Practice Chat

"um...that would help. Do you want me to list what I do have?"

sure

I feel really, really bad about not posting. I'm sorry >.<

CONTEGO
ANGO
HALTE
LACUS
INCENDEFACIO
are the spell I have

And what do they mean?

INCENDEFACIO- can ignite different things
HALTE- causes the muscles to freeze up and the victim becomes immobile till released. They can still talk or breathe; it’s just the major muscle groups
LACUS- can help put out a fire, it produces water o3o
CONTEGO- creates a force field. The caster can only hold it for so long though, it weakens and drains them. It can deflect bullets and weapons but not anything that has to do with the mind.
ANGO- Creates a shock of pain, similar to an electric shock
Lassen Sie- Release to HALTE

And what are your laws of magic? The effect on the user, where the energy comes from, any differences in skill level to perform and hold the spell, what training needed, etc?

o.o;

I hadn't...really thought that much about it...
training wise, yes.....laws....zip.

They start training early, spells like incendaficio are simple and are taught early...things like contego are harder to preform....

Will started training at the age of five, after his mother died. His mother had "home-schooled" him and his brother. His brother started training at the age of eight. Their mother had been reluctant to in role them in their type of schooling.

The Cox children are trained in the headquarters. They learn reading, writing, mathmatics, some will learn potion making, but all will learn how to fight. The curriculm is chosen by Mr. Cox, the head.

Early ages learn how to fight with daggers, some self defense, and simple spells.

Demetrius was trained in both fighting and potion making, he actually is the main healer for the family as well. Will has access to both being the head's son also.

Information Dump Number Four~

In any given fantasy magical system, a person must have limits to his magical abilities, or the story has no conflict: the magic can overwhelm the other side, making fighting absolutely futile and with no trouble at all, the magic user can trump all, and succeed at life, and solve world hunger, and give world peace....etcetcetc... Magic is quite unfair to those who do not know such skills and happen to be on the receiving end. A general maker of sues if used too much with too much power behind it without some lovely limits~

Some blanket limits of magic:
- Most commonly, a user of magic has a limited amount of magical ability. The so called 'mana' of video games, once the magic energy runs out for the person, magic usage is kaput. Sort of going along with this limit, is the technique where a user can use a certain spell or enchantment a limited amount of times in a day or certain period of time before it stops working.
- A lot of times, as you have it, the use of magic is limited by knowledge. Either of worldly comprehension and understanding, or of the actual subject of magic using.
- Also popular is a cause-effect method. Magic needs some sort of balance for it to occur, commonly the user's energy that day or the user's life force. Too many times of using a spell or casting too powerful of a spell could potentially kill the user if they are too inexperienced or just too exhausted.
- The need for learning may also limit what spells a wizard knows and can cast, as you have. When magic is learned from rare and exotic books, the wizard's ability can be limited, temporarily, by his access to these books.
- More powerful spells tend to have a greater back-fire chance, and therefore users would be more hesitant to cast them for that cause. Not really a magic limit, more like a conscious 'hm, i'd rather not die' limit.
- And commonly, users are limited by how to cast the spell. Many forms of fantasy require the user to have a wand, staff, amulet, or some other object that is necessary to cast a spell.
- Also necessary is the ability to speak the spell clearly, or else it wouldn't work or have some other unpredictable effect.
- Sometimes also necessary is the ability to see what the spell would be effecting.
- Also limiting of actually using the spell would be the environment in which it is cast. 'It's magic' isn't always the greatest explanation for the effects of some spells. Your water spell, for example... If you were casting it in a desert, it may not have an effect because of the lack of water in the available environment to draw upon. Fire, as you know, requires heat, oxygen, and a fuel for it to exist. Don't have one of those things, well then poof! No fire.

My characters' magic use is varied. Montserret, my elf...thing, can only use magic if physically touching the object she wishes to cast the spell upon. Which would obviously be a problem when in physical fights, where you can't easily touch someone without getting some limb chopped off or something. Diana is more potions and books witch, where tons of hours of studying and knowing what does what is limiting. Her magic is also less physical and more magical when she gets to casting. She has to use potions for physical effects, which would be limited by how many potions she has on her and what ingredients she has. Zatanna, the DC magician, needs her wand/staff to cast. She has to actually speak the spell, and she has to speak the words backwards to have the desired effect - which unless memorized takes some time to figure out how to pronounce a whole sentence like that.

any questions? concerns? want to practice one or two of these limits to see which you like best?

...no...?

Daggers Info Dump Number Five~

Traditionally, you hold a knife blade up/at your opponent or the blade down from your pinkie along your arm, varying with knife-type. Varying blade styles also give a different purpose for the knife - pointed blades like the Sai used more for puncturing and depth, single-edged blades such as a hunting dagger for cutting, double-edged a combination of the two and more multi-purposed.

Generally:
Sword - single/double-edge for punctuation and force, Dagger - double-edged for cutting and stabbing, Knife - single-edged for cutting
Traditional daggers are more defensive than offensive.
They should be easily concealable, and only require one hand to wield.
Up until there's a definite opportunity to disarm or disable, it will be purely defensive.

1 cutting edge, one-hand, 1"-8" - knife, or small dagger
2 cutting edges, one-hand , 6"-12" - dagger
2 cutting edges, one or two hand, 12-24" - a really large dagger or short sword
anything larger - a sword

As Suki described it (even with a fan instead of a blade), it's an extension of your arm. It's not about strength, you have to wait for an opening to take advantage of, which is how weaker, smaller, younger people may be able to win over stronger, bigger, older people.

Will

I pulled out my dagger, grinning slightly. Gh had limited me to one this time, I normally kept a few hidden along with a few useful items.

It was a double blade, sharpened to the point, I took pride in it and kept clean and sharp. Double blades were quite handy for stabbing and cutting, they could be the final differance between you and your opponent and who walked away.

Giving it a slight twirl, my lips curled up into a smirk. "So, who is my opponent? Is it still Damian?"

Oh boy, I could have fun with this.

Damian

"Not so lucky..." I state, a mostly bored expression on my face. "I think I'll just watch you flounder this time."

Behind him, from a vent, there's a flash of green and black. Completely silent, as is her signature, but I keep my eyes on him so as not to tip him off. She sneaks up behind him, then lashes out in a flash - a hand clamping on his mouth and the other holding a knife point to his back. Over his shoulder, the white Cheshire mask peeks over at me.

"Ibn al Xu'ffasch," she greets me, a note of amusement to her voice.

"Cox, this is one of my teachers as well as a fellow student to the League of Shadows. Cheshire," I introduce, crossing my arms at the two of them.

She lets him go, walking around him to stand beside me. "This will be entertaining..." Everything is entertaining to you, Cheshire...

Will

I had been surprised at the grabbing but remained calm. Fear is a weakness and fear can be your downfall.

Cheshire was the name of the cat in Alice and Wonderland, and I can feel my lips curl up into a tight smirk at the sight of her mask.

"My name is William," I reply, studying her. "Nice entrance."

You're in for a disappointment, Damian, there will be no 'floundering' this time.

Cheshire

Behind my mask, I grin. "William Cox, a pleasure to meet you, I'm sure..." My eyes scan him thoughtfully, though he wouldn't be able to tell, pausing upon the knife and his stance. Talk of opponents, yet Ibn al Xu'ffasch was more relaxed than usual.

"Just practice runs?" I reach behind my back into my black obi tied across my midsection, drawing my own five and a half inch hunting knife to match his dagger quickly, the blade pointing down from my hand.

I crouch down, leveling my weapon to my eyes with the single-blade pointing out, the pointed end turning towards him slightly, my other hand fisted at my side for quick defense. The scene changes to that of a well groomed garden at night, the moon and dim lamps set around giving enough light to see, though I normally didn't need either. "Bet you can't even scratch my mask," I tease.

Will

I smirk slightly, Damian had taught me not to be too cocky...so I didn't respond.

I bring the dagger up, taking a stance and gripping it tightly in my right hand. I keep it in a fist, which will allow my wrist to still be flexable. My other hand curls into a fist as well, but closer to me to protect my ribs, throat, and heart. I keep my fist forward and tilt the dagger slightly, forming a triangle stance.

"Ladies first," I grin.

Cheshire

I hum out a giggle, tilting my head at him. "So polite... What's your problem with the boy, little Bat?"

I stand on my toes, testing my balance, before dashing forward. With my size, I was nimble and stealthy, and I've learned how to use that for speed. I stay low to the ground, perhaps making a challenge for the tall kid, brandishing my knife for a possible strike.

I wasn't concerned with honor or any of that like Ibn might have been in fighting. I drop and slide at him, to kick out or catch one of Will's legs between mine to get him to the ground quickly. Cheap shots weren't beneath me. I made more of a habit to use them, actually.

Will

She shoots forward, sliding and grabbing my legs. Soon I'm on the ground, my legs caught in her's. I whip around as quickly as I can manage and go to grab her knife arm with my free hand, hoping to disarm her.

Cheshire

I roll away once, getting up in a low crouch and brandishing my knife. I would normally have a person pinned with that move, but he reacted quick. Must've been learning something... He reaches for me and I slash at his outstretched hand instinctively so as not to allow him to get close.

Will

She slashes at my hand but my reaction is too slow and she hits it. Glancing at it, I can see the knife's done a clean job for it's pretty deep. I don't have time for distractions.

Jumping back, I land on my feet and branish my knife towards her. She's far enough enough that she'll have to make a move to get to me. I watch her carefully, there won't be an disappearing acts this time...not if I can help it.

Cheshire

I give a breathy laugh, still crouching low to the ground to make myself a smaller and more defensive target. "Ever think about armor?" I ask him, keeping my eyes on his every movement, tilting my head at him slightly. Against the stone of the garden's pavers, I click my fingers one at a time as if impatient. The metal of my gauntlets tink against the surface, ringing a mocking laugh.

Will

"Armor isn't something you can go about in public without getting noticed. Unlike you and Robin over here, spandex and masks aren't quite my style." I say, smirking slightly. I swing at her with my dagger, hoping to cut her or cause movement.

Cheshire

I see the swipe coming a mile away, slide back just enough to avoid it before going to grab his attacking arm now outside of his defensive stance and spinning around to turn his attack against him. "Too obvious," I purr to him, trying to twist his arm up and behind his back with his own momentum to cause enough pain to make him drop the blade, maybe dislocate his shoulder... "There's a reason they say 'cloak and dagger'..."

Will

I give a cry of pain, quickly muffling it by biting my lip. The dagger falls from my hand and clatters to the floor and there's a sharp pain in my shoulder. She's got me and I know it.
" Alright. You won, happy?"

Cheshire
I giggle, smiling beneath the mask before putting my knife to his throat. "Winning is determined by who spills the most blood where we come from... How else to learn the consequences of your mistakes but to experience them fully...?"
Something hits my mask, making me recoil and let the boy go. Across one of my eye panels there lies a clear scratch distorting my view although the little Batarang toy is easy to see on the ground. "Not that sort of practice, Chesh," he mutters, crossing his arms with his eyes narrowed. "There isn't a 'we' anymore, and no one kills him unless I want it to happen." Interesting... This certainly wasn't the Ibn I remembered...