| 1 | [[quoteright:263:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/6cceed6cc152ea992255506bff1f9bcf.jpg]] |
| 2 | [[caption-width-right:263: Eric Watley, Mercenary Mage, at your service.]] |
| 3 | |
| 4 | ->''Welcome to a world where magic and monsters are as common as homework and hotdogs.'' |
| 5 | -->-- '''{{Tagline}}''' |
| 6 | |
| 7 | ''Journey to Chaos'' is an UrbanFantasy series by Brian Wilkerson. It takes place in the ConstructedWorld of Tariatla and follows the adventures of Eric Watley, a mage for the Dragon's Lair mercenary guild. The stories consist of his missions for the guild, the mischief that Tasio the Trickster sends his way, and clashes with the enemies that he meets and makes. |
| 8 | |
| 9 | It starts as a LowFantasy, with Eric doing novice missions like running a client's errands or escorting a merchant caravan and escalates as the reason that Tasio brought him to Tariatla is revealed. |
| 10 | |
| 11 | Books in the series include: |
| 12 | # ''Literature/AMagesPower'' (Published in December 2012) |
| 13 | # ''Literature/LoomingShadow'' (Published in December of 2014) |
| 14 | # ''Literature/ManaMutationMenace'' (Published in December of 2015) |
| 15 | # ''Literature/TranscendingLimitations'' (Published in May 2017) |
| 16 | # ''The Highest Power'' |
| 17 | |
| 18 | A prequel was published in March 2024, "Catalyst for Glorious Change". |
| 19 | ---- |
| 20 | !!Tropes present throughout the series: |
| 21 | * AccidentalMisnaming: |
| 22 | ** Captain Ginger Hasina can't get anyone's name right. She's too focused on her latest MadScientist medicine to bother. She's called Eric "Derek", Redstreak "Breadbeck" and Jemas, her own NumberTwo, as "James". |
| 23 | ** Nunnal Enaz has a localized case of this trope; she can't remember the names of her employees. Instead she calls them "Letter Guy" as in "A Guy", "B Guy," "C Guy" etc. Annala asked Wiol, a goddess who is aware of every possible future, if this would ever change. The answer? "No." |
| 24 | * ActionDressRip: Ataidar must have many [[LadyOfWar ladies of war]] because both Kasile and Hailey have dresses designed with this in mind. The long and/or layered skirts can be quickly removed without tearing them through clever use of cords. In less urgent situations, like an impromptu duel instead of a life-or-death fight, Hailey also removes her high heels. |
| 25 | * TheApprentice: |
| 26 | ** "Apprentice" is the first stage of membership in the Dragon's Lair mercenary company. It is followed by "Novice" and then "Regular". |
| 27 | ** Zettia become's Eric unofficial student in basic magic. [[spoiler: Then Basilard's official pupil in Bladicraft.]] |
| 28 | * AuraVision: |
| 29 | ** Mages can learn the spell "Magic Sight" which enables them to see {{mana}} in the world around them. This is useful for spotting hidden runes, magical amplifiers, and other supernatural things like invisible people. |
| 30 | ** The "Third Eye" technique practiced by Retina and Tiza turns their own aura into an additional eye with which to see the world. It also works on ambient {{mana}} instead of reflected light like a physical human eye. |
| 31 | * AutoCannibalism: |
| 32 | ** Monsters are so stupid that it's not unusual to find them eating themselves in the fields. These breeds don't survive long. |
| 33 | ** [[spoiler: Fresh off his recovery from mana mutation]], Eric tries to eat his own hand because he misunderstood Kallen's use of the "foot in the mouth" metaphor. He doesn't actually do it because he decides that his hand doesn't taste good. |
| 34 | * BackgroundMagicField: The reason why Eric can perform magic on Tariatla and not on Threa, is because the former has one of these and the later does not, preventing a mage on Threa from regaining energy after casting spells. Not only does it provide the {{mana}} for spells but it also gives rise to monsters through [[WasOnceAMan mana mutation]] and [[UpLiftedAnimal enables non-human animals to be as intelligent as humans]]. Ceiha, an island nation, is the only place in the world that ''isn't'' covered by this field, and such, magic is much more difficult there. |
| 35 | * BadassBookworm: To be a mage in this univese, you have to do a lot of studying. That fireball spell requires a working understanding of {{mana}} and the basics of how fire operates. |
| 36 | * BadassBystander: Eric Watley lives in the Warrior Town district of Roalt and so every single one of his neighbors is capable of beating down monsters and the other districts have some powerful residents too. Two crowds of protestors join forces him to help him against Gruffle in ''Mana Mutation Menace'', and in ''Transcending Limitations'', they [[spoiler: trounce the assassins sent after Basilard and Zettai.]] |
| 37 | * BarrierWarrior: A secondary skill all mages possess is the ability to project one's spirit as a barrier against physical and magical attack. It's so common even non-mages have it. |
| 38 | * TheBartender: At ''Full Mug'' you will find Rab who is both the owner and operator. He'll listen to whatever problem you're having while brewing up some of his taverncraft and give advice as necessary. You don't even need to be in his tavern for the first one; if he sees you on the street it's the same deal. In Mana Mutation Menace, he listened to Eric's girl trouble (failed attempt at a Relationship Upgrade), Culmus' girl trouble (complicated Uptown Girl situation) and Basilard's girl trouble (his clan is rejecting his adopted daughter and she is rejecting them as well, including Basilard himself) but only had sage advice for the latter. |
| 39 | * BeastAndBeauty: After Eric [[spoiler: mana mutates into a grendel]], Kallen fills in the role of the gentle and understanding Beauty. She does this in her combat suit, due to the circumstances, but she had previously been dolled up in a kimono and make up, and Tasio laments the missed opportunity to snap "Beauty and the Beast" photos. |
| 40 | * BeastMan: These sort of creatures exist in Tariatla and are referred to as "demons" or "beast folk". |
| 41 | ** Oito looks exactly like a lizard, except he's over five feet tall, walks on his hind legs, and can use his claws like human hands. |
| 42 | ** Anuzat is a kangaroo but completely human in behavior. She wears clothing, engages in commerce, and hires bodyguards like the Dragon's Lair mercenaries. |
| 43 | * BerserkButton: |
| 44 | ** Don't call Tiza a "lady", not even respectfully. It's always an insult. |
| 45 | ** Don't touch Basilard's family sword, [=BloodDrinker=]. He'll notice even if he's unconscious. |
| 46 | ** Don't touch Old Man Aaloon's scrolls. He'll label you a thief and smack you with his staff. |
| 47 | * BestFriendManual: Eric spends the early parts of ''Literature/AMagesPower'' studying his teammates' manuals because he likes puzzles. Thus, by the end of the adventure he's able to translate for others. For instance, when Tiza says, "You better do a good job healing (the patient) because I'm gonna beat them up later" what she ''really'' means to say is "I want (the patient) to be at full strength when I challenge them to an honorable duel". |
| 48 | * BlackCloak: There is a band of rogues that ''call themselves'' the Black Cloaks, and use codenames like "Dark Staff" and "Dark Axe". Their purpose in ''Literature/AMagesPower'' is to kidnap Ataidar's princess for their mysterious boss. |
| 49 | * BedlamHouse: There's an inversion with the Trickster's Shelter in Dnnac Ledo. It houses all the local elves who have gone insane due to immortality or traumatic experiences and it is run by a grandmotherly ApronMatron. She treats them as gently as porcelain and screens visitors to make sure their fragile states are not disturbed. |
| 50 | * BlueCollarWarlock: |
| 51 | ** All of the Dragon's Lair mages are mercenaries so their jobs tend to be skilled labor. This is especially the case with novices mages who are still learning their craft. Their gig is compared to a part-time job like bagging groceries. |
| 52 | ** The field agents for the International Community Dedicated to Magic Mutation do a lot of traveling in order to gather research materials and test equipment. Kallen, for instance, basically lives in a flying trailer. |
| 53 | * BodyHorror: Mana mutation provides many examples of this trope because it involves fundamental changes in someone's biology. They could grow new limbs or orficies, lose them, or become a radically different shape altogether. Parts of the victim's body could gain a life of their own and attack them. |
| 54 | * BoundAndGagged: |
| 55 | ** During ''Literature/AMagesPower'', Kasile spends a couple weeks tied up due to her kidnapping by the Black Cloaks. [[spoiler: Then again later, along with Eric, when she is framed for treason.]] |
| 56 | ** ''Literature/LoomingShadow'' |
| 57 | *** At the start, Emily is gagged for deliberately violating the SpeakOfTheDevil taboo regarding Tasio. Then bound to prevent her from removing it. |
| 58 | *** A couple of zombie mooks try this on Tiza, [[OutGambitted but she was one step ahead of them.]] |
| 59 | *** Eric spends time shackled to a chair while held captive by Mr.15. Naturally, he's also gagged to prevent spell casting. |
| 60 | * BrokeYourArmPunchingOutCthulhu: This is the general problem with fighting reapers. Eric steals the divine authority one of them has over death in order to become immune to its magic, but he is still only mortal. He losses his advantage immediately after Reno Grade decides that he is a threat. |
| 61 | * BridalCarry: |
| 62 | ** When his wife is in the midst of an over-protective motherly rant, Retina utilizes this in combination with a ShutUpKiss to remove her from the guild lobby and allow Tiza to continue her mission unhindered. |
| 63 | ** Tiza suffers a PowerStrainBlackOut in Ceiha and Nolien carries her in this fashion to someplace safer. When she wakes up, she uppercuts him because she doesn't like being treated like a DamselInDistress. It's also embarrasing because of their {{UST}}. |
| 64 | * CanineCompanion: Kae Ninea never goes anywhere without her black lap partner, Jet. |
| 65 | * CannotTellALie: Ordercrafters cannot lie because "Order does not abide lies". They're not even allowed ExactWords. This is because Order's honesty is one of the MagicalUnderpinningsOfReality. The world would not make sense if the god stabilizing reality lied or allowed anyone using his power to lie. |
| 66 | * CelestialBureaucracy: The reapers of the Abyss are organized into ranks and governed by laws and customs. Their scythe is the symbol of their office. For instance, Reno Grade is a third class trainee reaper whose scythe is blood red while Modil Pera is a first class senior reaper and carries a scythe with a gold blade. |
| 67 | * ChestOfMedals: |
| 68 | ** Eric's civilian boss on Threa wore one of these to his commerical energy company because he still thinks he's in the military. |
| 69 | ** When Tiza complains about the lack of recognition for capturing a criminal mage above her level, Basilard replies that if she wants a chest of medals she should join the Ataidar military. The Dragon's Lair doesn't do that sort of thing; mercenaries are only awarded their wages. |
| 70 | * ChildSoldier: The Dragon's Lair mercenary company has a reconstructed version of this trope. It accepts new members as young as ten years old but only as apprentices, and only part time. The vast bulk of their missions are harmless chores like painting someone's shop or collecting medical ingredients, because they are still in training. They don't go on missions with any danger until they have sufficient practice and even then their adult mentor is the one expected to do the heavy fighting. They won't be real soldiers until they have demonstrated both the maturity and the combat skill to handle being a real soldier. In other words, when they are no longer children. |
| 71 | * CockFight: Siron of Esrah and Culmus of Stratos fight each over Princess Kasile. They're so intense about it that they are not allowed to joust each other for fear of "accidents". In the aftermath of a RescueArc, she has to plead with them not to fight each other and even then there's a close call with StabTheScorpion. When they make their DeclarationOfProtection to her, they glance sidelong at each other: "Your Highness is safe with ''me''." This state of affairs is even more depressing for Kasile than the typical version; she confides in Eric, [[LikeBrotherAndSister her surrogate big brother]] that she hoped they would become BashBrothers. |
| 72 | * ColorCodedWizardry: |
| 73 | ** All elemental spells are tinged to a color depending on the element of the spell because the {{mana}} for the spell is colored by the Worldly Mana Gates. Thus we have brown for earth spells, red for fire spells, green for forest spells etc. |
| 74 | ** Some powers share colors but have something else that distinguishes them. For instance, both fire and bladi magic is red but the shade of red is different. Bladi magic is, naturally [[BloodMagic blood red]]. |
| 75 | ** Spiritual abilities don't have a color because they are technically not magic and so they come across as "clear". Ordercraft technically doesn't have a color either because it is the absence of chaos, which is the source of all the other kinds of magic. [[YouCanNotGraspTheTrueForm The closest that mortal minds can get to is "silver-grey".]] Chaoscraft itself is a similar case; it is seen as a "golden-brown" color. |
| 76 | * CompellingVoice: The supernatural ability to make anyone obey spoken orders is part of the standard set of ordercraft abilities. Once in the grasp of a sufficiently mighty one it is impossible to escape without outside aid or chaotic abilities/items. |
| 77 | * TheConfidant: Eric is the only person with whom Kasile feels comfortable venting about TheChainsOfCommand. Part of this is because she can't hide anything from him anyway (due to being MindLinkMates) and part is because he has absolutely no interest in her queenly title or her court and is thus impartial, and except for their friendship, unconnected. |
| 78 | * ConstructedWorld: The first several chapters of ''A Mage's Power'' are basically Eric learning about the world he's landed in. Subsequent books build on this. |
| 79 | * CosmicHorrorReveal: It starts out with Eric being tossed through dimensions by a trickster god to [[GrewASpine grow a spine]] and [[ItAmusedMe provide amusement]]. Then it turns out that said trickster god [[spoiler: is molding him through his adventures into a vessel for its mother, Lady Chaos, so that she may [[DivineConflict better wage war against another one of]] ThePowersThatBe, Order. This shifts the focus of the story away from worldly mercenary missions and towards more philosophical confrontations and stabbing the other guy's clerics, along with bouts of WillingChanneler that have a possibility of damaging reality.]] |
| 80 | * CoyGirlishFlirtPose: Tasio does this to tease with Eric when [[GenderBender disguised as a beautiful human girl]]. Kallen, Tasio's favorite follower, also uses this pose to appear more girly to Eric when [[HunterOfMonsters off-duty]]. |
| 81 | * CrazyPrepared |
| 82 | ** The BigBad of the first book, [[spoiler: Duke Selen Esrah]] made sure that nothing went wrong with his EvilPlan. [[spoiler: He hired an enforcer to possess the king years before hand to make sure that the king would properly abidicate after the plan was launched, instead of escaping or comitting suicide. He was also prepared for his son to betray him, despite his son being the greatest benefactor of ThePlan]]. |
| 83 | ** Sathel hides her intelligent field medic spiders on Nolien, without telling him, because a situation where Tiza is injuried and needs their help is likely to be an occasion that incapicates the spiders she hid on her as well. She also makes sure that Tiza has everything she could possibly need when going on a mission to Ceiha and then checks to make sure she has everything four times on the way to the guild lobby. |
| 84 | * CreatureHunterOrganization: |
| 85 | ** The Dragon's Lair warrior guild trains its members in the use of mercenary magic and combat spirit techniques for the purpose of fighting monsters. With these skills, they can leave walled cities to trim the monster population and escort civilians. These monsters are all mindless carnivores (even the plants) because of the {{mana}} addling their brains. |
| 86 | ** The ICDMM (International Community Dedicated to Mana Mutation) sends out field agents to collect monsters (dead or alive) for the purpose of dissection and experimentation. Their goal is to understand mana mutation so that they can cure and/or treat it. |
| 87 | * CrimeOfSelfDefense: The first book has this both [[DefiedTrope defied]] and referenced. Eric [[spoiler: kills an orc]] in defense of Annala and the two subsequently worry about him getting in trouble for this. So much that Annala immediately collects evidence against it. Fortunately, Eric's guild has a in-house advocate who calls the incident an OpenAndShutCase of self-defense. [[spoiler: Two books later this happens again and lands Eric in bigger trouble.]] |
| 88 | * CueTheRain: After Eric has been fired from his job and rejected by his crush, he expresses the belief that his day can't get any worse. Tasio grins as this trope comes into effect and Eric has to walk home in the rain. To add extra insult to injury, the rain stops the instant he arrives at his appartment. |
| 89 | * CurseCutShort: Basilard has taken Eric to see the Dragon's Lair in-house advocate because he's gotten himself into legal trouble. Reywal remarks how glad he is that his latest client is a rookie like Eric and not one of the guild's lunatics like Ginger Hasina because "that woman is fu"; he doesn't get any further because Basilard cuts him off. |
| 90 | * DangerousForbiddenTechnique: Videlct Mens greatly amplifies the might of warriors and mages but overuse of it can kill them or drive them insane. This is why Tiza has to obey a number of rules set by mentor when using it. They boil down to "Don't use it unless you've passed the GodzillaThreshold". |
| 91 | * TheDarkArts: |
| 92 | ** Bladicraft contains a number of techniques that are known as "Forbidden techniques" because they are either unethical, dangerous, or considered sacrilege. One of these is "Conversion" and it transforms another living thing into a member of the Bladi clan, which runs a high risk of killing them. Another is "Bladi Puppetry" which involves hijacking someone's blood vessels to mind control them. The last person to practice them was killed and then {{Unperson}}ed. |
| 93 | ** Ordercraft gives everyone the willies because it is contrary to reality, which is based on chaos, can shut down all other forms of magic, and will eventually corrupt its user into an EmptyShell. It's treated like a NecessaryEvil and those who practice it legitimately, as guardians, are held in high esteem. |
| 94 | * DefeatMeansRespect: |
| 95 | ** ''Literature/AMagesPower'': Tej, a warrior from Kyraa, considered Tiza to be one more girl he could steal a kiss from (via prize from an official duel). After he losses to her, he has to admit that she's a warrior on his level. He still tries to steal a kiss, but that's because [[AmazonChaser he's especially attracted to girl warriors on his level]]. |
| 96 | ** ''Literature/ManaMutationMenace'': Initially, Tiza and Hailey thought poorly of each other; Tiza that Hailey was an UpperClassTwit and Hailey that Tiza was DumbMuscle. They came to blows when their enmity reached a boiling point and it ended with a CrossCounter. They didn't become friends (immediately) but they had to acknowledge the other's ability. |
| 97 | * DeathOfPersonality: This trope is part of why mana mutation is so scary. All of your personality is wiped out and overwritten with that of a savage beast. As Basilard puts it "If a mana storm doesn't kill you, then it will kill the person you used to be". |
| 98 | * DemocracyIsBad: There is a straight example and an aversion. |
| 99 | ** Acemo is a democratic country on the northern edge of the Israyu continent, and it is regularly the butt of jokes by the rest of the continent because its government is perpetually unstable. No one lasts long in office before they are voted out, and its laws and diplomatic relations are frequently changed. Queen Kasile of the Theocratic Limited Monarchy of Ataidar, calls the place a mess and the reason why a royal family is needed to get keep things running smoothly. |
| 100 | ** The Eastern Azure Republic is not the butt of jokes like Acemo is, but [[HufflePuffHouse little is known at all about the Eastern Azure Republic]]. |
| 101 | * DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu: Eric, a mortal human mage, squares off against a reaper, a PhysicalGod who is not only much more powerful than him physically but has the divine power to kill him with a thought. Eric steals this power and then punches him hard enough to knock him over. [[spoiler: He is strangled for his efforts and has to be saved by another, higher ranking, reaper.]] |
| 102 | * DimensionalTraveler: Tasio the Trickster can jump from World Fruit to World Fruit without a care. He drags Eric to Tariatla at the start of ''A Mage's Power'', [[spoiler: sends him back at the end, and then returns him to Tariatla at the start of ''Looming Shadow''.]] |
| 103 | * DoNotTauntCthulhu: It is never a good idea to taunt this world's deities. |
| 104 | ** ''Literature/AMagesPower'': Siron Esrah reacts with shock when Eric sasses Tasio because it is "the behavior of madmen to speak with such disrespect to the god of Tricksters!" |
| 105 | ** ''Literature/LoomingShadow'': Kallen nearly dies from an avalanche and hypothermia because she challenged Snol, [[PhysicalGod the Ice goddess.]] Later in the same book, Eric is strangled by a GrimReaper for the same reason. |
| 106 | ** ''Literature/ManaMutationMenace'': Order himself, one of ThePowersThatBe, is called "namagumi" by two elves. The first one is promptly subdued, depowered and captured by what the elves would call a devil; the second one is indulged just long enough to learn that ResistanceIsFutile, and ''then'' he is subdued and depowered. |
| 107 | * DontSaySuchStupidThings: During the climax of ''A Mage's Power'', Eric is suffering greater self-esteem problems than usual [[spoiler: due to Dengel's GrandTheftMe]] so Kasile shouts him down by reminding him of all the amazing things he's done on his own. |
| 108 | -->'''Kasile''': Eric! Listen to me! You can overcome [[spoiler: Dengel!]] |
| 109 | -->'''Eric''': No, I— |
| 110 | --> '''Kasile''': Yes,you can! The synchronization worked both ways! I saw you challenge Laharg. I saw you save your team from the Xethras and perform element fusion to guide them out of the Yacian Caverns. [[spoiler: Dengel]] never did that at your age! I saw you overcome the trials of the Altar of Rebirth with only your wits and tools. Did [[spoiler: Dengel]] win all those bouts in the tournament? No! And when I need someone to talk to, I would pick you over [[spoiler: Dengel]] any day. He's just a walking encyclopedia! You can beat him! |
| 111 | * DressingAsTheEnemy: When infiltrating the lair of the Black Cloaks, Eric knocks out a couple of them and steals their cloaks in order to pretend to be one of them. It still takes some quick thinking to sell the disguise, and if they weren't in a hurry, they might have paid more attention. |
| 112 | * DudeWheresMyReward: The RescueArc in ''A Mage's Power'' is a zigzag on this trope. Culmus and Eric begin the arc knowing that because it is not an official Dragon's Lair mission, they're not going to be paid, and because they're skipping out on their real job, they're more likely to be punished. While raiding the bad guy's lair, Eric steals some of their stuff (weapons, supplies, etc.) that he can sell afterward. [[spoiler: Kasile gives him a hug when they reunite which Eric thinks makes this mission worth it by itself. In the next arc, she says she can't reward him properly, and so she makes him her "co-conspirator" in her next pet project.]] |
| 113 | * ElementalRockPaperScissors: The magic system features ten elements and all of them have an opposite that they are both strong and weak against. For instance, water puts out fire but heat from the fire can be used to evaporate the water. During ''Literature/ManaMutationMenace'', Eric uses air magic to prevent someone from teleporting with lightning magic. |
| 114 | * EnemiesWithDeath: By the time of ''Literature/TranscendingLimitations'', Eric Watley has offended three {{grim reaper}}s and all of them want to kill him. Their boss, Lord Death, forbid it until one of them used their [[UnfinishedBusiness Final Wish]] to kill him. Eric would have died right then and there if not for other deities intercepting their attacks. |
| 115 | * EmotionSuppression: Ordercrafters face this as an occupational hazard because the source of their power, Order, is a god without emotion. The longer they are ordercrafters and the more they use their power, the more their emotions are suppressed until they can't feel anything at all. They have ways of managing this, such as aid from a chaotic deity. |
| 116 | * EnchantedForest: The Rose Forest is made of trees that are constantly watching its inhabitants. Giant Venus fly-traps can mimick the effects of sirens. Every animal living here can wield magic and they don't take kindly to strangers. This is aside from the AlwaysChaoticEvil monsters roaming the area. When Eric first arrives in ''[[Literature/AMagesPower A Mage's Power]]'', he would have died on three occassions if not for a local escort. The best part? This is ''not'' a "special magical forest". This is a "normal forest". |
| 117 | * EnergyBall: |
| 118 | ** The ability to fire magical energy from one's hand is a common skill. Even Tiza, who is not a mage, can use it. |
| 119 | ** Eric's first lesson in mercenary magic is how to focus mana in the palms of his hands and eject in the form of a sphere. This is a mana bolt. He later learns various such as the compressed bolt and mana barrage. |
| 120 | * EngineeredHeroics: In ''A Mage's Power'', [[spoiler: This is Plan A for the BigBad, Duke Selen Esrah. He's hoping a RescueRomance will rekindled the relationship between his son and his ex-girlfriend, Princess Kasile. He hires some rogues to do the kidnapping, infiltrates them with a couple of his own guards to guard against betrayal and then sends down his son. The problem is that his son is captured despite his efforts, and someone else gets the credit.]] |
| 121 | * EnlightenmentSuperpower: |
| 122 | ** In Chaotic Philosophy there exists levels of enlightenment. The first of which is plain old magecraft which can be learned out of a book by anyone that can read, or anyone with a teacher. |
| 123 | ** Any mortal spirit can become a Razor Spirit with "spritual forging", which is basically long periods of meditation based on an ideal. This grants certain abilities and can make ones that the user already possesses stronger. |
| 124 | ** A vision quest inside Dengel's Cehian Lair grants Eric great wisdom and understanding about the immediate underlayer of reality and the true nature of magic |
| 125 | * EveryoneIsArmed: When Eric arrives in Ataidar, he discovers that everyone caries weapons all the time. When he asks about laws regulating weapons, Siron explains this trope is both necessary and practical. The world is infested with AlwaysChaoticEvil monsters and beyond that, it is a FantasyKitchenSink with all manner of intelligent creatures with natural weapons (tiger demons and their claws, orcs with their fists, elves with their shapeshifting, etc.). Trying to regulate weapon use among humans is a Sisyphean task. Besides, since [[SufficientlyAnalyzedMagic combat magic is something anyone can learn out of a book]] everyone is armed anyways. |
| 126 | * ExposedToTheElements |
| 127 | ** When crossing the Kyraan Desert, Team Four and their client can either burn up during the day or freeze during the night. Their client was prepared for night-crossing but a monster attack forced her to abandon most of her gear. Thus, Eric complains about the cold. |
| 128 | ** While wintering in Dnnac Ledo, Eric wears nothing but a toga while standing in the snow. Annala, by contrast, couldn't be more bundled up in warm clothing. The narration notes that she underscores how silly he looks, but by this point [[spoiler: Eric has mutated into a grendel that can appear human when he wants to and it is explicitly stated that grendels can withstand colder temperatures than humans.]] |
| 129 | * FacelessGoons: Soldiers working for Latrot, from the rank-and-file to the prince's personal guards, wear identical uniforms and masks. This gives rise to rumors of them being zombies who had their souls eaten by Prince Lunas. It's also part of Latrot's state religion as Order doesn't believe in individuality. Queen Kasile, at the Mana Mutation Summit, made sure her personal guards all forwent helmets to show diversity. |
| 130 | * FantasticRacism: There's a lot of bad blood between the species but this doesn't stop them from getting along for the most part. Eric's school friends, for instance, include two demons, an elf, and an albino human. |
| 131 | ** Some humans are prejudiced against demons, and think of them as "freaks" or "dumb animals". They think elves are a race of crazy people. |
| 132 | ** Some orcs are prejudiced against non-orcs for being weak in mind and body. The phrase for this is "soft skin". |
| 133 | ** Some elves are prejudiced against humans because of their mortality; "temps" as in "temporary". |
| 134 | * FantasticScience: |
| 135 | ** Magic is just one more branch of science, and {{mana}} one more form of energy to be studied, like solar radiation or electricity. The academic study of it is called "manaology". |
| 136 | ** The study of mana mutation is undertaken by the International Community Dedicated to Mana Mutation ([=ICDMM=]). Their mission statement is to figure out exactly how it works and then develop technology to treat and/or prevent it. |
| 137 | ** Lady Sias studies Mt.Daici and how Ceiha's unique climate (constant [[{{mana}} Fog clouds]] in a magicless countinent) affects its geology. |
| 138 | * FauxHorrific: When Tiza offends Mia, the receptionist threatens to send Tiza on the most horrifiying of missions- ''trying on dresses for a seamstress!'' [[{{Tomboy}} Tiza immediately apoglozies.]] |
| 139 | * TheFettered: |
| 140 | ** Basilard mentions a number of things that he could or might want to do but refrains from doing them because "it would be against Guild policy". One item in that policy is "never kill the client". |
| 141 | ** TheLeader of Roalt's Royal Guard Section 3 (Sedition Prevention) insists on averting/defying PoliceBrutality even when he himself considers the suspect to be "scum". This is because he believes even scum deserves due process. |
| 142 | ** Ironically, the tricksters are this. Despite being chaotic deities, they have a number of rules that they abide by. For instance, Tasio would love to help his "bestest friend", Eric, more often but HelpingWouldBeKillStealing. At the end of ''Literature/LoomingShadow'', he remarks that he could, easily and on his own, deal with both that book's [[TheHeavy heavy]] but he doesn't because that would invalidate a large chunk of the chaotic belief system. |
| 143 | * FlippingTheBird: |
| 144 | ** Anuzat is the first person to make such a "rude gesture" in ''Literature/AMagesPower''. She does it to someone who calls her "[[EmbarrassingNickname Cactus Stinger]]". |
| 145 | ** ''Literature/LoomingShadow'' |
| 146 | *** During the sequel this gesture is used by Second Skeleton to show his distaste to others because he lacks both vocal cords and expressive facial muscles. |
| 147 | *** When an ordercrafter was threatening Annala, Tasio appeared and waved to her. Then he retracted four of his fingers and waved to the ordercrafter. The ordercrafter backed down. |
| 148 | * FoodChains: When Eric travels from his mundane world of Threa to the magical world of Tariatla, he is amazed at both the flavor of the food and drink he finds and how it invigorates him. When he makes a return trip to his homeworld, the native food and drink is both tasteless and unsatisfying. This even applies to the ''air'' so he constantly feels like he's suffocating. This is his most viseral motivation for finding a way back to Tariatla. |
| 149 | * AFormYouAreComfortableWith: |
| 150 | ** This is the case with higher levels of magical powers. It's impossible for mortals to precieve what chaotic enegry or orderly influence truly look like and so instead they see golden-brown light and silver-grey light, respectively. |
| 151 | ** Noitearc, the Third Founding Deity, is thought to be a giant tree because that is the best way mortals can conceive it. The truth is much more complicated. |
| 152 | ** Reapers and Sowers exist as the abstract concepts "death" and life" respectively. Only their priesthoods are capable of seeing their true nature. |
| 153 | * FunctionalMagic: Magic is using {{mana}} to a diverse and practical purpose. |
| 154 | ** Inherent Gift is rare because it follows specific bloodlines. Bladicraft, for instance, can only be used by members of the Bladi Clan. |
| 155 | ** Rule Magic is the most common variety practiced because anyone can learn it if they have a teacher or a book. It's called "magecraft" and it involves a lot of studying. The most important lesson is the Three Laws of Magecraft; Mana, Knowledge and Will Power. The second most important is that Rule Magic is a crutch for learning Force Magic. Rules make performing magic easier for beginniners. Experts don't need them. |
| 156 | ** Alchemy is ambigious. Since the study of mana is as old or older than the study of chemicals, no one bothers with a difference. |
| 157 | ** Device Magic is also common. Wards against spells and physical harm are often sold to warriors while an artist is more likely to buy something to asist their latest work. Both of them stop by the corner store. |
| 158 | ** Force Magic is present in pulling {{mana}} from the surrounding enviroment or from a PlaceOfPower, but most mages are only good enough to pull it from their own soul. Once a mage has a sufficient level of skill and power, they can forgo Rule Magic and focus entirely on Force Magic. |
| 159 | ** WhiteMagic is called "healing magic" while BlackMagic is called "combat" or "battle magic". There is no color for magic that is neither. |
| 160 | * GeekyTurnOn: |
| 161 | ** When [[CuteBookworm Annala]] is enchanted to seduce her fellow nerd, her tactics are the minutes of the Mana Mutation Summit and a discussion of them from various religious, social and political perspectives. Eric is quickly won over. |
| 162 | ** The Dnnac Ledo public library has a "private reading room" that is implied to be reserved for {{bookworm}}s who get aroused by their studies. |
| 163 | * GoshDarnItToHeck: A justified trope given the difference in culture. |
| 164 | ** "Abyss take it" is the Tariatlan version of "damn it". It means the same thing. |
| 165 | ** "Oh Trickster!" is the equivalent of "Oh my god". |
| 166 | * GrimReaper: A corps of reapers exist in the afterlife known as The Abyss. Their job is to oversee the dead, the dying and overall make sure that this aspect of reality is functioning properly. They typically appear to humans in the guise of a black cloaked figure and the symbol of their office is their scythe. Their master is simply called "Lord Death". |
| 167 | * GoodShepherd: A running total of benevolent clergy |
| 168 | ** There is only one priestess to welcome Eric at the Temple of Zaticana because the others are busy volunteering. Vesta herself is friendly and helpful. |
| 169 | ** A (unnamed) priest from the Circle of Noitearc lives in Ceiha helping the locals to eek out a living by sheltering them from their oppressive government. |
| 170 | ** Abbot Tolis is the leader of the international protest of Latrot's use of ordercraft to brainwash sapients [[note]] As opposed to the norm of using them to fortify city walls [[/note]] and has maintained this stance despite several attempts on his life. |
| 171 | ** Neuro is a member of the Broterhood of Death and he is introduced tracking a criminal necrocraft user. He compensates this criminal's victims as best as he can and blesses Tiza and Nolien's not-quite-there relationship. |
| 172 | * HealingMagicIsTheHardest: It's the "bodies are complicated" example. Healing mages are basically the world's version of doctors which means they go to medical school and learn about how the body works and how magic can be used to fix problems. |
| 173 | ** When Nolien is tending to someone's battle wounds in ''Literature/AMagesPower'', he has a ditty that goes along the lines of "stop the bleeding, check infection, reconnect the nerves and veins..." |
| 174 | ** As a necro priest, Brother Neuro is capable of healing by directing [[LifeEnergy kon]] from one area to where it is needed. In this way he can mend serious injuries but he's just accelerating the natural healing process and doesn't truly know what he's doing. That's why he demures Tiza's praise and insists that Nolien is a superior healer. |
| 175 | * HelmetsAreHardlyHeroic: The only one who consistently wears a helmet is Tiza, the group's tank, despite all the fighting they do. However, Eric always makes sure to [[PartialTransformation grendelize his head]] before he takes a severe blow to it. |
| 176 | * TheGuardsMustBeCrazy: |
| 177 | ** Generally averted as it is not easy to sneak past the guards in Roalt castle. During ''A Mage's Power'' this is played for laughs when Kasile sheepishly notes that her KingIncognito disguise fooled her bodyguards. Mia replies that they must be "stupidheads". |
| 178 | ** ''Literature/LoomingShadow'' example; The guards in Mr.15's lair are smart enough to check for invisible people when they're looking for a mage, but they remain easy to fool because of that fact. They don't look for anything else. |
| 179 | * GunsAreWorthless: Everyone ([[TrappedInAnotherWorld Except Eric]]) has no respect for guns because their projectiles can't kill anyone. The only exception is in Ceiha, because the "fantasy" part of FantasyGunControl does not apply there. |
| 180 | * AHandfulForAnEye: Tiza uses this trick during her duel in the Kyraa desert. [[spoiler: She pretends to trip on her ceremonial clothes in order to scoop sand into her mouth with which to spit at the right moment.]] The surpise and distraction of getting sand in his eyes costs Tej the duel. |
| 181 | * HappyDance: When Eric recovers from a magical disease known as [[spoiler: mana mutation]], Kallen does a quick run around the room complete with {{Squee}}. |
| 182 | * HeroicDog: One of the Dragon's Lair mercenaries is Jet, a black lab. He helps Eric find allies during a Rescue Arc. |
| 183 | * HeroSecretService: Trickster gods in general play this role to Tasio's "bestest friend", Eric Watley. In ''Literature/LoomingShadow'', Tasio reveals that he and his siblings kept the worst dangers from even reaching him in the previous book. This is after one of said siblings, Poi, randomly appeared on a ship that Eric was traveling on, engaged in a cyrptic conversation with Eric's mentor about how important the boy was to their plans, and then saved him from [[DemonicPossession enforcer possessed]] monsters. |
| 184 | * HopeSpot: |
| 185 | ** In ''A Mage's Power'', there's a moment where Kasile successfully fends off her kidnappers, [[spoiler: and then their boss steps up and easily subdues her.]] |
| 186 | ** In ''Looming Shadow'', Eric briefly gets the upper hand on Reno Grade but then the reaper demonstrates the true difference between a physical god and a merely enlightened mortal. |
| 187 | * IKnowWhatYouFear: Dengel protected his final lair with a "Fear Field", an array of magic runes that encompass anyone who approaches with an illussion of their worst fear. During ''Literature/LoomingShadow'', all the members of Team Four are subjected to it as they climb Mt. Daci. Basilard sees [[spoiler: his students dying and joining his previous students in blaming him for their death while his EvilUncle kills him with his own sword.]] Nolien sees [[spoiler: his younger brother become an EvilOverlord as First Duke of Heleti, abandon their parents, and abuse Tiza]]. Tiza sees [[spoiler: herself back in the place that caused her amensia, her friends and mentors dead, and Nolien brainwashed into hating her.]] Guest star party member Zettai sees [[spoiler: her abusive parents come back from the dead and kill her new friends]]. Eric sees [[spoiler: Nulso take over Ataidar and turn Annala into a SexSlave.]] |
| 188 | * ImmortalProcreationClause: Elves zigzag this trope. The first time a female elf has sex she will become pregnant, no exceptions. After giving birth, she will be barren for a century or two and then be able to conceive again. Thus, the only siblings that can experience growing up as siblings are twins, triplets etc. If their population needs an emergency boost (such as after the Conversion War) then the males in the population can sex-shift into females and carry a child to term. |
| 189 | * InvisibleMeansUndodgeable: Invisible spirit blasts are a lot harder to dodge then visible mana bolts but [[DownplayedTrope it is still doable]]. Eric prefers tanking them with a barrier to reduce the impact rather than take a chance at getting hit full force. |
| 190 | * ItAmusedMe: Trickster gods in general do these things for amusement, because they are all children of the Goddess of Chaos. |
| 191 | ** Tasio the Trickster is a public nuisance in every city of Tariatla. According to a Roalt city wall commander, he would destroy a civilization or raise it to a new level of prosperity on a whim. "Most of the time, he's just a pest." |
| 192 | ** Zaticana, the goddess of language, caused a CurseOfBabel because she thought the resulting confusion would be hilarious. |
| 193 | ** Remho would throw a capital city's population into a panic in the name of performance theather. |
| 194 | * ImAHumanitarian: There is a DownplayedTrope here. [[spoiler: At the end of ''Looming Shadow'', Eric asks if he can eat another human but since he is technically a grendel at that point (albeit one in human form) it's technically not cannibalism. However, he still identifies as a human (at first) and so the idea repluses him.]] |
| 195 | * ImmortalityBeginsAtTwenty: Elves stop aging once they are fully grown because their [[HealingFactor Seed of Chaos]] rejuvenates them constantly. Eric notes that Nunnal Enaz looks younger than her mortal best friend despite being older. |
| 196 | * IncompletelyTrained: Eric fights an ordercrafter who did not complete his training due to personal arrogance and his impatience to start making money off it. He only had basic AntiMagic and the ability to craft a PowerNullifier. Because of this, he is easily defeated by someone more knowledgeable. In fact, Nayr tells him that if he ''had'' completed his training then he wouldn't have lost. |
| 197 | * IsItSomethingYouEat: This is the case with all victims of mana mutation once they regain their sanity because of their new monster mindset. Basically everything is food, including [[PleasePutSomeClothesOn any clothes they are handed]] or their [[AutoCannibalism own body parts.]] |
| 198 | * {{Kaiju}}: The monsters in the S-Class designation are the biggest and most dangerous of all. The ones known as "Tazul" are bigger than the capital city of Ataidar. Their abilities are called "almighty" and all the CityGuards can do is shepherd civilians away from them. Only divine magic stands a good chance of stopping them. |
| 199 | * FantasticDrug: {{Mana}} can cause quite a high in sufficient concentrations. The vapor form known as "Fog" is the most common form. In the words of Basilard, "It goes straight to the soul. Even for mages like us it can be a heady experience. For Ceihans, I imagine it would be closer to ‘divine bliss.’" One of the villains in ''Literature/LoomingShadow'' operates a den of this stuff and charges [[CastFromLifeSpan kon instead of gold]] from his customers. They pay it, repeatedly, until they die, go insane, or mutate into a monster. |
| 200 | * FantasyGunControl: This is a case of PlayingWithATrope. In the magic world of Tariatla, gun use is absent despite it being an otherwise modern 21st century world. Basilard states this is because guns are AwesomeYetImpractical. It's a lot of noise to no effect and in the time it takes to build one, he could train a dozen people to use {{Hand Blast}}s, which would be more effective but less costly (soldier wages=ammo expenses). The one place in the entire world where guns are as lethal as they are in real life is Ceiha, which lacks {{mana}} and is therefore lacking most fantasty tropes. |
| 201 | * FlightStrengthHeart: The EnlightenmentSuperpower that Eric acquires in Ceiha grants him increased spiritual power, vast stores of magical knowledge, and effortless fluency in a dead language. He uses the last one for "outrageous unfair translation fees". |
| 202 | * FourIsDeath: When Eric uses a series of tricks to defeat Gruffle for the right of living under Cutlass Bridge, he frames the series of defeats as lessons for his guild junior; "lesson four is death, care to learn it?". This becomes a RunningGag between them as they clash throughout the series. In ''Literature/ManaMutationMenace'' Gruffle has become a {{necromancer}} and states that he now knows "lesson four" far better than Eric does. |
| 203 | * ForbiddenZone: |
| 204 | ** Any area of land deemed a Chaotic Zone is offlimits to civilians because it is a PlaceOfPower and a spawning ground for monsters. Mercenaries aren't civilians so Eric can still go there. |
| 205 | ** The Necrohol of Siduban is ''the'' most dangerous place in the world and was the site of the worst tragedy in modern history. |
| 206 | * KeepTheReward: The owner of the Long Horn Item shop gives Team Four a free item from his shop for the comedy routine (i.e. novice bickering) they performed while painting his shop. Nolien is about to say something along the lines of this trope [[DefiedTrope but Tiza elbows him in the stomach and accepts]]. [[spoiler: This scenario turns up again after the climax when Nolien heals Princess/Queen Kasile's injuries, but this time, it's reversed; Nolien elbows Tiza out of accepting a big reward.]] |
| 207 | * KleptomaniacHero: The Dragon's Lair Mercenary company has codified this trope. Rule number 6 is "not all that glitters is gold but it could still be worth a lot of money" and number 7 follows "so grab it whenever you can". |
| 208 | * KingIncognito: When Princess Kasile wants to go out in public unnoticed, she puts on commoner clothing and sneaks out. She has to add a hood or a hat because otherwise her hair and eye color would give away her RoyalBlood. During ''Literature/AMagesPower'', she tries to pass herself off as a cowgirl but Mia sees right through it because it's only skindeep. |
| 209 | * LadyAndKnight: |
| 210 | ** Princess Kasile Landros Ataidar is a Bright Lady with several White Knights. While she does her PoliticallyActivePrincess thing to improve the lives of her subjects, she is often a target by bad guys or court rivals. Both Siron Esrah and Culmus Stratos are brave and noble warriors who protect her, and both of them have been her boyfriend (though not at the same time). However, the one she relies on the most, Eric Watley, is [[LikeBrotherAndSister more like her big brother]]. During ''Literature/ManaMutationMenace'', one of the villains attacks her with a dragon golem and [[BreakingSpeech taunts her with how she never wins her own battles.]] |
| 211 | ** Annala invokes this trope in order to save Eric from TheGrimReaper (long story). Basically, [[spoiler: The reaper made a bet with a trickster that Eric would not relapse into a savage monster mindset after recovering from mana mutation. After an incident of savagery, Annala says that he was not acting like a savage monster but a more noble creature called "A lady's knight" because he was protecting her.]] |
| 212 | * TheLadysFavor: It's tradition for jousters of either gender to recieve something like this from their lovers/spouses etc. During ''A Mage's Power'', the fact that Culmus is given one by Kasile is a ChekhovsGun that enables a RescueArc later on. It ultimately ends up in Eric's possession, but he's solidly in a LikeBrotherAndSister relationship with the princess. |
| 213 | * LadyInWaiting: Princess (later Queen) Kasile of Ataidar has a gaggle of ladies following her around. Among their duties are making sure she looks appropriately royal, even after [[spoiler: she's stabbed through the chest during an attempted coup.]] |
| 214 | * LanguageOfMagic: Some mages, like Dengel, pretended to know a special, magical language to impress clients. It's actually gibberish. A mage of Dengel's standing didn't need to say anything at all. |
| 215 | * LetUsNeverSpeakOfThisAgain: Team Four went on a mission to Najica between ''A Mage's Power'' and ''Looming Shadow'', and it was so embarrassing for Tiza and Nolien that they both agreed to forget it. Basilard, however, will not let them forget it because it involved some serious disciplinary action. |
| 216 | * LikeBrotherAndSister: Eric and Kasile develop this sort of friendship in ''A Mage's Power'' due to a MindLinkMates event. By the end of ''Looming Shadow'' he explictly refers to her as "my little sister" complete with BigBrotherInstinct when it comes to her suitors. |
| 217 | * LineageComesFromTheFather: This trope is inverted for the elves who call themselves "the children of Arin", while giving less reverence to her husband. This is also the case in more recent history with Kallen and Annala carrying on their mothers' legacies. |
| 218 | * LivingForeverIsAwesome: |
| 219 | ** The Silver Dragon writes about how awesome immortality is in her autobiography. One of her hobbies is visiting a place after a century has passed; the mix of familiar and new is something "only an immortal can truly appreciate". |
| 220 | ** It's implied that Henry Pupil was already an old man two thousand years ago when he spoke with a young Dengel. He's still merrily recording history and looking for new sources of excitement. |
| 221 | * LizardFolk: There is a race called the lizard demons living on Tariatla. They look like mundane lizards except they're over five feet tall and walk on their hind legs. Eric meets one when he attends Roalt Public High, Oito. He's a prankster and a rookie jouster. |
| 222 | * LoveIsAWeakness: Ordercrafters find love to be the most useful of openings for their MindControl, and Order himself uses it to sweeten a DealWithTheDevil. For instance, in ''Literature/AMagesPower'', [[spoiler:Duke Selen Esrah's loyalty to his country was corrupted into treason and sedition with the idea that his beloved son would be the best prince-consort the country could wish for]]. Further, in ''Literature/ManaMutationMenace'', [[spoiler:Nolien agrees to become Order's mole in the Mana Mutation Summit in return for help in rescuing his LoveInterest. Just moments prior, he effortlessly refused a similar deal when it was just his own life on the line]]. |
| 223 | * MagicAIsMagicA: Magic is a consistent and learnable skill in this verse. ''Introduction to Magecraft'' was written two thousand years ago and it is ''still'' the most popular reference guide for beginners because regardless of time or practioner, the basic rules of magic don't change. The Three Laws of Magecraft are as immutable as the Three Laws of Motion |
| 224 | ## ''{{Mana}}''. You can't do magic without mana because it is the root of all power. |
| 225 | ## ''Knowledge.'' You have to know what you're doing. You can't just say say "Fireball!" while focusing hard if you don't how that spell is supposed to work |
| 226 | ## ''Willpower.'' Since mana flows from the goddess Chaos, all magic can be seen as WildMagic. Magecraft is the tamest of all forms of magic but a mage still needs a strong will to force mana to take the shape he/she wants and go into the direction that he/she desires. |
| 227 | * MagicKiss: Zaticana does this to impart her Omniglot blessing. When Eric tries to guess the magical mechanics of it, she says she just does it for fun. |
| 228 | * MagicalUnderpinningsOfReality: |
| 229 | ** Everything that exists, the whole of creation, is chaotic energy that has been diluted and solidified. This is what creates both physical matter and ethereal souls. Earth, air, food, flesh etc. everything is fundamentally energy from Lady Chaos. Mages who truly understand this gain an EnlightenmentSuperpower that enables them to return physical objects to {{mana}} which is a lesser form of chaos. In other words, disentegrate them. |
| 230 | ** Every aspect of nature is represented by an avatar for the aggregate sentience of that element, which is responsible for making sure it runs smoothly. |
| 231 | ** If reapers and sowers don't do their job, then life and death go out of whack. |
| 232 | ** The general natural prosperity of a region is tied to its mana. The island nation of Ceiha is a wasteland because it doesn't have enough mana for plants to grow everywhere. Humans will basically feel less "alive" in areas of extremely low mana. |
| 233 | * MageTower: |
| 234 | ** The Royal Mage of Ataidar works in a tower set within the royal palace grounds but free-standing. A significant amount of it is made of Orichalcum to insulate it against outside magic, to keep ill-fated experiments from harming anyone else, and [[ConspicuousConsumption just to prove that Ataidar can afford to do so]]. |
| 235 | ** Dengel built his final lair on top of a mountain, within a fort, and at the top of a tower. He bobbytrapped the way up to further ensure his privacy. |
| 236 | * {{Magitek}}: All of Tariatla's technology is built using a mage's scientific understanding of the world. For instance, air conditioning uses wind magic and, instead of "cellphones", everyone's walking around with "scries" that do the same thing. |
| 237 | * MakeAWish: There are numerous gods in Tariatla that select mortals deserving of aid and grant them a wish, but the manner in which they do so depends on the god. The world is big on free will and self-determination so they won't actually grant the wish so much as make it easier for the wisher to obtain what they want. |
| 238 | ** Fiol, goddess of fire, will essentially make the wisher HotBlooded by removing any inhibitions that may be blocking them and amplifying their passion for the wish. |
| 239 | ** Wiol, goddess of wind, will chart the many possible futures and show the wisher the one that will lead to their wish coming true. |
| 240 | ** Eaol, the god of earth, will endow them with the knowledge and experience they need. |
| 241 | ** Tasio, the trickster god, will become a personal StealthMentor and work InMysteriousWays until the results come to fruition in a hilarious ([[ItAmusedMe to him at least]]) manner. |
| 242 | * MakeSureHesDead: |
| 243 | ** When Eric fights Tahart Ligo during ''Literature/AMagesPower'', his first target is Tahart's jugular vein. Then Eric stabs him several more times because orcs have "the tenacity of monsters" and Eric can't risk him recovering. |
| 244 | ** During ''Literature/LoomingShadow'', Eric again stays behind to make sure that Mr.15 is truly dead. His teammates were unable to find Mr.15's body because Eric vaporized it. |
| 245 | ** It happens again in ''ManaMutationMenace'', where Eric must exert himself to overcome Gruffle's HealingFactor. |
| 246 | -->'''Eric''': ''Recover from ''that'', troll.'' |
| 247 | * MakeThemRot: This is a standard power of {{Grim Reaper}}s because all things eventually decay and die. It can also be used by nercomancers. During ''Looming Shadow'', [[spoiler: Eric steals Reno Grade's Senescence ''necra podesta'' and thereby gains the power to decay physical objects.]] |
| 248 | * {{Mana}}: The source of power for all magic (but not all spiritual skills). It flows from the Sea of Chaos, through the veins of Noitearc, and into world fruit through the Eleven Mana Gates. Then it can be used by the people living in those world fruit as fuel for spells. Its absense on Threa (Eric's homeworld) is the reason why no one on Threa can perform magic. |
| 249 | * MarkOfTheSupernatural: If you see someone with PointedEars, then they are related, in some way, to chaotic energy and/or trickster gods. |
| 250 | * MartialArtsAndCrafts: In legal trouble, Eric visists his guild's in-house advocate, Reywal. The adovcate's assistant soon makes a fool of himself and Reywal assures Eric that he is skilled in Advocate Martial Arts. Then he says, "kidding! But seriously..." |
| 251 | * MasterApprenticeChain: The immediate chain presented is in the Dragon's Lair mercenary company. It is Basilard Bladi->Eric Watley->Zettai Centurion/[[spoiler: Bladi]]. ''Literature/LoomingShadow'' extends the chain back two thousand years by stating that Dengel Tymh taught the first batch of Dragon's Lair mages. Then it goes further back to Ariek Valeten, who taught Dengel. |
| 252 | * TheMindIsAPlaythingOfTheBody: |
| 253 | ** When [[spoiler: Eric]] mana mutates into a grendel, his personality and worldview premanently change. Even after his sanity is restored, he thinks like a monster. He still has his human memories but they are interperted by his new monster mindset. [[spoiler: He soon realizes that the mindsets for monsters and mercenaries are strikingly similar and so there is little true change in his core personality.]] |
| 254 | ** When [[spoiler: Nolien]] mutates into a unicorn, he experiences little behavior change because unicorns have long been famed as [[spoiler: benevolent healers]]. The only exception is that he has greater difficulty suppressing his attraction to his love interest. |
| 255 | * MoralityChain: If Lieutenant Jemas wasn't around to remind Captain Hasina of social niceties like "it's rude to dissect otherworlders" or "don't pass out experimental medicine on street corners" that sort of thing would happen more often. |
| 256 | * MotiveRant: |
| 257 | ** ''[[Literature/AMagesPower A Mage's Power]]'': [[spoiler: When Princess Kasile and her party corner Duke Selen Esrah during his coup, she demands an explanation for his actions. He talks about how she is a poor excuse for a future queen because of her arrogance and paranoia. He believes that taking the throne from her is for the good of Ataidar. He also doesn't like how she broke his son's heart and leands so heavily on outlaws for protecting the realm instead of nobles like himself. While all of this is true, he's actually HoldingTheFloor while waiting for his reserve troops]]. |
| 258 | ** ''Literatue/LoomingShadow'': The Crimson Killer explains his justifications for his actions to Eric. He's waiting for Eric's teammates to show up so he can arrange an exchange of Eric for the sword [=BloodDrinker=]. He's just killing time. |
| 259 | ** ''Literature/ManaMutationMenace'': Nulso Xialin, [[spoiler: currently possessed by Order]], explains why he is invading a village and enslaving its populace while he does so. Ordercrafter are empowered by Law and Stability, so they are supernaturally compelled by their own magic to justify such actions. |
| 260 | * MultiMeleeMaster: The use of multiple weapons is standard training in the Dragon's Lair mercenary company. At minimum, apprentices will learn [[HandBlast mana bolts]], basic martial arts (this is how you punch, kick, etc.) and a handheld weapon like a stave or a sword. If the apprentice joins Squads Two or Three they will also learn WhiteMagic or BlackMagic. Squad 5 takes this trope up to eleven: this group is skilled with ''everything''. That's the requirement to join. |
| 261 | * MundaneFantastic: When Eric first arrives on Tariatla and enters a city, he is surprised by two things. 1.) The many fantastical creatures living among the humans, who are performing magic. 2.) The fact that he is the only person surprised by #1. Tariatla has had magic for ages and humans learned to coexist with the goblins and dwarves etc. by now. Later, after he has become a mage (which he learned from a mass produced book) he has to get creative when he's hired as a stage performer, because his entire audience can do basic magic. |
| 262 | * MundaneUtility: This verse uses {{mana}} in place of electricity, and so magic is used in every appliance and aspect of daily life. |
| 263 | ** The air conditioning in Eric's bridge house is wind magic. |
| 264 | ** Scries (cell phone equivalents) use runes in place of circuitry. |
| 265 | ** Locks use enchanted crystals instead of metal keys. |
| 266 | * NewSuperPower: Every time Eric learns/receives new powers there is an adjustment period. In ''Literature/LoomingShadow'' it was acting like a CloudCuckooLander while his EnlightenmentSuperpower settled in. In ''Literature/ManaMutationMenace'', he struggled to come to terms with his Grendel body; [[FantasticScience the ICDMM had a laboratory and danger room for him to experiment]]. |
| 267 | * NoMoreHoldingBackSpeech: |
| 268 | ** For all of ''A Mage's Power'', Eric lacked confidence in his own abilities and leaned heavily on the spirit of Dengel as a HeroicHost. When they have a falling out, Eric musters the courage to confront him, and once he is victorius, he announces that he doesn't need Dengel anymore. He will face the future on his own strength alone. |
| 269 | -->'''Eric''': "I don't need your power. I don't need your encouragement. I don't need ''you''. Now begone." |
| 270 | ** Tiza has suffered amensia for years before the series began. It causes her confusion about her past and identity. Then she meets Haburt, who she's subconsciously terrified of but she refuses to admit to it. When he makes his move and recreates a crucial momment from her past, she admits to this fear and steps forward confidently to overcome it. [[spoiler: Then he sheds light on her past and tells her the identity of her parents.]] |
| 271 | * NoodleIncident: |
| 272 | ** Something happened in Najica between Nolien and Tiza while they were in the country on a mission. They refuse to talk about it but it involved [[EveryoneCanSeeIt their obvious attraction to each other]] and some manner of danger. It remains a sore spot months later. |
| 273 | ** There's some crisis in the Dragon's Lair kitchen that involves a spoon, and that has happened more than once. |
| 274 | * NoSell: This happens most frequently when someone tries to use the [[MagicEye Evil Eye technique]] on someone who either has a stronger spirit or has experienced greater suffering. They don't have to block or do anything; it just doesn't hurt them. They just get goosebumps. |
| 275 | * NoTranshumanismAllowed: [[BloodMagic Bladicraft]] can transform a human into a humanoid mana breed known as a "Bladi". This gives them their own bladicraft in addition to greater physical durability and tenacity. Despite these benefits, the Bladi Clan has only propagated through the old fashioned way because the clan itself considers Bladi Conversion to be the DarkArts. The transformation is painful, the survival rate is low, and the clan's orthodoxy states that simply sharing their blood would not make the newcomer their family member. In ''Literature/LoomingShadow'', Ataidar's Royal Mage requested Basilard Bladi's assistance in using Bladi Conversion as part of a cure for Mana Mutation and he was outright refused. The last person who tried this was {{unperson}}ed and the Bladi they created is considered an abomination. |
| 276 | * NumberTwo: |
| 277 | ** Retis is the second in command for the Dragon's Lair mercenary guild. He works directly under Ridley the Dragoness and maintains peace within the guild building |
| 278 | ** Samael's title is "Right hand of Death and Overseer of Necrocraft". She is the highest ranking GrimReaper in Lord Death's CelestialBureaucracy. |
| 279 | * OccultBlueEyes: [[Literature/AMagesPower In the first book of the series]], Tasio the Trickster expresses interest in changing Eric's eyes from the Innocent variety to one of these. Sure enough, Eric has developed [[MagicEye the "Evil Eye" technique]] and made great strides in learning magecraft. |
| 280 | * {{Omniglot}}: |
| 281 | ** Zaticana can speak every language that exists as one of her divine authorities. She can bestow this ability on others as a blessing, but it only works for ''spoken'' languages. Throwing in the written version would be "too easy". |
| 282 | ** Tasio reveals that he can do this too but only if his sister says he can. |
| 283 | * OnlySmartPeopleMayPass: |
| 284 | ** This happens twice in ''[[Literature/AMagesPower A Mage's Power]]'': |
| 285 | *** When Eric tries to enter the Temple of Zaticana, his path is blocked by the temple's guards. They declare that "No earthbound mortal may cross this temple threshold." Eric quickly figures out that instead of forbidding mortals to enter the temple, the statement means they want him to jump across, i.e. prove he is not "earth bound". |
| 286 | *** The entrance to the Black Cloaks' hideout is carefully hidden and guarded. To enter without setting off alarms, Eric has to use several spells in combination |
| 287 | ** In ''Literature/LoomingShadow'', Eric has to pass several tests of magical knowledge to breach the security measures on Dengel's Lair. |
| 288 | * OrderVersusChaos: Order and Chaos are in a perpetual DivineConflict for control over the multiverse contained within Noitearc, the Great Tree That Supports the Worlds. Elves call this "The First War". Chaos desires worlds of infinite possible change and Order desires worlds of permanent and unchangeable stability. |
| 289 | ** ''[[Literature/AMagesPower A Mage's Power]]'': Eric reads a story that portrays the founding gods Order and Chaos as family in a multiverse origin story while glazing over their animosity. |
| 290 | ** ''Literature/LoomingShadow'' and ''Literature/ManaMutationMenace'' sees mana mutation become the latest front in the First War. If there is a magical illness in your world that can turn people into savage monsters, what is the best way to deal with it? Accept the danger and find a cure or reject it entirely and accept Order's domination? |
| 291 | * OurCentaursAreDifferent: When Eric meets one of these in ''[[Literature/AMagesPower A Mage's Power]]'', the narration takes care to make a distinction. This is not a creature with the lower body of a horsre and the upper body of a human, but a horse with a human head. It also has a snake for a tail. He thinks Eric is the weirdo. |
| 292 | * OurDemonsAreDifferent: See BeastMan above. |
| 293 | * OurGhostsAreDifferent: There is a difference between a "soul/spirit" and a "ghost". The former is the genuine spiritual essence of the person; their HeartDrive so to speak. The latter is a spiritual echo of the former; it's compared to the residue that milk leaves behind on a glass. Like the glass, long standing buildings need to be cleaned of this residue or it will interfere with magecraft and cause sympathetic hallucinations. The souls themselves are pulled to The Abyss ninety percent of the time. In the case of a real soul hanging around someplace, they're referred to as "mana breed" and included in the federal census. |
| 294 | ** The Unniversity of Roalt's History Department is a designated historical resevior and so it is "haunted" by allumni. |
| 295 | ** One such example of this is "Grey Dengel", the scholarly aspect of Dengel Tymh that was haunting his Cehia Lair. It had no idea it wasn't alive until Eric came along and stirred him into awareness |
| 296 | * OurMagesAreDifferent: |
| 297 | ** Generally speaking, mages are like scholars. Everyone has the ability to use magic so the only thing that separates the mages from the muggles is the willingness to sit down and study. |
| 298 | ** Dragon's Lair mercenaries, [[TheProtagonist like Eric]], are closer to Athletes because they incorporate magic into martial arts. |
| 299 | ** In some cases, mages are like priests. Lady Sias Daici, for instance, can use silent earth magic because she has lived like a cloistered nun on Mount Daici for years. [[note]] She also counts as a naturalist because she studies the mountain and a theurgist because her spells are basically prayers to it. [[/note]] |
| 300 | * OurMonstersAreWeird The source of all monster are the mutations by caused excessive exposure to {{mana}}. Mana comes from the goddess, Lady Chaos. Thus, the monsters spawned are very weird indeed. |
| 301 | ** ''[[Literature/AMagesPower A Mage's Power]]'': boasts of a horse, that has a human head, and a snake tail, and thinks that Eric (a bog standard human) is the weirdo. Eric later sees monsters that look like they were "stitched together by a mad scientist". |
| 302 | ** ''Literature/LoomingShadow'' has a creature whose fur is premanently shaped into a question mark and a giant pelican that hosts a smaller monser in its beak. |
| 303 | * PainfulTransformation: |
| 304 | ** The transformation caused by mana mutation is always painful because it reshapes the victim's body at random. All the while the brain is receving signals of what's happening, including for ones that it doesn't know how to interpret. |
| 305 | ** ''Literature/LoomingShadow'' has many examples of how painful this can be. Patrick Lumberson lay halfway between human and fitzger with {{mana}} sparking on him like electricity. Kallen encounters a monster in the midst of transforming and mistakes its screams of pain for threatening hisses. [[spoiler: The reader sees into Eric's mind when it is shorting out from a mana explosion.]] |
| 306 | * PartialTransformation: |
| 307 | ** Elves have VoluntaryShapeshifting as a race ability and can shift all their body parts independently. They can mix and match as long as they know how to make all the parts work together. |
| 308 | ** Eric possess the ability to shift parts of his body individually to his grendel form. This was, in fact, easier than the full transformation because of PsychosomaticSuperpowerOutage issues. |
| 309 | * PhysicalReligion: |
| 310 | ** Eric learns first hand how personal the religions based on Tariatla's trickster gods can be. When he goes to the Temple of Zaticana for a blessing, there is no ritual of any kind. Zaticana herself shows up and kisses him on the mouth. |
| 311 | ** Ataidar's government has a Department of Trickster Management and Maintenance because the tricksters are known to cause physical and measurable trouble. |
| 312 | ** "The Trickster made me do it" is a valid legal defense because ''everyone'' knows that Tasio is a ManipulativeBastard and TricksterMentor. |
| 313 | * PlaceOfPower: Zones were mana gathers into heavy concentrations are known as "Fog Clouds" because the magical energy is so intense that it forms a visible Fog that obscures visibility. Breathing the air within this cloud can send anyone's physical or magical power through the roof. [[WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity It can also send them over the edge of sanity.]] |
| 314 | * PhysicalGod: |
| 315 | ** Tricksters are physical manifestations of the goddess Lady Chaos, [[YouCannotGraspTheTrueForm whose true form mortals cannot grasp]]. All of them can fly, teleport and possess CompleteImmortality but the level of divine power varies between them depending on their attunement. |
| 316 | ** When reapers manifest in physical reality, they take a physical form and this form is usually whatever the locals think of Death. Regardless of their form, their supernatural ability is far and away beyond any mortal mage. |
| 317 | * PlayingWithSyringes: this typically happens with mana mutation because the subjects are ChaoticStupid monsters who won't remember a thing (except when they become sapient without their captors realizing it). |
| 318 | ** Eric, as an otherworlder (i.e. someone who came from another dimension) is subjected to a harmless version of this when he first arrives on Threa; basically magical x-rays. Although the MadScientist conducting would ''like'' to do more, her MoralityChain said no. [[spoiler: It later happens when he mana mutates into a Grendel, but it is temporary and doesn't do any permanent harm.]] |
| 319 | ** Kallen has a history with this trope that she would rather not talk about because it involves being used as a "lap rat" for experimental therapies for mana mutation. |
| 320 | ** [[spoiler: Nolien]] ''volunteers'' for this to atone for a major screw up relating to mana mutation. It involves transforming him into a monster first so they can demonstrate turning him back. |
| 321 | * PleasePutSomeClothesOn: This is generally the case with recovered victims of mana mutation. The ''monsanity'' (i.e. mentality of a monster) of the victim removes any nudity taboo they might have had [[IsItSomethingYouEat and causes them to think clothes are something to eat]]. |
| 322 | ** Averted in ''Literature/LoomingShadow'', where Kallen has a lengthy discussion with [[spoiler: post-mana mutation Eric]] before telling him to get dressed. Ostensibly, this was for research into the mindset of mana-born demons but [[CovertPervert you never know...]] |
| 323 | ** Played straight in ''Literature/ManaMutationMenace'' with Tiza and [[spoiler: post mana-mutation Nolien]]. She tosses him a labcoat from a nearby scientist to cover up and then has to insist he put it on because he doesn't see the point. |
| 324 | * PointyEars: Elves and tricksters have the "basically human" type of point. For the former, it's because they are classified as [[{{transhuman}} humanoid mana breeds]]. For the later, it's AFormYouAreComfortableWith. |
| 325 | * PossessionBurnout: This happens when high level deities inhabit mortal bodies. Order, for instance, can possess any ordercrafter of sufficient power and piety but they all quickly implode from the strain of his power. Those possessed by Lady Chaos explode or turn into monsters. It turns out that [[spoiler: defying this trope is the entire point of the series. Lady Chaos wants a vessel that won't explode when she inhabits it, so she sent Tasio to fetch Eric and mold him into someone who could withstand her power indefinitely.]] |
| 326 | * PowerDyesYourHair: |
| 327 | ** Kasile would be a pure brunette if not for her RoyalBlood. It creates streaks of fire red. |
| 328 | ** Whenever a human becomes a {{transhuman}}, their hair color will shift to reflect the color of the power that changed them. [[spoiler: Zettai's blonde becomes blood red after becoming a Bladi.]] |
| 329 | * PowerStrainBlackOut: Eric casts three spells without chants in quick succession while simultaneously using his burgeoning CastingAShadow power under the tropical sun, and in a land that lacks {{mana}}. He passes out seconds later and when he wakes up, he needs a ManaPotion just to stand up. |
| 330 | * PredatoryBusiness: Once Gunrai Enterprises enters a market, it will drive everyone else out of that market. This is because the head of the company, Kaiba Gunrai, is an elf whose eternal hobby is basically "winning in the economic sector". He says that it's because he has better products, better service, etc. but it's apparently common knowledge that he does terrible things to his business rivals as several characters comment on it. |
| 331 | * {{Psychopomp}}: The primary role of the Reaper Corps is to guide lost or anchored souls to the Abyss. [[YouCannotGraspTheTrueForm They only look like grim reapers because that is what most mortals understand]]. Ideally, they won't have to do any "reaping" of their own but it is sometimes necessary to effect their primary function. |
| 332 | * PsychosomaticSuperpowerOutage: |
| 333 | ** Annala starts the series without the shapeshifting ability inherent to her species because of trauma related to it as well as a CrisisOfFaith. [[spoiler: A VisionQuest in ''Literature/TranscendingLimitations'' helps her to resolve the crisis and regain her shapeshifting.]] |
| 334 | ** In the immediate aftermath of [[spoiler: his mana mutation]], Eric finds himself unable to use his CastingAShadow based spells due to confusion regarding his new identity. [[spoiler: As he gets more used to thinking of himself as a grendel instead of a human, he regains this ability as well greater control over his physical transformations.]] |
| 335 | * ReligionIsMagic: The magic used by priests is different from the magic used by laymen in that the priest uses "faith" in place of "will power" in the Three Laws of Magic system. A sufficiently devout priest can even ignore a lack of {{mana}} under the right circumstances. Lady Sias Daichi, for instance, can cast high level earth and gravity magic in Ceiha (a land without mana) because she lives like a cloistered nun on Mount Daichi. |
| 336 | * PowerCrystal: In the world of Tariatla there exists a mineral known as "Soiléir" that absorbs magical power and stories it. Eric and Kallen have these in the shape of a clear arrowhead crystal attached to the end of their respective MagicStaff. [[spoiler: Eric steals part of a reaper's divinity with it, which gives him access to MakeThemRot necromancy.]] |
| 337 | * ThePowerOfLove: |
| 338 | ** Generally speaking, love is one of the domains of Chaos (as is all emotion) and used for [[ReligionIsMagic holy chaos magic]]. |
| 339 | ** In the third book, ''Literature/ManaMutationMenace'', Eric's DeclarationOfProtection to Annala enables him to overcome ordercraft mind control (with chaotic assistance from Annala herself). |
| 340 | ** Also in the third book, TheFourLoves are essential to the only known method of curing "monsanity", A.K.A. mental mana mutation. Even after the FaceMonsterTurn, there is at least ''one person'' that the new monster refuses to attack. This person can then help a specialist restore the victim's sanity. |
| 341 | * ThePowersThatBe: The Three Founding Deities (Chaos, Order, and Noitearc) and the Three Natural Order Gods (Life, Death and Time) live beyond the physical world and exist as abstract beings. Though rarely seen they are responsible for daily life. In particular, they are responsible for the events in ''Eric'''s life and in the lives of the foes that he faces. |
| 342 | * ThePrankster: |
| 343 | ** Trickster gods in general are like this. Zaticana caused a CurseOfBabel because she thought it would be funny, Remoh terrorizes entire cities in the name of "performance art" and Tasio makes water pipes burst or fills buildings with skunks. However, they make sure nobody is hurt and they often have a TricksterMentor style ulterior motive. |
| 344 | ** Aio is a high energy boy that loves messing with people, especially Eric. One time, he snuck up behind Eric while he was reading and shut the book on his head. |
| 345 | * QuirkyTown: Roalt, capital of Ataidar, has some strange folks in it. The artists make their homes reflect whatever their style and medium might be, the warriors consider a giant snake sneaking in through the waterways as a boon of good fortune, and shenanigans regularly occur in places of worship, because the deities worshipped there are trickster gods. |
| 346 | * RedOniBlueOni: Revas is a hotblooded cat beastfolk who is quick to extend his claws, whether metaphorically or literally. Oito is a cool headed lizard beastfolk who is reasonable and remains calm in high stress situations. [[ColorCodedForYourConvenience The former has red hair and the latter has blue scales.]] |
| 347 | * RedStringOfFate: Eric states that there is one of these between his teammates, Tiza and Nolien. After acquiring an EnlightenmentSuperpower during ''Literature/LoomingShadow'', he says "I can see it! The connection is red and strong and" Tiza shoved a biscuit into his mouth to cut off the rest. [[HeIsNotMyBoyfriend She doesn't want to acknowledge their UST]]. |
| 348 | * ReedRichardsIsUseless: Tariatla is an UrbanFantasy world and it is an aversion. Magic is used for many mundane problems which then creates a world that is both similar and different to contemporary real life. In ''Literature/ManaMutationMenace'', this becomes a plot point. Eric (an otherworlder from "Threa", i.e. "Earth") talks about all the problems that plague his homeworld which Tariatla has conquered through magic. He does this to convince them to continue working towards a solution to their own magic-based problems, such as mana mutation, instead of a more drastic solution (like submission to [[ControlFreak Order]]). By the end of the book, they have indeed made progress towards the solution. |
| 349 | * RespawningEnemies: Monsters are created by a natural phenomenon called "mana mutation". No matter how many are killed by hunters and the like there will always be more. Studying this monster re-spawning is a major plot point in both ''Literature/LoomingShadow'' as well as ''Literature/ManaMutationMenace''. |
| 350 | * RideTheLightning: When Kallen receives a blessing from Ligol, the lightning goddess, one of the abilities this grants her is teleporting via this method. Her body, and that of anyone touching her, transforms into lightning and then strikes where she wants to land. This means she can't use to go anywhere lightning wouldn't be able to reach, such as, a room deep underground. |
| 351 | * RoyalBlood: The royal family of Ataidar traces its origins to Fiol, the country's founder and the avatar of the Grand Elemental Sentience Fire, so it's a big deal. If anyone marries into the family then they don't have the blood and thus possess considerably less authority. Queen Kasile claims that this trope is why Ataidar has a more stable government than Acemo, which is a republic to the north. |
| 352 | * SaintlyChurch: |
| 353 | ** The Temple of Zaticana volunteers as translators and advocates literacy. |
| 354 | ** The Brotherhood of Death work as hospices and also police in the case of necrocraft crimes. |
| 355 | * SavageWolves: Wolf-like monsers known as Xethras live in the Yacian Cavern and rank as C class monsters. They hunt in packs and are the reason that merchants need to hire professional mercenaries in addition to their own guards if they want to pass through. |
| 356 | * SeizaSquirm: Kallen Selios, arrogant mana mutation field agent, demonstrates HiddenDepths in this fashion during ''Literature/LoomingShadow''. She has to take part in a formal tea ceremony with the lightning goddess, Ligol, while in this position. Failure to do so is punished by lightning strike. She passes effortlessly, while her {{sidekick}}, Emily, is less naturally composed. |
| 357 | * SdrawkcabName: Lots and lots, though often with a single letter swapped as well. Dengel (Legend), Noitearc (Creation), Threa (Earth)... even the lawyer Reywal. |
| 358 | * SeeTheInvisible: [[DefiedTrope Defying this trope]] is something that Eric has to do while on a RescueArc. The kidnappers are using surveilance {{magitek}} to spot intruders and a diferent sort to spot concealment spells used to hide from the first sort. Thus, Eric creates an invisiblity spell within his personal spirit barrier. |
| 359 | * SemiDivine: |
| 360 | ** Kasile is a direct descendent of the fire goddess Fiol, but there's a lot of human blood between the two of them. She's basically mortal but has access to divine magic. |
| 361 | ** Elves in general fit this trope because they carry fragments of Chaos inside them. It makes them into beings that are halfway between humans and tricksters. |
| 362 | * ScrewYouElves: The response of all orcs and many humans to elfish posturing is basically to pull on their pointy ears and then kick them in the nuts. Emily, in particular, has many choice words about elves and their culture: "They can’t understand a human’s need for food because starvation can’t kill them. They think we’re stupid barbarians because we can’t spend our lives doing mad science for shits and giggles". She follows up by forcing one such elf into a one-sided bargain. |
| 363 | * SecretArt: Magic has a lot of these. |
| 364 | ** In ''Literature/AMagesPower'', Dengel teaches Eric a tracking spell that cannot be blocked or obstructed by any means. This makes Eric the first person to ''ever'' learn it because it is AwesomeButImpractical. Dengel never bothered to name it because he knew no one he taught in his previous life time would ever use it. |
| 365 | ** In ''Literature/LoomingShadow'', Grey Dengel teaches Eric "Mana Conversion" which enables him to dissolve physical matter into {{mana}} for use in spells. No one else knows this because it is an EnlightenmentSuperpower that few can achieve with their sanity intact. |
| 366 | * SecretTest: Team Four is told that their first mission is to determine what snacks their respective captains like in time for their Captain's Meeting. This involves going to each lounge and meeting every person in each Squad. Nolien works out that this is not a mission at all, but more of an orientation; the true purpose was to familarize themselves with the guild and the people that compose it. It's implied that this is why Nolien becomes the team's corporal. |
| 367 | * SheIsNotMyGirlfriend: |
| 368 | ** Tiza is firm in telling others that she is ''not'' in love with Nolien. He's just a SquishyWizard that she has to take of; it's her job as TheTeam's tank. The occasional SmoochOfVictory is irrelevant and so is their weekly NotADate. |
| 369 | ** Eric and Annala endure this sort of teasing from Revas, Oito and many others (including villians). [[PairTheSmartOnes With their "nerd mating dance" it's hard not to]]. |
| 370 | * ShipperOnDeck: |
| 371 | ** Basilard considers it his duty as Eric's mentor to encourage the boy's budding relationship with Annala. Likewise, Annala's mother, Nunnal, is eager to see her daughter married off to Eric. |
| 372 | ** Kallen and Mia like pushing Nolien and Tiza together because [[EveryoneCanSeeIt their red-face denials]] are amusing. |
| 373 | * SinisterScythe: Scythes are used by [[{{Psychopomp}} reapers]] and the death priests that assist them. They're as much a symbol of office as a weapon |
| 374 | * SocietyOfImmortals: Towns such as Dnnac Ledo are populated by elves and much of their culture is about making productive use of eternal life. Adults teach their children to find their "Eternal Hobby", Walk the Earth, and regularly visit their immortal relatives. |
| 375 | * {{Sssssnaketalk}} |
| 376 | ** Oito, the lizard demon, speaks like this, much to Eric's amazement. |
| 377 | -->'''Eric''': ''Huh...they really do talk like that.'' |
| 378 | ** A royal knight commander, who is also a lizard demon, has this affect. It must be hard to give orders. |
| 379 | * SparseListOfRules: The Dragon's Lair Charter has a number of rules governing mercenary behavior but as far as ''Literature/LoomingShadow'', only the fourth one has been mentioned: "Never kill the client". |
| 380 | * SpareToTheThrone: Queen Kasile has a number of blood relatives living incognito within Ataidar in case she dies. They're so secret that not even she knows who or where they are. [[PhysicalGoddess Fiol]], Kasile's ancestor, offhandedly mentions "Laura the Hermit" and [[spoiler: Sister Cremia]] is heavily implied to be one as well. The latter of these much prefers her current job to ruling. |
| 381 | * StopWorshippingMe: Some trickster gods are against anyone worshipping them, but their reasons for doing so, and how strongly they feel about it, varies among them. |
| 382 | ** Tasio strongly dislikes it because he advocates free will and self-determination. As such, he discourages people from praying to him for a DivineIntervention by pranking them whenever they so much as [[SpeakOfTheDevil say his name.]] |
| 383 | ** Zaticana's a downplayed case; she's fine with the temple and clergy but she doesn't like the formality. She'd rather have friends than supplicants. |
| 384 | ** Remho doesn't mind at all, because his followers are typically actors and playwrights and he is a director with a corps of muses. |
| 385 | * SuperhumanTrafficking: Tariatla has a brisk trade in the enslavement of elves, who, in this verse, are basically humans infused with chaotic energy. They're immortal and possess a HealingFactor and so they are used for perpetual labor and dangerous operations, as well as [[SexSlave "eternal virgins"]]. |
| 386 | ** Eric encounters and fights a group of slavers on his way home during ''Literature/LoomingShadow''. |
| 387 | ** A large part of ''Literature/ManaMutationMenace'' is breaking this trade worldwide. |
| 388 | * SuperpowerfulGenetics: |
| 389 | ** The Bladi Clan is made of humans with BloodMagic. That is, blood magic that is literally in their blood. |
| 390 | ** The royal family of Ataidar has their RoyaltySuperPower following their bloodline. |
| 391 | ** Elves pass their Seed of Chaos parent to child. In this way, the seed mutates them in the womb. |
| 392 | * ATasteOfPower: |
| 393 | ** ''Literature/LoomingShadow'': During an emergency (surprise appearance of a {{kaiju}}), Eric and Tiza are granted use of special armor that elevates their abilities beyond what they are used to. They have to give the armor back afterward. |
| 394 | ** ''Literature/ManaMutationMenace'': As part of his DealWithTheDevil, Nolien is granted a one-time boost to both his magical power and his supply of {{mana}}. He marvels at what he is temporarily capable of and thinks that he won't be this powerful again for decades. |
| 395 | * TeleportationSickness: Eric always feels ill after teleporting, and the longer the distance the worse he feels. It's a RunningGag, and unfortunately for him, the teleports get longer as the series goes on. It's treated as similar to motion sickness; some people are more sensitive to it than others. No one else has a problem with it. |
| 396 | * TemptingFate: |
| 397 | ** This trope is known locally as "tempting Tasio". [[SpeakOfTheDevil Just saying his name]] is believed to be enough to provoke some petty inconvenice or large scale calamity. |
| 398 | ** When Eric hits rock bottom at the start of A Mage's Power, he believes his day can't get worse. CueTheRain and Tasio's glee. |
| 399 | -->'''Tasio''': ''Oh you shouldn't have said that!'' |
| 400 | * TheThingThatWouldNotLeave: Eric had this problem during ''[[Literature/AMagesPower A Mage's Power]]''. Oliver was not even a house guest but an apartment neighbor and yet he still hung out in Eric's apartment, ate his food, and watched TV late into the night. Eric was too much of an ExtremeDoormat to tell him to leave. By the time of ''Looming Shadow'' a troll squats in his bridge house, and they "settle it like mercenaries" with a duel. |
| 401 | * ThinkingUpPortals: Creating a portal is one of the most difficult forms of magic. The first person shown to be capable of it was Nulso Xialin, a greater mage and a veteran ordercrafter and even then he needed a BackgroundMagicField created by his patron god through a monument. With this boost he created a perfectly symmetrical hole between Roalt castle and Southern Ataidar [[spoiler: so he could drag Annala through it and towards eternal slavery. For the second portal he tried to drain the required energy from her Seed of Chaos.]] |
| 402 | * ThoughtControlledPower: The final stages of mastery of magecraft involves casting without a MagicTool, words, or anything. Very few mages can do this since it requires lifelong practice and discipline. It is also one of the advantages that divine magic has over academic magecraft; one just imagines the desired effect and it happens. |
| 403 | * {{Transhuman}}: [[spoiler: Zettai]] used to be perfectly human but the addition of Bladi blood to her system made her more than human. It gave her access to a rare branch of magic and the ability to survive her soul being removed from her body. |
| 404 | * TrulySingleParent: Bladi Conversion is a downplayed trope. While the person-to-be-converted is conceived and born in the standard fashion, the Bladi who converts them does so by replacing their parent's genetic information with their own. Biologically speaking, the convertor becomes their only parent. [[spoiler: Basilard becomes Zettai's third biological father in this fashion, after expelling the blood of his EvilUncle, who had expelled the blood of Zettai's original father, in his turn. This leads to a lot of expectations neither is prepared for.]] |
| 405 | * TwentyBearAsses: The only reason that Eric meets Kallen in Mambi during ''Looming Shadow'' is that she's collecting one hundred monsters for mana mutation research. The drop rate for the elemental ice energy that she needs is frustratingly low. |
| 406 | * UnableToSupportAWife: When Eric talks about how he wants to get stronger and advance through the ranks of his guild, Tasio quotes this trope to tease him about his crush on Annala. [[SheIsNotMyGirlfriend Eric denies this is the case.]] |
| 407 | * UndeadTaxExemption: Two aversions: |
| 408 | ** A grown person dropping in from another world happens often enough in Tariatla that no one bats an eye at it. It's easy for Eric to gain citizenship papers, a job, an apartment, etc. |
| 409 | ** Vaya is an ArtificialHuman created by a fugitive in hiding. Thus, when Professor Haburt wants to adopt her, he has to make up a cover story about finding her on the street because she was abandoned by her parents due to the country's regular food shortages. There's no Ceihan paperwork to support this but the scenarnio is plausible enough for Ataidaran paperwork to be created. [[spoiler: Since she's a clone of his real daughter, he also has to change her name as well as her hair and eye color so no one suspects a link between them.]] |
| 410 | * {{Unperson}}: There was a person in the Bladi Clan who did something so horrible that the rest of the clan excommunicated him. After that they did their best to forget about him and even people outside the clan will skirt the issue when the incident comes up. When Basilard Bladi comes face to the face with this person, he insists on addressing him as "The Exile". |
| 411 | * UnwantedAssistance: Eric gets like this everytime Tasio tries to help him, [[Literature/AMagesPower starting with the first time they met]]; it ended with him getting fired and looking foolish in front of his crush. Tasio is a TricksterGod, so it's hard to tell when he's sincerely trying to help, when it's just [[ItAmusedMe for shits and giggles]], and when he's in a more [[TricksterMentor mentor-y mood]]. |
| 412 | * UpliftedAnimal: This trope is the difference between the animals of Eric's non-magical homeworld (Threa) and the animals of the magical world that he finds himself in (Tariatla). There's a certain level of {{mana}} saturation that increases the intelligence of animals to a human level. While they still can't communicate with humans, this is more of a language barrier than anything else and in any case it is resolved by Zaticana, the goddess of languages. |
| 413 | * UptownGirl: |
| 414 | ** Annala's family is pretty high status in Dnnac Ledo (her mom is an R&D company CEO, her dad's an ambassador, and her aunt is the police chief) while Eric is a BlueCollarWarlock whose only family is his guild. Little attention is brought to this fact because [[InterspeciesRomance it's overshadowed by]] [[MayflyDecemberRomance other factors]]. Her family encourages it because of his devotion to her; the only one to object is her twin, [[MySisterIsOffLimits who wouldn't accept anyone on principle.]] |
| 415 | ** Nolien and Tiza; he's the heir to one of Ataidar's Four Pillars and she is an "alley cat" orphan. Any objections to their [[SheIsNotMyGirlfriend not-quite-there-yet relationship]] were cancelled when Tiza demonstrated that she was only one with enough PowerOfLove to [[spoiler: restore Nolien's sanity after he mana mutated.]] |
| 416 | * WasOnceAMan: There are all manner of creepy, dangerous, and/or scary monsters roaming Tariatla, and a good many of them used to be sapient. Perfectly civil and friendly, until they were mana mutated. During ''Literature/LoomingShadow'', Kallen encounters a monster and is about to kill it, when she realizes that it hasn't transforming yet, and that its threatening roars were actually screams of pain. |
| 417 | * WeaponOfXSlaying: Annala created a bow that makes the arrows nocked to it capable of doing great harm to [[TheGrimReaper reapers]]. She calls it a "Deathkiller bow". While it can "kill them" in terms of [[FightingAShadow destroying their physical body]], it cannot (as of ''Literature/ManaMutationMenace'') truly destroy them. |
| 418 | * {{Whatevermancy}}: Tariatla has "Taverncraft", which is an offshoot of "magecraft" otherwise known as "practical magic" (as opposed to "manaology" which is the academic study of {{mana}}). It is magic used by people who work in taverns to mix drinks (alcoholic and otherwise). They have magic spells and everything. |
| 419 | * WildMagic: Chaos magic is basically energy from [[TopGod Lady Chaos]], who, as can be expected, has BlueAndOrangeMorality. Elven lore says that it deliberately backfired on [[spoiler: Dengel Tymh]] to teach him an object lesson in humility. It is impossible for any mage to successfully control [[spoiler: without becoming chaos themselves.]] |
| 420 | * WordsDoNotMakeTheMagic: Spells are nothing more than a PowerCrutch. They help with focus but are ultimately unnecessary. What you really need for magic is to understand the magical theory behind the spells. Novices like Eric need them but experts like Basilard and Dengel do not. |
| 421 | * UpperclassTwit: Tiza has a special name for these kinds of people, "tent", after the big and flouncy clothes they wear. It means "a dainty and/or weak person, most often wealthy, who never does any sort of work and forces others to wait on them hand and foot". |
| 422 | * YouCannotGraspTheTrueForm: Gods in general are like this. |
| 423 | ** The innards of Noitearc, the Great Tree that Supports the Worlds, are seen as tunnels of rainbow light by the mortals traveling them. This is because they can't comprehend its true nature. |
| 424 | ** Right in the first chapter of the first book, Tasio's true form is stated to be something "far less pleasing" to behold than his default elven form. |
| 425 | ** Reapers look like TheGrimReaper because that's what humans are familiar with. Being abstract creatures, they shift their physical manifestation [[DontFearTheReaper in order to appear more comforting]] (rogue reapers do the same to inspire terror). |
| 426 | * YouCantFightFate: According to Wiol, the goddess of the Element Wind and Knowledge of the Future, there are certain things that are ''guaranteed'' to happen, but there are many ways in which they could happen. For instance, say there are two people who are destined to marry each other, they could either do just that, go UndercoverAsLovers, engage in CourtlyLove, jointly become {{parental substitute}}s for the same kid, etc. There is no possible future where ''something'' along the lines of "these two people marry each other" does not happen. |
| 427 | * YourApprovalFillsMeWithShame: Whenever [[TricksterGod Tasio]] says what great potential Eric has as a trickster, Eric's response is disgust [[spoiler: until ''Transcending Limitations'', where he embraces this part of himself.]] |
| 428 | * YourMagicsNoGoodHere: |
| 429 | ** When Eric returns to his home world of Threa, he has to restrict his use of magecraft because his {{mana}} will not reload. He's almost out when he returns to Tariatla. |
| 430 | ** Tariatlan mages are careful about using magic inside a [[PlaceOfPower Fog cloud]] because the BackgroundMagicField is highly charged and unstable. There's no telling what a spell would do in such a place, but the most likely outcome is an explosion that will kill and/or mutate the caster. |
| 431 | * YourSoulIsMine: One application of Soulcraft is to force the soul of another from their body using one's own soul. Then it can be eaten for power or imprisoned in another vessel. |
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