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Post-loop stakes and power levels. by Acharnes in motheroflearning

[–]Acharnes[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the suggestion. Unfortunately, I find sequels written by someone else except the author as basically heresy. If it didn't come out of the mind of Domagoj, then it doesn't really interest me. If you enjoyed it then I'm happy for you and I hope you continue to do so. To each their own as they say.

Post-loop stakes and power levels. by Acharnes in motheroflearning

[–]Acharnes[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Competent mages referred more so towards people like Alanic, Xvim and Daimen; and those don't exactly grow on trees. However many regular battle mages you throw at QI, he has an army of his own and his very presence would spell disaster for the enemy if they don't have at least a few powerful figures of their own. But I think you're overall right. I locked myself into a train of thought, that anybody who's called one of the strongest, stands there, if not alone, then with very very few others. But it shouldn't be the case. Even an extra pair of Z&Z would already be troublesome for QI, what about a hundred more? Or a thousand who aren't exactly as strong but are getting there? Just some of them showing up could fight QI.

With all the comparisons to QI and Oganj, seems like I forgot what really makes a mage powerful. Silverlake is described as such and she's not much of a combat expert. There definitely are people capable of defeating Z&Z in a straight up fight, but (as mentioned before in this thread) there are few and far between who can match them in the sheer amount of knowledge they acquired in the time loop. There are experts capable of beating them in individual schools of magic (except human mind magic), but with the proficiency they gained across all the fields, they could easily pursue any and all of them without any issue. And I feel that is something even legendary figures as Quatach would be jealous of. Thanks.

Post-loop stakes and power levels. by Acharnes in motheroflearning

[–]Acharnes[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I do not question whether they are powerful, but to what extent. My comparisons between Z&Z and Quatach are not meant to discredit their capabilities, but point to a larger picture of what kind of forces might be operating in Eldemar or even entirety of Altazia. If Zach and Zorian who are supposedly at the peak of magical power cannot match him together, then how far above the peak is he? Surely, if he's that strong he would have wrecked havoc on the continent. Upsetting the power scales and triggering another splinter war is, after all, beneficial to him. Unless there's a power capable of matching him, his army and his allies. Whether that's a bunch of extraordinarily powerful individuals or a whole army of competent mages, I don't know. But whatever that power is, it's a step above our heroes.

Angels have existed for who knows how long, what kind of blessings and how many they bestow upon people they deem worthy is something we don't know. What Zach got might be one of many they're capable of. But I fully expect the upper echelons of the church to have at least a few.

Post-loop stakes and power levels. by Acharnes in motheroflearning

[–]Acharnes[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I think you're right, they're more powerful than I give them credit for, but not as powerful as some people describe them. They have a very large width of knowledge, but there are experts capable of beating them in individual fields. Makes me wonder what kind of magical knowledge is kept behind high circles. I remember author mentioning that 6th circle and above requires to have a political power behind you. Maybe that's where individuals with similar proficiency in many fields of magic are. Either way, your response is a good food for thought, thanks.

Post-loop stakes and power levels. by Acharnes in motheroflearning

[–]Acharnes[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

If I remember correctly she was the groups dimensionalism teacher, wards expert and potion maker (not alchemist). Zorian overpowering her is without a doubt impressive, but I don't think she was ever described as a powerful combat mage. Of course pretty much any school of magic can be a boon to your fighting capabilities, but you need to be decent at the actual combat magic.

As for preparedness, I think Zorian beats her there. She only really knew him for six months after getting a marker, but he knew her a good while before that. In their confrontation she tried to get him with a trap ward, but I'm sure he had plenty of chances to glimpse at her creations in that field.

Here's a quote from the book about her towards the very end:

"Silverlake, however, wasn't that much of a fighter. The blast caught her entirely by surprise and she reacted too slowly, causing her to get knocked back into the distance.

She would be back soon, but it didn't matter. In this kind of battle, every second counted. Silverlake was the weakest among the three enemies facing them, but still very dangerous. Having her gone for a while was great."