Comments on: The Laws of Magic: Part 8 of 8 http://www.dresdenfilesrpg.com/2007/10/09/the-laws-of-magic-part-8-of-8/ Bringing the World of Jim Butcher's Dresden Files to the Tabletop Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:33:58 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: lennie http://www.dresdenfilesrpg.com/2007/10/09/the-laws-of-magic-part-8-of-8/comment-page-1/#comment-5692 lennie Fri, 23 Apr 2010 18:26:19 +0000 http://www.dresdenfilesrpg.com/2007/10/09/the-laws-of-magic-part-8-of-8/#comment-5692 after thinking over the subject for a while i am begining to think that the blackstaff is enchanted black magic congealed into a form to be used as power. the appearance it makes in changes leaves the impression that it wants to be used as often and viciously as possible. it also tries to "infect" it's user much as black magic leaves a stain wizards. Seeing as harry spent years trainging with Ebenezar and never noticed the black magic that would be on him like a thick coat one can assume that it has to go somewhere....into the blackstaff to give it more power. after thinking over the subject for a while i am begining to think that the blackstaff is enchanted black magic congealed into a form to be used as power. the appearance it makes in changes leaves the impression that it wants to be used as often and viciously as possible. it also tries to “infect” it’s user much as black magic leaves a stain wizards. Seeing as harry spent years trainging with Ebenezar and never noticed the black magic that would be on him like a thick coat one can assume that it has to go somewhere….into the blackstaff to give it more power.

]]> By: Sean http://www.dresdenfilesrpg.com/2007/10/09/the-laws-of-magic-part-8-of-8/comment-page-1/#comment-5429 Sean Thu, 08 Apr 2010 23:59:38 +0000 http://www.dresdenfilesrpg.com/2007/10/09/the-laws-of-magic-part-8-of-8/#comment-5429 <a href="#comment-2386" rel="nofollow">@Niall</a> It's just made an appearance in the latest novel, "Changes." It's...spooky, to say the least. @Niall
It’s just made an appearance in the latest novel, “Changes.” It’s…spooky, to say the least.

]]> By: HC http://www.dresdenfilesrpg.com/2007/10/09/the-laws-of-magic-part-8-of-8/comment-page-1/#comment-2829 HC Fri, 28 Aug 2009 18:14:40 +0000 http://www.dresdenfilesrpg.com/2007/10/09/the-laws-of-magic-part-8-of-8/#comment-2829 The prohibition on knowledge is probably a prophylactic measure, on the assumption that some knowledge either changes the possessor or is too dangerous to be allowed to run loose. Sort of like locking up a plague carrier who hasn't done anything wrong, but who is nevertheless a huge threat to others. That said, there has to be some gray area there, as a practical matter, or the Wardens would find themselves unable to enforce the Law. The prohibition on knowledge is probably a prophylactic measure, on the assumption that some knowledge either changes the possessor or is too dangerous to be allowed to run loose. Sort of like locking up a plague carrier who hasn’t done anything wrong, but who is nevertheless a huge threat to others.

That said, there has to be some gray area there, as a practical matter, or the Wardens would find themselves unable to enforce the Law.

]]> By: Niall http://www.dresdenfilesrpg.com/2007/10/09/the-laws-of-magic-part-8-of-8/comment-page-1/#comment-2433 Niall Fri, 24 Jul 2009 06:38:09 +0000 http://www.dresdenfilesrpg.com/2007/10/09/the-laws-of-magic-part-8-of-8/#comment-2433 "The old man's staff was shorter and thicker than mine, but the carved sigils and formulae on it were noticeably similar, and the texture and color of the wood was identical." The book details the Blackstaff as Ebenezar's position, but says nothing of any powers it has. Pretty sure I haven't seen anything else on Ebenezar's staff's appearance, much less any powers it has, in any of the other books. “The old man’s staff was shorter and thicker than mine, but the carved sigils and formulae on it were noticeably similar, and the texture and color of the wood was identical.”

The book details the Blackstaff as Ebenezar’s position, but says nothing of any powers it has. Pretty sure I haven’t seen anything else on Ebenezar’s staff’s appearance, much less any powers it has, in any of the other books.

]]> By: fred http://www.dresdenfilesrpg.com/2007/10/09/the-laws-of-magic-part-8-of-8/comment-page-1/#comment-2387 fred Mon, 20 Jul 2009 21:50:32 +0000 http://www.dresdenfilesrpg.com/2007/10/09/the-laws-of-magic-part-8-of-8/#comment-2387 <a href="#comment-2386" rel="nofollow">@Niall</a>, the Blackstaff is explicitly mentioned and detailed in, I think, Blood Rites, the 6th book. @Niall, the Blackstaff is explicitly mentioned and detailed in, I think, Blood Rites, the 6th book.

]]> By: Niall http://www.dresdenfilesrpg.com/2007/10/09/the-laws-of-magic-part-8-of-8/comment-page-1/#comment-2386 Niall Mon, 20 Jul 2009 21:36:05 +0000 http://www.dresdenfilesrpg.com/2007/10/09/the-laws-of-magic-part-8-of-8/#comment-2386 Has the Blackstaff item actually appeared in any of the books? I can't recall it being specifically mentioned, nor I do I remember McCoy having a black staff-like object at any time there. So is this something that was created specifically for the RPG? If so, is it considered canon? Also, I think there's a letter/spirit law distinction here, at least on the "knowledge" side. Reading a book that contained information ABOUT the outer gates might be a violation if that book contained information ABOUT the gates that could have only been obtained as a violation of the 7th law. But if the book was this-side-of-the-gates only, I'm inclined to think that someone with a good wizard-lawyer might be able to get away with it. Then again, how much information can you really get on the Gates without having violated them? And, reading a book, how are you to know the exact nature or origin of the knowledge contained therein? Regardless, when the Wardens find out you're dealing with the Outer Gates at all, they may still decide it's better to behead now, ask questions later - especially if you've got anything but a sterling reputation. Technically, I don't think it's a prohibition against researching the Outside. Practically, though, it might as well be. Has the Blackstaff item actually appeared in any of the books? I can’t recall it being specifically mentioned, nor I do I remember McCoy having a black staff-like object at any time there. So is this something that was created specifically for the RPG? If so, is it considered canon?

Also, I think there’s a letter/spirit law distinction here, at least on the “knowledge” side. Reading a book that contained information ABOUT the outer gates might be a violation if that book contained information ABOUT the gates that could have only been obtained as a violation of the 7th law. But if the book was this-side-of-the-gates only, I’m inclined to think that someone with a good wizard-lawyer might be able to get away with it. Then again, how much information can you really get on the Gates without having violated them? And, reading a book, how are you to know the exact nature or origin of the knowledge contained therein? Regardless, when the Wardens find out you’re dealing with the Outer Gates at all, they may still decide it’s better to behead now, ask questions later – especially if you’ve got anything but a sterling reputation.

Technically, I don’t think it’s a prohibition against researching the Outside. Practically, though, it might as well be.

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