Magic Talk with Yuan, Episode 2

[cloakand_danger]

Who: Yuan Ka-Fai and anyone
Broadcast: Video
Action: The library on the Iskaulit
When: Now

[The video feed opens up to Yuan in the library. He's once again poised to take notes as he addresses the camera.]

A while ago, I asked about magic in other people's worlds, specifically about elves and their connection to it, or where magic originates from if not elves. Today I'd like to ask instead specifically about healing magic.

In my world, healing magic is a little different from regular elemental spells, although most healing spells also incorporate one of the eight elements. Very few 'casters have the aptitude to learn it - I'm not one of them, so there are a lot of gaps in my understanding - and as such, those who do are sought after for their skills. I'd like to hear about healing magic in your worlds as well: is it associated with a particular element or type of magic? Can any spellcaster learn to heal, or is it restricted to certain people? What, if any, are its limitations or drawbacks?

Comments

video;

[stoccado]

I could answer, but my circumstances are a little different than most...

Anything I tell you would be from a virtual reality world, where my appearance here is from as well. Is that all right?

video;

[cloakand_danger]

I'm not quite sure I follow, but...if you can cast the same spells here, then I think it's safe to assume you've brought the rules of that world with you, and I'd be interested to learn them.

video;

[stoccado]

I did bring them with me, that much is true.

Well, in that world, magic can be learned by anyone, but different races each have different aptitudes. For example, I'm an Undine. We're most suited to magic, water and healing specifically. Other races can use it, but they each have their own special aptitude.

video;

[cloakand_danger]

[There's really one specific part of that that he's got to fixate on first:]

An Undine? You can't be an Undine, Undine is the Summon Spirit of Water. ...A-a lot of healing spells do harness water as an element, but...

video;

[stoccado]

[Asuna huffs a little, letting it turn into a sigh. She's good at remaining patient at least.]

In the virtual world I was a part of, the Undines are a race of fairies. So, yes, I can be, and I am. Different worlds have different myths and legends, remember? What might be one thing in your could be completely opposite in another.

video;

[deviances]

Yeah, I'm not a healer either, so I don't know everything - but one of my best friends back home was. Accordin' to her, it's a form of light element. And yeah, not everyone can do it. It's either your thing, or it's not. Like any other element or focus of it.

Far as limits go, she'd get awful headaches if she kept at it. The more she had to use it, the worse it got. [ A pause... aaaand a sheepish, somewhat guilty smile. ] Dude, there was this one time I pretty much got myself stabbed through with some serious fuckin' ice magic. Like, I think I almost died. But she healed me, even though it took a couple of days and gave her fuckin' debilitatin' migraines... You know, all while threatenin' to kill me herself if it ever happened again. Heh. Still feel bad about that one.

video;

[cloakand_danger]

Does most light-elemental magic give the user headaches, or just healing? That's not something I've known to happen in my world, unless headaches are normally a consequence of mana drain.

[He doesn't seem particularly fazed by the part about you almost dying. Sorry, Eithan.]

video;

[deviances]

[ No apologies necessary! The opposite, in fact - he rather likes pretending it wasn't a thing that scarred him against ice magic for life. hahaha. ha. ...ha.

By now, he's used to the words "mana" and "magic" being almost interchangeable - in specific contexts and circumstances, obviously - so he can roll with it. ]

Yeah, mana drain. It's just that it tends to happens a lot faster with healers, probably 'cause a lot more focus and attention is involved.

video;

[cloakand_danger]

I see. So healing uses more energy than most kinds of magic. ...There's actually some precedent for that in my world as well, although I tend to forget: healing doesn't work as well on people who don't have certain...combat enhancements. Most people who see a lot of fighting have them, but I imagine it would be something similar if they didn't.

voice;

[noprophecies]

Where I am from, anyone can cast a basic healing spell if they are able to cast magic. But the stronger spells require specific training and heavy study into traditional healing - at least, in the magic I'm familiar with. General healing spells are not as focused; a healer who has been trained, however, can focus the spell to where it is needed the most.

[a hum] Is that what you are seeking?

voice;

[cloakand_danger]

More or less. Interesting. Would you say that healing magic is separate from elemental spells, or an element in and of itself, perhaps? Many casters in my world can use multiple elements at a basic level, but find it more useful to specialize when it comes to more powerful magic.

voice;

[noprophecies]

Mmm . . . [there's a thoughtful pause] Perhaps an element on its own, honestly, to put into those terms. But there is still a . . . crossover, though? Holy magic has its own sub-system of healing, as does dark magic. It is fairly simple to explain Elvish healing magic, but when one delves into human magic, it becomes a bit more complicated.

voice;

[cloakand_danger]

...Is Holy magic the same thing as Light magic, then, if you speak of it as the opposite of Dark? And can you elaborate a little on the differences between Elvish magic and human?

video

[bythewaves]

Mm, I fear my definition of the word "magic" is different to yours - but it seems so in many worlds. There are many things my kinsfolk and I can do that you might consider Magic, I suppose?

video

[cloakand_danger]

Part of what I'm trying to do is sort out exactly what 'magic' entails, see if we can find some definition for it across the worlds. So even if you don't call your abilities by that name, I'd be interested to learn what you can do and how it works.

video

[bythewaves]

Mm, well, you see, that is a little... difficult. But I suppose, the easiest description would be that my kinsfolk work with the Song of the world. By doing so we... guide the Song to the patterns that we wish it to work with, but we can only do so, of course, so far as the Song itself wishes to move. To force it out of it's patterns is possible, but not wise.

In so doing we can do as much as the Music will allow - I can call sleep for those who are weary, and ease bad dreams. In battle I can confuse my enemies, drawing shadow and confusion. My cousins could do much more than that, but they are formally trained. One of my brothers - he used Song in his crafting, to coax metal to the shapes that would be best suited for them, so that swords would be ever sharp and not break. Things like that.

video

[cloakand_danger]

So this Song has a will of its own, and only allows you to change certain things by your own will. ...Am I to understand that one of these things includes healing others, then? [Since that is the topic of the moment.]

[nonightdriving]

[This is, by it's very nature, an interesting topic. One that Ignis wants to know more about, considering the nature of magic on Eos.]

Well, on my own world, there are two types of healing that can be done, but only a select group of people have access to the magical kind. The rest of the population rely on hospitals.

[cloakand_danger]

Once upon a time, hospitals were a place primarily for healing via magitechnology, with a few actual healers employed for those circumstances which required them. In the modern day, with magitech less available, cities have fewer places where the ill or injured congregate, and instead a healer or doctor will be called to tend them in bed as often as not.

What sort of people have access to magical healing, then?

[nonightdriving]

The hospitals and clinics on Eos are very proficient. They've been able to achieve a great many things that were once thought impossible, especially in the Niflheim Empire. They rely heavily on technology and have made great progress in the last century or so towards advancement.

However, the kingdom of Lucis's rulers have the ability to use magic that is passed through their bloodlines and they share that with their retainers. As such, the ability to use potions, elixirs and phoenix downs are more useful to them than to commoners. To the ordinary man, they act as healthy energy drinks.

There is also a person called The Oracle, who has the ability to heal a dangerous condition called StarScourge. It's passed down through the line of Nox Fleuret line of Tenebrae, from mother to daughter.

[That's the most he's shared about Eos since his arrival, and has said a great deal about the people running around the Fleet.]

Both lines have been blessed by the six gods of our world, according to the legends.

[And he is in a good position to say that the legends are true.]

[cloakand_danger]

[Fortunately I don't think he's been paying enough attention yet to notice that Ignis has worldmates here. Plus he's only spoken to one of them so far.]

Tenebrae...

So those with noble blood have magic, and get more benefit from battle medicines than those without. [He's writing all this down.] What does StarScourge do? I'm also curious about these legends. Is...Tenebrae the name of one of those gods you spoke of?

action

[lord_wizard]

[As it so often is, Felix is hanging about the library during this address. He keeps his distance for some time, idly straightening books as he listens. It takes him some time, however, to approach and contribute to the discussion. For quite some time he debates the wisdom of doing so, but in the end his desire to further his dialogue with Yuan wins out over reluctance. There is still some hesitation in the manner than he seats himself across the table and folds his hands before him]

Healing magic is an...interesting topic. I"m afraid most of my experience with such has been secondary in nature.

action

[cloakand_danger]

[Yuan nods his understanding, and tilts his head curiously at Felix. Usually he's one to enthusiastically jump into a discussion of magic, so this apparent diffidence is...notable.]

As I said, I've no aptitude for it myself, so I'm really no different. I did travel with a healer for...some time, which is where most of my knowledge on the subject comes from.

[lord_wizard]

[Felix nods, as if he was more or less aware of this fact.]

So healing via magic is a common and accepted art in your world?

[He's aware that he's turning the line of question around on Yuan but he needs the time to work up to talking about his own experience of it. He's fairly certain Yuan will notice the tactic, too, but he's hoping he'll play along]

[cloakand_danger]

[Yuan's dealt with a lot of traumatized half-elves in his time, one way or another; he knows how to recognize the signs of someone trying to put together the right words, the right angle to approach something unpleasant. There's a watchful patience in his gaze, but his tone is neutral as he responds:]

For the most part. There are certain factors that make it more potent when used on people who are...geared to fight. But it works even on those who aren't. Mind you, since the ability to cast magic at all is an indication of having elven blood, those who practice healing artes can face the same discrimination as other half-elves...but it turns out humans are more willing to tolerate someone who can be useful to them than someone whose best affinity is for setting them on fire.