"Power word" spells came from dragons, whose magic was (1st Ed) verbal only. The Netherese, the Imaskari, and before them, elves, all "eavesdropped" them from dragons, then developed their own versions of what they'd witnessed cast, and so knew could be done. #realmslore
Lucas Garczewski · Argent Lion Games@lion_argent
27 Jul 2024
I will die on this hill: "Power Word Kill" is wrong. Should be "Power Word Die", obviously. Writing a #DnD text on power word spells. Hey @TheEdVerse the only thing I could find is that power words were invented (discovered?) by the Netherese. Is there anything more on origins?

Jul 27, 2024 · 8:45 PM UTC

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Replying to @TheEdVerse
🤔Hmm so would that mean all the "Power Word" spells are in draconic? Or at least derived from draconic?
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Derived from Draconic, yes. Many are "slightly altered" Draconic words, the slight alteration being the syllables that are the Weave-calling-and-suffusing incantation. (To stop dragons giving other dragons directions from inadvertently hurling multiple spells.) #realmslore
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Replying to @TheEdVerse
Do they also have a basis in origin with true name magic?
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Yes, in that dragons seem to have discovered that truenames gave magical connections to their owners before anyone else, and developed verbal-only spells exploiting that before other species. #realmslore
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Replying to @TheEdVerse
So, the spell should be cast by saying "svent" (to kill, in Draconic)? Or "versellex: svent" (Power Word: To Kill)?
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If literal is your style, "svent" PLUS the modifying words that add the incantation can be your uttered spell. The modifiers must be there, to draw on the Weave/bind magical energy to the word --or every time you said the word "kill" you'd unleash deadly magic. #realmslore
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Replying to @TheEdVerse
I love how THIS LORE from the late 70's/early 80's ended up inspiring the Thu'um Shouts in TES
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Replying to @TheEdVerse
Beautiful! Thank you, sir! Tap tap tap tap… 🔥
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Replying to @TheEdVerse
what
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Replying to @TheEdVerse
So..... It's like Elder Scrolls dragon shouting?
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Replying to @TheEdVerse
Can't remember. What did Lord Soth say? I would take that as the 'correct' version. @WeisMargaret
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Replying to @TheEdVerse
it almost sounds like Ursula K LeGuin's Earthsea magic, you know the name of something, you have the ability to deal with it.
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Replying to @TheEdVerse
Would this mean it’s similar to TES dragon shouts where if two dragons are having a very heated verbal argument, they could be throwing power words at each other and causing destruction to/around each other? Are there more power words than just the two (kill/stun) from the BR?
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