Wands

[Lord Eadric]

No: HPFGUIDX 24310

Kavitha Kannan said:

Next question...why do all the wizards/withces/warlocks in the Potterverse
use wands when, historically, they were not considered neccessary?  Are they
less dangerous for channeling raw power?  Or do they channel more power?

Alfredo Ramrez said:

In Mage: The Ascension from White Wolf Games, Mages need foci.

linman6868 said:

In CoS, as they rescue Harry from the Dursleys, the twins explain that
house-elves have great magical power, but can't usually use it without their
masters' permission.

I tend to think (as Alfredo does) that (human) Wizards need something to
focus their energies. For a while now, I've been toying with the idea in my
head about (extremely) foreign schools of magic that don't use wands. Such
as schools (monasteries) in the Asian regions that use a combination of
mediation and Mudra (a posturing of the hands and body) to focus magical
ability (chi). Dark schools of Voodoo that use different animal sacrifices
to achieve spells. Medicine men who use prayers and spiritual enhancers
(drugs) to focus abilities. The possibilities are nearly limitless.

Has someone had similar thoughts? Is my imagination to vivid? Do I read too
much (or not enough) history/fantasy? Am I just crazy?

Thanks in advance!
Lord Eadric
Webmaster, Oriental Adventures Project
http://come.to/kara-tur
Webmaster, The Wandering Bard's tavern
http://come.to/eadric

"Talk sense to a fool and he calls you foolish." -Euripides

"When in doubt, listen to the man with the bloodier weapon." - Unknown

"Do not meddle in the affairs of Dragons, for you are crunchy and good with
ketchup." - Unknown