The Dresden Files > DF Reference Collection
Series Spanning Plot Threads
AcornArmy:
--- Quote from: betaflame on November 16, 2012, 06:24:19 PM ---Dead Beat:
-Wizard healing/longevity are introduced.
-Both Evil Bob and Grevane refer to necromancy as "The True Magic". It is different enough from normal magic that it stains the user. Grevane (and Ulsharavas from DM) can sense it in Harry. Harry can sense it in Cowl.
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I think we're dealing with two different types of magic here, each with two variations. There's normal magic, "the magic of life," which comes from all living things. This can be corrupted into black magic, which Harry hates and to which he reacts badly. Then there's necromantic magic, or, I suppose, "the magic of death," which is Grevane's magic, and which is what(I believe) he and Evil Bob were referring to as "the true magic."
Then, lastly, there is what Kumori did with that random dead guy on the street in Dead Beat. She warded his soul into his body somehow to prevent him from dying. Harry noted that the coldness of necromancy was there on the scene, but that it didn't have the sense of corruption to it that usually came along with the coldness of necromancy. And Kumori herself said that she had basically perverted necromancy into serving life, sort of the way normal magic can be perverted into destroying life as black magic.
So, there's normal magic and necromantic magic, and each one can be used either to serve life or to destroy it. Kumori said that one's purpose had to be strong to use necromancy in the service of life, though, which would seem to indicate that it's easier to use necromancy for destruction than for preservation. When normal magic is used for destruction-- I think this is the typical form of black magic that's shown in the books, the stuff that sorcerers are good at. Necromancy is usually used as black magic, though, and until Harry saw the signs of Kumori's spell in DB, he apparently didn't even think it could be used for anything other than black magic.
And, I guess, the stuff that Outsiders do is some other form of magic altogether. Unrelated to normal magic or necromancy, I'm guessing.
This is all conjecture on my part, though, put together from the various pieces of information in the books. I don't have any solid evidence that things work exactly this way, except that this description seems to fit with all of the information we've been given over the course of the series.
Serack:
--- Quote from: Viktor on November 16, 2012, 06:39:35 PM ---Is there any way I can vote for/request that you remove the individual spoiler tags and just put one big one in the subject line?
I really enjoy this topic, but it's annoying to have to do that every time I check for updates.
(Yes, I'm lazy)
Edit due to too many posts: Got it, Serack, thanks. :)
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E-McB just suggested to me due to your comments that when this topic goes to sustain mode rather than the initial build push, I should add a last update time into the spoiler tag title. Sounds like a great idea.
Cozarkian:
--- Quote from: Serack on November 16, 2012, 05:09:03 PM ---I'm thinking of labling this thread "Harry Fights for Rehabilitation & Empowerment" (HFfR&E)
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That works for me.
--- Quote from: Serack on November 16, 2012, 06:37:58 PM ---The Hand burn is significant. I've been tossing around how to include it, but the thing is, I have already written up a great reference about Harry's Power Ups, that does a great job of emphasizing the significance of that event... I think I might add a reference to that topic near the top of this reference and let it serve as the reference for any events that touch on Harry's power as a thread in and of itself.
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I agree the hand burn is significant. Harry seems to get power ups in two forms - increased assets (Bob, Lasciel's coin, soulfire, sanctum invocation, mom's pendant, WK mantle) and more significantly from patching weaknesses. The hand burn is an example of the latter, where Harry is putting his experience to use to improve his skills. It belongs in a category with improving veils from teaching Molly, the use of dual elements, learning to build stronger foci, and becoming less dependent on foci. Personally, I think this latter type of power up is more significant because it represents the growth of Harry as a character.
The hand burn is also significant for another reason - it highlights Mavra as one of Harry's most dangerous opponents. Many of Harry's enemies are just doing their own thing and Harry gets in the way, but Mavra actually takes the time to study Harry and learn his weaknesses. There are only a few other instances where enemies have tried to do that. Bianca showed some understanding of Harry in PG (but could have been coached by Mavra) but she ultimately proved she didn't truly understand him when she tried to trade for Susan's life. Nicodemus has demonstrated an even better understanding of Harry, but ultimately underestimated Harry (he didn't expect Harry to actually defeat and change Lasciel's shadow - although to be fair, I'm not sure anyone would). Mavra has arguably been the most successful in understanding and manipulated Harry (she burned his hand, escaped with incriminating photos and successfully blackmailed him later). Lea and Marcone should also be considered, although they are quasi-allies, while Mavra thus far appears to be pure enemy.
betaflame:
--- Quote from: AcornArmy on November 16, 2012, 06:47:18 PM ---*snip*
This is all conjecture on my part, though, put together from the various pieces of information in the books. I don't have any solid evidence that things work exactly this way, except that this description seems to fit with all of the information we've been given over the course of the series.
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I've come to the same conclusions based on the hints/explanations we've been given.
Serack:
When did Harry first start having /significant/ headaches? SmF?
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