Side Story: Advanced Evocation Technique 2 – Impulse/Channel

Catherine looks at her hand. It’s still slightly heated from pain and she nods. “Very well, Master.” Uklag raises his hand, his palm is pointing towards the ceiling. “Once you have mastered Duplication there is nothing stopping you from using the same spell an endless amount of times in a row. We call that Impulse.” A small flame appears and vanishes in quick succession. “Impulse is very important for the control of higher level Ice Spells, but the really interesting thing is that spells you use in a very quick Impulse cost you a lot less Stamina and Mental Fortitude than differentiating in the flow. Of course it also makes you predictable so you should enjoy it with caution.”

The flame appears and vanishes quicker. Faster, ever faster until it doesn’t vanish at all. “Once you have mastered the art of Impulse you can use Channel. Channel has two forms, one is what you currently see – to cast a spell continuously: Active Channelling.”

Uklag closes his hand and the flame disappears. A red glow starts to shine between the warlock’s fingers, slowly gaining strength. “The second one is Preparation Channelling. It’s one of the techniques that set apart Master’s from mere Adepts.

Where the Adept can only transfer a portion of his might into one spell, the Master can slowly preserve power for a single moment.” He opens his hand. Catherine shield her face with her hand, expecting a huge blast of fire. Nothing happens. When she lowers her hand again she sees Uklag smiling. “Or he can withdraw the power. Well not all of it but sometimes a bluff is worth more than an actual attack.”

Catherine nods, that is also the logic behind using Alteration in fights. “Now there is one more important thing about this. Even though Channelling allows you too theoretically hold the whole power of your body in a single moment it keeps you from regenerating Stamina. Like muscles that are in constant move don’t relax.”

Silence. “That is it?” Catherine asks. “Yes. Even Advanced Evocation isn’t all that interesting I am afraid. It all comes down to how much power you can mobilize, under the magic schools Alteration is the Politician, Conjuration is the Merchant, Transmutation is the Banker, Enchantment is the Crafter and Evocation is the Warrior. Or at least that is how Aclysia put it and I don’t disagree.”

Catherine raises an eyebrow. “I don’t feel particularly warlike to be honest. Although I would destroy things for knowledge, so maybe Warrior as in Mercenary is fitting.” Uklag shrugs. “You do you, a fine Craftsman like myself wouldn’t understand.” Catherine doesn’t believe that for a minute, if her master is anything but a devil she would love to have her freedom back.

“One more technique is very important, so let’s move on to today’s final theory before I give you some more tips on the bases.”