1.45

““You ran through the night to get here? And dodged an…[Assassin]? I really can’t believe that one, but you described a classic [Assassin] perfectly.””

““It’s just something that really interests me. And defending myself is part of it, but I just want to learn about magic. It was not…widely practiced where I come from.””

““Just watch. I’m going to draw a symbol in the air. I want you to look at it and tell me what you see. Don’t worry; there’s no time limit. And if your eyes start to hurt, you can look away.””

““You were going to teach me a few spells, weren’t you? Well, I can’t cast magic, but Rags can. Will you teach her something?””

““But there was a test. I can’t cast magic, Krshia.””

““Mm. How so? Eat, drink. But tell me. I am very curious.””

““Mm. I am well, thank you for asking. And I am relieved to speak with you at last. Many people and many things have gotten in the way of our speaking, yes? But it is important we should speak. So I have decided.””

““I’m almost drained. I’m sorry. I can’t keep going.””

““My world? It’s not like this one. Not at all. It’s so different I can’t even explain how strange it is to be here.””

““—Of course I could teach you, Ryoka. And I’d be happy to help—but I have to ask, what brought this on?””

““If we are to do this, must we include the Goblin?””

““That is the name you gave her, certainly. Her Goblin name may be unpronounceable to you and I, but I suspect she objects to your pet name as much as I do.””

““Fair enough. Just please don’t be disappointed if you don’t start casting [Fireballs] left and right, okay? Most Humans I’ve tried to teach, well, they’re quite impatient. And it’s not as if having a half-Elf teacher makes learning magic any easier.””

““Never underestimate magic. Never take it lightly. Even in practice, even when you believe you have mastered a spell to its utmost. Unlike wielding a hammer or a sewing needle, magic is quite capable of slaying an incautious practitioner outright.””

““—Any species can learn magic. But not all members have the potential. From Minotaurs to Dullahans to Centaurs, [Mages] exist. Except Gnolls, of course, but they have their [Shamans].””

““Just relax. Look at it only as long as you’re comfortable. If you can’t understand it, that’s fine.””

““Goblins, on the other hand, practice a different form of magic. They draw their mana not only from the environment, but from each other. Thus a single Goblin may use the mana of the entire tribe it is affiliated with to cast spells.””

““Goblins cannot learn magic in the traditional sense. It is impossible. Surely if they had the potential it would have been discovered, analyzed in centuries hence. The potential ramifications—or is it simple freak divergence? Ancestry?””

““She can cast magic, right? Not just her tribal magic, but your kind of magic. She can learn. Will you teach her?””

““Tell you what. If you come in every other day and teach her for lessons, I’ll feed you for free. Deal?””

““He wasn’t mean about it. He did a test—it looks like I’m just one of the Humans who can’t cast magic, that’s all. It’s not his fault or anything.””

““Like what? You mean the chess? Don’t worry, no one gets that.””

““That is not what I meant. He tells you that you are no mage. It is not for him to decide, yes?””

““Mm. This is another polite Human lie, yes?””

““You say this is a world full of Humans? That is strange, yes? Are there no other creatures?””

““I have never heard of any Goblin whose abilities matched that of a proper mage. Their innate capabilities are likely too low to support the strain of spellcasting. Their race as a whole can barely snuff out a candle, let alone magically.””

““I found out I’m not a mage, that’s all. I can’t cast magic, and I won’t ever be able to.””

““‘Not all Humans?’ Does that mean that other races have greater or lesser potential to become mages? How about your kind?””

““I—am infusing the air around you with my mana. It will allow you to cast spells if you have the potential.””

““I’ve never seen colors like that before. They’re so…bright.””

““You are not busy? We will have drinks in my home.””

““How many of them are there? How many nations? Is it a small world?””

““Not all Humans have the potential to become [Mages]. It’s a matter of talent as well as your body’s innate magical potential.””

““…Yes? I think so. Wait…let me do the math.””

““Sorta? It feels small sometimes. I know overpopulation is an issue.””

““It’s better than calling her ‘Goblin’. Besides, she doesn’t mind it. Right, Rags?””

““Ahem. Names aside, why is she here? You asked me to teach you magic.””

““Very well, how should I start? I suppose it would be important to learn how much you know of magic.””

““That simplifies things. Well then, I guess I’ll tell you what magic is.””

““Tribal magic. Feh. Just as I said—Gnolls and Goblins have access to another, lesser…different kind of magic.””

““A neophyte in tribal magic and a tiny tribe can hardly do the greatest feats of magic, Erin. Miss Solstice. Nor can one heal in any kind of magic easily.””

““Anything! Whatever you wish! Fire, water, a shiny new pot. Will the magic to obey your command!””

““Don’t stop. It’s my turn now. The test isn’t over yet, right? I can still continue?””

““There’s no more magic left in the air. It’s all dissipated, Erin.””

““Are you okay? What happened? Speak to me, Krshia.””

““I do not know this word. Erin, what is a ‘billion’? It is a counting number, yes?””

““It is a word I heard with Goblins. A million is a large number. Larger than mountains. A thousand thousands, yes?””

““You can walk on water!? And heal? What am I talking to you about, then? Rags, teach me your ways!””

““I should really ban questions. Well, to summarize a complex issue, the magic your little friend used is not true magic. Or at least, not the magic practiced by [Mages]. It is an amalgamation of mana drawn from her tribe, such as it is.””

““Oh, of course not. It’s just a test, that’s all. This is how I was taught as a child. I know Humans do it differently, but it should work for you.””

““I’ve—well I’ve never considered having an apprentice. You do know I specialize in necromancy, don’t you? But on the other hand—I am quite proficient in general areas of magic. And of course anyone with a basic grasp of the fundamentals could learn. But a Goblin for a student…?””

““I come from a place called Michigan. It’s pretty nice there. Lots of big lakes, wonderful weather—except when it snows or rains really hard, of course. I lived in a nice house, with my folks—””

““I ask this in confidence. I promise by my tribe and by the open sky and earth that I would never betray your trust or secrets given. But I must ask, and my kin must know. This land you come from—it is not like this one, yes?””

““Magic is an art. It is something only the most gifted and dedicated may aspire to. Those who have true mastery of spellcraft create works of beauty and wonder with each incantation.””

““Isn’t that magic? Why’d you call it tribal magic?””

““A thousand people and only one caster? A ridiculous waste.””

““Relax. Don’t stare at it so hard. Let it be.””

““She can be a mage. I get it.””

““You. Goblin child. Was your mother non-Goblin? Or…your father?””

““That was no tribal magic. That was the very beginning of the [Firefly] spell.””

““I’m going to visit some friends. Don’t follow me into the city. Wait around the inn while I’m gone. Do something useful. I’ll be back before nightfall.””

““I found myself staring at this big lizard. With wings. A Dragon.””

““A billion is a thousand millions. So that’d be a thousand thousand thousands. What a tongue twister. It’d be…a hundred thousand ten thousand times. Does that make sense?””

““Good! My house is only a few minutes away. Follow me.””

““I have been thinking much since I watched you play your game of chess. Against the Antinium named Pawn. Many things you said I heard and wondered at.””

““Uh, two days? Gerial’s room is disgusting, you know. He folds his sheets and lines his boots up. Polishes them too. Calruz is almost as bad. You want to stay? The Guild doesn’t like non-adventurers, but we can ask.””

““No, it’s okay. I knew magic wasn’t for everyone. And Rags could do it, right?””

““Oh, tribal magic. Yeah, Pisces told me about it. But I wasn’t born a Gnoll.””

““Oh, um, yeah. I’m from another world. Sorry I didn’t tell you earlier.””

““Oh tons of creatures. Lots of animals. Dogs, cats, penguins, cows…but just no people like—like you. People who think and speak is what I mean.””

““Yes, and so you are told you can never become a mage because one tells you so. It is regrettable, yes?””

““It is just—may I state my objections now? Magic is not a game or a ‘trick’. I took your request seriously in no small way because I believed you had a genuine desire to learn. Well, the Goblin might wish for the same, but this is no trivial matter. Will you promise to take this seriously?””

““Fine, fine. I am taking this seriously, Pisces. And I do want to know. So teach me? Please?””

““Once, everyone used to know magic—or so my grandfather told me. It was as simple as breathing even for children, and all half-Elves learned Tier 2 magic before they’d reached their teenage years. But in Human cities and other nations, students study under older mages or travel to schools like Wistram Academy.””

““But I haven’t time to get into the variation in classes over centuries. Where was I? Oh, of course. Magic. Let us not forget what we are here to learn. Very well, I assume you understand a bit of what magic is. Now to test you.””

““I’m, ah, sorry, Miss Solstice.””

““Um, is it six or seven? Seven? I think we’re supposed to have eight sometime soon.””

““If you were born a Gnoll, this would not be an issue, yes? Human magic is different from ours. We give magic to those who are chosen. A [Shaman] for each tribe is chosen, and they wield the magic of all. We choose who can cast magic, not a single person.””

““Enough sadness. This is not why I have called you here. Leave magic for [Mages], Erin. It is not as important as they think. People are important. The tribe is important—if you had one. Without it? I see your friends, like Selys, and even your strange guests like the Antinium and…Goblins as being your tribe. Friendships and ties are important.””

““Allow me to explain another way. Magic surrounds us. It is in everything, but an individual’s capacity for magic varies. And the same goes for our surroundings. Thus, in a highly magically charged environment, spells are naturally easy to cast. In a null zone, a [Mage] must rely solely on his or her own internal magical energy to cast spells.””

““No. It is what you said. You come from another world. I heard you speak of it and wondered at the miracle.””

““It is not a dangerous process. I simply wish to ascertain whether or not either of you can become mages. I will test you in the traditional style. Do not move, and I will saturate the area around you with raw mana and allow you to demonstrate your magical ability—or lack thereof.””

““I don’t know what magic is, exactly. It is a mystery, but I can tell you it is in the air we breathe, in each step we take and the beating of our hearts. Animals can grow to massive sizes with magic, and magical environments can be wondrous—like fields of wheat that can sprout from seeds overnight in Noelictus, for instance. It’s an amazing thing, but it is dangerous. Terribly so, and people have long overestimated their control of it.””

““One supposes it is their tribal magic. I have never met a Gnoll at Wistram or a [Mage] of their people in general. They have [Shamans]—another kind of magic-user. But no [Mages] in Wistram. I heard a rumor once—nevermind. Minotaurs can be [Mages]. Anyone can be a [Mage]. But Gnolls. Even Goblins. Is this clear enough for you?””

““But how? You never said.””

““I mean about her. Not me.””

““You mean you’re going to tell…other Gnolls?””

““Mm. Yes. If I must, I think it is better to share a secret that is important. And these Gnolls shall tell others if need be. But they shall keep it a secret within our tribe, our people. Your secret shall not be spoken to any not of Gnollkind. That is what I meant. I swear upon Silverfang and the upcoming Meeting of Tribes—we shall not betray your trust. And it will be all Gnolls, all the Gnolls of the Great Plains who hold that secret and support you, if need be.””

““Right, and I thought she’d like to learn too.””

““Well, even those types of spell casters are unique. Chosen. They are still capable of casting spells, which is more than can be said for a majority of Humanity or most species.””

““Okay, sure. Not all Humans are mages. Some of us are Muggles. Got it?””

““I’m okay. I am. I saw it.””

““Eat up. I bet you’re hungry. And you—””

““Um, one day, I found myself here. I just turned a corner and blam.””

““Okay, sure. What did you want to talk to me about so much, Krshia?””

““Yeah. It breathed fire at me, and I ran. Then there were some Goblins…and then I found the inn. After that, it was all survival until I met Klbkch and Relc and then—you know the rest.””

““Ah, Erin Solstice. I have been waiting for you to return, yes?””

““Ah, you like the scurry-food? Silkap. You can make it into cubes, or a spread, or many forms. It is quite good.””

““They run the Mage’s Guilds, right?””

““It’s you. Go away, you.””

““How are you doing, Krshia?””

““All over the world. Not that they send their [Mages] to run every single one, but yes. They help run the [Message] spells, and they’re one of the real teachers of magic. Don’t let the class fool you. A [Mage] can be an adept with lots of training or someone who’s making it up as they go along. Those accredited by Wistram Academy or similar institutions of magic are pretty rare and usually better than the self-taught ones.””

““I assume you mean half-Elves. Yes, their affinity towards spellcasting is far greater than our own. However, a speciesist advantage does not translate into individual ability. Nor does that mean the greatest mages are always nonhuman. In fact, some of the most famous Archmages of this era are Human. Like, er, Verdan Blackwood. Or Archmage Viltach. Great…esteemed [Mages] I have personally met.””

““Ah. And who is doing the telling of this?””

““Well? Did you see what I wrote? Can you tell me what it says?””

““It isn’t proper magic, that’s all. True, these [Shamans] may copy many magic spells, but they are born out of a collective will and lack structure and form. True, they can do things that modern magic cannot easily replicate. I have heard some [Shamans] can heal or move vast groups of people over water, but magic—””

““It would explain things. The offspring of Goblins are always Goblins regardless of the partner, male or female. But sometimes Goblins may inherit traits from their…parents. The, ah, victim might play a part in explaining unusual talents. But if this young Goblin—Rags has no immediate non-Goblin ancestors, it would mean—””

““How long have you been staying here?””

““Expelliarmus. Alohamora. Wingardium Leviosa. Wingardium leviosa.””

““…By all means. Keep on trying.””

““Here. Lunch and dinner’s on the house.””

““You are—most kind. Thank you.””

““Was it something I said?””

““Why does this keep happening to me?””

““You seem dispirited. Is something wrong?””

““Take no mind of me. G-go on.””

““Mm. Then is a billion two millions?””

““Hold on, hold on, Ryoka! That was incredible! I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone do that with a basic [Light] spell before—let alone figure out how to change a spell so quickly! You just used up all the mana in your body. You’ll be tired until you recover. Here—sit there, and I’ll get you something to eat and drink. That helps.””

““Yeah, but really, it’s nothing.””

““Well—we’ve got a lot more technology. And less magic. No magic, actually. And we don’t have Levels or Classes or Skills, but we do have a lot more Humans. Actually, we have only Humans. There aren’t any Gnolls or Drakes or any monsters where I come from. And—are you okay, Krshia?””

““[Mages] in general? Pah. Anyone can obtain the class or variations thereof, but they often stagnate and seldom reach Level 20. Indeed, the lack of centralized education between nations has given rise to lesser variations upon the basic [Mage] class. [Hedge Wizards], [Witch Doctors], the dubiously qualified [Spellswords], [Druids]…well I suppose [Druids] are an exception to the rule, and of course let us reserve most of our disdain for the so-called [Sorcerer]…””

““I don’t get it.””

““What? Oh, sure. I’m not busy.””

““Yeah. Do you know, um, million?””

““Oh, I get it. You’re crowd-sourcing magic.””

““Yes, well, it is a crude thing. But I suppose it is powerful enough in its own way as it allows even Goblin tribes one or two spellcasters of their own. These, ah, ‘shamans’ draw power from the collective. The larger their group is, the more power they wield. Thus, while the Goblins in the area most likely cannot collectively create more than a few sparks, a larger tribe of a thousand souls would create a decently powerful [Shaman]. But it is inefficient.””

““What, ah, do you mean—””

““Her name is Rags.””

““As serious as pie.””

““Perish the thought.””

““You can do magic?””

““Just think of something.””

““I saw it.””

““Eight what? Eight countries?””

““You survived much.””

““Oh yeah? What about [Healers]?””

““Oh, it’s nothing.””

““Nothing.””

““Krshia, what’s wrong?””

““What would that matter?””

““Hm? Hm~. Mm!””

““I said that?””

““Will it hurt?””

““Wait, not Gnolls? Why?””

““No, eight billion Humans.””

““Wow.””

““[Light].””

““Pisces.””

““I guess.””

““Bah.””

““Hey, if it works…””

““Wait a second.””

““What are you muttering?””

““Yeah. That’s about right.””

““Right. I got that.””

““Ah, well. [Healers] are now simply general practitioners of restorative arts, some of whom are able to cast spells. Most use Skills. Many rely on potions or even simple bandages rather than magic. The definition of the class has changed, and accordingly, so have the skills and spells learnt. It was quite a fascinating phenomenon, actually. I studied it in a course back in Wistram—””

““So, what next?””

““Go. Shoo!””

““Muggles?””

““Like what?””

““Me? Teach?””

““Why?””

““Krshia?””

““Blam?””

““A Dragon?””

““Really?””

““Uh—how about Goblins?””

““Sure. What’s up?””

““Oh, no.””

““I…see…””

““What?””

““Oh.””