How Prepared Are We - Users of True Arcane Magic

[Holister]

One too many times has this been the deciding factor in a few encounters here across these forums. We have seen magic used in many forms and with both good and evil intention.

I am looking for philosophies behind true magic, the psychology of those who use it, debunking methods for false magicians, strategy on confronting evil practitioners of magic, how to best break curses and enchantments, as well as personal experiences and beliefs on this subject matter.

[Shang Li]

There was a time when being considered a man of magic brought great respect. A time when men like Gung Fu Tze were sought out in their mountain retreats for gifts of wisdom and power. A time when the mountain hermits were expected to come to the aid of those living nearby - and did. This time has long been gone into the dust of ages, along with the hermits and schools who once attempted to set the novice along the right path.

There are no more mountain retreats to be discovered by the neophyte trying to find his way - instead he finds a jumble of half forgotten scolls, half illegible journals, and oblique references. Without a mentor or guide, the pitfalls almong the path of the Magi are many. With the wrong mentor, one mistakes the pitfalls for the path and becomes damned.

Without something to ensure that one's sense of responsibility, and one's moral fiber keep pace with the growing power of the arcanist (or indeed anyone who becomes strong in any way), a lust for power begins to take hold. The greater the power, the stronger the temptation to misuse it. With time, those arcanists who lack a strong well centered cause tend to slowly slip into darkness as they become more and more distanced from those without power.....

There are still good men who hold arcane secrets out there, I can only pray that they are as tireless in their vigilance over their peers.

[GhostSpider]

Without a mentor or guide, the pitfalls almong the path of the Magi are many. With the wrong mentor, one mistakes the pitfalls for the path and becomes damned.

Unfortunately, too many kids are falling in like this. They discover some book or scroll, find they can do some mojo, than think they're Harry fucking Potter. Too many of them become lost in the power.

[Holister]

I personally do not know much about anything regarding magic. My boy Carter is the arcanist of the group, and it took him years of study and practice to get as good as he is now.

Sure I hear their are naturals in the area of the mystic arts, but how dangerous are the ones who think magic is a quick answer?

[Kolya]

In my experience, not very.

It's the ones that take magic very seriously that are the serious danger.

[Holister]

Interesting perspective. To my understanding though magic is like any other form of energy. It can be used for either good or evil, depending on the one using it.

But experience and discipline in its use I suppose also means alot.

[Kolya]

The neophyte is more a danger to himself than anybody else. Although sometimes they are playing with such power that they can't help but hurt somebody else. In general though they're a nuisance more than a real problem. They're definitely much easier to take down. They're not hardened and so their reaction to big men with guns is to cry like bitches and surrender, not blast you with a fireball or whatever.

[Holister]

Personally, I don't like it when they start slinging curses at you. Then there are those with lightning. Oh man I hate those guys with the lightning.

[Kolya]

I don't mind getting hurt nearly as much as getting paralysed.

[Holister]

Carter knows a spell that can "supposedly" turn someone to stone if ya' can buy that.

[Kolya]

I've seen a room with thousands of pages filling spell books.

Yea, I can believe it.

[Holister]

Sounds like Carter's dream house.

[Kolya]

It is.

And not just his.

[Holister]

Ill pass that along.

[Doctor Boggs]

Interesting perspective. To my understanding though magic is like any other form of energy. It can be used for either good or evil, depending on the one using it.

But experience and discipline in its use I suppose also means alot.

That's very true Mr Hollister, once you know how to channel that energy you can use it any way you like, the trick is learning how to use it. As any practitioner will the real problem isn't a bunch of dumb kids finding some real arcane secrets and starting to sling spells, since they don't have the tools necessary to use those things.

Nope, it's the cursed objects that are the problem. Some dumb teen thinks he's learned to fly and read minds but what he's really done is sold himself to an Imp or something because he can't read ancient languages properly. They aren't too tricky to deal with, just find the item and torch it. Or bury in consecrated earth. Or.. whatever works in that particular case.

As for dealing with a serious hoody hoo arcanist with bad intentions? No bloody idea, never met one.

[Kolya]

Hope that you don't.

[Doctor Boggs]

I sorta hope that myself, course having said that I probably will. Ain't life grand?

[Grace]

Doctor Boggs,

It is agreeable to see you still with us.

[Doctor Boggs]

Thank ya Nemesis, it's good to still be alive and kicking, which I attribute to my overdeveloped sense of caution.

[Grace]

It's not paranoia if they're really out to get you!

[GhostSpider]

No, it's still paranoia. Just well founded paranoia.