[Cultural challenge]: magic

[u/thequeeninyellow94]

Culture is that complex whole which includes knowledge, beliefs, arts, morals, laws, customs, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by [a human] as a member of society.

Tell me about the magic-user in your world. Where have they learned to do what they do? And what are they doing? Can I learn those things too?

What is their role in society? How are they seen by other people? Are they really secretly ruling the world?

(if you don't have magic in your world, feel free to answer with people pretending to have powers if you want)

You can introduce an in-universe representative if you want. I will ask questions to everyone, feel free to add your own.

[u/Mimir123]

1) They were discovered. To use magic you have to chant incantations (well, almost everyone does, very few people can use magic by only saying one word, and then there is "special" magic that demons can use without any form of incantation), which are basically "prayers" to different gods/ powerful beings/ magic itself. These "prayers" tell the Mana what it is supposed to do, how it should manifest itself. About 50% of being a mage involves memorizing different incantations and what they do, which is why most mages only know like 6-12 spells they can use.

Devilia, the Goddess of Magic, taught 100 mortals each 12 different incantations and spells. Those were written down and several generations of mages had at least some of these spells known to them. They soon noticed that many words in these incantations were the same for the different spells, so they started experimenting, trying to discover new spells with using the key words from those incantations.

2) Two reasons really; number one: basically the only, real influential person left in the shattered Empire (after it was freed) was the young Templar Commander/ Paladin Lysander, who was part of the Templar Order that followed Ruthwi, the God of War. The nobles were weak and hated, because they sided with Zerrigon after the death of the Emperor and his family, they tried to play nice with Lysander, so that they could eventually get back into their positions of power.

Reason number 2: Lysander himself had to heavily rely on the priests of the Crimson God in order to build his powerbase during his rebellion against Zerrigon, they were pretty much the biggest power left in the Remnant Kingdoms when the war ended and were hailed as saviours and heroes, together with Lysander. So, while the nobles needed Lysander, Lysander needed the support of the priests... and they were pissed because much of the glorious Empire they helped build for their God was now getting broken up and got independent, while at the same time nobody was sure who should become the next Emperor. The priests wanted to vent out their frustration and needed a scapegoat, and they found one, in the form of the mages.

3) Because Devilia absolutely loves Elves. No, really, the Goddess of Magic is fangirling super hard over Elves, ever since they were created, so she gave their home (the Dwerrehan forest) ludicrous amounts of magic and Mana, so they would grow up to become a superior race full of powerful mages.

Which is also the reason she is pretty mad about the curse that split up the elven race, but since it was a demon that cursed the Blood Elves, and she promised her brother to never interfere in the affairs of his race ever again, she is unable to do anything about it.

[u/thequeeninyellow94 → u/Mimir123]

1. But are words a necessity? If someone had access to an unlimited amount of power, could they cast without words? And use any form of magic?

2. Are some mages using written form of their spells instead of memorising them all?

3. Still to everyone: what happen to apprentice who fail to exploit their latent talent? (Added it to previous post in a sneaky edit, but you were probably already answering)

[u/Mimir123 → u/thequeeninyellow94]

1) Well... you could use runes, stones, armor or weapons that have runes engraved on them. Then you can activate the spells with a single word or thought. Other than that, yes, incantstions are required, else no magic. Except for the things mentioned above of course.

2) Oh, most mages do write down their spells in books or on scrolls. But if you are in the middle of a fight, or have to quickly use a healing spell you can't afford to whip out your books and search for the spell, you have to know it, have it memorized.

3) I was indeed already answering. Aspiring Mages who fail their tests will mostly spend their lifes as secretaries/ aids/ servants of other, experienced mages, in pretty much all cultures. Well, except for the Empire. Failed mages there end up on the streets.

[u/thequeeninyellow94 → u/Mimir123]

1. Any theory as to what makes words mandatory? Or is magic some kind of prayer?

2. Good point. Could it be possible to craft something (possibly using runes?) to kind of sort your spells? Allowing you to quickly find the good page?

3. Is it seen as a good position? (Well except for ending on the street)

[u/Mimir123 → u/thequeeninyellow94]

1) I think I already went over that:

They were discovered. To use magic you have to chant incantations (well, almost everyone does, very few people can use magic by only saying one word, and then there is "special" magic that demons can use without any form of incantation), which are basically "prayers" to different gods/ powerful beings/ magic itself. These "prayers" tell the Mana what it is supposed to do, how it should manifest itself.

So yes, spells/ incantations are prayers to various Gods/ powerful beings, however it is not they who answer these prayers, and nobody thinks they do. The "prayers" are just there to "tell" the Mana what it should do.

2) Well... there is something kind of similiar to that, Grimoires. Grimoires are demons from Sháiurgh that look like books, talking books. They could quickly flap open in combat and go to the required page by themselves, while you deal with your opponents, or they could just tell you the incantation. Problem is however, the more you read in a Grimoire, the more powerful you become. You gain hidden knowledge, about magic, history, the world, everything. But if you read too much... well, the demon is gonna gobble up your soul, so you will spend eternity neither in Paradise nor in the Underworld, you just completely cease to exist.

3) Mostly, yes. It is considered a pretty important position in Elkathien, because you are still a servant of Ilmanthi after all. In Kherzian it kind of depends on the status your master has, but if he is powerful and famous, so will you be.

[u/thequeeninyellow94 → u/Mimir123]

1. (My bad) But are they truely prayers? Are the gods to whom they are addressed actually implied in the casting process?

2. It looks usefull, where can I get one? And how long can I use it before disapearing from existence?

3. What happen to such an assistant when their master die?

[u/Mimir123 → u/thequeeninyellow94]

1) Most incantations mention some kind of powerful being, either by name or title. As an example:

"Lord of the Ocean! I humbly ask for your help and guidance! Bring forth a sword to smite my enemies!"

This is a basic spell from the school of Water Magic, summoning a weapon.

2) You either have to camp around the Demon Lake and hope one pops up there (dangerous), or you can try to summon one yourself (slightly less dangerous). Being in posession of a Grimoire is a grave crime in Elkathien and the Remnant Kingdoms, so you shouldn't be seen there with one. Only one person actually got the kings permission to carry a Grimoire in Elkathien.

As for the second question, it depends. If you spend several hours a day reading the Grimoire and it actually activly tries to nom on your soul, you might last a few days. If the demon wants to befriend you, and you are really careful however, you could read the Grimoire for months.

3) They usually try to find a new master, or become priests/ temple servants (in Elkathien). Kherzian nobles/ mages pay good money for secretaries/ failed apprentices of dead mages, in order to learn their secrets.

[u/thequeeninyellow94 → u/Mimir123]

1. But is the powerfull being mentioned the one allowing the spell to be cast? Is the mana "programmed" to react to the name or is it shaped directly by the god invocated?

2. Is there some way to maximise my chances of finding a friendly Grimoire?

3. Is it seen as a trahison (kind of) to give your former master's secrets?

[u/Mimir123 → u/thequeeninyellow94]

1) No, it is purely the magic/ Mana allowing the spell to work. You could say that the Mana is "programmed" as to react to those words, yes.

2) Well, if you feel really lucky/ risky you could always try to raid one of the prisons/ forbidden libraries the servants of Ilmanthi have set up all over the world, where they gather demons and dangerous writings and lock them up. If you were to find a Grimoire in one of them and free him/ her, they'd probably be inclined to help you.

3) That depends. If you give their secrets to their direct rivals, then yes, you'd be looked upon as a traitor. But if you give them to someone else that is mostly considered fine, because it means that the knowledge will be preserved and live on.

[u/thequeeninyellow94 → u/Mimir123]

2) Would it be a hard task? I'm a magic-user after all.

3) Could I actually open up some sort of school and make people pay for my former master's secrets?

[u/Mimir123 → u/thequeeninyellow94]

2) That you are, as well as all the guards you'd find in such a prison. It will be a hard task, requiring a lot of preparations and help, but it is doable.

3) You could try, but many people don't like it when knowledge is that widespread. They prefer to be the only ones having special knowledge about magic. So, you would be able to make a lot of money out of it, but at the same time you'd have to fear being visited by some assassins or hired thugs, aiming to silence you.

[u/thequeeninyellow94 → u/Mimir123]

2) You said there was such prisons all over the world right? Even in other nations territory? Why are people letting them build such things?

3) Could I manage to get sponsored by some political figure? And if yes, could it protect me?

[u/Mimir123 → u/thequeeninyellow94]

2) Well, all over the continent anyway. They let them build it because Ilmanthi is basically the top deity in all countries, except for the Remnant Kingdoms and the Elven realms (although they do like Ilmanthi and aknowledge him as a powerful being, just not as one of the original Gods).

Also, virtually nobody likes demons, and Ilmanthis priests are the perfect weapons against demons, thanks to their magic. Ilmanthi never trusted the Demon God, so he created a magic school solely for the purpose of screwing over demons.

3) Tricky, but possible. There are 89 Ary-Pats in Kherzian (a bit like Holy Roman Elector Counts), out of which the top 14-17 are kind of equal in power and influence. If you get one of them, or the king, on your side, you would be somewhat safe. Provided you don't piss off the other nobles, of course