Ive always assumed that outside of potions and basic enchantments that the average person cant really wield magic. That you either need some level of innate magical ability or study the craft religiously to wield it. And that ultimately unless you are wealthy, influential and powerful, or rub elbows with any of those three youre likely not going to encounter magic on a regular basis going through life in Tamriel.

I personally think the games skew the overall view of magic towards it being everywhere and in constant use by anyone that can stumble upon a staff or enchanting table because of gaming mechanics and because as the hero youre more likely to encounter these things in abundance.

The fact that the majority of people in Tamriel rely on melee, their cities rely on traditional security measures. It seems like magic is either extremely rare, extremely expensive to partake in or both.

You've been watching too much RWBY

Shgon_Dunstan wrote: »

Korah_Eaglecry wrote: »

Ive always assumed that outside of potions and basic enchantments that the average person cant really wield magic. That you either need some level of innate magical ability or study the craft religiously to wield it. And that ultimately unless you are wealthy, influential and powerful, or rub elbows with any of those three youre likely not going to encounter magic on a regular basis going through life in Tamriel.

I personally think the games skew the overall view of magic towards it being everywhere and in constant use by anyone that can stumble upon a staff or enchanting table because of gaming mechanics and because as the hero youre more likely to encounter these things in abundance.

The fact that the majority of people in Tamriel rely on melee, their cities rely on traditional security measures. It seems like magic is either extremely rare, extremely expensive to partake in or both.

In TES, magic literally shines down on everyone like the rays of the sun... Because that is what the sun is in TES. A giant hole to the place where magic comes from. The reason that basically everything can be used in alchemy is that everything on Nirn is basically irradiated in magicka daily.

Everyone in TES "can" use magic. Actually doing so though seems to be more of an issue of talent and training. Also willpower and intelligence of course.

I agree, this isnt Middle Earth where Sorcerers are rare and legendary, Nirn is flooded with Magic

notimetocare wrote: »

Everyone in TES "can" use magic. Actually doing so though seems to be more of an issue of talent and training. Also willpower and intelligence of course.

Technically, this has yet to be proven as fact. Very many in the world will never use magic. It very well may be a lack of training but it isn't something that can be proven

Willpower and intelligence are the two things that govern they ability both IU and game mechanics-wise(... Kinda helps that a lot of "lore" books read like in game manuals ).

Bigger issue I'd say, is just the fact that IU magic isn't just "point your glowing hand at the target". Most of the games have had you carry around spell books. Incantations and gestures have both been mentioned loads of time, and ESO has a LOT of side quest that have you gather up ritual components for some spell that needs casting... Being a mage takes a tad more then just "having" magicka.