public channel, forward dated a smidge to the morning of d15

[kingsroads]

Months ago, during the Celebration, a few of us got together to talk about and compare the magic from our worlds. Well, it's been a while since then and we've certainly picked up more magicians, so why not revive that little discussion group?

[ he's phrasing it as a hypothetical but as Strange keeps barging on, there's nothing hypothetical about it: he is totally reviving that discussion group. ]

I've asked around and the smaller festival hall in the building closest to the carnival portal is available for our use. Anyone who's interested should meet there tonight, just after sundown, for an informal gathering to talk about magic. There will be space inside the festival hall and outside in the snow for anyone to demonstrate their techniques.

Likewise, anyone who wishes to learn about magic should come and visit as well. [ And there's a bit of a pause like Strange is trying his hardest to choose his words carefully. ] Magicians in the carnival have different types of magic drawing upon different techniques. While one school of thought might seem incomprehensible, another might seem as clear as day. This is a chance for those of us with magic to learn from each other and develop our skills and those of us who wish to learn magic to see what practice would best fit their needs.

[ There's a pause, because Strange has no idea how to end this. ] Sound off if you're coming, I suppose. Oh, and can someone bring snacks?

( ooc: this is an ic post about mage club, an idea floated around on the cr meme a while back. I'll put up a mingle log later in the week for the actual meeting itself. as for this post, feel free to threadjack around! )

Comments

[kingsroads]

Isolated? Precisely how isolated do you mean?

[ said in a tone that's equal parts confused and horrified. ]

[dirthena]

They live in what are called Circles from the moment they are identified as mages until they die, under constant supervision by people who are allowed to kill them should they step out of line or succumb to the inherent dangers of magic.

( this is a very biased viewpoint. sorry strange. )

[kingsroads]

That's entirely barbaric! [ someone is also very biased ] Magic should be celebrated and explored, not restrained as one restrains a criminal or a wild animal.

[dirthena]

They fear what they cannot control. And a mage who is possessed presents a danger to everyone around them, yes, but the Dalish have managed for Ages.

( the dalish also make sure they have as few mages as possible, some clans leave their extra mages out in the wild, and who the hell knows what happens when one gets possessed. so you know, lose/lose overall. )

[kingsroads]

A man with a pistol may prevent just as much a danger if he so chooses and yet all pistol owners aren't rounded up and locked away. Where I'm from, magic is respected! There aren't many of us, of course, but no one would think to confine magicians.

[ slow your roll, Anders, this is getting a bit intense. So intense that Strange just kind of accidentally skips over that whole 'possessed' bit. ]

[dirthena]

Pistols? ( she's from fantasy land, please help her out. but she understands the general gist of what he's saying and agrees wholeheartedly. the fear with which everyone treats mages is completely uncalled for.

possession? hah. ) They fear what they cannot control. A man I knew argued that their fear came from ignorance, and that they did not care to understand.

[kingsroads]

You know, firearms. [ surely that will help Lavellan understand what he's talking about, right.

Though there's a little bitter laugh in Strange's voice as he continues. ] They don't care to understand and because they do not understand in the first place, they fear it. I'm afraid that idea is universal.

[dirthena]

Like gaatlok? ( no one is going to know what that is. lavellan tries this again. ) Blackpowder.

( close enough. at his statement, however, she huffs a small, quiet laugh. ) It's not an idea I feel should stop anyone from trying, however. There will always be those willing to listen, if you can find them.

( and that is where she and solas differ. )

[kingsroads]

We call it gunpowder but yes, like that. Weapons that use it are commonplace in my time.

[ Though as she mentions those willing to listen, Strange makes a little 'hmm' of thinking things over. ]

I've found that there's a vast difference between someone listening and someone understanding.

[dirthena]

It's a secret only one race in my time know how to use.

( until she'd found that recipe. still, it was no longer her job to see that it was used. )

You cannot expect understanding from someone who will not even listen. If they listen, you will have the chance to make them understand.

[kingsroads]

But again, that all depends on who they listen to. There's always someone who thinks they know more about the subject than those who actually practice it. Listen to those sorts of men, and of course people think all magicians do is clean laundry and do party tricks.

[ his tone isn't argumentative. Strange is discussing this like it's an academic conversation moreso than anything else. ]

[dirthena]

Perhaps they were simply misinformed. That doesn't mean they won't change their opinion when presented with the truth. You seem to presume that simply because they were wrong, they've lost all chance of learning more. Of correcting themselves.

( and this is getting Rather Uncomfortably Close to conversations she's had with other people, so there's a little more emphasis behind her words that betrays that it might be slightly personal. )

[kingsroads]

Some of the people who are wrong are politicians. When have you ever heard of a politician who'll admit they made a mistake?

[dirthena]

( when she's blackmailed them, of course. )

Very rarely, I'll give you that. ( considering gaspard still dances around the idea of being wrong, and anora never will. ) But politicians can be made to swallow their pride when shown that it is in their best interest to do so. Perhaps you're just not as convincing as you need to be.

[kingsroads]

[ Strange can't help but laugh at that, a bright cheerful laugh. ]

I'll grant you that much. I am many things, but convincing? Certainly not to politicians. [ you lose a lot of credibility when you go certifiably bonkers. ]

[dirthena]

I'd set my advisors on you, if I could. You wouldn't be able to walk away from Josephine without being able to charm at least half of who you needed to.

( well. they're not her advisors anymore. but that's a minor detail, and one lavellan will be moving smoothly beyond. )

[kingsroads]

[ her advisors? Good lord, where did this woman work. ]

I'm not certain whether that means you have too much faith in Josephine or too much faith in me.

[dirthena]

( in a fortress. that's her's. )

She made sure Orlesians didn't throw me out of a very fancy party; they're not very fond of elves on a good day, let alone one in any position of power. My faith in her isn't misplaced.

( guess that means the issue is with you, strange. )

[kingsroads]

[ the issue 100% is with him. ]

I think the problem there is I need to be invited to a very fancy party in the first place. Due to various complications in my world, I doubt that will happen any time soon.

[dirthena]

Not made many friends in high places?

[kingsroads]

On the contrary, I have plenty. But a few of my actions back home have most likely made me persona non grata at any sort of fancy event.

[dirthena]

Related to bringing magic back to your England? Unless there was something else you've done that no one seems to have mentioned--

[kingsroads]

Related to bringing magic back to my England. A few of my methods were unorthodox. [ and because he knows what Lavellan's next question is going to be... ]

I made myself mad. Temporarily, of course.

[dirthena]

( what. )

How does one make oneself 'temporarily' mad, if I can ask?

[kingsroads]

[ who's ready for Lavellan's good opinion of Strange to be AMAZINGLY TANKED. Because all this is just said in a tone of voice that's pure "no big! going bonkers happens to the best of us!" ]

A tincture of madness administered in small doses. The effects were temporary for the most part, but amazingly potent.