So my post on non-magic medicine in Thedas has gotten popular. And I’ve been seeing some posts wondering about magical healing lately. So I decided to make a post about magical healing. Then decided I should make a series and later adress blood magic and necromancy because apparently I can’t do anything small. BUT this is not about that. This is about Magical Healing. Which I have said already…. Multiple times… MOVING ON!
The first place to look is the abilities and healing mechanics in the games themselves
The first thing to understand is that the ability to heal besides minor wounds in Dragon Age does not come from the mage themselves but from the spirits they coax over from the fade aid them.
I mean let’s be real here. All Anders would have to do is go running around on the other side shirtless.
Keep reading
I’ve always been particularly vocal about (magical/spirit) healing in DA amidst the writers I discuss lore the most with. Especially being a magical healer within a world like Thedas, particularly in the southern portion where the games take place (at least primarily/major plot wise). To quote the official Bioware codex (sadly now closed but saved via archiving etc);
“Becoming a spirit healer, however, is no simple matter. To gain the services of such benevolent and righteous beings requires that the mage earn their trust. Often this requires a series of trials to prove that the mage's goals are as noble as the spirit demands, though some mages have claimed to command the compliance of such spirits through sheer force of charisma. Some even claim they did not choose their calling; instead, a powerful spirit chose them and led them into lives of service, ordeal, and succor.
It should also be noted that the calling of a spirit healer is a dangerous one. Contacting anything beyond the Veil inevitably draws the notice of demons, sometimes very powerful ones. More than one tale exists of a spirit healer being fooled by a demon masquerading as a benevolent spirit, and inadvertently bringing them across the Veil... or being tricked into letting down their guard, and possessed. As such, once a mage becomes a Spirit Healer they must especially heighten their vigilance for the remainder of their lives. It is a calling that not all will gladly suffer.”
Ultimately, mages capable of magical healing are valuable, Spirit Healers are incredibly valuable, but in the context of the world that is Thedas, those who understand what it requires (Circles, Templars + Chantry, etc) to heal at a notable level or become a fully fledged Spirit Healer - they are likely respected, maybe even warily, by most upper ranking mages, and are likely regarded as walking time bombs by many Templars and potentially even Chantry Loyal mages. Those who don’t understand what is required of the mage, nor of the channeling being done by the healer, like the common folk (as seen with Anders in DA2 & the refugees etc) and other non-mages most likely either 1) revile them because they’re a mage and it’s still magic or 2) as it is benevolent magic and is the opposite of harmful, they’re seen as anything but dangerous and a blessing to those in need of healing.
In all, the accumulation of the actual lore snippets/examples (books, in game sources, etc) noted in the original post, as well as the codex quote above, double down on points I’ve been keen on before:
Magical healing, especially Spirit Healing, is not easy in any sense of the word; it requires a firm will due to the connection(s) made with the spirit(s), particularly if you think of southern Circle mages who have a fear of spirits/their own powers beaten into them from a young age - to channel any spirit to heal at the level accomplished magical healing, much less a Spirit Healer, requires would no doubt be horrifying to many
I would theorize that a mage that is insecure in any way (primarily confidence, will power, etc) in regards to their magic/etc would make for a poor healer, much less be able to form a bond with a spirit in order to become a fully fledged Spirit Healer
Spirit Healers, and likely anyone particularly accomplished at the non-Spirit Healer channeling (heal) spells are likely closely watched by Templars & their own Circle due to the fact that they are channeling a spirit & that spirit’s magic/knowledge/etc through them and in Templar thought process, that’s like 1 (one) step before possession
Speaking of possession, anyone terrified of becoming possessed, tying into my second point, would likely never be able to channel or become a Spirit Healer until they reach that certain point of peace internally with/are able to stabilize their will & comfort + respect for their own magical capabilities
The Season of the Dragon is upon this, and here is a quick recap of some of the cool details:
This is all yours and Abnur Tharn’s fault.
Dragons are back, with some getting released, and some coming out of hiding or hibernation.
Elsweyr will be explored.
More than one Khajiit furstock is present! Currently the adorable house cat-like Alfiq are confirmed. They will be wearing tiny outfits. Also exploration of Khajiit culture.
Necromancer Class. Necromancers are going to be a bit of a different class as Necromancy is still criminal, and you will be treated accordingly if you show off your powers near civilization.
Every release over the year will tie into a single storyline.
@starshrouded gets a Forgotten Realms starter from Nox
❝…and I’ll even get you a discount when you get back.❞ Vai Senesk, influential rogue and man with his fingers in many pots, leaned against the dirty table as he finished what must have been his eighth pitch of this job. ❝C'mon, I know you need this.❞
❝Oh, sure, I need this like I need a discount I can’t use since I’ll be too busy plane-hopping if I take this job.❞ Nox pointed at the clearly exhausted human, pint still in hand and annoyance clear. If Vai hadn’t customarily been such a good source for work, he’d have walked away after pitch attempt one. ❝I knew you were a miser and a bastard, but I didn’t realize you were out of your fucking mind, too.❞
❝I’ll double the pay.❞ The unamused stare he received made the rogue sigh. ❝Fine, triple. You could get everyone off your back with that much.❞
❝No.❞ Nox said, an unkind smile on his face before he took a drink. ❝Nice try, though.❞
❝And you can keep anything you find. Any artifact or magical i—❞
❝Nope!❞ His tone between swallows was mockingly cheerful now; he could see it visibly wearing on his solicitor. ❝Give up yet?❞
❝You know the one you’d be escorting is gorgeous, right? I’m told they’re more beautiful than—❞
❝Boy, you could put Lady-fucking-Firehair herself in my lap dripping wet, and I still wouldn’t take this job.❞ A chuckle joined his words, one his companion did not seem to appreciate. ❝Just let it go, Vai. Relax, have a drink. We don’t need to—❞
❝Then I’m calling in your debt, Nox. You’re doing this.❞
Nox’s fingers clenched his tankard near tight enough to crush it, and all amusement fled the conversation in a hurry. The pleasant warmth from his buzz went frigid, and the usually comforting din of the Copper Coronet seemed suddenly deafening. Vai’s own neck must have been on the line for him to pull something like this, and there was nothing Nox could do about it. Shit.
He drained what was left in his tankard, the silence between them oppressive, and slowly leaned back in his chair when he’d finished. For a time Nox simply stared at his companion, a dangerous look that lasted long enough to make the man squirm. When Nox finally spoke his tone had changed just as dramatically as his demeanor - no longer mocking or playful, but menacingly cold and calm. He was furious. Most people didn’t survive that.
❝Fine,❞ he said, putting the empty tankard down on the table between them. ❝Bring them to me, then. I’ll wait.❞
Vai nodded, standing and leaving the table in a hurry. Nox stayed put as promised, swimming in all his burning rage and the rampant fear it desperately covered. Eventually, he flagged down the tavern wench for a refill. And then another. And another.
Taverns on the planes weren’t as welcoming as this one. Best to enjoy it while he could.
Vai was a changed man upon his return to the docks; his earlier confidence, worn boldly on his proud face, had been snuffed out and replaced by an expression of grim accomplishment. ‘Won the battle but lost the war’, Astra’s own subconscious offered without context. Whichever memory of theirs held the idiom’s source was unknown to them, veiled by the ever-present haze of amnesia shrouding their own mind from them. They had learned to avoid repeated attempts at trying to pursue the crumbs of knowledge that slipped out from the depths of their psyche: frustration and a dagger-sharp throbbing behind their eyeballs were their only rewards.
Thus Astra mutely accepted their mind’s commentary and simply pushed themselves up to a standing position, continuing to stare at the sneak thief through the voile panels curtaining the massive upper deck windows of the Nymph’s Kiss’s great cabin. From the advantageous point the stern’s height provided, Astra watched with continued curiosity as Vai walked like a condemned man toward towards the great ocean vessel. The deckhands did not spot him until he was on the boardwalk, albeit a suitable distance away even still; not even the sea elves’ eyes were as good as Astra’s, especially after the sun had set - and it had been set for some time.
The stirring of activity towards the bow was followed by movement below - the captain’s quarters. Astra remained standing by the window, even as Vai left their sight, having turned their silver eyes toward Selûne and following her Tears. They remained there, unmoving, when an abrupt knocking of the door sounded through the room, a notice rather than the asking of permission, as the door was opened immediately following the sound.
“Feeling pensive, Healer?” The Captain’s rich voice lilted off the walls, preceding the Captain before she stepped up beside Astra. They were unused to others being close to them - be it fear or deference, rare was it for Astra to have the space immediately surrounding them so comfortably moved into. They pulled their eyes from Selûne, looking into the ruby red of the Captain’s, unblinking as they silently shook their golden head. The moon reminded them of someone, but only in feeling, an ache that strummed within their chest that they could put no name or face too. Just the feeling and the knowledge that someone, whoever it was, was missed terribly by their subconscious.
It was similar with the Captain. Perhaps Astra had known the woman in a time before this. Whatever this was. The Captain’s eyes moved over Astra’s face, the constant affection lingering in the back of her crimson gaze had never gone unnoticed by Astra. But the Captain offered nothing to them other than an easy familiarity that, had Astra not felt a deep fondness for the Captain since the moment they’d met, would have otherwise set them on edge. Whatever the Captain might have been looking for upon Astra’s face, she did not find, her only tell being the flickering of a shadow across her proud, noble features before she looked away from them.
“Vai.” The Captain’s eyes narrowed, her face and voice devoid of all the melodious warmth Astra had been afforded. The thief all but jumped out of his skin before standing upright immediately, tilting his pale face back to warily meet the Captain’s. “Y-Yes, Captain?” He choked out, eyes bouncing between the Captain and Astra in a repeated series of the rapid glances; fear and curiosity at war with one another. The Captain smiled wanly as she raised a hand and gently smoothed her gloved fingers over the muslin palla draped over Astra’s head and shoulders. “I will have a hidden detail assigned to ensure your destination is reached, but once Astra has stepped off my ship, you do understand that the entire well-being of our dear Healer is your responsibility until you have passed the duty onto this escort you’ve arranged. Yes?”
Remaining still under the Captain’s ministrations, Astra brought the tips of their fingers and their long, golden claws together, touching ever so slightly afore them as they listened. Silently they noted how the Captain insisted upon pulling the palla’s black fabric further across Astra’s face and neck and general upper body - covering any skin that had been showing from beneath the layers of gossamer and chiffon draped over their ample figure. Enough light ensured that the silhouette of their form was clearly outlined and if even one layer was removed, curious eyes were granted all but the most intimate of details of their body. On their first meeting the Captain had made clear her disapproval of Astra’s lack of suitable cover and had repeatedly emphasized throughout the voyage the importance of Astra keeping themselves protected from all eyes.
On his part, in spite of Vai’s blatant nervousness, the pointed challenge in the Captain’s words seemed to inspire the faint return of spark back in his eyes. Vai raised his chin, shoulders squaring slightly, “I do, Captain--Nox might be particularly rough ‘round the edges, especially compared to…” His gaze flicked about the handsomely dressed cabin before landing on Astra. “...your usual environment, Lady Healer--” He bowed his head slightly in deference to the healer, speaking at a rapid fire rate now that he’d managed to refind his tongue. “--but he takes his job seriously; I consider my work ethic second-to-none, but Nox might just have me beat.”
The Captain’s smile grew, from weak attempt to outright baring of the teeth, as she carefully pinned Astra’s palla up and across their face, obscuring all but their down-turned silver eyes from view. “I will hold you to your word Vai.” The Captain’s hands smoothed down Astra’s covered shoulders, looking pleased with herself - aside from the somewhat manic twisting of her beautiful face when she fixed her slit pupils on Vai. “I will hold this Nox to his word as well. Do be sure to emphasize this point to him. Use as many small words as possible if you must. Do we understand one another?”
Vai’s demeanor grayed once more and while he looked fit to take a step back, he managed to hold his ground, nodding as he looked up towards the Captain. “Aye aye, Captain.” His eyes darted nervously toward Astra, who met his gaze straight on, and they smiled faintly, overall amused by the nonsensical seriousness of the entire exchange. “I look forward to being in your care for the short time being, then, Master Thief,” they murmured, humor laced through the dulcet tone of their voice. Color returned to Vai’s face, rapidly spreading from his nose to the tips of his ears, and he nodded mutely, words lost once again.
---
The Copper Coronet was visible upon entry to the slums, or at least according to Vai, for it was apparently located behind the shanty houses, small shops, and intermittent market stalls that made use of the enormous structure’s outer wall. The entrances were on the opposite side, he’d said, and led them along the path leading left. Apart from brief explanations from the thief, no conversation was to be had between the two of them. Their mutual dispositions of silence negated any such potential, especially when stretches of quiet barely populated street gave way to the bustle of late night business, where hawkers and other evening services vied for the recently earned coin of the people looking to spend what they could.
The slums were a miserable place. It was not so much the sheer poverty of the area - families, communities, could come together and make things work, but in Athkatla...too many fingers, too many pots. Greed permeates all who have little desire else but to gain more and more at the cost of anyone, everyone, and stand on the necks of those who already have naught to give. All in order to gain more. More what? Anything, everything. At the price of anything, anyone, and everything else - all because it was legal. All except that which could easily help the most destitute and ill.
The Captain had refused to accommodate Astra’s desire to pay for a magical practice license, loathe as they had been been to give any money to the city’s repugnant Cowled Wizards, the Captain was even less amenable. She had cited Astra’s limited time to be spent in the city atop their combined funds towards the necessary assortment of bribes and expenditures paid into the pockets of the Shadow Thieves and various characters as the primary motives behind her resistance, but Astra had suspected that the Captain had been unwilling to risk Astra making some sort of scene - as if they had ever exhibited an inclination to such behavior.
Vai did not display any such suspicions towards Astra, instead he remained fast to their side, close enough for the fabrics of their respective attires to brush against one another while keeping enough distance that he did not touch them with his own weight be it by his skin or one of his gloved hands. Astra’s eyes remained forward, hands clasped tightly in front of them lest they cave into their desire to put them to use - too long have they been forced into idleness and there was little Astra detested more. Best they were spirited away, and soon, lest Astra’s internalized industriousness finally overtake their patience and they decided to find out just how thorough the Wizards’ vigil truly was.
“--My Lady...?” Vai had been speaking but Astra hadn’t responded in any form. They immediately turned their face towards him, a movement sudden enough to make the small human jump slightly. But not so much as to render him mute as the Captain had. “We’re here.” Vai swallowed thickly around his words, nodding towards one of the two solid wooden doors that led into the Copper Coronet. Just looking at the dilapidated structure, and the equally run down temple atop it amidst the few businesses up there, made Astra feel slightly nauseated, with the sheer despondency reeking throughout the portion of the slums immediately about them - most in particular emanating from the inn. “Very well, Vai,” they murmured from behind the fabric over their mouth, nodding their head towards him as their eyes settled fully on the doors, “I will follow your lead, then.”
The very last thing Vai looked like he wanted to do was enter that building, but he did so after a false squaring up of his shoulders. Astra had very few strings to tie together, so it was only with what few details they’d observed thus far that built their theory behind his increased timid behavior. Likely the escort he’d acquired for them - or someone related to the situation - was the cause, or part of it, of Vai’s loss of earlier confidence and increased jumpiness. But no matter how terrified he was of whatever war he’d lost, the Captain clearly terrified him enough that he was willing to lead Astra back. And perhaps, they mused as they watched him shuffle in their peripheral, leading the way through the terribly worn - but functionally clean compared to everywhere else thus far - tavern, he was a tad intimidated by them as well, if not outright afeared of them.
Astra could feel eyes all around them, upon them, and Vai was clearly not ignorant of this either. Covered the healer may be, the fine fabrics draped over their body in a fitted manner that hinted at what could almost be seen, rather than keeping anything and everything a complete enigma. It was the sort of mystery that people had proclaimed many a time before to Astra, that a near decipherable puzzle just out of reach was all the more tantalizing than the truly unknown. A fascinating approach - Astra had never considered anything just out of their reach. Outside of their own Hells-snatched memories.
It was in one of the darkest corners that Vai’s associate was located, the seated figure cutting an impressive figure even with tankard in hand and the scent of alcohol - and no small number of unwashed bodies - rife in the air. And once Astra’s eyes lock onto a gold eye through the fairly ill-smelling smoke, the tingle at the back of their head lances down their entire body. Ah. They’d been curious. They remained curious, rapt truly, just as that tingling remained at the base of their skull. They did not look away as Vai nodded to Nox, still quite stiff, ignorant of Astra’s fixation on the weapon-bedecked man (man?) - elf, his ears insinuated - as he pointedly tried not to wring his hands as he spoke, “Nox. Thanks for waiting, I---uh...” Vai’s eyes flitted about and he leaned forward slightly, doing his best to maintain out of Nox’s personal space nonetheless, “Would you be willing to take this to the back? Business details and...” Vai’s eyes darted towards Astra and then back to Nox. “...and all...?”
// It’s munday and we just took these last night and I think they’re cute, so have two pics of me (glasses) and @starshrouded being cute and very gay 💖
Séaghdha gestures emphatically to the two individuals and their additions. ❝See?!❞
Herron doesn’t bother to look up from the cards in his hand as he speaks.
“None of you should be putting herb oils on your faces without diluting it first - with nut oil, not animal fat, please and thank you.”
“Ah, yes. tis best to be mindful of ears that lack the knowledge that we--” They wave their pipe. “--already possess. Too often is it easy to forget that context is rarely sought by the inexperienced.” They raise an eyebrow pointedly. “Though not all can handle nuts, hm? Olive oil, for instance, is entirely acceptable.”
❝I’m hardly perfect! It’s just— Has no one heard of essential oils before??❞
Lywc pops her head in the doorway. “My personal favorite is to use rosemary and nettle.”
“Oils are highly efficient at multiple things, but don’t forget honey - when freshly collected and put upon the face once a week, your skin maintains a health vastly superior to the lackluster results brought about by using the solid soaps humans are constantly trifling with.” Astraeus offers from their corner, speaking around the pipe in their mouth.
titsay
ellievsbear
vaporwave
gummygunk
turnnoffyourmind
andulkaphoto
