*Dream 12*

[wantedtostudy]

The wind whips at her face and body, and it is beyond cold. The land around her is frozen and bleak, utterly inhospitable, and the howling wind is so frigid that it literally stings every bit of bare skin on her body. Still, Jaina digs her staff into the snow, trudging on

Comments

[kyudousha]

[She recognizes Cornelia in the dream. Conflict, conflict. On a whim, she picks up the dreamberry.]

... Does she die?

[wantedtostudy]

Hm? *Not someone she knows. Interesting* Oh, no - it was just a dream.

Cornelia isn't from my world, after all.

[kyudousha]

Yeah, I figured as much when the guy decked in armor showed up. There's no way that scene could have played out, I guess.

Besides, he doesn't look too human.

[wantedtostudy]

He was, once.

Perhaps his body still is.

[kyudousha]

... Hm.

So, what's he now?

[wantedtostudy]

I can't be completely sure, to be honest. He may have lost his humanity long ago...

...but I cannot rightly say what, exactly he is. All I know for certain is that he is the Lich King.

[kyudousha]

A lich?

... These worlds really are amazing. They've only be theorized... Is he a natural order of being in your world, or he just an anomaly?

[wantedtostudy]

I find it hard to describe a warped mockery of life itself "natural" in any way whatsoever, but... liches do exist in my world, through powerful necromantic magic.

Even so, I don't think his body ever physically died. So even among the undead, he would be unique.

[kyudousha]

... I find that hard to believe, really. But then again, there are all kinds here, huh. I hope nothing like him hops dimensions. It might be difficult to get rid of.

[Keyword: Magic. Piiing]

So, you guys have magic? Is there any other kind besides, you know, magic that raises the dead? What do you guys use it for?

[wantedtostudy]

...that would be an understatement, yes.

Magic certainly exists in my world, magic of all sorts beyond the necromantic arts - I'm what some would call a sorceress, actually. We use it for many things - transportation, assisting in everyday tasks, the pursuit of knowledge ... and sometimes, admittedly, for combat.

[kyudousha]

... Interesting.

It must be nice to be able to use magic for plebeian tasks like that, huh. It sounds kinda commonplace when you put it that way. Even for transportation... That's pretty darn reliant. What's your method of execution?

[wantedtostudy]

Method of execution? How do you mean?

Most spells involve some sort of verbal component along with the magical power and control necessary - someone who has never studied magic and has no power in it would be unable to replicate a spell merely by speaking the incantation.

[kyudousha]

Exactly what you just explained, actually. How it's executed.

I get that. Is it an intrinsic thing? Like, are you born with that magical power, or do you guys use something to help you channel it? And what's the direct relationship between the verbal component and the spell itself, then? Is there a purpose, or is it just something they say on the battlefield to warn allies that 'Oh, giant meteor in-coming, you might want to run'?

[wantedtostudy]

I suppose there's a bit of both - at least in the field of arcane magic, which is my field. One can be born with a good deal of magical potential, but they'll have to study in order to learn control and how to best tap into it ... much in the same way that someone can be born with high natural strength and dexterity but still needs to be taught how to use a sword.

Many spells have material reagents, though again it depends on what type of magic you're talking about. Shamans use elemental totems to help cast their spells, whereas I might need a certain rune or arcane powder for a specific spell or two.

The verbal component - magic words, in a literal sense - are what literally enable us to work our magic. Because of that, the ability to silence can be incredibly useful, as it prevents an opponent from casting anything during its duration.

[kyudousha]

... That's an interesting way to put it. I'd say that I'd like to take a page from your book, and explain it like that if anyone asks me the same question, but, I doubt I can, really. But I'll keep it in mind.

And there're different types of magic too? ... what are the limitations on this magic? Can you only cast magics that have been previously discovered or proven to be existent, or can you just improvise on the field? And... is there a kind of magic in existence from your world that needs technology to function?

So the words itself are a medium, huh... Is there a particular category of words? Or, I don't know, a particular syntax that you have to follow when you're chanting? Or are the verbal components already prescribed, and it won't work any other way expect for that particular sentence...?

... This is all fascinating.

[wantedtostudy]

Oh? Does it not work the same way in your world?

I'll try to explain as succinctly as I can. There are five main schools of magic. Divine magic works as the wielder asks for the assistance of a higher power - the Night Elves' moon goddess Elune or the Holy Light for two examples. Shamanistic magic involves communicating with and invoking the power of the primal spirits of the land... animal spirits, spirits of the four core elements, and others.

Closely related to that is Druidic magic, which involves oneself communing with and intertwining with nature, the Emerald Dream, and the power of Elune and the Dragon Aspect, Ysera.

I practice Arcane magic, and do so by tapping not just my own magical power but the currents and leylines of magic running all through my world as well as the Twisting Nether - a field of raw magical energy that surrounds every world. The fifth school is... *pause* ...it is related. Some call it Fel magic, some call it Demonic magic