Talk:Magic into the modern age
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Ok, I know I said I would start with religion, but I changed my mind. Unless anyone wants to do it first, I'll be adding more stuff to this page, including the uses of the indiviual schools of magic in the modern world and also the legialation associated with its use. I mean, come on - casting Charm person on a store keep er to get reduced prices can't possibly be legal! I'm sure Ed could do a good job on that! Andy 15:23, 7 November 2007 (UTC)
- One bit that I did want to question was the 'magical energy' bit. While that is the common way to play magic (see Discworld for magical pollution, and all Palladium games with their magical ley lines explanation of how magic works) I like a particular quote from Neil Gaiman. Something along the lines of...
- Science is talking about the universe with words that define its existence. Magic is talking to the universe in words it cannot ignore.
- This idea of talking to the universe in a way it can't ignore is cool, but doesn't need there to be pools of 'magic energy' floating around to power it. Is it possible for us to keep it vague as to how magic works? Or even better make it a debate amongst modern wizards as to how they achieve what they do? Invisible, undetectable energy theory vs. inbuilt keywords in the structure of the universe theory.
- Oh, and one random idea. Just as the name shifted from alchemist to chemist, apothecary to doctor, would wizards now try to call themselves thaumatologists? Even though the general public still prefer wizard...
- "Oi, you! Wizard!"
- "I am not a wizard. I am a fully accredited thaumatologist of the Farsight Foundation in Kelhaven, with a Masters degree in Enchantments and honours in the casting of runes."
A few ideas for thought...--Alex 13:59, 9 November 2007 (UTC)
I've certainly got no problem with changing a few names. Thaumatolgist sounds ok. We might change the names of some of the schools too. Evocation could easily become "Energy Manipulation" and divination "Analytical Thaumatology".
My idea for the way magic works is related to my idea for the gods that I mentioned on The Fourth World Metagame Discussion Page. Phenomenon, such as physical events and emotional experiences, creates a resonance. If this resonance grows strong enough, it can give birth to an associated god. My original idea was that magic manipulates this resonance, and in so doing effects whatever created it. I didn't want to be too explicit in how I stated that in the main article, however. That kind of combines the keyword idea, because if speaking can effect the world, it must be interacting with something within it. Andy 13:01, 11 November 2007 (UTC)
How does the "keyword theory" work with metamagic feats like Silent Spell or Still Spell? The system allows people to work magic without words, gestures or material components. What exactly are they using in order to manipulate the universe? Andy 10:07, 12 November 2007 (UTC)
- Easy. It's the words in the head that matter. Speaking them aloud is a focus that allows the wizard to get it right, but isn't absolutely necessary. The universe can still 'hear' them even if silent. It's just harder. (Which works with the learn at higher level for the feats.)--Alex 20:04, 13 November 2007 (UTC)
Ok. What about magical creatures with animal level intelligence? How does their magic work? Andy 14:00, 14 November 2007 (UTC)
- I never said all the words had to be in any particular language. Animals have some thought processes, so there's no reason why they couldn't have evolved a brain that can think certain words if it provides an evolutionary advantage. (So one mutant big cat finds it can warp light slightly, and about a hundred generations later you have the best-adapted mutant brain and a displacer beast.)
- Alternately if they were created by wizards you could say that magic did it.
- On your bit on Necromancy you missed out the uses of Speak With Dead in both police work (helps the homicide division no end) and historical research ("We had no idea what the great dictator Horcrux was thinking when he launched the invasion in the Great War, so we called him up and asked him..."). It could also be used by politicians (most US Presidents will call upon their predecessors for advice who will happily give it, even to those from the other party; in this world they could take that idea a little further...).
Yeah, I was thinking of speak with dead when I said it was used in forensics, but I've enlarged on that a bit now. If you want to add something about archaeology or anything else, please go ahead. Andy 14:36, 17 November 2007 (UTC)
Of course criminal wizards will have developed an anti-Speak With Dead to protect their organised crime bosses...--Alex 11:07, 23 November 2007 (UTC)
- I forgot. They have one. Disintegrate on a corpse, makes it damn hard to do a Speak With Dead. (You still need the body for it, don't you?)--Alex 20:17, 23 November 2007 (UTC)
I think you do, so something like that would work, but perhaps they would need a lower level version that only works on corpses might be appropriate. Disintegrate is a pretty demanding spell, and not very one would know it! Or perhaps a spell that simply wipes the "residual memory" in the corpse that speak with dead latches onto. Andy 15:42, 24 November 2007 (UTC)
