0-1, Network, UN: Anonymous

[goldwraith]

I want to start with a brief apology for this being an anonymous post. But there are several factors that are, in a way, forcing my hand.

[she's looking at you Viktor]

Despite that, I will answer anything you inquire with sincerity and knowledge I am privy to. Answering this anonymously in return is acceptable.

My question is, perhaps for many people here, quite simple: What is magic to you?

The follow-up questions that you can answer, but don't have to, are: How do you control it? Do you have a trigger for it, like heightened emotions and danger-sense? Or does it come from understanding and logic? Did you learn it? Or were you born into it?


I appreciate any and all insights you can provide me with.
-m

Comments

un: battlefieldbrat

[battlefieldbrat]

[no, he doesn't know how to post anonymously, and he doesn't know how to change his username either. he's been totally outplayed by the AI and its sense of humor.]

it's not called magic where i'm from. everybody has it but you have to learn to use it. not sure how this would help you if you're not from my "world" though.

[goldwraith]

I suppose we have a different name for it as well, but the word 'magic' seems to be accepted overall.

Everyone has it? With no exception?

TXT; un: QUEENOFZAUN

[opheliac]

what is magic to me? a lot of trouble! but its the fun kind of trouble that i like.

[goldwraith]

[She knew she should've blocked her. There's no way anything productive will come out of this.]

If something is troublesome then it doesn't tend to be fun.

Unless one looks for trouble, in which case magic is irrelevant. You can find trouble without it.

text; un: grimreaper666

[rebellions]

you might wanna be more specific

you mean actual magic or just any fancy abilities that you can't explain?
or is this some stupid "friendship is magic" bullshit

[goldwraith]

I do mean actual magic
Some people need incantations from what I saw, some cast it without a second thought

Friendship is, unfortunately, not magical
A necessity, perhaps.

text | un: levi

[solitarysoul]

where i'm from magic comes from the gods. i don't think its getting power from them directly each time because mine still works and my gods aren't here.

[Thankfully.]

[goldwraith]

So the gods decide who receives magic and who doesn't?

Isn't that an easy way to build resentment?

un: shigeru (text)

[mysophobic]

It wasn't called magic in my world. It was more like a curse for us who had it. But as for what it means to me...it's just another part of me. It used to be something that I hated...but I can use it for good and for helping people so I learned to live with it and embrace it, even though it was a curse.

[ But, ah, the next part. ]

Emotions were our source of power but also our source of burden. It used to be that the more emotional you got the more unstable your powers became and that could be really dangerous for the user as well as the people around them. Since the curse has been broken though...it's not as big a deal anymore.

I don't really know what to make of my powers right now though. I...I changed back home so I'm still getting used to my new powers and stuff. [ He's figuring it out here though. ]

[goldwraith]

There are places in my world that would consider magic a 'curse', but they are far few and between. Mostly see magic as an advantage, the upper hand.

I see. Thank you for sharing. I had several experiences where my emotions had driven my magic... out of control, so to speak. When I use them with more purpose, they don't seem to pack the punch. I suppose I just need more training.

Did they change in a good or bad way?

un: howe

[manifestering]

Magic is a discipline alongside the other sciences
Spellwork and so on are taught as any other subject for those interested
where I am from
Most of it is written work
Quality and skill come from a steady hand

My parents were magicians
I also studied
I am quite good at it

[goldwraith]

Magic is being taught in your world? Are everyone capable of using it?
Do you not need some magical predisposition for it?

My mother wasn't a magician so I wonder from where my powers came.

text.

[icyvoid]

[ She doesn't know enough tech to make this anonymous but... ]

Some people inherently are born with magic in my world. It's a sizeable number. Many believe it's a talent that's carried in the blood, but I am the first mage in several generations in my bloodline, so I can't put much stock in all of that.

[ Nor does she care but, hey, that's politics for you. ]

I've trained to be able to control it, and it's become as second-nature to me. But many apprentices when starting out will find magic attached to emotional triggers or overwhelm. It's common. Can't tell you how many times I've heard that someone set a robe on fire because they were distraught.

[goldwraith]

[Mel doesn't like hiding behind this anonymous wall herself, but considering THAT GUY is here, keeping information vague about HERSELF is detrimental.]

It is not unheard of that magical powers skip a generation or two. I only find it weird because none of my family members ever used magic before. We were all purely oriented to using raw strength

[And then Mel happened and turned out to be the disgrace according to her mother because she prefers NOT killing.]

I haven't set the robe on fire, but I did blow up a thing or two.

[... a dimension, of sorts?]

Did you have someone to teach you, or were you self-taught?

un: ethlyn@willowclinic

[baldrshand]

Hard to define... If I had to write it down, I would say a type of mystical energy that you can shape to your will, based on training and inherent ability. Some people have a greater natural talent than others, the way that some people take to the sword or archery more readily than another martial skill.

I use my staff to heal people, and I began training as a healer at the same age my brother began training to be a knight, around my tenth year. Combat mages typically cast their magic out of tomes that are infused with an element--some specialize in a single element, others do not. And there are certain types of magic that can only be used by certain people.

[goldwraith]

Would you say that magic is common for the people of your world?

Because it sounds like you even have ranks for the mages. Especially when there are different types of magic to classify people by.

text; un: witch

[elfsplaining]

So mysterious.

Where I'm from, magic is known only to those born with it as mages. Surrounding our world is the the Fade, a place of dreams and magic. When one sleeps, everyone enters the Fade in dreams, except for the dwarves. Mages have a special connection with it and can manipulate it.

In the waking world, a mage pulls on the power of the Fade to manifest their creations. This can range from elemental attacks, to attacks on the mind or body. But being able to manipulate the Fade like that comes with the price of being especially targeted by the denizens of the Fade--the demons and spirits that reside there.

[goldwraith]

Not my intention. I prefer talking to people face to face.
But this was a necessity

The Fade? This is the first time I hear of such a thing.
A whole different place one draws magic from.
How does one defend from the demons and spirits? If one draws too much power from the Fade- if there is such thing- are there consequences?

un: visasmarr

[ashesofkatarr]

To primitive societies, the Force is sometimes perceived as "magic." It is mysterious and hard to define, as magic is considred to be. But that is not an accurate way to describe it.

For most species in the Galaxy, the Force is a gift that may be uncommon to unheard of. But my people are all what is called "Force-sensitive."

[goldwraith]

[Mel is so happy she asked this question, there are so many different interpretations of magic.]

I haven't heard anyone use the name 'Force' for the magical activity that was happening. But I don't think either name is wrong. Especially if "casting" this magic differs from person to person.

Does 'Force-sensitive' mean easily influenced by the Force or something else?

text; un: mandervilleofficial

[clutterbitch]

oh, brilliant!! magic talk!

'tis a rather convoluted subject where i am from. before i crack into attempting to describe what i am likely deeply unqualified to explain, what do you hope to gain from this information?
not that there is anything wrong with learning of our disparate worlds, only, are you building a record, perhaps?

[goldwraith]

I just want to hear how other people handle magic.

I have recently found out I'm a mage, but unfortunately, I know no one who could teach me the ins and outs of it.

I don't expect my magic to work like that of others, but I hope that people with experience will have some tips and advice for me.

un: pancakewitch | Text

[boundarykey]

Magic is different in every universe. It's wonderful though, it can create miracles and blessings.

I did not know so many people here were comfortable with magic though it makes me happy! 😸 I am used to magic and that being a witch is something bad, and I was super worried about it at first.

For my magic, um, I am still learning it more and more. I just cast spells with incantations, use a magic focus, and um... I know other magic too but thats serious and hard magic.

[goldwraith]

Magic is a polarizing topic from where I come from. But most would agree it is a very useful thing. The drawback is that it paints a big target on your back, should you disclose that you are a mage.

So your magic uses incantations. I see. Am I correct to guess that you are book-learned about this magic you use?

text; un: principal

[nuraridouman]

Magic is completely ordinary to have for some, and a plain absurd ability for others.

It can be a curse for one person, a proof of their being blessed for the other, and nothing more than a cat's claws to a third.

It all depends on what species you are.

I could also go into the details of how it works, but I don't want to bore you with specifics.

[goldwraith]

Yes, I have come to that conclusion myself.

I was wondering what magic is to you, specifically. What is your experience with it?

If you wish to share, that is. You are not required to do so.

un: clark_kent

[anormalman]

Honestly, I'm not sure if magic as most other people here know it exists in my universe. I've met someone whose abilities can't be explained by science, but that's about it.

[Clark still has no clue what Mr. Mxyzptlk even is, anyway.]

As for your second question...well, I do have powers most people don't have where I'm from. Usually I've unlocked a new ability when I see someone else in danger.

[goldwraith]

So your world does not have magic in the sense of that word but odd abilities?

From what you say, you wouldn't put yourself in the category of a mage, would you?

text; un: ushiromiya

[entreats]

[ Ange doesn't bother commenting anonymously. After all, when it comes to this topic-- Well, she has very little to hide about it in a place like this. Especially with what she has to say right now. ]

If you're asking this sort of thing in order to get information or advice about your own magic, then you might end up getting disappointed.

I have learned in this place that magic is something that can wildly vary from world to world. And stuff that applies to one world's kind of magic doesn't have to apply to your own magic. It's a huge pain, if you'd ask me.

[goldwraith]

Yes, I am aware of it, now that I've talked to several people. It is still helpful to see how they handle it in different situations.

I don't expect my magic to work the same way, but as someone who only recently found out is a mage, every little bit helps.

It is also a fascinating topic in general.

[Because people back home tried to harness magic through technology, and she was all for it (...for various reasons).]

un: jayce

[scientits]

[ well hello mysterious anon message that just so happens to align with his interests, what a coincidence! ]

Other people may disagree, but I've always viewed magic as a source of energy with enormous potential to improve lives and help those in need. Like with any energy source, there are of course inherent dangers, but I believe that with enough safeguards, magic should be placed in the hands of the common people rather than limited to the few who won the genetic lottery.

As for your other questions, I'm no mage myself, but I think anything can be learned and understood with enough research and study.

[goldwraith]

[WELL he didn't bother to hide his name. It actually makes her smile- she also hopes he goes through the chats here and see if anything can be useful for him.]

I like the way you think. But it also sounds like that wouldn't be easy to pull off. I am not of a scientific mind, but even I can see all the complications, along with the endless potential of it.

I hope my magic will offer more help than trouble.

[Even if it doesn't look like that right now.]