keyandstar | 002, written, Charter nerd having thoughts on magic

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?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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.

A bad thing how?

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

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.

Sounds like it's not too different from Free Magic.

What are you, if you're not a psyker but work with them? Can anyone become a psyker?

No, it's something you're born with. I'm just a soldier. I've seen it used enough to know a bit about it though. What's this other magic you mentioned, the Charter magic?

It's like an endless flow of marks, and they describe everything in the universe. Everything has a mark. Children are given marks on their foreheads when they're born. You can use the marks to cast different kinds of spells.

That sounds quite a bit more orderly, honestly. You said they can't use it for everything though, where you're from. Why's that?

You mean my mentioning the work of the Abhorsen?

Yes, you said they put the dead to rest. Sounds almost the opposite of what magic does to the dead where I'm from. It can be used to raise them there.

Free Magic is used to raise the dead, and it must also be used in part when putting them to rest again.

So it does both? Interesting. I'm surprised someone from another place has something so similar.

Since it lets you control them, yes, it does both. The Abhorsen combines the Charter and free magic. That's very rare.

So they're special, I take it. Can everyone use magic in your world?

As far as I know anyone who has a Charter mark can learn it.

Everyone is given one at birth, on our foreheads. Think you can get it when you're older too if you're with someone who knows how to do it.

And it has no ill effects? That seems a lucky thing to have around.

If you attempt magic you're not strong enough to handle... you can get hurt.

[ That right there would be the "voice" of experience making an appearance. ]

That applies where I'm from as well. Though it's less hurt and more outright killed.

That can happen too. Have you seen it happen to someone?

A few times. Only once with someone I worked with. He scratched himself on a Chaos idol and the magic corrupted him. He seemed fine for around an hour, then his body split open like a cocoon for some daemon that had been growing inside of him as a result of the corruption. Damned thing killed three more men.

That sounds horrifying. I'm sorry.

I've seen many things, but that still rates as one of the worst. So the idea of safe and helpful magic still boggles me a bit.

I can imagine it would. I'm so used to magic being both, it's what I've grown up with.

I have to admit it is interesting. It just gets me wishing things could be more like what you're describing back home.

Sounds like it would be pretty useful to you if they were.

002, written, Charter nerd having thoughts on magic

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