Responsibility and Magic

*A neatly written report is slipped under the door to Ilhedith's study*

Responsibility and Magic- by Malandrae Moonwhisper

I have seen many forms of magic in the centuries that I have lived. From the shimmering spires of Zin'Azshari to all of the far corners of our mighty empire where we Highborne dwelled, I have seen beautiful wonders created from this power the likes of which will never be seen again in this world. I have seen magic raise cities from nothing, have seen it cure the most serious wounds, and have seen it defend the weak and innocent against dangers that are ever present in the world.

I have also seen many terrible things that have resulted from magic, and learned about more things of which I was unaware. I have seen the foolhardy use demons as if they were playthings. I have seen friends and loved ones give themselves to dark entities simply to grasp at more power. I have seen countless thousands of innocents slaughtered by magic.

What is worse, I have learned of the horrors that befell the world since my own removal from it. I have read accounts of terrible betrayals, of armies of the damned and demonic forces rampaging across the surface of a world that is itself shattered from the magic my people used long ago.

Magic has been a scourge, a bane upon the races of this world since the beginning of time. All of this suffering, destruction, and ruination has occurred not because magic itself is inherently evil, but because it is used by those who themselves cannot bring enough self-restraint with them to stay their power when it would be best to delve no deeper. It spreads ruin in the hands of those who understand nothing of the beauty and order it can create. It becomes a flail that strikes the civilizations of the world over and over because those who wield it do not have the heart to do so properly.

I have spent much time reflecting on the lessons that have been imparted to me by one who is not of my race. Before this, I had not considered other races to even be worthy of my time or conversation, but I see now how wrong we were. The Queen fell because she dabbled with powers that she didn't understand and that ultimately used her for their own ends. I do not understand how or why this happened, I only know that it did.

Professor Knox indicated that magic power must be used with restraint. It must be tempered by the heart. I do not know if I have the ability to follow this advice or not, but time will tell. I have seen enough death though, and I think that this lesson is possibly the most important one that I will ever be taught. I may not be able to learn all of the spells of more powerful spellcasters, but if I learn this one lesson, if I learn when to use my magic and when to restrain it, then I will become wise.

Maybe this is a lesson that cannot be learned in a single sitting. Maybe it is a lesson that continues to teach for our entire life?  I think this might be the case. Perhaps I am confusing what she was trying to teach me, but I think the purpose behind it might be just that.

Magic is a gift, and it must be given to the world as one would give a gift to a loved one, never thrust upon it by force.