Thoughts by Prestius:

(Sorcerer Discussion Board / April 30, 1997)

Sorcerous Ways
Various Ramblings By Lord Prestius

Are Sorcerers evil by nature? Are they all dark? Are they all Elven?

It is true that High Elfs have a predilection towards Sorcery, but that does not mean that others can't tap into the same magical realms.  The key here is to understand where the magic we use comes from - that we, in and of ourselves, do not create this magic.  The magic is always there, we just dip our fingers into it from time to time.  Controlling these forces, and having them at your beck and call requires training and discipline, something that many people do not have.

When a Sorcerer calls on the magical realms, something in his or her psyche shapes the mana into something that most people would call "evil".  To a true sorcerer what comes out is no more evil than taking a drink of water.

There are some ancient and long forgotten texts that discuss our general understanding of the world, and I think they apply to Sorcery in particular.  These are the four intertwining concepts that weave the tapestry of world:

1) The Science of the Gods.  You must understand your spiritual side.  The places that we walk through but do not see.  The sea of mana we live in, breath, and rely on is the very foundation of our spirit.  Seek your spiritual center.  Find your place in the sky.

2) The Seas of Memory.  Everything we do, see, feel is imprinted on our brains in an ocean of thoughts and remembrances.  These waves and tides lap against our daily experiences and give us a sense of the world.  As a group we share a collective memory that extends our understanding.

3) The Ancient.  Beyond what anyone can remember there lies an ancient world which shaped the very ground we walk on.  To not delve into these realms is to deny the basis for our existence.  The rhythms and cadences of their age-old tribal drums course through our veins.  Many of your actions are dictated by the Ancients, and you don't even realize it!

4) Light and Dark. For every "evil" there is "good".  For every sun there is a moon.  For every broad daylight there is a black midnight.  The duality that we experience, the contradictions we see, all are to be embraced.

As you go about your daily Sorcerous activities, take a moment to reflect on what you are, who you are, where you came from, how you touch the world, and how it touches you.

I think when you do, High Elf, Giantperson, Sylvankind, Hobbit, Human... becomes less important.  "Sorcerer" becomes the uniting force.

Thus endeth the lesson.

-Lord Prestius Elixius