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fandomhigh2016-03-10 11:26 pm
nuclear_snide) wrote in fandomhigh2016-03-10 11:26 pm
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Defending Yourself Against Magic | Friday, period 2
The Danger Room this week was back to simulating a room, this time one that looked a bit like an alchemist's lab, albeit a well-lit one with lots of windows.
"So," he said, clapping his hands, "not all defence is something active. One sort you should definitely learn about is wards. Broadly defined, a ward is anything that keeps something from coming near it, crossing over it, or affecting it. More specifically, they tend to be symbols or substances - or both - that keep away things that want to hurt you. There are a lot of different kinds of wards; we'll cover some of the basics, and the principles behind them, which should apply wherever you are. We'll be spending at least two weeks on them, because when it comes to defence, they're rather key.
"Sometimes a ward is as simple as having a specific substance; no magic required. There are creatures that can't cross running water, or that abhor salt or cold iron; surround yourself with it, and they can't get in. Surround them with it, and they can't get out."
He drew in the air as he continued to talk. "After that, the most basic thing to remember is a circle. Any shape that's completely closed can be used to keep things out or in, but unless you really want to waste concentration on the different points of distance and strengths needed for a square or a triangle or an irregular polygon, I suggest a circle. It's a classic for a reason.
"Now, you can make that circle out of nothing but will if you need to; visualise it and it's there. But it's easier to have a focus. Draw the circle, focus on the physical image. Set it down on the ground. Anything circular. Use a hula hoop if it's what you have." And you were weird. Harry.
"The simplest barrier, something like this, is generally used in the traditions I know for casting a spell and avoiding outside influence or keeping its effect localised, or as the basis of more complex rituals."
He drew another shape in the air. "The pentagram is also a powerful shape in several worlds." He touched each point in turn, evoking flares of light. "Air, fire, water, earth, spirit. Again, you can visualise something at each point, or you can use a physical representation. A fan or balloon, a candle, a cup of water, a bowl of earth, an enchanted item. Or yourself. The point is, each element reinforces the others, and between them all, they can shield from just about anything. If your world has another concept of the elements, you may need to use another shape."
Hopefully not a triangle. Sorry, Mabel.
"So, as we've been over before - materials, focus, and will. Wards can combine these in pretty much any combination. The sort you need mostly depends on what you want to do. Today, I'm going to give you several scenarios, and I want you to each build a ward to use for each of them. Brainstorm, research," he waved at the bookcase on one wall, "ask questions, or improvise. As long as it's likely to work."
"So," he said, clapping his hands, "not all defence is something active. One sort you should definitely learn about is wards. Broadly defined, a ward is anything that keeps something from coming near it, crossing over it, or affecting it. More specifically, they tend to be symbols or substances - or both - that keep away things that want to hurt you. There are a lot of different kinds of wards; we'll cover some of the basics, and the principles behind them, which should apply wherever you are. We'll be spending at least two weeks on them, because when it comes to defence, they're rather key.
"Sometimes a ward is as simple as having a specific substance; no magic required. There are creatures that can't cross running water, or that abhor salt or cold iron; surround yourself with it, and they can't get in. Surround them with it, and they can't get out."
He drew in the air as he continued to talk. "After that, the most basic thing to remember is a circle. Any shape that's completely closed can be used to keep things out or in, but unless you really want to waste concentration on the different points of distance and strengths needed for a square or a triangle or an irregular polygon, I suggest a circle. It's a classic for a reason.
"Now, you can make that circle out of nothing but will if you need to; visualise it and it's there. But it's easier to have a focus. Draw the circle, focus on the physical image. Set it down on the ground. Anything circular. Use a hula hoop if it's what you have." And you were weird. Harry.
"The simplest barrier, something like this, is generally used in the traditions I know for casting a spell and avoiding outside influence or keeping its effect localised, or as the basis of more complex rituals."
He drew another shape in the air. "The pentagram is also a powerful shape in several worlds." He touched each point in turn, evoking flares of light. "Air, fire, water, earth, spirit. Again, you can visualise something at each point, or you can use a physical representation. A fan or balloon, a candle, a cup of water, a bowl of earth, an enchanted item. Or yourself. The point is, each element reinforces the others, and between them all, they can shield from just about anything. If your world has another concept of the elements, you may need to use another shape."
Hopefully not a triangle. Sorry, Mabel.
"So, as we've been over before - materials, focus, and will. Wards can combine these in pretty much any combination. The sort you need mostly depends on what you want to do. Today, I'm going to give you several scenarios, and I want you to each build a ward to use for each of them. Brainstorm, research," he waved at the bookcase on one wall, "ask questions, or improvise. As long as it's likely to work."
Class activity!
1. A black court vampire wants to come in your house. Stop it. (Remember the class is wards, not stabbings.)
2. You have a very delicate spell to weave, and it's storming outside. Keep the storm from affecting your casting.
3. There's a spot of bad energy in a house, and you need to contain it so you can clean it out.
4. Congratulations, you've cleaned the house. Now you want to keep it clean for good.
Discuss, research, ask questions, and say how you'd ward for each of these.
Re: Class activity!
"How d' ya know if the nasty-thing coming at your face is stopped by salt or by iron or by silver?" asked the girl for whom water was a pretty damn good ward for keeping her away. "I mean, 'm guessing you ain't usually got time to try all three an' ask them nicely to stay put."
Re: Class activity!
He shrugged. "And if you're in a hurry, just try all three at once."
Re: Class activity!
...
"Why do we want to stop the vampire?"
IT WAS A DREAM COME TRUE, BOB. A DREAM. COME TRUE.
Re: Class activity!
Not the Black Court type, Mabel. Trust him.