1354021
Thanks for the clarification.

Though there are many different Disciplines practiced in the field of Magecraft, and thirteen of these are recognized as Major Disciplines, we will focus on the most prominent of these, the first being the Exsecratiae. The Exsecratiae are those who practice the art of laying curses and hexes, which are latent spells that are aggressive in nature. Curses and hexes can be differentiated by their targets. Hexes are levied against buildings and inanimate objects, while curses target living beings.

While this may seem to be a violation of the Fifth Law, we must remember that as with all magic, intent is everything. Many curse and hexes are actually channeled into talismans and protective charms, serving as passive defenses against attack. Mage-crafted talismans are often in direct contention with the amulets made by Paladins, and the most impressive selection of these can be found in the Grand Bazaar in Fillydelphia. Regardless, due to the aggressive nature of these talismans and the generally harmful potential of Exsecratiae and their work, both the creators and creations are heavily monitored and must be licensed.

1354004
So trying to return to what they consider the golden days of magic?

1354045
Less of that and more paying respects to their roots. Many of the Noble Houses currently recognized in the Evening Kingdom can trace their lineage back to those times, with some notable exceptions. Lady Everstar's line, for example, has long since gone extinct.

1354060
That, I guess, is both unfortunate and fortunate for her then. No need to worry about bickering nobles in that vein.

1354041
What, exactly, is to stop enchanted items from falling into the wrong hands? Granted, they may be licensed, but are there requirements for a pony purchasing them?

1354041
I'm guessing Lifters don't like Exsecratiae very much.

Now , with Exsecratiae, we see again the power of intent. Magic cannot be accomplished without genuine, real desire to accomplish the spell. This is why it is so closely tied to the soul. You cannot be "forced" to perform magic. Any spells contain a part of your will and essential self.

1354070
Should you find yourself in Lady Everstar's employ, do not mention her family or House politics.

1354071
There's a difference between enchanted items and talismans. Talismans are generally bound to one person alone.

1354060
Ah, poor Twilight. My condolences.

1354085
Duly noted.

1353552
Are you keeping up with this?

1354102
Best as I can. This is NOT my week - my internet's not working well, so I'm mostly just trying to keep up.

Talismans are generally a more "aggressive" defense, made to ensure whoever attempts to attack you suffers appropriately for their actions. The amulets made by Paladins focus more on halting the attack.

Next in line are the Luminae, or the Mages who practice Lumokinesis. Luminae are those who specialize in the projection of veils, illusions and other constructs of light and shadow. While one may not consider them to particularly gifted in the way of offense, an example must be made of their ability to bend and refract light to a great degree. Such refractions, known as Sunbeams, can melt through steel with ease. But this is not where their strength lies, and truth be told, it is both difficult and rare to manifest this ability. The true calling of a Luminae is the weaving of illusions and magical tricks. Some may choose to specialize in audiomancy as well, to create vivid and lifelike hallucinations and distractions.

Luminae can cloak themselves from sight, create wondrous illusions from candlelight and shadow, and if skilled enough, can bend the light in front of them to see over massive distances, well past the horizon. They can start fires with an errant thought, steal sight from others, cloak entire armies and create the appearance of forests in their stead, and make safe ways seem like deadly traps, all while hiding pitfalls under the illusions of safety. Luminae are among the weakest of the Major Disciplines in combat, but the proper Lumina will have no need to engage her foes.

1354108
Sorry to hear that.

1354112
Difference between a shield and a disabling move, right? The mage talisman might cause a temporary weakness, or vision trouble, or something?

1354122
Or strip the skin from your bones, yes.

1354125
Well, that's rather more unpleasant.

1354117
Tricky tricks are tricky.

1354140
I have traveled the world for my Order, fought Clerics and Mentalists and Paladins alike. But I dreaded facing Mages. It never ended well.

1354151
Sounds like a rather brutal adventure.

1354151
It almost sounds like in combat, mages hold nothing back whereas the others have a form of honor or reserved combat.

1354160
Or that the pioneers of spellcraft itself might have a few cards up their sleeves. and in their hoods. and under their belts.

1354173
I'll grant you that.

1354160
There is a reason the Lady is their patron.

And you still have not seen the Mentalist.

1354151
Magic seems messed up.

One of the strongest of the Mage disciplines is that of the Cantorae, more commonly known as a Windsinger. Of course, Windsingers do not only sing to the wind. These spellcasters are those who have an affinity with manipulating the physical world, with an emphasis on the four magical elements of fire, water, wind, and earth. Some prefer to be called Flamesingers, Wavesingers, or Earthsingers, but Windsingers seems to be the preferred nomenclature in the general populace for these spellcasters.

Windsingers are different from Battlemages in that they do not use pure magical energy to assault their foes, instead preferring to use the latent energy in all things to manipulate them as they see fit. Whereas a Battlemage may project their will into a bolt of magical force, or summon lightning and fire, the Cantora uses his will to manipulate these things. This means that while he may not manifest force on his own, he can use his magical reserves much more efficiently, as he only needs to manipulate existing energy, not manifest it and then use it. Most Windsingers tend to feel an affinity for one aspect of the craft or another, and not necessarily one of the four major elements. There are Cantorae who manipulate electricity, plant life, and even metal, though this last one is considered to be a bit gauche, as most metals do not exist naturally in the wild in a usable form.

1354180
But if Mentalists were worse, why would you say that you dreaded facing Mages?

1354184
How so?

1354188
In practice then, there could be a singer for anything and everything? Like a fleshsinger or eyesinger or something else equally obscure and oddly specific?

1354192
Mentalists are fairly rare. In fact, they are the fewest in number. And they tend to live in seclusion. Mages are fairly common, especially in the Evening Kingdom. And Mentalists can't inflict collateral damage.

1354188
Everything was awesome, until the Fire Nation attacked.

1354193
Well, you say that encounters with Mages never ended well. That and the fact that magic can strip the flesh. Its very gruesome.

1354205
Windsingers manipulate primal materials. So they could manipulate the water in your veins, blow out your lungs with air (or collapse them), or just pinch off the flow of blood to your brain.

1354207
From the brief descriptions earlier, couldn't a Mentalist turn allies against one another? Wouldn't that be a form of collateral damage?

1354212
Well, Paladins are immovable objects, while Mages project an irresistible force.

1354229
A bit like this?

1354225
Tough to say. The thing about Mentalists is that they are exceptionally strong-willed. In a straight battle of wills, you will likely lose. But when they attempt to turn two people against each other, that's two to one. And then you add three, or four.

1354240
Something like that, yes.

1354188
If they deal with the elements, why do they not call themselves Elementalists?

1354260
Poetic license. And to be fair, the name "Windsinger" came along first, as a common term. It sort of stuck.

One of the most exciting fields of study is the Discipline of Vitrumes, or Alchemy. The field of Alchemy is a vast and varied one, and only some of its members attempt to turn lead to gold or gain eternal life. Potions make up a very large part of most magical rituals, and Vitrumes are extremely proficient at their jobs, able to stop aging, bottle fire, and even make liquid moonlight, given time and the ingredients to do so. While not particularly gifted in combat, one cannot deny the potency of their creations, and the ease with which they experiment and discover new and unusual things.

Those proficient in Alchemy often find jobs as healers, pharmacists, or doctors. They can also find work as chemists, demolition specialists, agricultural consultants, and herbalists. Those with a proficiency in Alchemy can find readily available work nearly everywhere they go, as everyone needs a cure for something. Of course, this comes at a cost. Alchemists must be very carefully trained, and will spend nearly six years in their studies, learning every reagent, herb, and compound that goes into their work. Vitrumes are the most widely recognized emissaries of the Mages, save only for Battle Mages

1354269
Fire in a bottle? Two hundred bits.
Regenerating potions? Eight hundred bits.
Fortified building materials? Five hundred bits per Equestrian Unit.
Impenetrable fortress? Priceless.

1354269
Given the way this discipline and the others seem to be explained, all have the ability to be combat ready. So then are Battle Mages more of a generalized subdivision of all Mage disciplines than a discipline all their own?

1354301
Potion to bring life to your drought-stricken fields? Four bits and a place to sleep while I work.
Potion to cure your daughter's stutter? Twelve bits and a song. She has a lovely voice.
Draught to save your child from gangrene? Take it. He needs it more than I.

1354315
I guess some alchemists are just paragons of virtue and others are pillars of greed.

1354323
The same could be said of all magic users.

1354304
Battle Mages specialize in manipulating pure energy, or summoning impossible things which then proceed to eat your face right off. Essentially, Battle Mages are the ones who make the impossible happen to you in very unpleasant ways.