Quote:The Arcane as a discipline is underexplored and underutilized. I have seen several bright young minds seek to push boundaries within its fields, and this is far welcomed. Yet to the majority of man, its potential seems wasted - individuals who seek to wield, never to innovate. It is perhaps thought by many that these represent the 'peak' of the art, that they cannot possibly breach nor push into distinct and fascinating new horizons.

These are wrong, of course. Mishra Canon's invention of Eminence, Vale Ackerman's creation of Jade Sorcery, and my creation of Umbramancy. Loramelian's Abscission, even Lirael Equisol and the Blacklight Ritual... these are but a few examples. Most of them are lost knowledge, now.

Yet it is not something to blame these newer lives for. How many in this era are even aware of the history of the arcane? Of the time before sorcery, when it was known to only a select few, and yet worked wonders unseen and unheard of? They broke ground, performed feats thought miracles. Meranthe is a land without history, at times, a death of what came before and a burning up of the collective generational wealth of knowledge by crisis after crisis, war after war, death after death.

It is part of why I must endure, that these are not lost forever to time.

It is commonly held that Sorcery is the only road to Arcane power.
I am here to prove to you that there is another, as used in the past.
As rediscovered, and pushed to greater heights beyond.
Another path for mankind, for those who grasp at reality's threads.

Thaumaturgy.

Quote:"I am not mentoring those who killed my people and burned down my home."

Quote:How invigorating it is to teach, if a touch exhausting all the same. A good kind of tired, preparing those who have just stepped into the world... the first lesson was a startling success for many, a breakthrough for them into the field. Enough to sink their teeth into and begin their work.

Perhaps I should simply write that one down... but many questions were answered. Now, it is time to step a little further towards something more direct. The foundations of their learning. I am no contract mage, only familiar with the technique in its working. Still, one could figure it out.

Time for more practical approaches.

Quote:Chaos is by nature a destructive force. Hazardous to mind and body alike, banned in some nations, and used for acts of immense damage over history. Yet one does not call the flame evil for the wildfire's course, nor blame the rain for hurricanes, nor curse the earth for the quake. This magic holds great use for mankind, so long as one remembers to treat it with the respect it deserves.

For the moment you do not, it will kill you - or worse.

Quote:And now to bring it all together. The Arcane in full, the sublime intersection of Order and Chaos. To not simply unmake or preserve, but to rebuild a tiny portion of the world in your own image and ideal. It is a hungry thing that is not without great effort and strain- but that does not mean it is incapable of working wonders, however small.

This would be the last traditional lesson, Thaumaturgy and Transfiguration being my own creations that extend far beyond traditional arcane theory... a conclusion to what you have learned so far.

I will try to ensure a book containing relevant information is published soon. Perhaps a simple thing like "Practical guide to Arcane Magic." That would be nice.

Quote:Transfiguration and Thaumaturgy. Some of you have been present when these were used, but to others- perhaps not.

Faith-empowered Arcane. Theurgy was spat on and derided by so many in this modern era of book burning and church-razing. Those who extol supreme egotism as the prime virtue of man, not realizing they have only exchanged one set of bindings for another... or perhaps believing that to stand wholly alone is their destiny without understanding just how miserably empty of an existence it is.

There is strength in adherence to rules and customs, in alignment with others and with greater powers. Something inherent to the world itself. The greatest works of man count no small sum of their number as being wrought from faith- and thus, this discipline, "Miracle Work," should inspire all.

And what miracles! Transfiguration, marvelous Transfiguration, to wipe clean the wounds of old and shape the flesh into something new. Something stronger. Something better. A redefining of the very image of man into forms more optimized and perfected, for just as we shaped tools, we shaped the world- now we may shape ourselves. The sublime intersection of Transmutation, Transformation, Medicine, Faith, and Golemcraft, all aligned to shine the light on a new tomorrow. The dream of a near-century of healing come to light.

A world without frailty.
A world without deformity.
A world without scars.

Quote:The Arcane is ever a discipline that can spark enlightenment. The understanding of the world's flow, the path by which it moves. The true shape of things. For all its flaws, for all the malefactors within, there is beauty in it. For all the obsession that Chaos brings to many, so too is there a wonder in Order's procession, oft forgotten. A glory all its own.

In an era so littered with malignance, plagued by the forces of the Void- so many may benefit from the learning of this art of Order. So many wished to learn... and as before, so now, I will teach.

The arts must not be forgotten, nor monopolized by those of ill intent and malign will. The arcane is for those whom would build, not destroy endlessly. It is for those whom truly, in their heart of hearts, seek to make the world better- not merely cry a pretext to burn it all down.

Quote:When the wonder of creation is lain bare before you, when you touch upon the fabric and reach behind the curtain- it may change you. Perhaps there will come one whom is inspired, who pushes further, who sees a future for this art, as I do, beyond its use as a butcher's blade... or perhaps, to the many whom learn, it will serve as a tool to preserve all they cherish against the rising tide of regression.