"It's a bit more complicated than that. Words and gestures can be used as a sort of focusing tool, but most of us simply cast by force of will." He cocks his head, then concedes, "It's an inborn ability that not everyone has, though, and different people may have different strengths. Elemental magic, empathy or psychometry, divination...but you need to have been born with the basic innate ability to learn them properly. I inherited my magic from my father's side of the family, and started training very young to control it."

Their worlds probably have that much in common, at least: It's in the blood.

"There are ways to use magic if you aren't gifted with it, but they become very dangerous very quickly. It often involves making pacts with things like the Powers they've described to us here, forces outside our plane that are looking for footholds and influence."

He gives a small nod, then, finding the beach at least a somewhat lighter topic. "I've been looking for places to spend time to clear my head. And getting to know the local area is important, if we're going to be staying here a while."