Magi Maxims

To understand the way of mages and wizards, we must first ask - what is the nature of magic? Some say magic is the way of defying nature, wild and unpredictable. Some say that magic is right there, accessible to anyone "intelligent" enough to find it and willful enough to access it. Some claim that magic is but the manipulation of energy and/or matter.

Whatever the case, in a world where magic exists, it has provided many benefits - usually taken for granted - in the lives of those who know how to wield it. Yet the adage "with great power comes great responsibility" remains firmer than the changes wrought to the dogma of magic. Those who can use magic are often as capable of great good as they are of equally, if not more, powerful destruction.

However, magic is not just a weapon. It can also be a trade, an art, a vision. Those who use magic almost definitely will pursue the study of magic, in an attempt to understand better its nature and its role in the bigger multiverse. Magic is a study as diverse as the study of life itself - branches as unrelated as hypnotism and necromancy can be traced back to magic at their roots. Thus, all wizards immerse themselves eagerly into their pursuits, asking for no more than the time and insight to discover what they seek.

In a way, magic is not so much different from the advanced technology available in this reality - both made contributions to achievements that would be impossible using conventional methods. However, should either fail utterly, what would happen? In each respective reality, both magic and technology would be the foundation for the structure of the society and lives of its inhabitants. The falling of either would almost immediately precede a time of anarchy and chaos, as the world would collapse from the heights it had scaled. In the end, perhaps there would be enough to survive, scavenge, and walk a new path to rebuild the world. Or perhaps the world would be the only thing left, not its current population.

- adapted from various sources

Paladin Precepts

Paladins are knights who pledged themselves to religion instead of any human liege. They are the military arm of the clergy they serve, sort of an "army of the god" that they believe in. A paladin is well known for his zeal, chivalry as well as nobility, and is often heralded as the savior of humanity from the evil blights the lands.

To people who knew the awful truth, though, a paladin does not make a good friend. He follows a rigid - if not extreme - code of righteousness and morality, and he holds all others with equally high standards. As "mere mortals" would have a few scruples themselves, a proud paladin may often look down upon them with disappointment, if not disdain.

In his believe, a paladin views the world as a chiaroscuro painting - there are no moral standards except black (utter evil) and white (purely sacred). A simplistic view, I'm sure, but too much so. A person can only be standing beside a paladin, or standing against him. Therefore, a lot of conflict may arise because of this simple standpoint.

If one paladin's zeal is considered powerful, what of an order of paladins? Imagine, hundreds or even thousands of warriors, who believe in one god and one cause, charging through any obstacle in their quest for the fulfillment of the order's decrees - sounds way too close to religious fanaticism to me.

Perhaps the flaw of paladins, the one common flaw, is that they devoted themselves too much to the clergy and to their god. For the former, any pragmatic man can break free of his chains easily - "A Paladin's power comes not from the clergy, but from God. With or without the clergy, we are still Paladins." But for the latter, to doubt is to betray - and when religious zeal clashes against common sense, a paladin is in for a terrible dilemma indeed.

- adapted from various sources

Assassin Anecdotes

Assassins are considered to be an unseemly occupation amongst outsiders. After all, it can't bring good karma for a person who robs other people of their lives on an occupational basis. But to assassins themselves, its sort of a lifetime calling - once you get in, you're usually in for life. And very likely, that life will be very short. Most assassins do not survive to reach the pinnacle of reputation, for a fact.

Assassins are amongst the most biased fighters - the chances of an assassin choosing to fight fair is zero. No "virtually", no "practically", just zero. Even if they can take their targets down in a toe-to-toe brawl, blindfolded and one hand tied to the back, they'd still pull every trick in the book to make sure that they survive, and that they accomplish their mission. Theoretically, the only time an assassin would "fight fair" is when one assassin goes up against another - not for a mission or a job, but for their pride.

Hard to believe, but assassins are just like other people, after all. They have emotions, including guilt, doubt, and fear. For them, the occupational hazard is far more fatal than most, even though the pay is good. Assassins are neither better nor worse than most of us, I think - they just are. To them, there is a price for every life, every soul, and some of them are waiting to see how high theirs can be.

- adapted from various sources