Aug 27 13:59:32 106 PA - Leo and Zach Expand Their Repertoires

From Chronicles

Sat Aug 27 13:59:32 106 PA Kingsdale - Kingsdale City Museum (Garden)

A slight alteration in scenery for continued sharing of knowledge, the gardens allow the sunny skies to be enjoyed while avoiding such side-effects as the stifling heat. The benches are not the most comfortable nor spacious, but they seem to suffice for seating and workspace for tome and display. Water running in the fountain also aids to ensure semi-regular intermissions for some. After making the basic invocation data available, Leonard begins the lecture portion of the proceedings. "I'm uncertain how much of your particular applications of power have involved mental influence in the past, but it is a much more ...fluid situation than manipulating objects or forces."

Zachary sits with one leg curled beneath, already reviewing the offered materials as they're offered. He shakes his head when Leo inquires and murmurs, "Only self influence. Sensory spells. Tehno-Wizardy is most focused around the dynamic nature of matter and energy spells. For weapons and protection. Though given the dark days before and the difficult days today, it is little wonder, don't you think?" He glances up towards Leo at that. "Needs before all else."

"Why the interest in entrancement," Leonard is hardly judging, and simply curious, "if I may ask? It does have its uses for defense, but not as great as others. There is the potential for pacification, but there is the risk that the other's will could resist. That typically breeds an unpleasant situation."

Zachary considers just the right answer to that question for a few moments, the materials forgotten during that. "Well, I do have one means to disable others, but it requires them to be in hand already. And while there are more decisive means to end conflict, I feel having an option to do so quietly and gently is preferable to have on hand. It is not something I would use lightly. If I am being assailed, it would be preferable to simply stop the attacker, than to harm him."

Leonard nods with Zachary's logic. "It isn't subtle, but can often be a better alternative to creating large holes through another. Do keep in mind that most any armor creates enough interference as to render the target immune to your influence. The focused effects are both benefit and weakness in this case. As you can see," a gesture of his hand beckons attention back to the data at hand, "the initial focus itself is relatively simple. It is the contest of wills that is difficult." A bemused smile forms. "Most aren't open to having their consciousness diminished to such an extent."

"That will be an interesting aspect in the design," Zachary muses. "It will not be me casting the spell, but the device. Of course, the device has no will of its own. It is an extension of the user.. but shall will be focused through the weapon or simply at the target." He's almost distracted and carried off by the theoretical tangent, but shakes his head then and grins. "I'm sorry, that's not relevant to this lesson. I must learn the magic before I can use it." He pauses, then glances down at the materials again. The limits don't seem to bother him, he nodding as he murmurs., "I don't imagine so. But if someone is attacking me or someone I wish to defend, then their willingness t be free of influence is waived, I would think."

"Oh," Leonard chuckles, "I wasn't attempting to debate the moral or related consequences of use, just the effort required. All magic is an application of the will, but in this case there is an opposing force. As influencing others did not seem an area of study you would be espeically familiar with, I merely wanted you to be informed."

"Oh, yes!" Zachary grins a bit sheepishly. "Yes, I realize that," he confirms. "It's elementary, really. In a way, there is a similar force against physical and energy magic. Only it's a more predictable force of the natural order of things resisting our nudge to change it. It is not natural for a ball of fire to form of the air, but one can make it so with application of will and a bit of power. I would think it the same in this case.. only not in a predictable, easily surmounted quantity. Yes?" His head cants slightly as he considers Leo.

Leonard nods, offering a pleased grin in response to the sheepish one. "Exactly. Every being is different, therefore the resistance will vary, and even from time to time with the same subject. Hardly insurmountable, of course, but it can be challenging even for this most basic of manipulations. Practice is paramount, perhaps moreso than with more static effects."

Zachary nods his head, motioning with one hand as he replies, "Yes, the easier is for you or I to bring the proper focus, the easier it is to combat what resistance another would bring forth. Which is where the true contest lies." He pauses, then admits, "It is a strange thing to contemplate. To enforce my will over another. It is.. not something that comes easy to me, just thinking about it to be honest."

"Well, as you said, it can be preferable to more violent options." Leonard then pauses to consider further words. "The ends do often justify the means, and earning another's ire for not harming them isn't much a concern afterwards. As you noted, they waived their right to courtesty. It isn't easy for many, but it can become far too easy for others. Some reluctance could be a positive view, Zachary. There is great opportunity for abuse, and the temptation to do so, with mind-altering effects." A statement of readily presumable fact, but there is more to his tone than simple theory.

Zachary nods his head, thoughtful on Leo's words. He seems to gather a sense that theory is hardly needed for Leonard and he replies, "I suppose you would have greater experience in this than I, having had and, I suppose, used such a spell before. When the time comes to use it, I am sure there will be little time to consider. I'll simply have to be ready to do so. and know that I have done the best of things."

Leonard dips his head in return. "With the will and knowledge, the only thing that remains is practice. I assume that you have a friend or two who might not object to playing the role of guinea pig, so to speak?" A brow lifts prior to a chuckle. "You are welcome to attempt the invocation on myself, once you are confident with the execution. Unfortunately, I might make a frustrating subject, given my experience with it. I could always choose not to resist, but that would defeat the purpose."

Zachary frowns faintly at the prospect of testing the spell o someone he knows. Considering it for a moment before he replies, "I think it might be best, if you are willing to allow it, for me to test on you. I.. Ambrielle and Cali would not take to it well, I think. And they are the only ones I might know well enough to ask. Besides, if you are resistant and I can effect you, it would be a clear show that I have mastered the spell if it were to effect you."

"I wasn't suggesting you do so without anyone's permission, of course." Leonard clarifies his suggestion with an apologetic smile. "It will be difficult for me to offer any advice during the attempt if I'm the subject, and impossible should you succeed. Then again," a fresh chuckle, "if I'm entranced, you wouldn't need pointers."

Zachary grins lightly. "Yes.. and I assure you that once it is done, I will dismiss it. The effect itself is the true goal." He glances down, studying the materials again. "It is less complex than I thought it might be for the effect. Well, relatively speaking, anyway. It would be nice if it could effect those in armor, but it shall have its uses I'm sure."

Leonard nods and lifts a hand to tap his temple. "It's all a matter of focus, as I'm certain you know. I'm also glad that you would release me so promptly, as I've no wish to remain a drooling imbecile." He looses a short laugh. "Well, moreso than I am already, depending on who's opinion you ask. Do you feel comfortable attempting here and now, or would you prefer another time or place?"

Zachary looks up at that, his brow furrowed at Leo's self deprecating comments. Obviously be doesn't quite understand them, but he lets his thoughts on the matter slip away. "Won't I need far more time to practice the words and motions before I truly attempt the spell?" He then motions and says, "I couldn't here anyway, the dampening magic wouldn't let any effect form."

Leonard shakes his head at his own oversight and sighs. "You're quite right, likely on both counts. The comment on imbeciles was prophetic, it seems." It is now his turn to offer a somewhat sheepish smile. "You are the first studen I've had, and the novelty has me a bit overeager. There aren't many with interest in this particular focus, to my knowledge, even if yours is just tangential."

Zachary nods his head slightly. "I can understand. There have been times that I had a lack of anyone to share my interests with. Some.. they just don't understand, even if they accept. Just how special the use of magic is. More so melding it with mechanical devices. Even if deep theory can only be discussed with fellow Techno-Wizards in detail, the essence of it away from the intricacies of mecha-magical matrices is still readily understandable, wouldn't you say?"

"Well..." Leonard pauses at the question. "To be honest, the melding seems unnatural to me, but I don't dispute the value of it, or the focused effort required. I do understand the lack of interest or insight others might have, but acceptance is an even larger concern with my own interests. Your trepidations are common, and the study of beings most choose to avoid whenever possible does not make my studies any more tolerated."

Zachary nods his head once and considers, then nods his head once. "Unnatural I suppose, yet it is the same for mechanical devices. They are not of nature." He motions towards Leo and offers, "Perhaps it is merely a matter of time before they are as accepted. Our trades. Though I suspect Tehno-Wizardry is the closer of the two. So wide is the use. But it shows that there is room for change, for everything." He smiles.

Leonard rolls his shoulders. "Perhaps, and I do agree on yours being the closer. Who knows? Maybe your melding of the aspects might aid both. Of course, we still need to get you proficient, first." His hand again motions to the data on the bench. "That copy is yours for study. If you can't find another agreeable volunteer, you're welcome to make the great journey across the hall to test your skills upon me when you feel confident."

"These materials are very good indeed," Zachary murmurs, head bobbing a little before he looks up to Leo. "Would this be a good tim to practice some. Hearing the inflections of the spell will help in deciphering it. Pronunciation guides are rarely so useful as one would like them to be."

"After our last linguistic lesson," Leonard chuckles, "I doubt you'd have any issues. You speak the tongue better than I, but I'll help as needed. I suppose that we can intone all we wish, here, without worry of any indavertent effects ensuing."

"It is easy once you master it," Zach replies with a slight nod of his head before he scans to the start of the incantation. "This is a perfect place for pronunciation practice." And with that he will be eager to delve in and attempt to say the words right. He'll make mistakes of course, but he is a quick study and eager to learn. And so it shall be for their first lesson, working over the initial flow of the words, cementing them such that he can practice further on his own time.