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#1 zombiegleemax Sep 22, 2004 20:53:04	Xychotic Explanation-Arcane Magic July 1, 2004, July 2, 2004; August 3, 2004; September 22, 2004 [size=2.5]For those of you who are familiar with me, you know I prefer this font. However, for the purposes of this article, I’m extending everyone the courtesy of keeping to the easiest to read font. Oh, in case anyone wonders, I read about the GNS theory and lean greatly toward Simulationism.[/size] I will explore the origins of arcane magic, from its initial discovery to its D&D use. Also, I will explore the various explanations for arcane magic in later works. To keep this exploration in keeping with the core of Dungeons and Dragons, the basics that the creators present will be used as our premises. “…she meditates on the pages that describe each one. The arcane symbols, which she penned by hand, would be nonsense to anyone else, but they unlock power from her mind As she concentrates, she all buts finishes casting each spell that she prepares. Each spell now lacks only its final trigger.” (PHB 3.5e, p. 169) “…which involve the direct manipulation of mystic energies.” (PHB 3.5e, p. 177) “If a wizard has cast spells recently, the drain on her resources reduces her capacity to prepare new spells.” (PHB 3.5e, p. 178) “To record an arcane spell in written form, a character uses complex notation that describes the magical forces involved in the spell. The notation constitutes a universal language that wizards have discovered, not invented. The writer uses the same system, no matter what her native language or culture. However, each character uses the system in her own way. Another person’s magical writing remains incomprehensible to even the most powerful wizard until she takes time to study and decipher it.” (PHB 3.5e, p. 178) “Materials for writing the spell (special quills, inks, and other supplies) cost 100 gp per page.” (PHB 3.5e, p. 178) This translates into the following points. The language of magic is universal, and at the same time highly individualized (contradiction). Magic is powered by the mind and magical forces (psionics involved?). A wizard’s magical power is measured by his personal resources (leaning toward the mind power). In order to streamline these disparate points, I’ll have to put them together in a manner that makes some sense. Arcane magic was discovered, specifically, the notation that describes arcane magic was discovered. There can be a causal relationship here, and I’ll take the liberty of defining it. The sorcerer came first, as his magic ability is a natural talent. His first experiences with magic were likely destabilizing and not nearly as refined as magic that we know. The sorcerer’s magic is only bound by what effects he witnesses, such as those created by a magical creature, natural events and the limits that are natural to the mystical forces that he manipulates. In fact, the sorcerer’s greatest magical achievement may very well be creating a magical effect that duplicates the ferocity and power of a bolt of lightning. With magic in the blood, the progeny of these sorcerers might also have these talents and be able to build upon their predecessors. This is where an interesting dichotomy pops up, if sorcerer magic depends on a natural talent, why is it that anyone can learn it (i.e., take Sorcerer levels)? This inconsistency bothers me to no end, but it can be explained in a number of ways. First off, in order to wield and begin to understand the mystical forces as sorcerers do requires an intuitive approach and the force of will to create the effects he desires. Secondly, it’s just a minor inconsistency that those persons that become adventurers have the gift. Anyway, the sorcerer probably didn’t write down his powers, as he didn’t do much writing at all anyway. We shoot forward down the timeline to a society that has stepped into the agrarian state. With the focus drawn away from simply survival and the introduction of governments, castes, and a greater ability to acquire resources, it becomes possible to direct intellectual energy in a progress-oriented manner toward arcane magic. With an established language, and a marginal population of sorcerers, people can try to develop an understanding of magic. Here is where wizards are introduced, as the intellectual pursuers of magical power. In order to make magic an accessible source of might, as any society with more magical power than another is likely to win competitions, the scholars write down their findings. Here is where an interesting dichotomy arises, one that can be explained in a uniquely causal manner. When a sorcerer describes his process, he describes exotic rituals and rites, nonsensical phonetics, even strange and seemingly pointless materials that trigger or catalyze (material or focus components) the magical effect he seeks to create. As a side note, sorcerers probably learned of the magical components only obviously associated with the magical effect he seeks to create (like cured leather for mage armor); the more complex or esoteric materials were later discovered by the wizards. When the scholar sought to transcribe this information, several possibilities could come up. The first is that his writing in his native tongue described complex and seemingly nonsensical procedures, rife with meaningless ritual with pearls of relevant materials. This writing, as it applies to the mystic energies that power magic, could actually transmute itself into a text that is altered by the very forces it seeks to define. In this way, a single spell could consume several feet of scroll space to accurately create the effect the sorcerer creates and the scholar wishes to create. The other possibility is that, when a sorcerer (who is already an intuitive individual) seeks to transcribe his magical energies, he allows his hand to flow freely, creating the magical writings that are actually a universal trait of magic itself. In this way, like fire, magical writing is discovered across the world and is fairly consistent. But, again, an interesting issue arises. How do we justify that magical writings written by someone other than yourself are unintelligible until properly deciphered? Again, this is a natural trait of magic writings. Magic writings are very literally unintelligible to everyone, there is nothing unique about it, that is simply a trait of magical writings. When you write it, you are the one deciphering and encoding (simultaneously) the processes of the magical formulae, meaning that you do understand it by virtue of the fact that you are the one writing it. In the case of the first discovery possibility, the scholars did not precisely understand the meaning of the ciphers that their text assumed. Instead, they only understood the general content and worked to deduce the script. The time it takes depends on the prosperity of the region and the presence of real competition. If the place is barren or complacent, progress will be made over a long period of time; whereas a place in constant competition with its neighbors and a healthy supply of resources would make fast progress. In the second case, sorcerers would be made aware of the shocking fact that their magic can be transcribed into a semi-legible form. Granted, attempts could have been made long before this stage, I do not think it would have really caught on before the development of parchment and a setting conducive to pursuits beyond simply survival. They would be able to try multiple times, and find the best ways to scribe their notes and the materials most suited to the process. Treatises on magic would be important and valuable texts. For the sake of argument, I will assume that magic followed the first option, which I will explore in more detail. When the first scholars tried to transcribe the formulae for spells, they are rife with meaningless rituals, rites, observations and catalysts. Magic is initially developed as an esoteric power to be feared. Those scholars that seek to learn and understand magic would either befriend someone already capable or themselves seek to expand their knowledge. In the process of documenting their procedures, the forces that they seek to document will influence their writings. Initially, this discovery turns out in the most unique manner. The scholars try to transcribe their formulae, and witness that their writing changes by virtue of the mystic energy, but incompletely. As a result, they try to catalyze the process to discover the end result, and find that a certain collection of exotic and esoteric ingredients, catalysts, and mystically relevant tools produce the best effects. By crosschecking different formulae with one another, consistencies and inconsistencies crop up. Magical writings are to magical scholars as the microscope is to biologists. Magical writings store the various “important” aspects of the formulae, as well as altering the chaff that was developed when the spell was developed. Scholars find the internal consistencies between the various examples of the same spells and filter out the valuable points to create the effect in the most direct and efficient manner. However, there remains strong contamination due to the base language that must be altered by the magic. Eventually the scholars of magic will find that it is possible to directly write the magical ciphers and diagrams, which is a huge undertaking by virtue of the fact that they have to establish a “magical alphabet” (which I imagine to be closer to written form of Chinese than the digital script of Western languages). This is also a huge step toward refining magic, allowing the transcription of much more pure and efficient formulae that facilitate more powerful and efficient castings. During this whole process, the scholars will invariably experiment. When it becomes obvious that one can create similar magical effects that sorcerers do after diligent study, the first wizards are raised. However, for the sake of in-game causal consistency, there is a subject that I have so far avoided. That damn irritating aspect of spell levels. Running parallel to the establishment of the cipher-script of magic, scholars, now called wizards, discovered a peculiar set of mystical energy unit values that are the most stable and safest to use. When fueling their spells within these “values,” the wizards suffer the smallest degree of error, and enjoy the most constant degree of success. Conversely establishing the most stable and safe casting of a given spell results in that spell using one of these certain, stable values, that we can call “isotopes.” The smallest values, the bottom 3, are actually available to persons of average intellect or force of will. The middle 4 values require above-average traits, while the top three require superhuman faculties. Consequently, the lowest 3 values have the greatest number of formulae, especially in a setting where magic is available to anyone who would put forth the effort to learn it. The middle 4 values are noted by impressive magical effects and require superior abilities and devotion. The selection of applications is fairly slim, but even the selection at this level can be expanded greatly given enough time. Lastly, the upper echelon of magic applications should necessarily have only a few selections by virtue of the fact that it takes the truly great to reach these heights. Spell applications beyond that are practically unheard of, as the intellect required is definitely superhuman and the magical energy requirements are outright staggering. Also, during this time of intellectual pursuits, sorcerers and wizards grow alongside one another. The definitive discovery of the language of magic allows them to part ways again as sorcerers acquire their power through intuitive understanding whereas wizards gain it through objective study. Sorcerers continue to wield magic at their whim, though they may only create effects that they master through contemplation or simply by spontaneous intuition. Wizards on the other hand are not afforded the luxury of simply grasping a given magic effect and creating it practically at will, instead, they must establish the energy that they can gather and apply it so that it may be called upon later. The process of preparing a spell can be likened to loading a gun, once everything is ready, a few simple decisions are all that remain to make it come into being. The process of preparing a wizard spell is a specialized one, the wizard goes through lengthy rituals in order to gather the requisite mystical energies and prepare them to be called upon at her whim. This energy is tied up, and given form, by the rituals and formula applied during preparation—the final process of casting a spell is actually the wizard selecting the appropriate formula and going through the rituals that would release this “tied up” energy. As a result, in order for the wizard to create the same effect multiple times, he must perform the same initiating ritual multiple times. In the search to establish greater versatility for existing magicks, wizards (and subsequently sorcerers) sought to slightly alter existing applications to have improved effects. Initially this process resulted in whole new applications that were mastered on their own as wholly different formulae, but it was later discovered that there are certain internal consistencies that can allow a particular “spell” (as they were named) to make it a more powerful version of a similar yet simpler spell. These unique modifications to existing spells required quite a bit of study in order to apply them properly and achieve consistent results. Among the simplest was to overcharge a given spell—later wizards learned to eliminate catalysts, redefine limits, and even remove inherent variations in a given spell’s casting. These applications, which needed to “retrofitted” to any given spell, called meta-magic- literally, “after” magic, as they are applied after a spell is created.
#2 Endarire Sep 27, 2004 21:35:58	One possible explanation for the disparity of the magic language and spellbook scribing is that of style. Modern doctors have a reputation for their scribbles and squiggles which are nearly incomprehensible to others. It may be possible for those with the same style, such as those taught by the same master, to be able to read, decipher, and use the same script. Just as some songs have multiple arrangements, writing, especially of the magic sort, does too. -EE
#3 zombiegleemax Sep 28, 2004 8:07:52	This is a nice article, but is mostly campaign setting type stuff (fluff). You suggest initially that it is a study of magic up to its use in D&D, I think you meant it is a study of the history of magic from a D&D perspective. I do have a couple of points to make: “To record an arcane spell in written form, a character uses complex notation that describes the magical forces involved in the spell. The notation constitutes a universal language that wizards have discovered, not invented. The writer uses the same system, no matter what her native language or culture. However, each character uses the system in her own way. Another person’s magical writing remains incomprehensible to even the most powerful wizard until she takes time to study and decipher it.” (PHB 3.5e, p. 178) This translates into the following points. The language of magic is universal, and at the same time highly individualized (contradiction). The language of magic is universal, much like the phonetic alphabet is widely used in western societies. The individual manner of writing, or using 'the system in her own way', is a difference of grammar and punctuation. Take these two examples. Example 1: You must mix the ingredients three times counter-clockwise in a mortar before casting the spell, this admixture is pinched between thumb and forefinger and tossed lightly into the air while speaking the phrase 'XYZ'. Example 2: You must speak exactly the phrase 'XYZ' and , while speaking this phrase you must, between thumb and forefinger, take the special mixture and sprinkle it lightly into the air. Now, this mixture is made especially beforehand using your mortar and taking the prescribed ingredients and grinding them together with your pestle, held tightly in left hand, moving it counter-clockwise three times. Already one can notice it is a difference of how the individual has prescribed this single step in the casting of a spell. Heap into this the entire process of preparing the spell and casting the spell. One might notice that one would have to read a version different from their own style of writing several times before they understand it and then try to cast the spell to see if it is correct. If it is not correct they would have to adjust and figure out what the original writer meant. This isn't taking into account that it is written in a magical/arcane script and readers must cypher it into their native language to understand it better and the cypher it back into the magical script in a manner they understand it. So yes, everyone must study and decipher someone elses writings so that they understand it. That damn irritating aspect of spell levels. “If a wizard has cast spells recently, the drain on her resources reduces her capacity to prepare new spells.” (PHB 3.5e, p. 178) I think part of your original quotation block answers your own concern about spell levels. Try to think of it in a different context. The person who has never lifted weights before is not going to step up to the platform and win an Olympic gold medal in weight lifting. As such is the case, think of a wizard or sorcerer as an intellectual weight lifter (flexing the mind so to speak, or whatever 'muscle' you want to associate with spell casting). They have to train their mind up to the capacity of casting 9th level spells (wish/miracle is the equivalent of hefting 200 Kg or 440 pounds over your head).
#4 zombiegleemax Oct 11, 2004 22:51:48	EE, Your example about doctors is kinda far fetched. There hand-writing has been cause for numerous cases of incorrect prescriptions... In all, I don't really get your example. B, I hate that term, "fluff." It implies absolute worthlessness and frivolousness such that the material proposed does not merit any real attention. These people at WotC have skillfully revealed just how they feel about it when they labeled it as such, not to mention how many stars my article's worth compared to those "crunch" articles, but that is not my point. Otherwise, you parsed my intent correctly, I wanted to explain magic from a D&D perspective. Since when are the languages of the west all that similar?! Explain how one gets bore-doe from bordeaux?! And let's not bother with German or Greek. Then, of course, we could go into the Latin-based languages, which all beat the heck out of the Latin based alphabet... Your differences in writing are entirely rhetorical. I read each of them in turn and understood both immediately. However, this is in no way "incomprehensible," merely tedious. As such, I claim that your example is non sequitor. I do understand something of what your getting at with your "mind as muscle" argument, however, it doesn't really apply. I already get the idea that you need to work out the mind before tackling the big-heavies. That makes sense. My beef is with the division of spells into arbitrary levels with any real causal justification, or even a nod at believability. I sought to at least offer some reason for this division of powers. --Xy P.S. Is my article really that bad, such that it merits but 2 stars. That seems to indicate that logic and causality is not exactly what anyone wants in their game? Or am I sliding down a slippery slope... I suspect not.
#5 theodorik Oct 13, 2004 14:06:31	What a fascinating look at Arcane Magic. It answers so many questions about things as simple as the spell Read Magic and the skill Decipher Script. Fluff is what makes a pen and paper game different from a computer game. Well done, but I must ask, I feel like not everything was covered. Is there more 'reading' that can be done on this line of thinking/view of the world? Can you compare it to Psionics, Divine Magic, and Innate Spell-like abilities? More, I say more!
#6 zombiegleemax Oct 14, 2004 15:46:11	B, Since when are the languages of the west all that similar?! Explain how one gets bore-doe from bordeaux?! And let's not bother with German or Greek. Then, of course, we could go into the Latin-based languages, which all beat the heck out of the Latin based alphabet... Your differences in writing are entirely rhetorical. I read each of them in turn and understood both immediately. However, this is in no way "incomprehensible," merely tedious. As such, I claim that your example is non sequitor. You're missing my point entirely and using your misunderstanding of what I said as the basis of your argument. You seem lack an understanding of the Phoenician/phonetic alphabet. Certainly the English use of the phonetic alphabet is entirely different from the French use. However, both languages utilize the same symbols for their written alphabet (with a few minor differences). This was my point. If a person from X fantasy D&D culture finds a spellbook written using the magical language (alphabet) but from a different culture - it could be as complicated as translating scientific algorithm written in German (not using Arabic numbers) into the written English language. My example was base and you still chose to misconstrue it, calling it a matter of rhetoric. Imagine taking the laws of hammurabi and only understanding the sound of each letter (not the structure of words or grammar even) and then trying to figure out what it does (its a codex) and then translating it into your native language. To complicate the matter, magic has to be precise or it fails, following the wrong step at the wrong time or mispronouncing a magical incantation means the spell fails. I do understand something of what your getting at with your "mind as muscle" argument, however, it doesn't really apply. I already get the idea that you need to work out the mind before tackling the big-heavies. That makes sense. My beef is with the division of spells into arbitrary levels with any real causal justification, or even a nod at believability. I sought to at least offer some reason for this division of powers. As tried to offer some reason as well. My example is merely to say you can't jump into quantum physics without understanding math first. Each level is a step up the chain of understanding in how magic works and having the working knowledge to cast complex magics (high level spells). That seems to indicate that logic and causality is not exactly what anyone wants in their game? Or am I sliding down a slippery slope... I suspect not. It does not indicate that everyone else does not want logic or causality in their game. What it means is that you have fallen down the slippery slope in thinking that everyone's campaign magic works as you think it should. I can testify first hand that magic in my campaign does not work as you offer. I am sure there are thousands of variations of how magic could work including the fact that the 'fluff' everyone has about straightforward D&D magic explains how it works entirely different. The fallacy in your argument is that there is more than one solution to the problem of fluff, but your adamant that what you say is the only solution.
#7 zombiegleemax Oct 17, 2004 0:14:27	I do understand something of what your getting at with your "mind as muscle" argument, however, it doesn't really apply. I already get the idea that you need to work out the mind before tackling the big-heavies. That makes sense. My beef is with the division of spells into arbitrary levels with any real causal justification, or even a nod at believability. I sought to at least offer some reason for this division of powers. --Xy Spell levels exist for the same reason that character levels do. In my opinion, they ought to be invisible from the roleplaying perspective.
#8 zombiegleemax Oct 19, 2004 21:38:57	B, Huh. I guess I did miss your point, I'm man enough to admit that. And your point is fairly clear, but I must insist that your look is a little too broad. Your argument makes sense, but I simply cannot believe that it applies in your sense to a small population like D&D wizards. So, if the language is to be universal and incomprehensible without study, I can only believe that it is by nature incomprehensible. Like I said, I do get what you're getting at with the brain muscle. I do not agree with you, per se, but can understand that approach. I also know that there are several different explanations of the nature of arcane magic, I was going to explore a bunch of them but for space constraints. Regardless, I don't acknowledge creationistic approaches as causally believable. Anyway, I never actually claimed that mine was the one and only, I just don't see very much causal believability in any others. You have one? Post it. Theo, I actually do intend to write about Divine magic, though that is probably the most controversial of my articles. Psionics from the D&D lens is the next in the series, though if I were to decide to continue based on the current posts, I would lean against. P.S. I don't actually think that mine is the only possible causal explanation. Just the only one I've so far encountered.
#9 zombiegleemax Oct 25, 2004 17:45:27	The language of magic is universal, and at the same time highly individualized (contradiction). It is not necessarily contradictory. My personal opinion is that wizards write in a coded language so that there are less thefts of spell books. The wizard might write it backwards, sideways, or in a way such as every letter equals the letter 5 letters ahead in the alphabet. So many people have developed similar methods so it is possible to decode but still rather hard. This provides a reasonable explanation. Although it doesn't explain why a sorcerer can decode a scroll. An alternate explanation is every spellbook and scroll is personalized to the wizard who made it. A sort of magic is what really encrypts the spell. This would explain how sorcerers can decode it. It also explains why materials for 1 page cost much more than the normal materials of their type.