Conversation

Introduction

This article discusses in detail each of the most prominent Conversations with the Mona. These conversations are blanket disciplines encompassing more specific areas of study. All of these conversations are taught at all galdori places of education, such as Brunnhold, and within each Conversation there are various Branches and Chapters, each with different degrees of difficulty and power.

Each section defines the type of Conversation, as well as the applications, mechanics, risks and limitations thereof. There is also a list that details different examples of spells one can cast within a given field. Each type of spell has many different spells published under that spell category, so use that as a guide to help you when you're roleplaying spell use. Since every sorcerer's relationship with the mona and approach to casting is unique, like a signature, no two galdori will ever cast the same spell in the same way. Sometimes these differences may be very nuanced, but other times these differences will be vast and highly recognizable.

Keep in mind that discipline classifications represent only the current orthodox theory of Brunnhold's academics, not a universal separation. Different Kingdoms approach magic in very different ways, both on a classification level and an educational one.

Conversational Classification

There are six classifications of Conversation: Physical, Static, Living, Perceptive, Clairvoyant, Quantitative and Meta. These Conversations are vastly different from one another in terms of spell construction and syntax. Each is explained below.

Each spell often has several different uses, and, in many cases, several different "flavors" which can be used to achieve different effects. For example, the Sting spell has numerous variations; the spell is still mostly the same, but with tiny differences in wording. Some Conversations overlap in their subject matter, such as how Physical and Static magic often affect the same things in different ways, and Quantitative Conversation is a rather overarching discipline that has magical uses alongside all other Conversations of magic.

Skill Levels

Skill levels are typically broken up into three "stages" of Conversational development. Every one of these qualifications apply to individual Conversation within certain disciplines, so it is possible to be advanced at one spell and merely elementary at another. It is up to you to decide how skilled your character would be, given his or her age, education, focus, determination and intelligence.

Elementary conversation is the level that every galdor learns at Brunnhold. The name is slightly misleading; there is nothing easy or basic about the spells cast by even very young galdori. At this skill level a galdor can manipulate the physical world quite well. Most galdori have mastered the elementary stage of conversation. Obviously, the educational years is the time in a galdor's life when they are learning at the most rapid rate. There is an extreme difference in the conversation skill of a ten-year-old versus a twenty-year-old, even if they are both considered elementary conversationalists. The majority of galdori are at the elementary skill level, and remain so for their entire lives; conversationalists must be at least ten to cast spells.

Intermediate conversation is more difficult than elementary, typically learned near the end of one's education and studied past graduation from University. Many adult galdori continue to study in order to reach intermediate skill after they have left school. At this skill level, a galdor's understanding of the natural world is tested more than ever. Galdori learn more about the nature of the things they are manipulating; they learn to focus themselves, to meditate, and to achieve a state of calm during spell-casting. This leads to them being able to perform more powerful spells. Most intermediate casters are over the age of twenty, though some prodigies begin a couple years earlier.

Advanced conversation is the most difficult level of casting, achievable only with a great amount of drive and determination. Most galdori adults do not advance to the advanced level of casting unless their job specifically calls for that sort of mastery. Advanced spells are capable of total manipulation of the natural world as well as parts of the spirit world. Having reached a state of inner peace and balance, advanced casters can begin to explore the monic will. Gaining the trust of the mona allows them to attempt far more powerful spells without fearing retribution, and they have the ability to control the negative side effects that come from conversations. Things that would not normally be possible through spells are possible at this stage, even manipulation of the monic order: hiding one's field, suppressing backlash, manipulating ghosts, even temporarily suspending the ability of others to cast. Most advanced casters are over thirty-five years of age; it is impossible to reach this level without many years of study, practice and meditation.

Counterspells

Almost all but the most powerful spells have a Counterspell, a spell which reverses the original effect. The counterspell is usually learned in tandem with the original. Depending on the skill of the caster, spells may be more difficult to break. Countering a spell requires quick action and extremely precise recitation as well as skill and focus.

Universal Counterspell: Explained very simply, this spell says "NO!" to any oncoming spell. The caster may direct their energies to make sure that a spell misfires, goes wrong, or does not occur at all. This is differentiated from a normal counterspell in that it is a one-size-fit-all spell that can work against most conventional magic. However, it is tricky to cast properly and very temperamental.
Additional countermagic is found in Clairvoyant Conversation through the Branch known as Warding.

Please note: Counterspells are most successful when a caster is at Intermediate or Advanced levels in a particular Conversation.

Monic Relationship

Each galdor (and wick, actually) has their own unique relationship with the Mona, and each galdor casts with their own unique flair or flavor, which gives each spell a slightly different cause and effect for each person. For example Judy might have a good loving relationship with the Mona and a motherly touch, so when she casts healing it not only does the healing but is gentle and almost painless. John on the other hand is sketchy with the Mona, he's brailed before and the Mona aren't particularly receptive to him. He's also a bit of a grump. When he casts heal, it does the job but its not painless. Its clinical and abrupt.

You may flavor your spells to your own liking. See Casting for more information on phrasing spells in roleplay.

Types of Conversations

Physical

Physical conversation controls or suspends the laws of physics, encompassing gravity, light, motion, sound and other universal laws. It also includes the study and manipulation of different forms of energy. To cast a strong physical spell, many years of training are needed to balance the forces within the body; one's state of internal balance is directly linked to the success of Physical conversation.

Physical conversation is considered the purest form of magical conversation, the epitome of understanding the known univers. It's the specialization in the Kingdom of Gior.

Static

Static conversation involves non-living organic or inorganic materials and the atomic/molecular composition thereof. This pursuit is considered the best possible kind of conversation for warfare, as the ability to control one's surroundings is paramount in conflicts. However, this pursuit also has peaceful applications; many Static sorcerers go on to become great architects, sculptors or scientists. The ability to manipulate on the atomic level is the end result of a lifetime of static study.

This conversation is favored in Hox.

Living

Living conversation involves organic life forms, including sentient beings. It is primarily used for the purposes of healing and growth, but also has the potential to cause harm to living things. Students who specialize in living conversation often go on to be Healers, and must study the body intimately in order to become adept and healing it; other possible careers include botanist, veterinarian, surgeon and many others.

Living conversation is the favored conversation in Hesse.

Perceptive

Perceptive conversation involves the mind, both the conscious and subconscious; it is used to manipulate how individuals perceive: altering thoughts and memories, affecting the nervous system, or deceiving the senses in various ways. Perceptive conversation is academically argued to be a subset of Living conversation, but only because it is focused entirely on the brain and its complex workings. It is the most difficult conversational discipline.

Citizens of Bastia tend to favor Perceptive conversation for its ability to make the country even more appealing to tourists.

Clairvoyant

Usually called Scrying, Clairvoyance is a conversational discipline used most often to divine answers to questions, though it is also used for protection through Warding. Normally precluding Quantitative conversation, it is still seen as a separate discipline despite functioning on many of the same principles. It differs from Perceptive conversation because instead of needing close range, Scriers can divine information that is not readily available over long distances or even reachable by normal means.

Clairvoyant conversations are mostly favored by the Kingdom of Mugroba.

Quantitative

Quantitative conversation works by harnessing the senses of the caster and sending them into overdrive for a very short period of time. This results in scientists occasionally learning things they did not specifically ask to know. The answers to questions appear within the caster's mind, and the caster records the answer. As one becomes more adept at Quantitative conversation, the accuracy of the measurements taken improves drastically.

Quantitative conversations are the specialty of the Kingdom of Anaxas.

Anima Magic

Anima magic is considered a pseudo-conversation and theoretical exploration that involves the study and manipulation of magic itself. It is immensely complex and allows for the study of the mona and their responses to spells.

This is a highly specialized class mainly pursued by monic theorists and experimental sorcerers.