Aug
29th
2013
Hypothesis and theories on unicorns · 1:05pm Aug 29th, 2013
So recently two ideas have come to mind that deal with unicorn magical aptitude, and I don't know if they're worth exploring.
Does anyone believe if a unicorn's horn was cut off, that they could still cast magic if they resorted to more arcane and antiquated spells that required a spoken incantation for the focusing of magic? And could a unicorn's horn regrow if given a long enough time or would it be gone permanently?
And does it sound possible for a unicorn to suffer a critical mass implosion event if they lose control of their magical core and become the living equivalent of nuclear reactors that are about to go Chernobyl, and the control isn't reestablished within a limited amount of time?
To the first; In the majority of fiction and mythology, magic is seen using a focus, whether its the spoken word (whether a single word or incantation), an instrument (ie, wands, staves, horns, potions) or simple directive will. However, very few of these have been known to mix with any more than one other.
For example, the Inheritance series uses magic in words for safety, but it IS possible to use magic non-verbally though much more dangerous. In the Harry Potter series, the wizards and witches use wands and incantations, though non-verbal incantations are existent. With The Black Magician Trilogy, magic was used by simple willpower - shape it and release.
And, though TECHNICALLY the first isn't magic but science, Alchemy (FMA-style) requires the use of a transmutation circle (unless you've seen Truth) or arcane runes and various ingredients to act as a base-and-guidelines for the spell in question.
The answer is essentially dependant on the writers view of the world that they are creating. Say, in yours, once Twilight loses her horn, she has to resort to arcane alchemy, whereas in mine, Twilight has to use incantations.
Secondly, horn is generally live bone surrounded by keratin, proteins and skin*. Give it enough time, perhaps. Again, it all depends on your universe.
To the second; The idea is actually (somewhat) used already in The Black Magician series. Magicians actually have to exercise caution and contain their own magic, because if they don't the magic consumes not only them, but everything around them. The only variable is the strength of the magic user in question. In perspective, if Rarity lost control and 'had a meltdown' for want of a better description, the damage done would be far less than if Shining Armour had one. However, once control is gone, that's it. No second chances.
So, yeah. And for the record...
Everything's worth exploring, just make sure your talking with the right people about it.
And by right people, I don't mean Professor I-know-all-of-everything. I mean like me, who give reasonable opinions.
*Thank you, Wikipedia.
Well it certainly sounds like there's something that could be added to HiE in case of simple filler work should the storyline start to drag.
The only thing I don't like about the use of arcane incantation types of spells is the deeper discussion that would be involved. If horns really aren't absolutely necessary for casting active magic, would ponies like Applejack and Fluttershy be able to perform such feats if they were motivated to practice such?
As to the meltdown idea that'd cause some real chaos if the ponies suddenly found out their best friends could become living bombs should something go wrong. And then that'd be something Ulquiorra could constantly hang over Celestia's head anytime she got too carried away with her concerns about him:
"Your personal student possesses a strong enough magical aptitude that should she ever lose control over her core she could evaporate anything within a two mile radius, yourself and myself quite likely included. You should worry less about my presence and instead focus on the danger Twilight Sparkle could present."
Well, a basic solution to the 'hornless magic' conundrum is that Unicorns have active magic, as opposed to Pegasus and Earth magic being passive.
Again according to The Black Magician Trilogy, the magicians reserves of magic grow weaker as they age - generally the meltdown only occurs in accidental deaths and murders. There's actually a saying in the series that goes; "It takes a fool, a martyr or a genius to kill a magician."
And the shit would hit the atmosphere if Ulquiorra told Celestia that!
1315795 Well, at least this is my headcannon, more arcane magicks, such as blood magic, are able to be done by anypony, but have a cost that goes along with them. Blood magick requires fresh blood and however much life force, shortening the casters life, or, ending another's. The latter is true, because your own life and blood are attuned to the spell, so it is much, much more efficient.Others would draw on life and/or sanity, but almost exclusivly from the caster, thus such magicks are seen as dangerous, both because of their cost, and because they are so very powerful, and thus were lost to time.
Now, about unicorns going thermonuclear, sounds plausible. Magick is a powerful thing. Uncontrolled, it can wreak havoc and devastation with ease.
Yeah, I think that all ponies have a source of magic energy, but only unicorns can actually actively use it because their horn acts as a focus point. Without that point, then they can't access the energy anymore. Not sure about going Chernobyl, but maybe if they're charging a REALLY powerful spell. Remember how Hollow Zangetsu (both the old man and the Hollow are Zangetsu, if you've kept up with the manga) tried to Cero Uryu, and when Ulquiorra cut his horn, it went kablooie? Something like that. Although, depending upon the amount that's ready to fire off, the explosion may vary in size.
Another thing to think about is the possibility of them going Chernobyl from simple magic overbuild. Unicorns have active magic, and let it out several times throughout the day (those capable of using it, anyways). What were to happen if they were to NOT use magic for a long, LONG time? Their magic is an active one, and if it builds up then... kablooie.
Now, the reason this doesn't happen to pegasi and earth ponies is because their magic is passive. It's infused into them. Pegasi use it to reinforce their wings and make it possible to fly, because, let's face it- those wings, compared to their weight, do NOT add up. ESPECIALLY for Snowflake. Earth ponies have it imbued in the skin, muscle, and bone, giving them greater stamina, physical power, and so on and so forth. You get the picture, right? They can't blow up because their magic is ALWAYS LEAKING OUT. It's not controlled by one's mind and willpower, it's an automatic function, like breathing, or blinking.
It's all up to you.
1341474 Bingo. Passive magic is essentially on 24/7 and therefore directed.
But, think of it this way - Let's symbolise magic as electricity, the unicorn's horn and body as a lightbulb and circuit, and the act of spellcasting as the lightswitch.
Activate the switch, the electricity flows through, lightbulb turns on. Simple. So, the act of spellcasting draws the magic through the body and to/out the horn.
Turn the switch off, electricity stops flowing, lightbulb goes off. Again, simple. And yes, there is a reasoning to my rambling. If I seem to be treating readers as children being taught simple facts, I'm sorry and urge you to bear with me.
But, what if you leave the switch on too long? What would happen if you crack the lightbulb? What will occur if there's a surge? All three point to one thing - the lightbulb stops working. Whether it burns out or breaks, it stops working.
If we turn this to magic, what happens if the flow of magic continues too long? What if the horn cracks while casting? What if something happens to increase the flow of magic, or perhaps even adrenaline? The resulting buildup of mana, with only a single exit, could overwhelm the bodies natural barrier that contains it and release into the atmosphere violently.
Then again, it could also just be described as a mana-fart that does jack-shit aside from a loud flashbang, but that's beside the point.