Post by Smoke on Jul 22, 2010 23:00:10 GMT -5
Magic! Secret wisdom, strange powers, flashy lights and sounds.
What is a Mage?
There are several different definitions of a mage, depending on who you ask. More pertinently, the reason why there are several different definitions is because there are quite a lot of supernatural creatures in the world, and a lot of people who can do a lot of very interesting things, and... well, things tend to get complicated. There are a few major ones, though.
Most large-scale, modern magical organizations define a mage as a person with the realized ability to effect change in accordance with their will absent other factors.
Many traditional magical organizations define a mage as a person capable of large-scale spiritual feats explicitly defying physical law, or one who practices the art of bringing the universe into accordance with one's will.
The Three (major Werewolf clans) define a mage as one whose power is broad and comes from no named origin save themselves.
There are more. As much as I would love to elaborate, this is supposed to be a summary; we've got an entire introductory class for that, or I can point you towards a monograph if you drop by my office hours. Let me just say that a lot of mages tend to be philosophical, or at least a lot of the louder ones are.
How does someone become a mage?
The cute answer is that people have been trying to figure that out since the first caveman who got a little too cold and accidentally lit his foot on fire.
The real answer is that most people just sort of realize they can do it one day, usually because they just did something. It rarely happens before the age of ten, but has been known to show up about equally at any time thereafter. (There is some evidence that it has something to do with maturity rather than age, but there are a lot of outliers on that data plot.) Sometimes there's a buildup, sometimes there's not. It's one of the most egalitarian known forces in the universe, right up there with death and taxes.
What comes after is far more interesting. Magic comes with its own context. Some people have a grand vision, saying they have seen the face of God; others see a peek of the mechanical workings behind the universe, or the Grand Equation, or the interconnectedness of all life. Some see something wonder in smaller things, or grand power inside themselves, or the vast inevitability of death.
Sometimes it's more subtle than that, a change in attitude, or healing of old wounds, or an unspoken reconciliation between themselves and the universe. Sometimes... rarely, but sometimes, it's something far less positive. Regardless, it can be said that in return for the power to change the world, magic in turn changes you.
Unless it doesn't- and this is yet another reason why there are different definitions of 'mage'. The vast majority of mages go through this to some degree or another, regardless of their power, but not all. The reason for this is hotly debated- you really don't wanna get me started.
How does someone cast a spell?
On a basic level, intent, concentration, and conceptualization, usually in the form of visualization. This requires focus, creativity, and willpower.
On a less basic level, there are gobs and gobs of rituals meant to, depending on who you ask, placate the spirits, enhance understanding, act as a focus, supplicate the gods, etc., and several major systems of organizing and categorizing magical practices for the greater benefit of... something.
All this complexity is usually beneficial, in some or several ways, and different traditions get legitimately different results, so whatever casting is, it's not just a bunch of mental exercises... or at least, any theory to that regard has some explaining to do before it can be considered proven.
What else should I know?
As soon as I get my notes in order, you might want to check out
(insert link here for) What Are Mages Capable Of
Mage by Default (creatures uncategorized)
and Mortal Magic: Oxymoron, Redundant, Controversial Fact, Artifact of a Failed System, Metaphysical Falsehood, or just plain Not a Topic to Bring Up at Dinner?
Also relevant to your questions might be
Magical Organizations
History of Magic
Thaumaturgy 101 (Magical Research and You)
and Notes Compiled By The Faculty.
What is a Mage?
There are several different definitions of a mage, depending on who you ask. More pertinently, the reason why there are several different definitions is because there are quite a lot of supernatural creatures in the world, and a lot of people who can do a lot of very interesting things, and... well, things tend to get complicated. There are a few major ones, though.
Most large-scale, modern magical organizations define a mage as a person with the realized ability to effect change in accordance with their will absent other factors.
Many traditional magical organizations define a mage as a person capable of large-scale spiritual feats explicitly defying physical law, or one who practices the art of bringing the universe into accordance with one's will.
The Three (major Werewolf clans) define a mage as one whose power is broad and comes from no named origin save themselves.
There are more. As much as I would love to elaborate, this is supposed to be a summary; we've got an entire introductory class for that, or I can point you towards a monograph if you drop by my office hours. Let me just say that a lot of mages tend to be philosophical, or at least a lot of the louder ones are.
How does someone become a mage?
The cute answer is that people have been trying to figure that out since the first caveman who got a little too cold and accidentally lit his foot on fire.
The real answer is that most people just sort of realize they can do it one day, usually because they just did something. It rarely happens before the age of ten, but has been known to show up about equally at any time thereafter. (There is some evidence that it has something to do with maturity rather than age, but there are a lot of outliers on that data plot.) Sometimes there's a buildup, sometimes there's not. It's one of the most egalitarian known forces in the universe, right up there with death and taxes.
What comes after is far more interesting. Magic comes with its own context. Some people have a grand vision, saying they have seen the face of God; others see a peek of the mechanical workings behind the universe, or the Grand Equation, or the interconnectedness of all life. Some see something wonder in smaller things, or grand power inside themselves, or the vast inevitability of death.
Sometimes it's more subtle than that, a change in attitude, or healing of old wounds, or an unspoken reconciliation between themselves and the universe. Sometimes... rarely, but sometimes, it's something far less positive. Regardless, it can be said that in return for the power to change the world, magic in turn changes you.
Unless it doesn't- and this is yet another reason why there are different definitions of 'mage'. The vast majority of mages go through this to some degree or another, regardless of their power, but not all. The reason for this is hotly debated- you really don't wanna get me started.
How does someone cast a spell?
On a basic level, intent, concentration, and conceptualization, usually in the form of visualization. This requires focus, creativity, and willpower.
On a less basic level, there are gobs and gobs of rituals meant to, depending on who you ask, placate the spirits, enhance understanding, act as a focus, supplicate the gods, etc., and several major systems of organizing and categorizing magical practices for the greater benefit of... something.
All this complexity is usually beneficial, in some or several ways, and different traditions get legitimately different results, so whatever casting is, it's not just a bunch of mental exercises... or at least, any theory to that regard has some explaining to do before it can be considered proven.
What else should I know?
As soon as I get my notes in order, you might want to check out
(insert link here for) What Are Mages Capable Of
Mage by Default (creatures uncategorized)
and Mortal Magic: Oxymoron, Redundant, Controversial Fact, Artifact of a Failed System, Metaphysical Falsehood, or just plain Not a Topic to Bring Up at Dinner?
Also relevant to your questions might be
Magical Organizations
History of Magic
Thaumaturgy 101 (Magical Research and You)
and Notes Compiled By The Faculty.