8 réponses à ce sujet

[Crystallyne]

Has there been any solid indication given as to when children in Thedas begin showing signs of magical talent?  The only reference I can think of off hand is Minaeve, who said she was 7 years old when she was abandoned by her Clan.  I'm not sure how old Conner is supposed to be when he first showed signs of being a Mage.

 

I'm developing an idea for a fan fiction, and I'm trying to decide how old my character is when she realizes she's a Mage.  And it makes a difference in the story I'm working on.  I was originally thinking she might be anywhere from 8 to 12 years old.  Any suggestions or advice is appreciated!

[Kantr]

It's usually around puberty, according to the wiki. But life threatening events might make it show earlier.

[Crystallyne]

Thank you, Kantr.  I was trying to look up information about it and didn't see that.  heheh

Another thought occurred to me as well, how old are mages when they go through their Harrowing?  Judging by Jowan's experience, I'd say that varies depending on how well they study and accept their training.  Can it be as young as 16, or would it be closer to 18 or so?

[Heimerdinger]

Another thought occurred to me as well, how old are mages when they go through their Harrowing?  Judging by Jowan's experience, I'd say that varies depending on how well they study and accept their training.  Can it be as young as 16, or would it be closer to 18 or so?

 

Jowan's Harrowing was long overdue because he was bad at his training and also suspected of using blood-magic. It would make sense to put mages through the Harrowing once they become adults. It can be delayed but the templars are not going to wait forever, it's either the Harrowing or Rite of Tranquility.

[Eliastion]

Harrowing takes place when the candidate is deemed ready. I imagine there is a minimum age, but we have no way of knowing whether it's more like 16, 18 or, say, 20 years. I don't think any younger than 16, though, Thedas seems to have relatively modern views at what constitutes adult age.

 

As for children and manifestation of the gift, I don't have a source at hand, but I don't think it requires any traumatic events to awaken powers before puberty - I think I heard it mentioned that it tends to happen around the 6 - low-teen range with some exceptions falling on either side of that. Elven mage in Magi Origin can even state that he doesn't remember his mother or where he's from, hinting at very early admission to the Circle.

[X Equestris]

Pretty sure it's late childhood to early puberty. Wynne mentioned her magic surfacing at age nine, I think.

[springacres]

Well, we know that at least some mages are taken to the Circle as young as 5 or 6.  Others, like Anders (and presumably Connor if he survives) don't get sent there until their early teens (see Anders' short story).

 

My headcanon for my M!Surana is that he was sent to the Circle around age 6 - old enough to have vague memories of where he was from, but young enough to be fairly resilient and adapt to his new surroundings.  I also headcanon that part of the reason Anders had such difficulty adjusting to life in the Circle was that he was old enough not just to remember where he was from, but to have strong emotional bonds and ideas about what he wanted in life.

[Crystallyne]

Thank you for the advice, everyone!  We'll see if I ever get around to writing my fanfic, I'm terrible about finishing stuff, but this helps a lot!  lol

[springacres]

Thank you for the advice, everyone!  We'll see if I ever get around to writing my fanfic, I'm terrible about finishing stuff, but this helps a lot!  lol

You and me both, Crystal!  I have fills I volunteered for months ago and still haven't done... >_<