I wanted to write about how magic works in a setting that uses “rules” like those in D&D. I didn’t want to think of how this group made it to the Dragon of Argument, but I like the idea of dragons that represent concepts and practices rather than elements or alignments. The ending is pretty weak, but it’s more of a thought exercise than a story, so I don’t mind.
It’s also just entertaining to think of how a party might be driven to travel all the way to the Dragon of Argument’s lair just to settle a question like “how does magic work?”
“So how exactly does magic work, then?” the warrior said. “The cleric says magic is faith made manifest. The wizard says it’s all based on this ‘weave’ business. And there’s the bard saying it’s the Ancient Cant.”
The Dragon of Arguments leaned its head closer to the warrior. Its amber eyes sparkled.
“THE COMPONENTS OF MAGIC ARE THUS: A STRONG WILL AND BELIEF IN THE ESOTERIC.” the Dragon said.
“How would one define the esoteric?” the wizard said. “The Weave is a measurable phenomenon. We have attuned sensors that can show where Threads run.”
“What of the divine?” the cleric said. “Ferada, the Goddess of Magic, grants me her powers directly. I commune with her.”
“THE ESOTERIC TAKES MANY FORMS,” the Dragon said. “WITH MAGIC, ONE SENSES THIS ‘WEAVE.’ WITH MAGIC, ONE SENSES THESE ‘DEITIES.’ THE ANSWER LIES CLEAREST IN THIS ANCIENT CANT.”
“So you’re saying the Cant is different somehow?” the Bard said. “The mechanics seem the same, if I don’t miss my guess. I intone a piece from the Cant with the intent to make something happen. Magic makes it real, and I end up just as sore and tired as the wizard afterwards.”
“THE CANT IS CLEARER BECAUSE IT IS NOT VIEWED THROUGH A MAGICAL LENS,” the Dragon said. “IT IS INTERPRETED. IT IS REPEATED. THE MAGICAL EFFECTS STEM ONLY FROM THE BELIEF THAT THE CANT HOLDS POWER AND FROM THE CASTER’S WILL.”
For a rare moment, the cleric and the wizard were in agreement.
“You’re saying that the Weave is nonexistent?” the wizard said. “That our work is a mere illusion?”
“You would claim that the divine is a falsehood?” the cleric said. “And what is this Esoteric that produces more power than a goddess?”
“I’m just happy to be a good example,” the bard said.
The Dragon of Arguments grumbled, and the din of the four adventurers quieted at once. There seemed to be magic at work in that rumbling noise, at least in the fighter’s eyes.
“THE ESOTERIC IS A BRIDGE,” the Dragon said. “MAGIC INHERENTLY DEFIES EXPLANATION. THE ESOTERIC PROVIDES ENOUGH EXPLANATION FOR MORTALS TO MAKE MAGIC MANIFEST.”
“So all you need is a potential reason for magic, and there it is?” the fighter said.
“THAT IS AN IMPERFECT SUMMATION, BUT A PRACTICAL ONE,” the Dragon said. “IN TRUTH, MAGIC’S NATURE IS NOT UNDERSTOOD BY MORTALS OR IMMORTALS.”
“I shall have to ponder this,” the wizard said. “It is a troubling thought that the college’s theorems could be so far from the truth. Perhaps I could teach them of this Esoteric.”
“Not to get ahead of the giant immortal dragon, but wouldn’t you end up with the same problem?” the bard said. “I think the point is that it can’t be measured or rationalized that way. Your teachings would create a sort of—“
“Don’t say it—“ the wizard said.
“A meta-Esoteric,” the bard said. “Besides, the idea’s too vague and slippery. The Weave thing, that’s a good story.”
“THIS IS TRUE, TO MY UNDERSTANDING,” the Dragon said. “THE DRAGON OF ALCHEMY ATTEMPTED TO GRASP THE ESOTERIC DIRECTLY. IT LOST THE USE OF MAGIC FOR DECADES. ONCE A FULL EXPLANATION OF MAGIC SEEMED TO BE IN REACH, THE MAGIC ITSELF DISAPPEARED.”
“So the resolution of this argument is to do nothing?” the fighter said. “Great conclusion. That’ll definitely get them to stop bickering.”
“THE FAITHFUL ONE WILL BE FINE, SO LONG AS THEY KEEP THEIR FAITH,” the Dragon said. “THE ONE SEEKING ANSWERS NEED ONLY ADMIT THEY CANNOT FIND ALL ANSWERS. THE BARD HAS ALREADY LEARNED THIS, AND YOU SEEM TO CARE LITTLE EITHER WAY.”
“True enough,” the fighter said.
“One more thing—“ the wizard began.
The Dragon of Arguments closed its eyes. An air of finality settled over the four. While the Dragon had not said as much, its council was clearly over.
“There,” the fighter said. “Now can we move on to something else to talk about?”
“How could I?” the wizard said. “This is such an intriguing idea! Perhaps the Weave is created around a student of magic through their belief in it? If so, how does it interact with other Weaves, so to speak? What would the fringe of a ‘generated Weave’ look like? I have so much work to do!”
“It only reaffirms what I already know,” the cleric said. “The Dragon mentioned faith, and I have all the faith I need in Ferada.”
“Don’t worry,” the bard said. “I’ll move on even if those two won’t.”
The fighter sighed.
“I’ll take one out of three, I guess.”