17th of Gornow, 26E219
Liocrell Intermediary School, Caer Endaris, Royal Rejionowa
~1300
Ambassador Alnura of the Draenei detachment of the Alliance Diplomatic mission to Endaria sat in the back of the class. Today, she was sitting in on an Endarian intermediary class with her guide, a middle aged man from the Royal Marine Diplomatic Corps, Lieutenant Tavros Farkas. The teacher, an older man with the olive skin characteristic of Endaria's "Savari Region" in the Savari Desert to the east, was writing on the chalk board a list of words. 'Flat, Chart, Code, Impact, Lead, Wave, Lord, Grand.' She cocked her head, writing down the words in the journal she had on her. The teacher, Abbas, finishes writing and turns to the class.
"Today, we'll be talking about magical rankings and types. But first, I want you all to greet miss Alnura and Lieutenant Farkas." Abbas speaks to the class with a small smile. The class turns to look at Alnura and Farkas and greets them with a chorus of hellos. They then return their attention to the teacher and the board.
"Very good, now, I hope everyone studied from their books before today. First, can someone tell me the difference between "Magic, Ley, Runes, and Spells?" Abbas says, looking at the class from over his shoulder as he creates a chart with the four words as the categories. A blonde girl wearing a pastel dress raises her hand. Alnura was already curious. She had heard of "ley" used before. It was a term used back home. She wondered if it was at all similar to what it meant back home. Abbas looks at the girl.
"Ah, yes. Desera, please explain." Abbas directs.
"Ley is naturally occurring magical energy as it exists in the earth, sea, and sky. It's the raw magical energy in the same way as electricity or heat." Desera answers enthusiastically as Abbas nods.
"Very good. Very good indeed." Abbas responds as he writes a summary of Desera's answer in the 'Ley' category. "As Desera said, Ley is unharnessed raw magical energy. It occurs naturally in all things and can even become condensed in the form of ley crystals, which is what is used as ammunition for our artillery and fuel for various magical contraptions." Abbas continues, expanding on Desera's answer. Alnura writes everything down. It was fascinating. There was a certain commonality between the idea of leylines of Azeroth and Galatine's 'Ley' but this seemed to be a combination of 'leylines' and natural mana. She looks up from her journal as Abbas speaks up again.
"Anyone else care to explain another?" Abbas asks as another hand shoots up, this time a black haired boy in a 'jinbei' if Alnura recalled the term correctly. "Takayuki, go ahead." Abbas waves his hand to press Takayuki on.
"Spells are known incantations or written scrolls that anyone can learn and use. As long as someone knows the spell, they can use it, regardless of if or how much magical capacity they themselves possess." Takayuki explains as Abbas writes his answer on the board.
"Good job Takayuki, I can see you have been studying." Abbas commends Takayuki as he turns back to face the class. "Spells are taught and anyone can use them. Many basic quality of life spells such as minor fire spells for starting a stove or lighting a candle, are known to the vast majority of the population. However, they are inferior in power to magic and runes." Abbas expands on the answer, turning to write more into the category of 'spells'. He continues to speak as he writes. "Can anyone explain what Runes are and differentiate them from Spells?" Abbas asks as he finishes writing and turns to face the class again. Already, Takayuki's hand is back up. Abbas smiles proudly.
"Go ahead, Takayuki."
"Spells are an imitation of runes that the mortal races created in an attempt to recreate and copy runes. They are weaker than runes and in 100% of cases, will lose to their runic equivalent. Also, runes will always bypass defensive spells and in 90% of cases, will bypass magical defenses as well." Takayuki explains. Abbas turns and writes the answer on the board as Takayuki speaks. Alnura writes down what is being described about spells and runes at a feverish pace, fascinated by the two. She looks up as Takayuki continues to speak.
"Runes are considered to not be magic, even if their effects resemble magic and spells in every way. They are the language, both spoken and written, of the ancient animal and elemental spirits of the earth." Abbas claps and finishes writing as Takayuki finishes his answer.
"Very good on the rune answer, Takayuki." Abbas smiles and tosses Takayuki a piece of candy. He manages to catch it, smiling proudly as he removes it from the paper wrapping and pops it in his mouth. "Takayuki summarized runes pretty well. But there is more to it. Runes are absolute. Say you know the rune of fire. It isn't like a spell which just create fire from ley. The fire rune is the very concept of fire. When used, it is literally bringing fire into existence from nothing. Also, the power of a rune is effected by the user's understanding of the rune. The more the person understands the concept, the more powerful the rune will be. Like a spell scroll, single use runes can be used without knowing the rune in the form of rune stones and rune carvings. Does anyone know what these are?" Abbas lectures thoroughly, capping off with another question. Alnura was leaning forward in her seat. These 'runes' were an incredible thing to learn about.
The person to raise their hand this time is a fair skinned boy with brown hair and green eyes.
"Pierre." Abbas says, gesturing to the kid.
"River stones and oak wood can have runes carved on them and can be activated later to instantly invoke a rune. The larger the stone or the older the oak the wood came from dictates the strength of the rune." Pierre answers with trepidation, not entirely sure of his answer.
"Be more confident Pierre, you're correct in your answer." Abbas smiles, tossing him a candy before turning to write on the board. As he writes, he continues to lecture. "Finally, runes can also be carved into a person's body, allowing them to have the rune always active or invoke it at will. This is what makes the guardians, like the Wolf, the Serpent, and the Bear so powerful. They have dozens upon dozens of runes of all types engraved on their body." Abbas explains. He turns to the class.
"Finally, can anyone explain what magic is?" Abbas asks. This time, a blond haired boy with blue eyes raises his hand. Abbas gestures to him to speak.
"Magic occurs in about 75% of people, with people being ranked by how much magic they contain. Unlike the other three, magic is contained withing the body and soul and is more abstract. While it can be used like spells, it can be honed for more unique purposes and is more free form." The boy answers confidently. Abbas nods.
"Right on the mark, Karl." Abbas says, as he writes on the board. "Magic is more free form and manifests in ways that is more up to the individual. The limiter is not the person's knowledge but rather, how much magic a person contains, which leads me into… magical rankings." Abbas speaks, stepping over to the words he had written on the board at the start of class. He turns and faces the class. Alnura writes everything she can down. She felt like a schoolgirl again with how much she was learning.
"Magical rankings are determined by using a 'Measuring Pool' which is a bowl filled with enchanted water that reacts to magical energy in things that touch the water." Abbas teaches. He points to the first rank, 'Flat'. "'Flat' composes about 25% of the population. It is the ranking of people with no magical energy. The name comes from the fact that when one touches the water, it doesn't react at all. Not even ripples. The water's surface remains flat." He explains, writing the explanation out under the name. Alnura nods. These measuring pools sounded interesting.
"Next up is the rank of 'Chart'. The name comes from the fact that there is enough magic to be on the chart. When touching the water, there will be a slight ripple. Of those who can use magic, about 35% are Charts. At this ranking, one can usually slow the degradation of sight and hearing as well as perform the most basic things such as lighting a candle without needing a match or spell." Abbas writes on the board under 'Chart' as he lectures.
"After Chart comes Code. 25% of all magic users are Codes. The name comes from the binary ripple on the water when touched. One big ripple, one little ripple. Repeating in that order. At this ranking, people are able to enhance their senses and strength and speed to some degree and can usually perform basic healing or combat magics." Abbas describes. Alnura glances at Lieutenant Farkas who looks at her and smiles.
"Keeping up, madam?" He asks, amused.
"This is amazing. There's so much to take in." She answers. He grins and nods.
"Next ranking is 'Impact', owing to how the water avoids the finger when one tries to touch the water and then splashes back when someone takes their finger away. 20% of magic users are at this ranking. This ranking opens up the possibility of more complicated magics, such as creating basic illusions, projecting or altering objects, and performing healing arts more complex than first aid." Abbas writes out as he talks. The class diligently writes things down, taking notes as they listen.
"After Impact comes 'Lead'. The name comes from the fact that the water will follow the finger when the finger is removed, only splashing back into the pool once the finger is about a foot away. 15% of the magic using population are Leads and this is the last rank that is considered somewhat common. At this rank, one can start summoning particularly strong shields and do organic enchantments, such as enchanting a wooden doll to become a familiar. Impacts and Leads are at the level where a career can be made out of one's magical abilities." Abbas lectures. Alnura raises an eyebrow. Leads were already pretty impressive, so she was curious what the following ranks were like.
"Next up is 'Wave', coming from the fact that touching the water creates a wave out from the finger that splashes out of the bowl. 4.8% of magic users are Waves. At this rank, you start to leave the realm of normal magic. These people have enough magic to become wizards or to hone their magic into special abilities that are catered to their own lifestyle, abilities, personality, etc. In other words, rather than develop a wide range of abilities, these people hone their magic into a specialized thing." Abbas teaches. Alnura nods, fascinated. She was curious was to what these unique, specialized magics were like.
"Following Wave is 'Lord'. At this rank, touching the bowl causes the water to mimic boiling. Composing only 0.1999% of the magic using population, Lords like Waves, pursue specialized magics, but to an even greater degree. Where a Wave will likely hone an extant concept like fire into a unique way of using it, like an ability to use whips of fire, a Lord may hone their magic into something even more unique. Their abilities are one of a kind. Specialized powers that only they have created and honed." Alnura paused her writing to look up, surprised to learn that someone could essentially invent and have their own personalized magic as unique and catered to them as to be the only example of it in the world.
"Last but not least is 'Grand'. When touching the water, a grand will cause the water to instantly evaporate. They make up only 0.0001% of the population of magic users. On the continent, there is 218 known Grands and an estimated 109 more. Of those 218, 74 are still children or adolescents. Another 57 are considered 'training' Grands, and therefore have yet to master their 'Mage Art'. Thus, only 87 people in all of the continent are full fledged Grands with mastered 'Mage Arts'." Abbas explains. Alnura was overwhelmed. First, by the implications of Galatine's population if she extrapolated the number of Grands, but also that they were so rare. But also… what was this mage art he had talked of?
"Now, as I imagine many of you would love to explain for the sake of our guests… what is a 'Mage Art'?" Abbas asks, looking at the class as a sea of hands are raised. He picks out Desera. "Yes, explain away Desera." He says, smiling at the excited girl.
"A 'Mage Art' is the pinnacle of magic. Every full fledged Grand has one. It's their magnum opus magic. Like, yes, Lords have specialized, one of a kind magics too, but Grands are on a different level. Their magic is honed to such a degree that it's like it's an extension of their mind and soul. Most even manifest their art through a physical object be it a pen, a sword, a book, or sometimes, but very very rarely, an animal." Desera explains excitedly, almost tripping over her words. Alnura coughs.
"Wow… people can get that strong with magic?" Alnura asks quietly. The lieutenant chuckles and looks at her. He nods in the affirmative. Alnura just shakes her head, overwhelmed by the information overload that is the class. As she finishes writing, there is a ding from the water clock. Abbas looks at the water clock and smiles.
"Well, that concludes this class. Good job on studying everyone." Abbas says as students start to get up. Many of the students bid farewell to the guests. Alnura desperately tries to write everything down as Abbas erases things from the board. Once she has everything down, she stands up, as does Lieutenant Farkas.
"Thank you, Mr Abbas. This was a great experience. I learned a lot about things here and it was enjoyable to see how education is done in Galatine." Alnura says, smiling. Abbas smiles back and politely bows his head briefly.
"Ah, it was great to have you. I never thought I'd live to see a day where I was teaching a class in front of another race." He replies.
"You're a very good teacher. I hope you have a wonderful day!" Alnura says as she and her guide head for the door.
"Thank you! You too!" Abbas responds happily.
Alnura steps out of the classroom and sighs. That was a lot to take in. What she had learned would be quite interesting to her superiors. She had no doubt about that.
18th of Gornow, 6E219
Ivory Palace, Caer Endaris, Royal Rejionowa
~0830
Alnura walked through the double doors labeled 'Lobby Three', stepping into a rather open lounge with finger foods and drinks as well as places to sit. It seemed she was the last one to arrive. The other Draenei delegates, Adaru and Etu were chatting quietly in the corner while drinking orange juice. She spotted the gnome delegation seated around a coffee table, reviewing notes. The human delegation were tasting the foods at the table, talking and pointing out foods. The young prince Anduin and his guard Dalen were with the delegation. Anduin was watching everything with youthful curiosity. The Night Elf delegation was in another corner seated in chairs, appearing to try to catch a few extra moments of rest. The dwarf delegation were all scattered around, reading books.
Quietly walking over to Adaru and Etu, Alnura greets them.
"Sorry I'm late. I got caught up with breakfast. It took longer than I expected." Alnura apologizes politely. Adaru smiles and Etu shakes his head.
"Do not worry. We still have a little bit before the meeting begins." Adaru replies. He looks Alnura over. "Well, you look none the worse for well. I presume the class you sat in on wasn't a bad time then?" He continues. Alnura shakes her head.
"Not at all. It was quite informative. Endaria seems to have quite a sophisticated system for documenting their magic. They have terms for everything. It's a bit overwhelming, really." Alnura answers, handing Adaru her journal of notes as Etu nods.
"Yes… That seems to be something that holds true across everything here." Etu speaks up. "I got to go to a Wizard's laboratory. Same thing. Their wizards are all magic researches, developing new applications of magic and they have methods for studying magic, concepts with terms. It's overwhelming to watch. I don't know if I actually learned anything. The wizards were throwing around terms that I was unfamiliar with. But it was obvious that they have formal processes and methodology, even with magical research." He continues, scratching his head, as if still trying to figure everything out.
"Aye, I was talking to one of the dwarf delegates, Tonli. He went to a weapons maker. It's not like a blacksmith. More like a massive warehouse like structure, with multiple forges inside. Apparently different smiths make different parts and a separate crew at a different location assembles the parts into different models of swords." Adaru comments, concurring with Etu.
"Ah, that's what you were starting to mention when Alnura walked up, right?" Etu replies. Adaru nods as Alnura cocks her head.
"So you mean to say, blacksmiths don't individually make swords on order?" Alnura asks curiously. Adaru shakes his head.
"Not just swords. Place Tonli was at did swords, knives, and axes. But apparently, each smith makes only one part. Exactly the same each time. Each part has a like… model itself. Like, there might be four hilt models, each for different models of swords, say a saber, a falchion, a longsword, and an arming sword. But I digress. My point is, as Tonli told me, every part and every weapon had numbers and model designations. They document everything." Adaru explains. Alnura cocks her head. Wondering why they would divide the labor across multiple different smiths. Wasn't it better to have all the parts made and assembled by one smith so he knew about every part?
"So, how was your visit to the Imperial Records, Adaru?" Alnura asks, dismissing the thoughts in her head for the time being.
"It was a bit underwhelming honestly. Or overwhelming. I don't know how I would describe it. I wouldn't call it fun, that's for sure. But the amount of documents and records is impressive. These Endarians have an almost disturbing obsession with having everything on file." Adaru replies, scratching his chin. Etu nods in agreement.
"Can't say I see a point. But I won't deny, their material and industrial capacity would be an asset to the Alliance. Especially if the Horde is courting one of the other powers. I imagine they are every bit Endaria's equal, otherwise they would have been quashed." Etu says. Alnura and Adaru nod. Alnura is about to speak up when suddenly the double doors on the other side of the room open up. Looks like it was time to meet with the Endarian power players and see if an actual deal could be reached. She suddenly felt stones in her stomach. How would this meeting go? What would be the future fate of the Alliance?