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<blockquote data-quote="ValhallaGH" data-source="post: 5744184" data-attributes="member: 41187">Actually, that was simply how our protagonist saw magic.&nbsp; The series illustrates that each wizard sees magic differently, and that they can impose these differences on opposing magi to give themselves advantages in a wizard duel.Since the protagonist was a &quot;madwand&quot; (unschooled sorcerer) he didn't understand the advantages of the different approaches.&nbsp; But his method (and talent) gave him a lot of raw power, allowing him to overcome the subtle skill of his more experienced and formally trained opponents.&nbsp; And, since Zelazny never did explain magic in the setting, we'll never know what the benefits and drawbacks of the differing methods really were.But yes, it was an excellent presentation of magic in fiction.I'm fond of Steven Brust's difference between Sorcery and Witchcraft in his Dragaeran novels.&nbsp; Sorcery is powerful, flashy, and very direct.&nbsp; Witchcraft is slow, ritualistic, and a lot like cooking; it is also more draining to the witch and generally utilitarian, with almost none of the direct abilities of Sorcery.&nbsp; An awesome differentiation.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="ValhallaGH, post: 5744184, member: 41187"] Actually, that was simply how our [U]protagonist[/U] saw magic. The series illustrates that each wizard [i]sees magic differently[/i], and that they can impose these differences on opposing magi to give themselves advantages in a wizard duel. Since the protagonist was a "madwand" (unschooled sorcerer) he didn't understand the advantages of the different approaches. But his method (and talent) gave him a lot of raw power, allowing him to overcome the subtle skill of his more experienced and formally trained opponents. And, since Zelazny never did explain magic in the setting, we'll never know what the benefits and drawbacks of the differing methods really were. But yes, it was an excellent presentation of magic in fiction. I'm fond of Steven Brust's difference between Sorcery and Witchcraft in his Dragaeran novels. Sorcery is powerful, flashy, and very direct. Witchcraft is slow, ritualistic, and a lot like cooking; it is also more draining to the witch and generally utilitarian, with almost none of the direct abilities of Sorcery. An awesome differentiation. [/QUOTE]

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