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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Tom Strickland" data-source="post: 6225901" data-attributes="member: 6753119">Very interesting question. I must sift through the rationales of much  fantasy (and science) fiction, and also game systems, to warm up. Several  enthusiasts and game designers have spoken over the years regarding  this matter, and I will allude to such already-made points. <a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/arthurccl101182.html" target="_blank"></a> <a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/arthurccl101182.html" target="_blank">Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.</a> (Arthur C. Clarke) So, the Vancian system is self-described here and there within the  stories. I always left it mysterious and suspended disbelief during the  telling of the tale as it were. If I did smile at a spell mechanic in  passing (Excellent Prismatic Spray, Time Stop, Forlorn Encystment  [Imprisonment], etc.), I considered the effect to be the result of a  precise coordination of thoughts, sounds and gestures that were  "scientific" in nature--repeatable, verifiable--and yet which produced  supernatural effects.The tales do talk of millions of years of (usually) humanoid  civilizations (rising and falling) during eras when wonders existed  beyond modern near-term capability (e.g. the Grand Mothalam with the  archmage Phandaal and his characteristically colored tomes of lore [over  a thousand spells identified and described]). It has been said that the  average human mind can only hold a certain number of things like the  digits of a telephone number in focus at one time--but there are  exceptional people who can retain volumes, and mentally perform all  manner of complex, multi-step math calculations. I also recall in school  how it was said that engineering dealing with natural materials was up  and coming because certain types of ceramics were used effectively on  space shuttles instead of purely synthetic substances. So,  miniaturization and simplification of technology leading to profound  [perhaps mythological] elegance, and also finding human capabilities not  yet known--or only suggested as being attributable to superheroes.  (Roger Zelazny's works illustrate this beautifully.)However, the effects are not self-generated, but rather are the result  of wielding universal powers that are waiting for the right way to  activate, such as electricity and the modern devices which now can use  this elusive (to primitives) source. Vancian magic is elusive to the  vast swathes of humanity because they do not know how to activate or  harness it.There is also the "distaste" and danger of scientists participating in  their own experiments which is what the Vancian wizards often do. Some  produce monsters in vats while attempting to create life in a lab.   There is a strange dissonance with the futuristic magic-like powers  wielded by flawed humans who engage in sometimes medieval-seeming  practices. Perhaps there is also a very loose analogy to the  anthropomorphized  Greek deities who were powerful but often "petty" (emotional and  involved rather than dispassionate observers and tinkerers).There are several movies which somewhat capture the effect of showing  technology as magic (or psionics) long after most people in a  "world/universe" have forgotten the underlying principles (e.g. Dune) or  never knew them in the first place (as <a href="http://scifi.stackexchange.com/questions/15146/how-does-t-h-whites-merlyn-experience-time" target="_blank">Merlin</a>,  who was said to age backwards, might know what people never had known  to that point in forward-moving history). Vancian wizards understand the repeatable, difficult-to-achieve,  and  dangerous (especially if you miss a pervulsion, heh) power available as  organic individuals regardless of whether they couch said disciplines  and practices in mystical terms. They are practical professionals. They  deal with lethal powers. They have only a few "shots" per day [like  cannons in destructive capability, or else nano-technological  ready-to-be shaped tools of limited duration but nevertheless great  utility] because that is all that even the greatest minds may reliably  remember. And because there is no maintenance required--other than the  self (body and mind)--"conventional" degradable scientific wonders are  set aside and their activating principles generally forgotten in lieu of  perpetual potential super-power on a personal scale. (BTW, how I DO  enjoy the Gamma World setting too in contrast.)Most people do not have these powers, though many can manage a cantrap  or two in a tight spot given a spellbook to study (ref. Cugel in the  cave). The wizards, though, are steeped in the greatest of spell powers,  live as kings, and generally do as they please because of their solo  lethality.</blockquote>

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