OSR, Magic, and The Tombs of Atuan
Today, let’s focus on magic in Ursula Le Guin’s “The Tombs of Atuan.” Here, in the world of Earthsea, the name of things is the source of magic. It's a well of ideas for old school gamers.
Sparrowhawk, the magic user, who in the heart of the novel befriends the captured priestess Tenar, explains the source of magic.
Knowing names is my job. My art. To weave the magic of a thing…one must find its true name out…all wizardry hangs still upon the knowledge – the relearning, the remembering – of that true and ancient language of Making.
The Tombs of Atuan also are home to are dark, brooding, magical force that would bury Tenar and Sparrowhawk.
Tenar had gone only a few steps when she paused. “What is it?” she murmured…There was a noise in the dead, vast, black bubble of air: a tremor or shaking sound heard by the blood and felt in the bones. The time-carven walls beneath her fingers thrummed, thrummed.
And yet, Sparrowhawk, grasping names, even of the “Nameless Ones," restrains their earthquaking rage:
...I have filled these tunnels with an endless net of spells, spells of sleep, of stillness, of concealment, and yet still they are aware of me, half aware; half sleeping, half awake.”
Sparrowhawk's magic inspires new questions: 'What's the name of something?' 'What's a name in DnD?' In the Tombs of Atuan, a name is an annunciation:
‘Then let them know that we are here,’ he said, and from his staff and hands leapt forth a white radiance that broke as a sea-wave breaks in sunlight…a glory of light though which the two fled, straight across the cavern…the tunnel rocks boomed, and moved under their feet. Yet the light was with them, dazzling...”
What riches for a dungeon master! And, it's only one dimension of this wonderful novel. Maybe we'll return here another day.
Thank you for reading.
I think in D&D a "name" equivalent is understanding the characteristics of the adversary, the procedure for a spell or other action, and spending time building experience with an action (memorizing a spell, or practicing a back-stab).
ReplyDeleteThat's a cool comment - about a 'name equivalent in D&D' - thanks - I was thinking a name in D&D would mean some new type of spell was needed. I can see what you mean about seeing what's needed. Thanks for your comment!
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