And its time for:

Arhra Explains, Issue 3! Magic and You
Q: Could you talk about how Verda magic works?
A: Certainly! Verda magic is a little more organic. It is internalised, with a spell essentially being an extension of the mage. It is frequently focused through the body, using the caster as a template to derive needed spell elements from. This makes it more likely to operate in a way different from 'normal'. Because of its intrinsic tie to life, it is highly effective at healing, enhancing and cursing living things, as well as granting the semblance of life. Summons and shapechanging effects tend to fall almost exclusively within Verda-type magic.

As they may operate on slightly incompatible principles, it can be difficult for Verda mages to link their power. However, mages who complement each other well are capable of some quite impressive effects.

Q: And Autekka?
A: Autekka magic is constructed, built from basic principles. Each part of a spell is invididually defined and assembled together to create a finished product. You could liken their spells to a metaphysical machine or circuit. It tends to have a focus on the external, manipulating forces and objects around the caster and allowing the creation of devices capable of producing such effects. A magitech device could essentially be thought of as a spell housed in a more permanent form.

Because it is relatively easy to synchronise spells, they have an easier time combining their power. Additionally, an Autekka-type caster tends to have a lot of raw strength in their magical defences and attacks because they channel the forces externally.

Q: So why the current struggle?
A: There's the simple fact that a vast source of new mages and powerful lost magic has become available. Modern Verda and Autekka are reluctant to move against each other but if they don't take some steps the enemy will get the lion's share.

Having everyone on earth apparently unaware of magic complicates things more, making them take up different stances on how this should be handled.

Q: Get to the faction motivations already!
A: Idealogically, the Verda faction believe they have a duty to ensure the speedy return of magic due to the many benefits it would create. Potential mages are to be nurtured wherever possible and that the trouble that could result is worth the risks.

However, the Autekka factions believes that such a policy will create great chaos and turmoil. They wish to reduce such activity until there is an adequate system in place to handle the disruption awakening mages and reactivated artifacts and spells would create.

Q: So what does that actually involve other than pretty flowers?
A: While the Forced Activation Talisman kicked things off, it will not be the only thing that will influence magical activity. There could be things such as a race to diffuse/protect the mystical signifcance of a certain day, an attempt to trap a magical creature that awakens mages and dealing with other new mages.

Q: What about team ups?
A: Both sides, feel an obligation to take out something that is actively harmful. For example, a Forced Activation Talisman could do a lot of damage if not set up right as it might activate dangerous relics that have lain dormant since the war or awaken a mage in a traumatic way. It's likely such things will happen spontaneously, and they'll be enough trouble without something actively making them worse.

So yes, they would probably put aside their differences to fight the giant rock monster terrorising the school.

Q: Rock monster?
A: Currently there are no plans to have a giant rock monster attack the school. Sorry.

Q: New topic - utility spells. What exactly is a utility spell?
A: A utility spell is any spell that is extremely handy plot-wise but boring from a "blowing people up" perspective. Let's look at a few examples of what I consider to be essentials:

Sealing: Usually involving beating down the defenses of the thing to be sealed, this puts the target in a dormant stasis. This is typically used on things that can't be turned off normally or that are unstable and dangerous.

Unsealing: Restoring a sealed item from stasis. Generally time consuming, but virtually anyone can go it given time. The lenght of time necessary suspiciously resembles what would be dramatic. On this note, it's unusual to be able to unseal something on command.

Phantom Zone: You know what this does.

Area Search: Any spell that will let you go "Oh no, something bad is happening downtown!" It might be a sort of sixth sense or it might actually be a spell that searches an area and reports on unusual activity. Much like radar, people might be able to find you if you're using an active version. It would depend on how exactly your one operates.

Training Spells: More something for the Familiars of Intelligent Devices to do, these are spells designed to help train mages. They might include a sort of mental virtual reality, a weak phantom zone to allow some practice in real life and deliberately draining your magic reserves or making it more difficult to channel magic as a sort of resistance excercise. There's a lot of variation here, so feel free to come up with something nifty.

Contact: How do you get in touch with other mages? Not essential... I suppose you could always use the phone instead.

Flight: Not essential, just keep in mind a lot of stuff can fly and you should be prepared to deal with that.

Mundane Utility: Some spells might have a useful application in everyday life. Be creative!

Q: Anything else you want to tell us about magic?
A: I'm so glad you asked!

To fill in some detail that I think might be useful, today we will be talking about Implements.

Q: Wut?
A: An Implement is an object used to enhance or assist certain types of magic. Barrier Jackets and even Intelligent Devices and Familiars could be said to be a complex type of Implement.

Simpler examples would be something like a flying broomstick, a staff you shoot fireballs out of or a wand that does... wand things. Much like Barrier Jackets, an Implement can be conjured out of nothing. It's also possible to spend the time and effort to make one into a permanent physical object, although that's more complex.

They still need the user's magic to operate, however, because they're intended for a specific task they tend to be more efficient.

I thought I'd define this element more seeing I haven't been very clear about 'magical items' in the past and for quite a while the Autekka-type mages all seemed to have guns and knives while the Verda-type mages... didn't.

*Still waiting for a new thread to post a future revised bio including technique enhancement.*

*Looks at the faction ideology and motivations systems for the magic restoration.* Yeah, this is what I was afraid of.

By the way its stated, the Verda are the ones who don't care what the risks are and just bring magic in, while the Autekka are the ones using safe procedures and getting the same things done but just with a slightly longer delay. To me it seems the Verda are careless and reckless from it, as to actually make sure its safe and secure is Autekkan. I'm just worried that the Verda belief system in itself it flawed.

Nice explanation though. :)

Oh, I dunno, Relm. I always read it as the Verda were realists and Autteka were more idealists. Wait, I dunno-- maybe that's not such a good description. No, I dont' think it is, actually. But anyway, as I read it, Verda believe that magic is a part of the natural world, for better or worse ,and as such, messing with it screws with the natural order of things. It may be dangerous, but it's an important part of the balance of life, whether we like it or not. Verda are willing to accept that magic isn't an ultimate force for good, but believe that it is necessary to leave it be. Humans shouldn't try to suppress or eliminate that force. They believe magic is like anything else. Just because you don't like death doesn't mean we can realistically make death go away forever. It serves a purpose, albeit one we don't necessarily like.

Autteka, on the other hand, say "screw that, it's dangerous and we should stop it." They believe the world needs people to control or suppress dangerous forces in order to keep mankind safe. Even if that means messing with powers greater than ourselves. I'm not sure at this point, but I assume they think any loss of balance caused by eliminating magic can be offset by technology or some other man-made force, if necessary. Either that or they don't buy the whole "balance" stuff. I dunno.


So they've both got good points, really. It's merely a matter of perspective. Recap: Verda believe humans must COEXIST with these natural forces, whether they're stronger than us or not, in order to survive. Autteka believe humans must REGULATE these forces to protect mankind in order to survive.



Or do I have that wrong, Ahrha?

The best description I could think of for the two groups was Chaos and Order. Its not exactly accurate, since the Verda don't want magic to reign entirely freely (although that isn't too far from what they want, I think), but it fits fairly closely.

Honestly, I hadn't thought of magic in Mauve's terms, but they sound right. Neither of the group's is meant to have innate moral superiority, but, the Autekka have a philosophy that looks to be the more reasonable and sensible one. Well, on the surface anyway.

Personally, I'm glad I'm in the Verda group. The idea of building systems to, in essence, constrain magic in such a way that no/few dangers will appear bothers me. Since I'd be worried that locking risks out might limit the beneficial applications of magic. Like, never finding a cure of cancer because it would be too risky to attempt the research.

I don't think the Verda are thinking it that way. They are in a sense trying to control the magic too, but rather than straight-on restraint, they are doing perhaps what a gardener would do to a tree: they water it, nurture it, and prune the branches that aren't supposed to be there, as well as shape it to a desired form while letting it flourish. They don't stunt its growth by denying it of sustenances, or hack recklessly at the branches that bear good fruit, nor do they try to damage the roots of the tree.

I think the Verda care about how magic should be encouraged to grow in a positive way, rather than doing the hippy thing and saying "it's cool maaaaan, let it aaaaall out".

~~

So while the Verda are doing it the gardener's way, the Autekka might be doing it like they're programming a computer: a lot of logic, parameters, but eventually they create something that will operate on the basic principles of what they built it on. Any viruses that worm their way in will be stamped out with harsh vigor, while helpful programs and other positive simulations would be run smoothly and under close watch, as well as failsafe options installed should anything crash.

Yep, all those are valid arguments for the different sides.

Different people may emphasise or downplay certain ideas as their reasons for acting however. A faction isn't a monolithic structure with complete uniformity in beliefs.

For example, you could argue that the Autekka are being the realists (There is real danger that must be contained), while the Verda are being idealistic (If we focus on the good aspects, we can overcome the bad).

Out of curiosity, if a Verda or Autekka decided they really didn't agree with their own faction ideology, would anything stop them from switching sides?

I would doubt it. If the conclusion is made by both the mage and the familiar/magic foci (if they have one), then the transition is probably possible. If however the mage and the familiar are in dispute with this matter....

Perhaps a better question would be, what would happen if a mage had to separate from their familiar or device?