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

[Rei is, of course, waiting. When she feels Lirael enter the grounds, the door to the shrine slides open, and Rei steps out into the snowy yard.]

Good afternoon, Lirael-san. Please, come in.

[ Lirael smiles, as usual with a sort of awkward undertone to it, she's just... not used to smiling at people other than Dog. ]

Thank you.

[ There's no mistaking her eagerness though as she walks into the shrine. ]

It's very kind of you to want to teach me.

Of course. But, before coming in, please remove your shoes.

[She gestures for the girl to enter the building, a roaring fire clearly visible inside]

I'm teaching your sister, and several others. It's important to me too.

[ Lirael does as she's told and removes her shoes, leaving them by the door but off to the side so they won't get in anyone's way. ]

Do many people practice this kind of magic where you're from?

No, only exorcists and miko like myself.

[Rei smiles and pulls out two floor cushions, taking a seat near the fire]

And few of us even. Technology is more favored in my world than the Old Kingdom. It's more like Ancelstierre.

[ Lirael takes a seat as well, doing her best to mimic Rei. ]

What are excorsists and miko?

Edited 2012-12-16 23:09 (UTC)

Exorcists are people who banish ghosts and evil spirits, and miko are priestesses.

[She smiles gently]

I'm both.

I'm not sure I know what a priestess is...

[ But in any case it sounds pretty impressive to be both that and this excorsist thing. ]

We speak to spirits, and things like that. Our role really is to help people find peace.

[She remembers from Sabriel that gods were somewhat...non-existent in Sabriel's world. Not to mention that Shift a few months ago that she dimly remembered]

I see. And this magic plays a part in that?

Yes. I...can see into the future. Sort of like a Clayr, only a bit more clearly, limited to a single person, and always shrouded in metaphor.

So by learning it... I could too?

[ Because uh... that would be a little like a life-long dream coming through righ there, yes. ]

I...do not know, Lirael-san. I've never tried to teach people to read visions in flames. I can teach you ofuda scroll magic without trouble, which is used to ward and bind evil.

[She smiles gently]

I'd be more than happy to try, though, if you'd like.

Both sound fascinating. Does ofuda mean something or is it just a name?

[ She tries to not let too much of her eagerness bleed through, embarrassed by how big a draw it still is to her to gain any version of the sight. It's strange, since the gift itself isn't really one that she covets. What it stands for in her mind, however, still has a powerful draw on her. Acceptance, family, to belong. ]

[Rei shakes her head and pulls out two long prayer scrolls, covered in complex kanji]

It's the name of these scrolls. O-Fuda. In my language, 'O' marks great respect.

[And she's happy to attempt teaching Lirael to read flames. The eagerness isn't lost on her at all.]</small.

[ Lirael leans forward to look at the scroll, thinking that the writing doesn't look so terribly different from Charter marks when you get right down to it, even if the kanji of course doesn't mean anything to her. ]

They're beautiful.

Thank you.

[She slides one over to Lirael so she can take a better look]

Sabriel and Helios-san haven't had much trouble making them, the characters are a little difficult at times though, for non Japanese.

They remind me a little of Charter Marks.

[ She carefully runs her fingers over the writing. ]

But they're very complex, I can see how it might take a long time to memorize them.

Well, it's probably taken me as long to remember Charter Marks, but learning this writing definitely helped me with them.

It'll probably be easy enough once you practice a bit.

Is this your handwriting? It's very beautiful.

You're very kind, Lirael-san.

So hpw does this magic work?

Simple enough.

[Rei takes up one of the pieces of paper, holding it in two fingers and makes it quite plain that she's focusing willpower into it. The paper stiffens, and then she hurls it at a wall]

AKURYU TAISAN!

[The paper sticks to the wall like with a nail, going as stiff as a board]

The words give the paper power, like a Charter Mark, and your willpower gives it strength. If that paper touches something evil, it will paralyze it. If a building is surrounded by such papers, it acts as a ward, barricading the building against evil. You may have seen them all around the shrine outside. That's why.

[ She watches the whole thing intently, as if she could puzzle out all the secrets of this magic right away if she just pays enough attention. ]

Seems like it's rather similar to Charter Magic.

In a sense, yes. The letters are like Charter Marks, but don't require as much energy to charge. And they don't require a chain of marks, just the words themselves.

Can you show me some of your magic? A...trade?

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