Yavathol
Explorer
Brushing his brown hair back with an ink stained hand, the young man unwittingly muttered aloud as he gathered his thoughts. What is the nature of reality? How do space-time, life-blood, material objects, magic and consciousness-dreams-emotions interact? Though he had spoken to many wise people before his entrance to the academy, philosophers and priests, old women with grandchildren to laconic woodsmen, they had all, individually, seemed to follow a paradigm which was constrained in some manner, choosing certain aspects of reality as being more important while ignoring others, none seeking to explain existence as a whole!
Indeed, several of those worthies seemed to think it folly to ask such questions, emphasising that one should just accept a limited understanding. But Finn was convinced that it was worth the effort, and that progress could be made by careful study, identifying independent variables and distinguishing causation from correlation, a view shared by several Magi here at the academy.
He smiled, remembering how proud his family had been when they learnt he had been granted admission to the academy, free of charge. A tanner's son, no less! Granted, at some point the Magi would demand some service from him, but that was a thought for another day. His mother, Elphera, remarked that she could finally serve the family meal without having to answer endless questions on what fish ate, whether they had souls like humans, and what happened to them after death.
Realising the time had come for his weapons training, Finn rapidly ran to the field. He realised that his studies would take a long time, and knew the wisdom of keeping his body fit and, in this dangerous world, of learning to defend himself should his spells ever be unavailable to him. Wielding a spear would hopefully cover the case when he was in the open or attacked by a monster; while learning the shortsword was a contingency for fighting indoors or against humanoids. He drew the line at learning to fight in armour though, if he was unable to magically protect himself then disengaging and fleeing while unencumbered seemed the most prudent strategy.
He smiled at his sparring partner as he picked up his training spear. In truth, it was a welcome break for his overworked mind to be forced to focus on the immediate matter at hand. Trying to stay impassive and serious, the other student didn't return his smile, but Finn saw it in his eyes. The earnest and open young man was generally liked, though unbeknownst to him, some found him overly cerebral and logical, lacking a little in fun or creativity.
Indeed, several of those worthies seemed to think it folly to ask such questions, emphasising that one should just accept a limited understanding. But Finn was convinced that it was worth the effort, and that progress could be made by careful study, identifying independent variables and distinguishing causation from correlation, a view shared by several Magi here at the academy.
He smiled, remembering how proud his family had been when they learnt he had been granted admission to the academy, free of charge. A tanner's son, no less! Granted, at some point the Magi would demand some service from him, but that was a thought for another day. His mother, Elphera, remarked that she could finally serve the family meal without having to answer endless questions on what fish ate, whether they had souls like humans, and what happened to them after death.
Realising the time had come for his weapons training, Finn rapidly ran to the field. He realised that his studies would take a long time, and knew the wisdom of keeping his body fit and, in this dangerous world, of learning to defend himself should his spells ever be unavailable to him. Wielding a spear would hopefully cover the case when he was in the open or attacked by a monster; while learning the shortsword was a contingency for fighting indoors or against humanoids. He drew the line at learning to fight in armour though, if he was unable to magically protect himself then disengaging and fleeing while unencumbered seemed the most prudent strategy.
He smiled at his sparring partner as he picked up his training spear. In truth, it was a welcome break for his overworked mind to be forced to focus on the immediate matter at hand. Trying to stay impassive and serious, the other student didn't return his smile, but Finn saw it in his eyes. The earnest and open young man was generally liked, though unbeknownst to him, some found him overly cerebral and logical, lacking a little in fun or creativity.
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