text, un: naurfin

[sighsheavily]

There are a great number here not previously acquainted with magic, and so I am compelled to share some rather pertinent advice:

Please be aware that offerings of blood ought not be taken or given lightly. As surely as there are many fledgling casters dabbling in dealings with the substance here, there will likely be as many much keener to the art, be it here or their realm of origin.

Blood and names are some of the strongest components of the "self" in many magic disciplines; do be mindful of whom you are giving such precious and limited resources to.


Or don't. I can only offer my perspective; it is entirely up to you to decide whether or not it matters. Just be aware that some courses are harder to correct than others.

Comments

[sighsheavily]

It depends heavily on the intention of the caster and the spell of choice, but blood can cover a lot of ground. What I refer to with my warning leans more into the fact that one's blood can be used against them -- even as a means of controlling them against their will. To say nothing of creating facsimiles, not unlike those that were terrorizing folks not so long ago.
Best to learn from the past and not repeat it, yes?

[cameprepared]

So, it creates a link? As someone that practices Dark Magic, that's good to know.

[Cecelia, increasing her power.]

Obviously, I won't be giving away my blood. That'd be fucked up even if it wasn't magical and could make me vulnerable.

Does it work with blood taken from say, a bandage?

[sighsheavily]

Blood is blood, whether it's gathered from the body directly, a vial, or some rag. I'd imagine the consistency of it has some factor.

[cameprepared]

I'll keep that in mind as well, then.

I am not from a place with magic. So this is good to know.

[sighsheavily]

You are not the only one. Naturally, it falls to those of us with the expertise to share what may seem "common" knowledge, especially when it seems that the proper study of magic here is incredibly broken.

[cameprepared]

Broken in what way?

[sighsheavily]

In that foundational study is nowhere to be seen, yes? Now and then, we get these little missives or offers of particular spells or tricks, but there is no core instruction on the nature of and best practices for the magic disciplines.
This is not something I can accuse the realm of lacking out of laziness, seeing as much of the magic we have was previously absent, but the court does possess a rather powerful wizard who seems more keen on looking charming for a camera than in rolling up his sleeves to better instruct fledgling casters.

[cameprepared]

OH. Right, I guess there probably should be some sort of school.

Merlin also does seem like kind of a dandy. I never thought hard about it, but, I probably should have.

[sighsheavily]

I can't immediately write him off despite that, but it doesn't cultivate much confidence, I do admit.

[cameprepared]

Yeah. Merlin is a legend in my world. I'm trying hard to give him the benefit of the doubt.

[sighsheavily]

Is that so?
In what way does he differ?

[cameprepared]

Well, you know. He's responsible, for one.

Also, I don't think he cared much about appearances. He was old.

[sighsheavily]

The elderly have no interest in physical upkeep where you're from?
How odd.

[cameprepared]

Not like, physical health. But this Merlin feels kind of vain.

[sighsheavily]

Admittedly, I haven't spent much time interacting with other locals; it's very likely that level of vanity is commonplace.

[cameprepared]

It could be.

Oh well, we have the Merlin that we have.