In the world of fantasy and imagination, there are countless mysteries and wonders waiting to be explored. One such mysterious concept is absolute magic derrem nrown. This enigmatic phrase seems to hold a power and allure that captivates the minds of those who come across it. Absolute magic derrem nrown is often described as a hidden realm of unparalleled magic and true power. It is said to exist beyond the boundaries of our known reality, residing in a realm reserved only for the most skilled and worthy practitioners of the arcane arts. Those who have dedicated their lives to the study and mastery of magic yearn to unlock the secrets of this mystical realm and harness its unimaginable power.
Moon magic is most powerful at the Moon Nexus, a beautiful lake high on a mountain where the full moon reflects perfectly on the water’s surface. When the land was split in two, the Moon Nexus fell upon the human side of the Border, and thus the Moonshadow elves appointed a Guardian of the Nexus to protect its power from human greed.
Humans are not born with the ability to cast magic, but some can cast spells and control a Primal Source by using a magical artifact such as a Primal Stone. While deserts and underground caverns do not provide ideal circumstances to cast Ocean magic, only a single drop of water is said to be needed to make use of the source.
Those who have dedicated their lives to the study and mastery of magic yearn to unlock the secrets of this mystical realm and harness its unimaginable power. The origins and exact nature of absolute magic derrem nrown are shrouded in mystery. It is believed to have been a term coined by ancient, long-forgotten cultures, passed down through generations of mages, wizards, and sorcerers.
Dark Magic: How the Dragon Prince Uses a Lense of Realism on an “Obviously Evil” Trope
I love fantasy. I love battles of magic. I love clashes of light magic and dark magic. But, in the hindsight of realism, the use of one side using “dark magic”, a side that’s otherwise composed of both good and bad complexities, mind, can often prompt a raise of the eyebrow from the reader/audience. One that asks, “Why would you use something when you know it’s dark magic? Why would you use something so ‘obviously evil’?” Kind of like why would you keep trusting Saruman the White the minute you saw the kind of tower he lived in.
Now we come to The Dragon Prince, from, in part, Aaron Ehasz, from Avatar: the Last Airbender TV series renown. Arguably, it’s a much better successor in the spiritual sense than Legend of Korra was in the literal sense (though that may change if I change my mind one day and decide to give in and watch Korra). Then comes me, deciding to give Dragon Prince a shot now that I have no excuse to avoid the 3D animation style based on principle, given I’ve forayed into Land of the Lustrous, Beastars! and Blame! and liked them fine. Though, arguably, Land of the Lustrous and Beastars! are pinnacles of the 3D anime, but nonetheless, given The Dragon Prince is a 3D anime style (so anime in the same way that Avatar: the Last Airbender was), and given that I rewatched Avatar: the Last Airbender again recently and revisited that unfillable void, I figured I might as well dig in.
And already by episode 2, it’s clear how far we’ve come in realistically complicating the typical good forces vs. evil forces story in high fantasy. It struck me when King Harrow and his advisor Virin were arguing over the use of a form of–what else?–dark magic to use that could save Harrow’s life. He knows he’s about to be assassinated by Moonshadow elves, and Virin proposes a plan to save his life using the tenant of dark magic, that is, sacrificing another’s life to preserve his own. Harrow refuses, having already demonstrated that he’s been struggling with his allowance of “dark magic” being used in the past for the “greater good” of protecting his kingdom. That it’s the use of dark magic all this time that’s led to this critical point. On the surface, that might prompt another, “Well duh, it’s dark magic, of course it’s going to come back to bite you in the ass!”
But, first, some context.
In The Dragon Prince, magic is drawn from “Primal Sources”. So, the elements. Because this has the earmarks of a piece of work influenced by a previous work. We go from Avatar: the Last Airbender and the four classic elements of Air, Water, Fire, and Earth, to The Dragon Prince and magic comes from the Moon, the Sun, the Stars (even the sun is also a star, as you know), the Ocean, the Earth (not our Earth, anymore than it was in Avatar: the Last Airbender, ha), and the Sky. And this continent in this fantasy land, called Xadia, was rich with all this stuff, being all these Sources are of nature itself. Makes sense.
Magical creatures like elves and dragons got all that on lock from the moment they’re born, but humans, of course, not so much, since they’re not inherently born with it. And, of course, humans are not necessarily down with not getting a natural cut in magic, and eventually learn to draw from an as-yet-undiscovered seventh Primal Source, that being Dark. As you do.
And being that it’s Dark Magic, there has to be a few prices for using it. First is that doing Dark Magic means sacrificing the life of a magical creature in order to draw power, rather than the natural means drawing from the Moon, the Sky, etc that elves and other magical creatures can do innately. The other is that using Dark Magic is detrimental to one’s physical health (surprise, surprise). And of course you can use Dark Magic to counteract this, but, of course, that just feeds a vicious cycle, because that’s how that goes.
You know when you’re evil when you look at butterflies like they’re snacks.
Here’s the thing though: later on we learn that there is a way for humans to perform magic without either resorting to Dark Magic or managing to get their hands on a Primal Stone, a stone that contains the essence of a Primal Source. Like there’s one for Sky Magic that contains an actual storm inside it. Thus, a human drawing from that can perform Sky Magic.
The other way that’s discovered later though is basically through hard work understanding how that Primal Source works, its mechanics and relationship with the rest of nature. Dark Magic meanwhile is characterized as a cheating shortcut. For those who have an appreciation of efficiency then, one can understand why anyone would use something called “Dark Magic”, that otherwise has a, “Come on, you’re really gonna use that?” vibe. And gives further credence to the idea that anyone who seems overall a good person can quickly fall down the rabbit hole of “turning evil” by using “dark magic”–i.e., the faster way, the “creative solution”.
With Dark Magic, it’s not just characterized as something that’s spooky-dark that makes your eyes go evil-eye-black, but also as cheating, as a shortcut to actually putting in the work to use power. Because, as it turns out, humans can do magic without having to resort to the methods only Dark Magic offers, they just have to put in the work to do it. Cheating is bad, fam!
Thus, we already see something labeled as “dark magic” as being used as honestly relatable, not unlike the same quandary of using something like a nuclear bomb (or two) to put an end to a war like WWII.
This is something I’m struggling with in my own writing of another manuscript I’ve got on the zero draft docket at the moment, one involving a fantasy world taking place on a continent of nations on the brink of war with each other, one that explores the complex inter-political intrigues and fundamentals of war therein. And The Dragon Prince has already given me plenty of clarity on these concepts, including why a nation of essentially good people, helmed by an essentially good ruler who is essentially a good person, would use something labeled “dark magic”. Definitely something to keep in mind if you’re having your own good time struggling with the use of less-than-moral methods in war, fantasy or otherwise.
Also, lowkey this is big rec from me to watch The Dragon Prince.
Some legends speak of an ancient race of magical beings who once inhabited this realm, and it is said that their knowledge and power were beyond comprehension. According to some accounts, entering absolute magic derrem nrown requires a deep connection with the elements and the ability to tap into the infinite energy that permeates the universe. It is said that those who possess this profound connection are able to traverse the barrier between worlds and access the immense power that lies within absolute magic derrem nrown. The spells and abilities wielded by those who have unlocked the secrets of absolute magic derrem nrown are said to be unrivaled. They have the potential to reshape reality itself, bending it to their whims and desires. The most ancient and powerful artifacts in existence are said to have been crafted using this mystic energy, imbued with the essences of absolute magic derrem nrown. However, not all who seek to tap into this unimaginable power are successful. Many have dedicated their entire lives to its pursuit, only to fall short in their endeavors. The journey to unlock the mysteries of absolute magic derrem nrown is said to be treacherous and perilous, testing the abilities and determination of even the most skilled practitioners of magic. In conclusion, absolute magic derrem nrown remains an enigma, an ethereal concept that continues to bewitch and captivate the minds of those who dare to dream of its existence. Its true nature and power, known only to a select few, beckon adventurers and seekers of knowledge to embark on a quest through the unknown. To unravel the secrets of absolute magic derrem nrown is to unlock a world of untold possibilities and bring forth a new era of magic..
Reviews for "Understanding the Ethical Dilemmas Surrounding Absolure Magic Derrem Nrown"
1. Sarah - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with "Absolute Magic Derrem Brown". I've always been a fan of Derren Brown's work, but this particular show just didn't live up to my expectations. The tricks felt repetitive and predictable, and there was no real "wow" factor. It seemed like Brown was just going through the motions without putting much thought or effort into the performance. Overall, I found the show to be quite underwhelming and not worth the price of admission.
2. John - 1/5 - "Absolute Magic Derrem Brown" was a complete waste of time and money for me. The tricks were overly complicated and confusing, making it difficult to follow along and truly appreciate the magic. Brown's stage presence was lackluster, and I couldn't connect with him or his performance. Additionally, the pacing of the show was way too slow, dragging on with unnecessary banter and setup. I left feeling bored and unimpressed, regretting ever attending the show.
3. Emily - 2/5 - I have to admit, I was let down by "Absolute Magic Derrem Brown". The show promised mind-bending illusions and mind-reading feats, but I found them to be lackluster and unimpressive. Some of the tricks felt like they had been done before, and there was nothing particularly groundbreaking or unique about Brown's performance. The show lacked the excitement and energy that I associate with his previous works. It's unfortunate, but this one just fell flat for me.
4. Michael - 2/5 - As a long-time fan of Derren Brown, I had high hopes for "Absolute Magic Derrem Brown", but sadly, it didn't live up to my expectations. The tricks felt forced and the execution was sloppy at times. I found myself questioning the authenticity of the illusions, which took away from my overall enjoyment of the show. It's disappointing when a performer you admire falls short, and that's exactly how I felt after watching this performance. I hope Brown's future shows will recapture the magic that made me a fan in the first place.