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Author Archives: Confanity
Magic Monday – A trick of the light
Fool-The-Eye This pidgin illusion is commonly used by traveling conjurers to avoid being killed by bandits, wild beasts, or other potential wayside troubles. Fool-The-Eye requires that the caster gesture continuously with one hand, presumably while dodging and weaving to evade … Continue reading
Wiggle, roll, crawl, stand, walk, run, Olympic gymnast
I’ve been holding on to this one for a while; posting now in honor of someone’s birthday. Also, happy Father’s Day to any fathers reading this! 這えば立て立てば歩めの親心 (Haeba tate tateba ayume no oyagokoro; “A parent’s heart that says ‘stand’ when … Continue reading
No title necessary; you can tell what this is already
一目瞭然 ichi.moku.ryou.zen Literally: one – eye – clear – “in that way” Alternately: Clear (in the sense of “easily understood” rather than literally transparent); apparent; obvious. Able to be understood after a mere glance. Notes: It is also acceptable to write … Continue reading
Magic Monday – And now for a multi-function air mobility spell
Today’s spell, specifically its ability to shift dramatically in functionality depending on the amount of skill and energy invested in it, was inspired by this post at The Dragon’s Flagon. Ride the Wind This spell depends on the caster being … Continue reading
Posted in Rules, Setting
Tagged flight, levitation, Magic Monday, variable spell, walk on air, wind spirits
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Not enough data to work out how or if souls scale with size, though
一寸の虫にも五分の魂 (Issun no mushi ni mo gobu no tamashii; “Even in a one-sun bug, five parts of a soul.”) Definition: Even a 3cm bug has a half-share of spirit. Even a seemingly small, weak person will have a certain underlying … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged bug, don't underestimate, 虫, soul, spirit, 一寸, 五分の魂
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Runrise, runset, runrise, runset, swiftly fly the years
東奔西走 tou.hon.sei.sou Literally: east – run – west – run Alternately: Keeping busy. Being on the go. Actively involving oneself in something. Notes: There are a number of yojijukugo along the same lines, including 東走西奔 (tou.sou.sei.hon) and 東行西走 (tou.kou.sei.sou).
Magic Monday – Sign of Thanh
(As seen in this story) Sign of Thanh This Sign is a glowing rune, drawn on any surface or even in the air. It remains in place for as long as its caster concentrates, visible even in darkness and potent … Continue reading
Your choice: on a rock, or in a brier
Suddenly I feel like this one is about grad school. 石の上にも三年 (Ishi no ue ni mo sannen; “Three years, even on top of a rock”) Definition: With perseverance, one can overcome hard times and achieve one’s goals. A saying about … Continue reading
The mysterious ways of gods and demons
神出鬼没 shin.shutsu.ki.botsu Literally: god – emit/come out – ghost/demon/oni – sink (downward) Alternately: Appearing and disappearing rapidly or unexpectedly, at will. Elusive. Phantasmal. Mysterious.
Protect your home – with spare animal bits!
Guardian Charms The Guardian Charms are a family of rituals used during the construction of houses. The primary charm involves burying a horse’s skull beneath the door frame, which makes it difficult for certain malevolent spirits (such as vampires) to … Continue reading
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