driftfleet | Magic Talk with Yuan, Episode 2

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?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

As I said - my folk would not consider it Magic - that is simply Art! But I know others think of it so.

As to that... I do not know what other information you would find useful, in truth.

Of course. [It's not sarcastic - he looks like he's suddenly made a connection he should have made a while ago.] My mistake, I didn't realize - the artes of my world are usually more focused toward combat, but of course if it's an ability that isn't exactly spellcasting, it ought to fall under artes instead. I think you're the first person I've met while here who makes that distinction, actually.

Hmm. Can everyone in your world use any kind of artes so long as they're trained, or is there something that distinguishes one person's aptitudes from another?

[ Maglor blinks and then chuckles sofly ]

It is a distinction that has annoyed many, who insist that what we do is magic anyway - so mostly we let people think what they want.

[ He considers ] Theoretically, anyone who can touch the Song can work it. Men, as a general rule, cannot hear it - not as we can, for example, so perhaps that is why they have never really seen the distinction. But amongst my folk... we all hear it, to a greater or lesser degree, and that skill can be cultivated. But mostly people focus on what they want to do. I am a little unusual, I suppose - as a bard I grew up with the Song in my ears. I have never not known what it is to touch the Song. Crafting it is second nature, to me, so I never spent the time to refine it beyond what was necessary at the time.

But - take my brother, as an example. Curufin was a craftsman, an inventor, like father efore him. And for him, the only part of the Song that ever mattered was the Song of the forge, and what he did there. He might have learnt other things, if he wanted - but he did not.

So some of your kind may be more generally talented than others, but all have the ability to learn.

You say that 'men' cannot? [Unless he's very confused, you don't seem to be a woman, sir, so you're probably using that word in a way he's not used to.]

Humans. [ Maglor corrects apologetically ] Your pardon, I keep forgetting most people here prefer to use that term.