magic

[afflatusexarch]

Type: Voice
Sender ID: afflatusexarch ( G'raha Tia )
To: General
Subject: Magic
Warnings: N/A


This last moon or so I've been speaking to several people about magic and the ability to use magic. Now I understand we all come from varying stars - worlds, realms, whichever you prefer - and the laws governing such arts may differ.

Thus I find myself curious about how others are able to cast their spells. I certainly wouldn't mind an exchange of knowledge on the topic. In fact, I've already offered to conduct some lessons to some individuals here as an experiment, of sorts. I, myself, am no great mage but I am capable enough, I should hope.

Comments

voice; id: gruffier

[gruffier]

[ Magic has always been a sort of sour subject to him, but knowledge is knowledge. ]

Where I come from magick was obtained one of two ways; either being born with the gift, or using a crystal to mimic the ability. There were those who had their magicks awakened at a later time... [ A slight pause. ] ... but this is no longer the case.

[afflatusexarch]

This seems to be consistent with some of the tales that I have heard so far. It is interesting, since where I come from most are born with the ability to channel aether. Some are more adept than others, having some natural affinity or their pathways are simply more... Conductive.

[gruffier]

So aether are on other stars, too…

Tell me, have there been accounts of consuming too much aether?

[afflatusexarch]

In... Which sense? Consuming another's aether is something I have only observed in creatures called Voidsent and Sin Eaters. That is due to the nature of what has been done to them.

If it is simply taking in an outside source of aether, the burden may become too much for someone - though that limit may well be different for everyone. Then there is the matter of what kind of aether to consider as well.

voice; un: historiology

[historiology]

You think we could teach each other that sort of thing? I guess with me, my abilities are kind of unique back home that I'm not so sure how easily it might be something I could teach here. As far as what sort of 'magic' I can do. That and the others aren't here to help with that either.

What sort of things could you teach with your magic?

[afflatusexarch]

I do know a particularly useful spell that makes one invisible. Also another to make you light on your feet. To use magicks, upon my star one has to be able to manipulate what we call aether. 'Tis the energy that exists within all living creatures. One pulls that ambient energy and usualyl focuses it through a staff or a rod. In a red mage's case, a focus.

[ So an object is still required. ]

[gruffier]

I haven’t considered there being more than one “kind” of aether… But I have witness those who were exposed to an over saturated amount in the air be consumed by it and… turn into something completely different.

Those born with magicks didn’t seem to be affected by it, though.

[afflatusexarch]

How to best explain...

Aether, in its natural state, does not not possess any unique qualities. However, it be affected by the elements. That's when we get different kinds of aether. Lightning-aspected would create levin. Ice-aspected, frost. Fire-aspected, flame. So on and so forth.

On my star, these all need to be in balance with one another. Should one type of aether fall out of alignment, then there are consequences. The primary example of it would be I have seen the stagnation that occurs when a star bears too much Light.

Though it hardly surprises me that those that are exposed to an oversaturated amount of aether would be transformed by it. Of course I have seen this through Dynamis as well but that's neither here nor there.

[gruffier]

[ … If only you could hear his eyes glaze over HE IS REALLY TRYING TO COMPREHEND, HE REALLY IS… ]

I see… [ Yes Clive understands. Somewhat. ]

Are you able to channel more than one elements if aether, then? You seem to be very knowledgeable of the subject.

[afflatusexarch]

[ He is none the wiser. G'raha is a scholar by nature. ]


I am nowhere near as knowledgeable about aetherology as some of my companions, I assure you.

[ Now that seems like an oddly specific question. But to answer it - ]

As for the question, the simple answer is yes. I can use all sorts of magicks - elemental and otherwise.

[historiology]

Invisible? I could see that being useful. If one needs to get somewhere without drawing attention for some reason. I haven't heard of aether before but if it is something we can still figure using here that might be handy.

[Sorey has never been necessarily one to use magic so much, beyond tapping into the abilities of the seraph when they armatize together in battle in making use of their elemental attacks. But still, this was something to consider at least.]

[gruffier]

[ They seem rather proud of their ability, too. Such a stark contrast to his own experiences that it feels a little daunting.

However, his voice will remaining mutual. If not peaked with a little interest. ]

Forgive me for all the questions. Magick was a cornerstone to people's lives on my star, but the consequences for using it were often grave.

[afflatusexarch]

What might those consequences be?

[ He has a feeling that he already knows ]

[gruffier]

It was a clutch to some who didn't know how to live or function without its usage. But to those who could use magick naturally... [ A hard pause. ]

The "Bearer's Curse", they called it. Eventually your limbs would turn to stone, and body no longer cease to function. It was a cruel and painful way to die.

» voice; ID: tilfrosset

[tilfrosset]

My ability to cast spells came late to me, compared to others. Some people are born with the ability; I guess you could say I was too, but I was unaware of this until I was a girl half-grown.

[Is twelve, thirteen half-grown? Honestly, in medieval times, probably. The Duchy was already discussing her marriage prospects at that age.]

It came to be second nature to call upon my power's source, comparable to having a conversation with it and agreeing to do what was needed--no, excuse me, demanded of us.

[afflatusexarch]

Aether, in the most simplistic of terms, is the life force of all things. It is energy.

Where I come from it is possible to draw upon the ambient aether and use it.

[afflatusexarch]

Demanded you say... As though you had a choice in the matter. From the way that you speak, I assume otherwise.

[afflatusexarch]

Then you are from Valisthea, just as two others I have spoken to are.

It was actually upon hearing this that I thought about how to help. Drawing upon one's personal aether to cast magic isn't unheard of where I come from, but it also comes with consequences. Burning one's life candle shouldn't be the default method, in my opinion.

[tilfrosset]

I had no choice back then. I had to do as I was told with my abilities or else the consequences would be dire.

Things have changed over the years since then, but I can't say it didn't sour things for me.

Adding a warning for spoilers, just in case!

[gruffier]

I shouldn't be surprised. There are quite a few of us here. [ Even though he was just as surprised to see half of who arrived alongside him. But that was entirely a different story- ]

I agree. Those born with the gift were treated as lesser, and their lives held no meaning to others. Yet there were those who felt the same as you... who no longer wished to see the suffering inflicted upon them for so many years.

[ He seems lost in his thoughts temporarily, as if reliving those vicious moments in his past, before continuing ]

That's why we discovered a way to rid Valisthea of magick entirely.

[afflatusexarch]

Enslavement... Would that I could say such a concept is unknown to me.

However, need I remind you that it is your power. Your ability. It is as much a part of you as any of your other features. To be bitter about it is to also be bitter with yourself.

[tilfrosset]

Yes. Unfortunately, it is a concept known to many all too well, regardless of what star they hail from. I would like to be surprised to hear someone who is unfamiliar with it, at least once in my life.

It... it is not mine, to be quite honest about it. I am just the carrier. If she decides to no longer obey me, then there is very little I can do about it.

Good good!

[afflatusexarch]

There are, yes. Even more surprising, to me, to hear that many of you are one with entities that are not unknown to my star.

That is one solution, yes. Ridding everyone of their ability to channel any sort of aether, that is. Though I have been proposing to your fellows to teach them how to use ambient aether.

[afflatusexarch]

"She," you say... Who is it that you speak of?

[gruffier]

Entities? What do you mean?

[ He couldn't mean that, could he...? ]

That sounds like it would be helpful. I'll admit I have not used my abilities much since my arrival... if only to avoid mistakes from my own star.