#tdp magic

[dailytdp]

Primal Sources Icon Explorations by Samuel Thompson

[caelans-got-opinions]

Hey guys. You know what else we should do besides just using the hashtag "giveusthesaga"?

Pester Netflix on social media. (Not employees - the company's accounts.)

Go on Netflix's social media and comment on as many posts as you can that you want The Dragon Prince to get greenlit for more seasons. Follow their accounts and comment on each new post that you want more Dragon Prince.

Pester them.

[salty-and-spiraling]

Random thought:

Magic repellent humans AU.

For so long humans had been detached from anything magical, more so after the continent divide, that some of them developed a resistance to magic entirely.

I'm talking magic spells bounce right off them, magic objects (primal stone, staffs, gems) don't work for them, and, in some rare cases, magical creatures are repelled by them.

Basically they cannot interact with anything of magical property the way that they normally would be able and are actually incapable of even learning an arcanum.

[noleafclover]

Why is no one talking abt dark magic Callum?

When I watched season seven of tdp one of the things that stood out to me the most was the scene where Callum talks to a PHYSICAL MANIFESTATION of the choice he had to make! It was a little on the nose to have your character literally talk to themselves when having a moral dilemma. For context I’m taking abt when Callum had to decide whether to use dark magic and risk his soul being tainted leaving him vulnerable to be controlled by Aaravos, or risking Aaravos coming back in seven years. When he is making this decision, first looks into some water and sees the Callum from that time Aaravos took control of his body staring back, they then have a conversation about how Callum needs to chill out about dark magic because it’s really his only sound option right now. He eventually chose to embrace dark magic and therefore this “other Callum” he talks to even adopting the white streak seen in “other Callum”’s hair. All this to say, is there an in-universe explanation for this?? Because I don’t remember anything about Callum seeing or doing anything like this before. It could be a lazy way to show internal conflicts chalked up to Aaravos messing with Callum but the tpd team has shown him having similar conflicts before rather tastefully so I hope that’s not the case. Another explanation could be Callum is a multiple of some kind or has BPD, but I retract my earlier statement of this being the case as I have done more research and because Callum had shown no symptoms up to this point and also I don’t think that’s how these things work. I just think it’s so bizarre that the writers would drop something like this on us now of all times, I suppose it could be a trauma response? I don’t know, I just thought it was weird? If anyone has any information or theories please lmk in the comments

thank you for humoring me,

your humble host,

-Leafy

[random-fandom-ramble]

Do you think that Callum unlocking deep magic could cause him to invent a better magic system?

Ooooh, that’s a very interesting question.

So before I can answer this ask properly, I’ll explain what I think deep magic actually is.

A few years back I made a theory post detailing what I believe deep magic to actually be, and to summarise what I’d said there:

I think deep magic is the underlying core of all magic, the base component from which all other magic is then created, and which all primal sources have in common (like a common denominator of every primal magic spell). When you remove all the various attributes from the other sources (fire from sun, earth from…earth), then what you’re left with is “pure” magic. Aka deep magic.

What that aforementioned post also proposes is that if you could tap into that deep magic and control it, then you should technically be able to control every kind of primal magic to a certain extent (since deep magic is maybe contained in every form of magic).

This was my original theory as to how Aaravos seemingly mastered all six of the primal sources; he simply found a way to control deep magic. These days I don’t think I’d brush him off as „just“ a deep magic user rather than a master of all six sources, but I still think it might’ve played a part in that.

Now to your actual question @dragoncoreice :

Could Callum invent a better magic system using deep magic?

Here’s the thing;

The world of Xadia is built with and upon the six primal sources. Regardless of how they’re getting used, they are the basic building blocks of this reality. So they’re always going to exist in some way, and they aren’t going to be replaced, which I doubt would be even possible.

But I do think that this system of six primals can be improved.

One gripe that I’ve always had with magic (and elven societies for that matter) in the tdp universe is that it’s seemingly so segregated:

The sunfire elves only use sunfire tools, the moonshadow elves only live in villages in this one particular forest, and the ocean elves stay in the water. There seems to be very little exchange happening between the elves and even the dragons, with most of them keeping to their own people and communities, unless they have a practical reason to interact with another.

Similarly, there seems to be no blending of magic in Xadia: every magical item, spell or living being (save for Aaravos) is strictly tied to one primal source, and can only exude magic from that source. Yes, someone can cast magic from another source if it’s in the form of a magical stone/gem or plants, but even then, it’s technically the item doing the magic, not the person.

That is where I think deep magic could help.

If every primal source has the same base component, then it should be possible to combine or even blend different types of magic using that component [deep magic].

So instead of needing to rely on a tidebound elf or an ocean gem to perform a healing spell, a moonshadow elf could tap into deep magic and use that to then indirectly use a nearby water source to cast a healing spell. It may not be as good as from an ocean mage, but it could do the trick.

Or a sky mage could tap into deep magic and use it to sow fire magic into a lightning spell, and create whole new spells that are built from TWO different primal sources.

Once the merging of different types of magic is a thing, a whole world of new possibilities opens up and creates opportunities for new inventions and extraordinary new spells unlike anything that was seen before. And technically it would still be based on the six-primal-sources-system, but better.

So to put it shortly: no, I don’t think discovering deep magic could allow someone to invent a whole new magic system that replaces the old one. But I do think that it could greatly improve and enrich the current one.

Now, wether Callum is the one to unlock deep magic or not is left to be seen, but knowing how passionate he is about magic, he’s definitely going to get involved with it. Once he does get his hands on it, he’ll want to play with deep magic and see where he could go with it.

But considering how one of the shows most prevalent themes is about unity and teamwork, about how working towards a shared future and helping each other out is better than being alone, I wouldn’t be surprised if this revolution of magic didn’t come from Callum alone.

He might instigate it, yes, but I could really see him actually reaching out and teaching others how to tap into deep magic, so that anyone could go and invent new spells and magic; so that everyone has the chance to change the world.

~~~~~~

Thanks for reading✨

Feel free to reblog or comment with your own thoughts and ideas!

[beautifulterriblequeen]

I really enjoyed watching ToX's Tale of the Frozen Barrow, which finished up last week, featuring Cam Banks as the Narrator, and Aliza Pearl, Bee Zelda, Fenway Jones, and Mellie Doucette as players. The TTRPG stream runs for a total of 6 hours in 3 parts. It's set in Del Bar, the winter after Viren's army invades Xadia, and it contains plenty of TDP-canon details that haven't had a chance to make it into the show or books yet.

I took notes as I watched and listened, just for my own enrichment. So in case you're into some extra TDP worldbuilding, here's what I picked up:

Duren

Riverlands of Duren, across border from Katolis. Rivers, rolling hills.

There is a well trod path in Duren to Del Bar along the river. Possibly created/expanded by the army that departed to join Viren.

Eljaal, Moonshadow assassin, was here in summer, for mission

Now it’s stormy and colder, the land is recovering from troop movements and upset and whispers of war. People have gone home from wartime places/camps, as if for fall/winter. Some of the streams and tributaries have frozen over, so many waterways that it’s possible to follow the wrong one if you do not know the way.

Evenere

The edge of their territory near the river that divides them from Del Bar is called the Border Swamps.

Swamp boats exist, are pilotable. Swamp Boat has a shack in the back, and for warmth a big metal bowl with coals in it. Long oars can also be for poling.

Central Evenere is into its monarchy and politics, and conscientious deserters like Ponmalar are not liked there.

Evenereans have floods seasonally. They leave their separate towns during the winter holiday and retreat collectively to higher land to avoid the swamp monsters that come in with the floodwaters. Courtships take place then, and the communities all interact together while they’re away from their year-round homes.

Evenerean cuisine is made of gumbo, stews, tubers, grasses, and then nice hot/flavorful spices, which can create dishes that people from other lands are not always eager to try.

Neolandia

Calving season in Neolandia takes place after other realms' winter holidays, and that’s when Neolandian holidays happen.

Trading gifts is a big tradition for Neolandia.

Neolandian story: a girl who traded a peanut for a cloak, then the cloak for something better, and up and up until she traded for a palace.

"Trading up" is a Neolandian concept of bettering one's fortune/prospects

Del Bar

Mountainous rugged wild kingdom

Long stone bridge across the river from Duren to Del Bar. The Del Bar side has a 4-story watchtower of stone, with a crenellated top, at the very end of the bridge. One story is within the bridge with a side door to steps that lead down to the water, and three stories rise above the bridge.

Across the bridge into Del Bar, is lower foothills and then very tall mountains. Ledges, ravines, etc.

Hinterpeak is capital city of Del Bar.

Del Bar and Evenere do not get along, traditionally.

Only bad barrels of food were left behind by the Del Barian army.

Caravan area by the watchtower on the Del Barian side, gathering area with buildings, rest stop, troughs, way station. Used to be siege engines here for defense, ballistas etc, but they are gone, taken into Viren’s war.

Del Barians are quasi-xenophobic not only toward elves from Xadia but toward other humans from other countries

Men generally wear big beards, loose or braided.

Stables attached to tower, animals would be brought in during coldest weather, brazier is lit inside but not doing much warming due to a fuel shortage.

Beer in Del Bar, they have that after food runs out. All over the land, after armies moved out, people are picking over leftovers and less worthy foods, and this beer is sour or maybe spoiled.

Dorm room on the top floor of the watchtower holds a dozen beds, all facing center. There are four men stationed here.

Del Barians party by being as loud and braggodocious as possible on purpose, like Sunfires.

Rulers in Del Bar are picked from winning contests on boasting and discussion. Del Barian leaders are braggadocious but also can actually win in a fight so they're capable and clear-headed.

The Boast! A storytelling contest when family reunites, to see who had the coolest time while they were apart.

A new king has apparently not been selected to replace King Florian after a smoky assassin killed him last spring.

Del Barians don’t hide their feelings.

If you do something in a way different than theirs, they may comment to someone near them how wrong/weird your behavior is, loudly enough for you to hear it.

Wyrmcrag is a village in the shadow of a frozen waterfall/glacier

Del Barian village looks like a Viking village, with Irish carving and twists in decor, looks also kinda like Spanish Colonial. Enter under a carved arch, with wide gates.

The locals have various skin tones, but most are hard workers toiling, with a few who are dressed for lighter work. The only people left after everyone marched to war are aged, young, or not suited for the military at all, no one here is really fit for a strong defense.

Main structure is a festival hall, a long house. Long line of coals down center of longhouse, provides much of the light. Big pots hang over them, big sheets of iron with things cooking on them also. Cauldrons, spears, skewers. Sit on low benches near the coals and eat from troughs and trenches, and also smaller seating areas away from the firepit. High ceiling 4+ ppl tall, makes the room a bit echoey, ventilation slit in the top of the ceiling to let out smoke.

Del Barian food is boiled, fried, skewered, and roasted. Big tureens of soup. Big full loaves of bread.

Heavily meat-oriented meal, lots of meat being cooked over the fire. Caravan brought fruit and vegetables from afar, though.

Longhouse has a big wooden frame with lots of barrels set into it that got tapped and have various beers and ales.

“Hot nice, cold nice”: drinks that are not beer

Hot Nice: Elderberry-jasmine-mead elixir, warms back of throat and back of neck when you take a sip. It's Honey Whiskey, served hot.

Thermos made of leather

Festival hair ornaments involve bright threads or braided/twisted bits in festival colors that are twined through their hair.

Del Barians have lots of pride in folklore and storytelling and their ability to spin yarns.

Bardbarians, basically.

Conrad's Boast (brag-story): Over a thousand years ago, before the land was divided and the human realms were even formed, his ancestor, Connar, was the mightiest swordsman. He faced the frostwyrm Kalesh, drove it into a cave, and stunned it in there. Dying, he remained inside the cave to keep it from attacking his family so they would survive, and his brother Orlando, a dark mage, sealed the ice into a tomb to trap Kalesh.

Elves

Elves can see better than humans.

Eljaal’s sword staff collapses and unfolds. Like Viren’s staff.

Moonberry juice is an exceptionally high quality drink.

Creatures

Musk Bear: Bear-sized with shaggy fronts and springy legs, and they run like apes. Live near Serpentongue and don't have horns. Appearing somewhere between bear and wolf. Have a sort of howling noise. Mellie strongly hinted that these will be listed in the ToX Handbook.

Spectral form of musk bear has horns and is much larger than usual. Velvety purplish black creatures (not really here 100% even though they look very real), affected by dark magic. This is later revealed to be a fear/nightmare effect created by pulling energy from a powerful dark magic ward, thereby giving nightmarish scenes to innocent people instead of the wards' intended target.

Frostwyrm (ice dragon): huge and ancient, its face draconian with twisty horns carved of ice, face chiseled like moving ice sculpture, wide mouth, scary, haunting.

Ghosts aren’t real in this world, and there are no undead.

Dark Magic

Reveal Your Secrets dark magic spell uses the antenna of an archangel lunaris and also of a sunray monarch

Reveal your Secrets, when applied to a person, gives a vision of the person who’s doing a thing, from their own eyes, can’t ID them, but see hands.

A dark mage can basically dispel spectral creatures affected with dark magic using a wave of intent and a spell. They dissolve into sleety bits and then foggy smoke and evaporates.

Cantrips can be done at will when you have Corrupted trauma

Can’t make up new spells, all spells exist already in primal and dark

A dark mage with Corruption trauma can see dark magic effects on/through objects and areas

Spiderweb of black from eyes and mouth and paler skin = dark magic corruption stress

Dark mages can sense the corrupted trauma on each other

Objects can become magical due to their place in history and events they become part of, such as an ordinary pair of ermine gloves.

Dark magic wards can give nightmares and terrors to even powerful frostwyrms, rendering strong beings incapable of daring to break through relatively weak physical barriers like sheets of ice.

These nightmarish wards can be reversed with other dark magic, giving nightmares to others and spawning monstrous creatures to frighten, and the more terror that happens on the "wrong" side of the wards and drains them, the weaker they become, until they're rendered useless and the warded being is free to escape.

Tressal sees the other dark mage wave his fingers doing a spell effect that pulls on no obvious magical source. It wasn't made 100% clear but since the dark mage was trying to destroy the nightmare wards, I'm assuming that was the source of power.

There can be a visible cue when a dark magic spell is happening, such as rain falling weirdly at the target location.

There's some way to merge a fighter's strength with dark magic, and this family has been doing it for a thousand years, possibly using the frostwyrm as a source of strength, since they've been guarding its "tomb" all this time, yet it isn't actually dead.

live stream chat comment from BWS2K: "If people are running or screaming, that's fire. If people are running AND screaming, that's dark magic."

[huntress-of-stories-and-dreams]

Headcanon #72

Overuse of Star and Moon arcanums may result in troubles in distinguishing illusions from reality, often leading to insanity.

[goshgollydarnit]

@thedragonprinceofficial We did bleaching in art class