classical elements in my world.

[ For someone who has to go against the darkness in many ways, light is very tempting. ]

[ramuhs]

[Never let it be said that Cid isn't thorough when it comes to sharing information! Plus he had a feeling Sherlock could use it.]

WATER could also be useful, especially when you have so much around us. It wouldn't be so impossible to use the oceans or even create some rain, though harnessing an element is not the same as controlling the weather. Healing is also predominant with water. Think of cleansing impurities and washing away wounds. Water users tend to find it easier after those who can use light. But also consider water bubbles that could shield you or creating large waves to push away your foes. ICE may also be a consideration, and there you would have something more solid to work. In my world the two elements are separate, but here there seems to be more overlap to allow the use of both.

As for light and dark as elements, I suppose it seems natural for me since they exist in my world. I will say this world seems a lot more flexible when it comes to their magic and how the elements are used and mixed together, and you could be creative in how you use it as well.

[astudyinviolet]

[ Even with the usefulness of water in a setting such as theirs, Sherlock can feel his body tense at even entertaining the idea. The Abyss calls for him already. Would water magic offer him protection or open a new weakness in an already crumbling defense?

Still the information is appreciated and added to his casebook. ]

Would you say this world may be more limited by the imagination rather than limited by the choice of element?

[ramuhs]

I'd argue it's both. You are certainly restricted to the elements provided by the tattoo, however you are not bound to any specific set of magic or skills. You could read up a spell in a library and be able to teach yourself how to use it so long as it fits your element.

And that's where the imagination lies. You will only be able to use the magic as much as you can think of ways to do so. I imagine there may also be some personal adeptness as well. It may be possible that one person may not be able to execute a spell while another can. However, I'm not that well-versed to provide a proper answer, just conjecture from my observations.

[astudyinviolet]

I may have to experiment first hand despite my reservations about doing so without ample thought and preparation beforehand.

[ Yet, isn't what he's doing now thinking and pondering about magic? Even if he doesn't have the answers he quite wished to find, he wouldn't be going in completely blind and without considering his options.

Should he decide to actually go through with it and try. ]

[ramuhs]

While that's all well and good, I will say magic ends up being practical application.

Do you have anyone who can help instruct and guide you?

[And be there to put out any fires—]

[astudyinviolet]

A few have offered chances to train together or discuss research but nothing of which you refer to.

[ The last instructor he had for anything left the world after a few lessons. ]

[ramuhs]

Suppose I could give it a go. Granted I've only ever helped trained those from my world, but I've been here long enough to get a feel for how the magic works. Should be similar enough.

And at worst I can help if things get out of hand.

[astudyinviolet]

I would appreciate that. If something were to go wrong, you would be able to put a stop to me.

[ Perhaps not the best way to word that, but Sherlock means what he says. ]

[ramuhs]

[Definitely not the best, but Cid understands.]

Hopefully it won't come to that, but wouldn't be the first greenhorn I've had to stop wild magic.

Just keep me apprised and when you're ready to learn. I'll be sure to make time for it.

[astudyinviolet]

I shall do that once I decide what element and tattoo to get.

[ He doesn't have an answer for either of those. Even if the tattoo fades, Sherlock's vain enough to want something that has meaning and style. ]

[ramuhs]

Good luck to you, lad.

[astudyinviolet]

Thank you.

Give Torgal some pets from me.

[ramuhs]

[He can't help but chuckle at that last message.]

Will do 🐺😉

[YEAH THE OLD MAN KNOWS HOW TO USE EMOJIS he just doesn't do them often.]