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

[cloakand_danger]

And I think that must be the place our worlds differ the most strongly. [Yuan nods.] Mana knows the shapes that spells take. 'Knows' might be the wrong word, but...just like crystals have the same number of sides no matter where you find them, if you gather enough fire mana into one place and nudge it into...alignment? [Once again he's falling short when trying to describe to others a sense they don't have] ...it will form a fireball spell, without specific intention on the part of the caster. If they keep it from coalescing and gather more, they can coax it into other shapes, perhaps even discover a new shape that they weren't aware it could take. But the shape of the spell is ultimately determined by the type and quantity of the mana used to cast it, not the caster's intent or understanding.

Based on the things you've described that are possible for spellcasters in your world... [he shakes his head] ...from that alone, I can guess that your magic doesn't work in the way I'm familiar with.