fandomhigh | Supernatural Studies, Wednesday, Period 1

"Good morning," Jack greeted once everyone seemed to be in place. "We had a few requests to discuss magic users last week, so we're taking that on today."

"Fairy tales make it simple -- there are evil witches and good ones. The good ones might grant your heart's desire, but woe be onto you if you run into an evil one." The roll of Jack's eyes was just about audible. "The truth is, magic-users -- whether you call them witches or sorcerers or thamaturgists -- are just people with one very special skill, and no more likely to be all good or all evil than shoemakers or chemists."

"Magic is like vampires; it refuses to work the same way in any two worlds. I'll speak of how it works where I'm from, which will make perfect sense to some of you and sound like nonsense to others. Anyhow, at home magic is a skill, and not one seen as terribly glamorous. In theory anyone could learn at least the basics with enough patience and effort; in practice perhaps five percent of the population has the interest and knack to do much of anything with it. We say those people have a spark, and it tends to run in families.

"Now, if you have a 'spark,' you have two choices. Most people with magical abilities are hearth witches, nothing more. They might make a healing poultice or do a spell encouraging their garden to grow, but for the most part they live very ordinary lives. The government has discretion to punish these people if they make a nuisance of themselves or harm anyone, but for the most part it's left alone.

"But for some of the magically inclined, that's not enough. Those who want to become professional sorcerers go to special universities dedicated to the study of magic, where far more complex spells are taught. Graduates swear an oath and are tattooed with a sorcerer's brand on the chest. Some become physicians; others work in law enforcement. The schooling is difficult, and -- to quote Arachnid-Guy - 'with great power comes great responsibility.' They are expected to use their skills to serve the public. It is not a path for everyone, but those who pursue it can do all the good in the world."

He thought of Abby Irene, then, of how she'd quite possibly saved his life.

"So that's my world. My question for you is, does it make sense to openly regulate magic the way we do? Or should the state and spellbooks stay far from each other?"

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Like a wizard did it.

AKA talky meat time.

Should the state regulate magic? Or is that a bad plan? Why?

Once we tag in.

Jackson Whittemore

Jackson wasn't listening. He was trying to, but, well.

His mind was a little busy right now.

Stiles Stilinski

Stiles was listening intently today because of the whole spark business. He wished Deaton wasn't so vague about it.

I don't know whether to be glad or sad that Karla is not in this class.

Both, with glad slightly edging out, as I don't have to type up her feeeeeeeeeeeeelings.

Sholeh Zeela a Zhahar

Sholeh thought about some of the things Evan told her and squirmed. "I don't know if it's exactly fair to the magic-users," she said softly. "The government is just controlling people with certain abilities. When any one group of people are singled out for special treatment, things get...difficult."

The teal deer would have been very happy with her, anyhow?

(I would have loved having Karla's feelings to nom upon.)

"MAGIC IS THE STAAAAAAATE!"

They need to get together sometime soon and just have this talk at a bar or something. Because, oh goodness yes, the feels.

"I don't necessarily disagree, but you have to factor in that someone with the right training can kill with magic," Jack pointed out. "Is regulating magic use any different from licensing people who want to drive cars or own guns? Remember I'm talking about using magic, not just being born with the ability to."

"Well, people who can use guns don't necessarily get branded before using them, do they?" Sholeh asked. "Or have to go to a special school, or be expected to work in specific jobs?"

"No," Jack admitted. "So would something more like a straight registry be enough? You tell the state you want to use magic, and they leave you alone unless you break another law? Or is even that much regulation unfair?"

Now Sholeh had to think. "I guess it depends on how much regulation you have for other things. If you have to do that with a gun or to get a car or stuff like that, then that's probably fair. And maybe have stricter punishment for people that use magic to break laws? I mean, I know this world has stricter punishments for people who commit crimes with a gun than without it. So, I think that would be fair?"

Percy Jackson

Jack Frost

Anna Korlov

Toby Logan

Toby chewed thoughtfully on his bottom lip before answering.

"I think it should be treated like any other skill," he said finally. "I mean, like you said, if you're just using it to make your garden grow or a healing spell for a friend... then fine, but if you're actively trying to profit from it, there should maybe be some sort of- maybe not government-regulated but some sort of certification. Just like people who want to be electricians or whatever as opposed to just tinkering on their own." He shrugged. "It protects both the magic user and their, uh, client, that way. And obviously," he added, after a beat, "if they're using magic to commit crime, that needs to be dealt with."

Mercy Thompson

Korra

Hanna Marin

James of Krondor

"A certain level of involvement," James said. "The courts hold position for a magician, as well as for a head priest, to advise on certain matters. But the state to pass laws? To hold bans? It may end badly." He did not have an easy answer.

Liara T'soni

Supernatural Studies, Wednesday, Period 1

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