Text

[forwearemany]

Type: Text
Sender ID: forwearemany (Legion)
To: Everyone
Subject: Magic Inquiry
Warnings: Lol probably nothing

Query: We wish to know about the functionality of different elements of native magic.

Comments

text | un: professor i'm so sorry

[lecturer]

What a wonderful thing to want to learn about!
You have come to the right place! I've done quite a bit of work on this very topic since I arrived here, because it is simply a treasure trove of wonders, and there are many experts among us, even still. Pray that I might borrow a bit of their expertise to summarize.

Are you planning to get one of the tattoo magics? They work with the ley lines of magic held within the very land we walk upon, and they are *highly* flexible - more so than I was even properly expecting. They function like a conduit, or even a focus, as one might utilize a spellbook, a stave, or the like, depending on what magical schools you're more used to. I personally like both, and the tattoo process is fascinating, really, when you consider the implications of being able to cast with your own hands.

I've utilized my own to learn one of the five elements of Orsterra that I had yet to be able to utilize, the mastery of wind magic - or in this case, air. From as light as a floated leaf on a breeze to a maelstrom, it is a wonderfully wild spell aided by the free-wheeling nature of the magic here itself.

However, from a beginner's viewpoint - if you want to use elemental magic with a tattoo, it is a good idea to learn a bit about each of their forms and functionalities, as those forms and functionalities can be rather elastic in the hands of a particularly creative spellcaster. After all, you would hate to set aflame an entire desk when you merely meant to light a candle!

In this realm, there are other types, but the most basic are of course fire, ice, electricity or thunder - followed by light, darkness, and wind. Called by other names by other cultures, of course, but the base elemental still stays. Let us begin with fir

ERROR: TEXT LENGTH LIMIT REACHED

Don't ever apologize

[forwearemany]

Error: your explanation exceeds the limitations of these devices.

(Of course, what he's already sent is valuable, to a degree.

What they truly desire is knowledge of the utility of each element... which it appears this individual may have been getting to before reaching character limit.)

[lecturer]

[ it takes him like a good five minutes to respond because rest assured, he is still talking into the voice to text function before he realizes it cut him off. ]

Oh - it didn't save any of that, did it? How vexing. And I talked for ten minutes, still...

Ah, well. A lecture to the open air, then! Not one wasted. Believe it or not, I've been told I can ramble.
At any rate -

Is there a specific element you would like to lean towards? Sherlock gave a fine explanation of several, and young Xehanort also provides a good perspective.
I would concur, that fire is quite easy to utilize for beginners, however - it can be quite destructive, if one is not careful. To utilize fire is an exercise in self-control.
That is part of what makes it such an excellent first element to learn, and I would be happy to recommend a few beginner exercises to master it.

Choosing a type of magic to study is easiest, I think, when you go with what feels natural.
Sometimes, they can be aligned well to specific personalities. Others, you can consider a broader purpose.
Are you looking for something very flexible? Or would you prefer a certain type - to attack, to defend, to support your allies? Or something you could utilize in day to day life to make things easier?

Or perhaps all of the above...? The only true limits to magic are your capabilities and your willingness to learn.

[forwearemany]

Our current interests are water, light, and darkness.

We wish to support our allies.

[lecturer]

If that is the case, I might recommend light.
In Orsterra, light magic can be manipulated to create reflective barriers, and it is also the basis of most healer's magic, which is by far where supportive magics tend to fall.

Water, on the other hand, is highly flexible - in fact, I learned it as ice as opposed to water, at home! The variation truly is incredible, here. I could speak on it for ages, though I will do my best to keep it a bit more brief, ha ha.

Darkness is a trickier magic, in my experience, if only because it is tremendously powerful and requires a certain level of control to maintain a healthy connection with it. Too much can overtake a young scholar, and the results are beyond unpleasant.

If you should ever wish to practice, or have more formal tutelage, I'd be more than happy to lend my services! I do so miss having a pupil, here.

text; un: curiouser

[tabiya]

the leylines here power native magic. there's a wide range of aspects to pick from, but if you're a beginner, fire is a good start.

healing is also useful, but if it's anything like the healing spells from my world it can be pretty draining for a new spellcaster.

[forwearemany]

Clarify: Draining.

Common uses of fire?

(Fire, according to what they know from Galaxy of Fantasy, is primarily attack based, which is currently outside their interests. Is this incorrect?)

[tabiya]

ah, sorry. casting magic is often exhausting in a similar way physical activity is - from what i've seen and read, this is generally the case even if the magic "energy" is external (like the leylines) or native to the caster (like my own magic). i suppose channeling the external source creates a similar strain. curative magic is powerful and useful, but perhaps due to the exchange of energies required, it takes more of a toll on the caster.

fire is primarily an offensive magic, but can be used as a utility spell as well. fire gives off warmth and light, and in a survival situation it's probably the most useful spell to have due to that.

[forwearemany]

This unit does not experience exhaustion.

We are most interested in using magic to support allies.

(Healing sounds more their thing, is what they're saying.)

text | un: astudyinviolet

[astudyinviolet]

[ Not knowing that copy and paste is a thing, Sherlock had copied Cid's reply to him into his casebook, and then he typed it all out again here. ]

This is information I got Cid Telamon when I asked about magic. It should give you an idea of what to expect.

"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.

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

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text | un: professor... shamelessly tags my partner in yapping crime

[lecturer]

Oh, it's not just me! I'd expect nothing less of you, my good man. A fine explanation!

text | un: astudyinviolet, who let them on the same network?

[astudyinviolet]

I will not take credit for another's work. I am repeating what Mr. Cid told me.

Although, I thought I had typed the rest. Does this device use some sort of ethereal page?

[forwearemany]

Error: your explanation exceeds the limitations of these devices.

(A broken record, they are.)

Elaborate: differences between light, water, and lightning based healing.

text | un: astudyinviolet

[astudyinviolet]

This is the remaining part that did not go through the shellphone. Again, these words are from Cid Telamon.

"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."

I hope that answers your question. I am new to using magic, so I cannot elaborate further.

[forwearemany]

Acknowledged.

(Consensus: They will seek answers elsewhere.

There is one more thing to ask, though.)

Query: you say you are new to using magic. What magic have you acquired?

Text | un:refantasma

[refantasma]

my elements death and some shadow manipulashion. and i can dream walk sometimes.

[forwearemany]

Elaborate: Utilities of death element magic. Mechanics of dream walking.

(Is death killing? Necromancy? The power of ressurection?)

text

[refantasma]

i can raise the dead for an army. i can uh kill a lot of plants on accident if im in a bad mood.

i dont how i dream walk i just do. all demigods dreams malleable i just do it better than most. only children of Hypnos and Morpheus do it better.

Re: text

[forwearemany]

You are the child of a god?

(Or god equivalent. Legion understands faith, but doesn't worship and isn't sure whether they actually believe in any gods.

However, being restored to life in a world where their "magic" truly does seem indistinguishable from the magic in stories and fantasy games has forced them to open their mind on this topic.)

[emet-sulk]

[emet_sulk]

[ After glancing at the first few people's comments, he writes his own. ]

In my world, Darkness is the equivalent of active energy. Some might even call it chaos, but that is a gross reduction of its useful qualities. Activity is not evil: it is growth. Change. Renewal. When you understand that, you understand the ways it can be used. It can mutate cells and cause a man to erupt from the inside out. But it can also invigorate and keep him going when at a standstill.

Light, of course, functions in the opposite sense. It is passivity. Normalcy. Stasis. It can calm a frantic mind yet it can also bring about a slow and gentle death. Few associate this element with anything other than good, but the horrors Light's power can inspire are manyfold. While it may drive away the horrors of the night, living under perpetual light, unable to sleep, unable to hide - it would drive anyone mad.

[forwearemany]

(And this is interesting. Not just because of the new information, but because it's the first explanation that has them seriously considering dark as an element.

They had previously overlooked it, assuming it would be best used for stealth builds. Though such abilities would be useful, they are more interested in healing.

Growth and change, however? One thing they have come to appreciate in their time among organics is the potency of a little chaos.

The idea that darkness could be used to rejuvenate, to invigorate, to encourage the continuation of life...)

Query: Is it common for dark magic to be used in the support and restoration of allies?

Additionally: this description suggests dark magic could potentially be used to speed up the progression or otherwise enhance germ based disease.

(Would there be a risk of increasing chances of infection in wounds healed? Of causing a plague via accidental misuse? Intentional misuse?

...Could light magic do the opposite?)

[emet_sulk]

Regarding healing: not quite in the way you may be thinking of.

Darkness facilitates growth, yes, but it cannot miraculously replace what has already been lost. A man losing blood is still going to die unless his wound is sealed. In fact, pushing him onward is more likely to kill him sooner.

But, I hear you ask, [ Legion did not ask. ] cannot dark magic focus on the cells necessary for closing a wound? Theoretically, yes. But as you already seem to be aware, cell growth is notoriously volatile and most mages, in my estimation, are not so precise as that. 'Tis more likely for the cells to mutate and cause new problems rather than solve the most pressing one. Which, yes, can lead to the rapid spread of disease.

It works best when combined with both mundane and arcane healing methods. Ergo, a skilled mage can certainly use it in support of their allies - for better or worse.

[forwearemany]

Query: Your description of light element of magic as functionally the opposite of darkness suggests it could be effective in destroying germ based disease.

[text]

[menaceunleashed]

[the fuck kind of question is this]

Elaborate.

[forwearemany]

Our world does not have native magic. We wish to know about the uses of magic in this world and similar worlds.