E01P06

strixvanallen on Dec. 8, 2024

“Focus” is a shortening for “instrument for aether focusing” or something like that. It is a thing with at least one flat surface in which a very small magical array is “drawn” in a deactivated state. Casting a magical array can be done from memory, from schematics or from a focus. Metaphorically speaking, the difference between each method is the difference between drawing from memory, from reference or tracing over another drawing/photo.
Focuses, thus, are usually loaded with complex arrays that mages don't want (or can't) cast from scratch every single time they are needed, or arrays that require a lot of precision. Anything can be a focus, as long as it has at least one very flat surface to serve as a reference, but the most popular objects to use as focuses are well formed crystals: they have lots of flat surfaces, are decently resistant and can be added to all sorts of objects for ease of carry. (Denis' focus on that scene is not the pen, it's a TINY crystal hidden inside it.)
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Denis loves creating obnoxiously complex magical arrays, but he is more a “would” guy than a “should” one. Unfortunately for all involved, responsible adults rarely stop him because, in most contexts, HE is supposed to be the responsible adult.