002, written, Charter nerd having thoughts on magic

[keyandstar]

ooc: If you guys aren't already aware, I'm kind of an idiot. Hence I must request a minor retcon. Due to brain failure I've been operating along the line of thinking that goes Game setting = Nothing Works in terms of character powers when tagging. Hence I've probably mentioned in a couple of places that Lirael can't sense Death or the Charter as she normally would. Well, since her sister has erected a working Charter Stone that's obviously wrong and I must've been writing with my brain half shut down or something.

SO, basically I just ask all of you to completely ignore anything I've said that seems to mean that Lirael's power's aren't quite working because they are. That would be all, and now to the actual post!

[ Lirael contemplated making a video or at least a voice message for this, since it would probably give a more outgoing impression, but she just couldn't bring herself to do it. It was just so much easier to fall back to her old habit of writing notes. ]

The Old Kingdom, where I'm from, is separated from another land called Ancelstierre by a great wall. I've never been there myself but I've heard that Charter Magic doesn't work there.

Now I'm wondering, since Sabriel could raise a Charter Stone here, if the same could be done over there and if in that case magic would begin to work.

I've only ever known two kinds of magic to exist. Charter Magic and Free Magic. Free Magic is dangerous and shouldn't be used, though sometimes it's necessary. As I understand it the work of the Abhorsen requires it. That work being putting the risen dead back to rest.

It seems, however, as if there are a lot of other kinds of magic here, and I'd love to hear about them. Even, perhaps and if possible, learn how to use them myself.

I also know that death is a very different experience here than where I'm from, and that makes me wonder if it's also different from what I know in the places others have been taken from. If you don't know the facts I'd be just as pleased to hear of legends or beliefs.

Death as I know it is a cold and grey place with a great river running through it. It's divided into nine precincts separated by gates, and it's full of dead trying to make their way back to Life. What lies beyond the ninth Gate is a mystery, but if one passes beyond that there is no returning.

So, if there is magic where you're from, what is it like and do you think I could learn how to use it, and what do you know of what happens after death in your world?

Comments

[Written]

[thewoodsmansoldier]

Wondering about different kinds of magic? I have to admit I sort of am too. Where I'm from magic is a bad thing. Though from what you're saying and from what others have said it's very different in other places. So it certainly has my curiosity going.

[Written]

[keyandstar]

A bad thing how?

It can be where I'm from as well. Free Magic most often is, for example.

[Written]

[thewoodsmansoldier]

Well, it's linked to the Warp, an evil dimension, as far as I understand it. It can accidentally allow daemons into our world, creatures capable of tearing apart entire armies at their worst. The people who can use it are called Psykers. It also drives anyone who uses it mad. They can hold it together enough, if kept in check, to work for humanity. I've worked with one myself. They tend to turn bad if not kept in check though, and end up working for the Warp. We call people who work for the Warp Chaos worshippers. They'll be willing to kill off entire planets for their gods. I'm not a Psyker myself, and I'm thankful for that.

[Written]

[dragmire]

From where I hail, magic comes in many forms. Some draw their powers from the old gods, others from the deities who still remain within the world. Many relics remain containing great power. It is not impossible to learn the magic of the world, but one must have the power to command it.

[Written]

[keyandstar]

The concept of gods and goddesses is still pretty new to me. They can give power to people where you're from?

What does having the power to command the magic mean to you? I know that there is an element of that where I'm from. You need experience and strength to be able to cast more complex and powerful spells.

What gives a relic power? Does that come from gods too? Has someone bespelled them?

[Written]

[dragmire]

Power comes in many forms, whether it be in strength, in mind, or in magic. In itself, power can be easily given or taken. But true and hard won power - that is where magic flourishes. So like your own world, the most powerful of spells are not for the weak. Some might spend an entire lifetime mastering but one spell.

As for these relics, they are a mystery of an age gone by, when a goddess and a demon vied for control of the mortal world. Some were made by sorcerers, others by immortal beings. With them, even the weak can play at being strong.

[voice]

[folklorist]

Nine gates, hm? There's a book in my world called Dante's Inferno, and it speaks of the nine circles of, ah, hell. One of the places in the afterlife, in one separate religion in my world. It seems like your afterlife is much the same...

[ Which is quite intriguing to say the least. ] As for magic, well, the spirits here are open to communicating with almost anyone. Learning magic from them isn't nearly as difficult, I've found at least, compared to learning magic from other worlds.

[voice]

[keyandstar]

I've had hell mentioned to me before, actually comparing Death to it that time as well. What makes you think they are alike?

How do you communicate with these spirits?

[voice]

[folklorist]

The nine separate places you mentioned being in your world's after life for one. Also heaven and hell in my own world are part of an entirely separate plane of existence. They're places that only spirits of the deceased can be brought to. There's also a place called purgatory, but that's a bit different than heaven or hell.

As for communicating with the spirits here...it's quite simple, actually. You just have to go to their preferred places of origin. Like for Sona, the water spirit, you'd have an easier time contacting her near large bodies of water.

[all7seas]

I know a sort of wind magic here? [No no no no no NOT going to talk about death right now. Not now.] Kipinn's magic.

[keyandstar]

How does it work?

[all7seas]

First-off, you've got to convince the smart bastard to want to teach you.


I used balloons.

[Voice]

[4starsavior]

After death, people usually just wait in a long line. When they get to the front, they're either good enough to go to heaven, or they go to hell, get their sins washed out, and get reincarnated to try again! [At least, that's the best way it can be described - the series is notoriously vague when it comes to this sort of thing.] There's an area in between that I usually stay in, though - there's lots of strong people there to train with!

[Voice]

[keyandstar]

You get to live several lives?

[ Huh, maybe that's what happens to those who pass beyond the ninth gate... ]

What do you train for? And what is heaven? And how does sin get washed out?

[Voice]

[4starsavior]

Yep! If I die, my friends can use the Dragon Balls to wish me back to life! I train while I'm dead 'cause people always seem to be trying to take over the world, so I've gotta be ready to stop 'em! [Well, they also try to destroy the world, but that's slightly less common.]

Heaven's this place where people are happy all the time - I dunno much about it, since I've never been there, but my grandpa loves it there! He came back for one day to see me again, but he didn't wanna be wished back; I'll just see him there when I'm dead for good. Don't really know how sin gets washed out, either - I think they've got machines for that?

voice

[wannabolt]

Magic's mostly a unicorn thing. Every one of 'em can use their magic to levitate things and other really basic stuff and depending on their special talent, they get other neat tricks. 'Course, my friend Twilight really lucked out because her talent is magic.

Princess Celestia and Princess Luna have some pretty tough spells too, especially since they're the ones who raise the sun and moon.

Other than that, pegasus ponies do have powers, but it's not exactly magic. We make the weather, move the clouds, and that sorta thing.

voice

[keyandstar]

Excuse me, did you say ponies?

And what exactly is a pegasus pony, or a unicorn?

video

[wannabolt]

Well, yeah. Just about everyone where I'm from's a pony. In fact...

[Here, she'll switch it to video just to prove her point. 'sup? Say hello to the colorful, cartoon pegasus.]

And you're lookin' at the coolest pegasus around!

[Emphasis on her wings here. She'll give 'em a flap.]

[Written]

[faithfulflame]

[A flowing script follows, Rei happy to remind the even quieter girl of her earlier offer]

Lirael, I'm still willing to teach you Ofuda magic, if you'd wish to learn. Sabriel's been studying it with me, and having no difficulty.

[Written]

[keyandstar]

If she can do it, I'll have to give it a try.

[ It would sting her pride quite badly if she were to be bad at it though, magic has always been the one thing she's been really good at. ]

[Written]

[faithfulflame]

You'll do more than try. I'm not an easy-going teacher.

Perhaps you could help me with my Charter magic, as well.

[Voice]

[rashness]

[Sabriel? So this is someone who knows her? From the same world, maybe?] The dead're really struggling that hard to make it back to life? ...Ain't that kind of sad?

[Voice]

[keyandstar]

Not all of them, but some. And I think it is pretty sad, yes.

[Written]

[complicatedliar]

I do my magics by enforcing my will upon reality, and causing reality to obey. I do not know if that is something you might learn.

--Loki

[Written]

[keyandstar]

... Just like that? How come you have this power? Is it something you were born with?