Magic
Magic (魔法, まほう, mahō), or mana (マーナ, māna), within the context of Shining Force is a type of energy diffused in the air that wizards (魔道士, まどうし, madōshi) harness in order to cast spells (呪文, じゅもん, jumon).
Magical Stones
The following is excerpted from Famitsu's Shining Force Strategy Guide.[1]
The large jewels on the shoulders of her [Anri], Tao, and Alef are not decorative. They are called magical stones; they collect the mana (magical elements) in the air, turn them into a source of magical power, and allow for the control of this magical power when using magic. It is difficult to cast high-level magic without the use of magical stones.
彼女やタオそれにアレフが両肩につけている大きな宝石は飾りではない。<魔道石>と呼ばれ、空中に漂うマーナ (魔法元素)を集め、魔力の源に変え、また、魔法の発現時にはそれをコントロールする働きを持つものである。<魔道石>なしに高度な魔法を使うのは困難である。
Sources of Magic
When Max confronts Dark Sol atop the Ancient Tower in Shining Forceː Legacy of the Gods, Dark Sol describes the tower as a magical conduitː[2]
| Dark Sol in Legacy of the Gods | |
|---|---|
| ふふふ おそかったな マックス! | Heh heh heh . . . You’re late, Max! |
| よくきくがいいマックスよ! 古えのとうはすでにうごきはじめた 大いなる力があつまりつつあるのだ | Listen well, Max! The Ancient Tower has already commenced its operation. A great power is gathering. |
| その力は古えの城のおくふかくにねむる黒き竜へとおくられている ふふふ ははははっ! | This power is being sent to the Black Dragon slumbering deep within the Ancient Castle. Heh heh heh . . . ha ha ha ha! |
| 黒き竜のめざめはちかい・・・ 神々のいさんが うごきはじめるぞ! | The Black Dragon’s awakening is near . . . The Legacy of the Gods is set in motion! |
In the game's remake, Shining Forceː Resurrection of the Black Dragon, writer Masaki Wachi adds a reference to an artificial star from which the Ancient Tower transmits magicː
| Dark Sol in Resurrection of the Black Dragon | |
|---|---|
| ふん! ようやく来たか マックス! | Hmph! So you have finally come, Maxǃ |
| よく聞くがいい! 古の塔はすでに動き始めた 大いなる力が集まりつつあるのだ | Listen well! The Ancient Tower has already commenced its operation. A great power is gathering. |
| 記憶を失ったおまえには言ってもわからぬことだろうが・・・・・・ | You, who have lost your memories, would not likely understand if even I told you. Nevertheless . . . |
| この大地のはるか高くには人工の星が浮かび そこから常に目に見えぬ力が送られている | An artificial star floats far above this continent. It is constantly transmitting an invisible power. |
| このルーン大陸に起こるすべての魔法の源の力 | It is the source of all magical power that occurs on the continent of Rune. |
| それが今古の塔に集まり そして古の城奥深くに眠る黒き竜へと送られているのだ | The Ancient Tower now gathers that power. Thus is it directed to the Black Dragon slumbering deep within the Ancient Castle. |
Translation noteː In Resurrection's version of this dialogue, Dark Sol uses two types of archaic Japanese grammar not present here in Legacy.
An English equivalent to Dark Sol's manner of speech would be something like Biblical English. Dark Sol does occasionally use such archaisms in Legacy but with less consistency. | |
References
- ↑ Shining Force Strategy Guide (シャイニングフォース 攻略の手引き, Shainingu Fōsu Kouryaku no Tebiki). Famicom Tsuushin Editorial Department. ASCII, April 1992.
- ↑ Japanese script. Shining Force: The Legacy of Great Intention (シャイニング・フォース 神々の遺産, Shainingu Foosu: Kamigami no Isan, "Shining Force: Legacy of the Gods"). Climax Entertainment, Sonic! Software Planning. Sega, 1992.
Shining Setting and Story Directory
| Locations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Endias[disputed] | Storm | Stormsang・Ancient Temple |
| Rune | Guardiana・ Altarone・Yurt・Runefaust | |
| Parmecia | Granseal・Ark Valley | |
| Valleria | Crantor・Shieldia・Runevale | |
| Erd | Tatsumi | St. Luminous |
| Alfheim | Astoria・Lombardia | |
| World Concepts | ||
| Constructs | Legacy of the Gods・Metaphaluna | |
| Metaphysics | Magic・Great Intention | |