For centuries, people have been fascinated by the idea of magic. From the ancient Egyptians to modern-day illusionists, the idea of being able to conjure up supernatural powers has captured our imaginations. But when it comes to magic, there is one particular aspect that never fails to amuse and entertain audiences – funny blades. Funny blades are a staple of magic shows, adding an element of surprise and lightheartedness to the performance. These blades are often designed to look menacing and dangerous, but their humorous nature lies in their ability to turn harmless and comical. One classic example of a funny blade is the disappearing blade trick.
With creatures that have "at will" Darkness, you get a counteracting war (interesting) rather than the often automatic shutdown of the party (*sigh*). Early PFS1 seasons had many examples of this where one item or so made a huge fluctuation in scenario results, including entertainment. Led to much resentment, and lots of gold spent on light items (which would be harder to afford outside PFS or under a tighter power curve like in PF2). This goes both ways too, w/ some PC groups too easily shutting down threats w/ a token spell. PF2 has addressed the darkness/light conflict well IMO.
I have to comment that I strongly dislike the idea that many high level monsters simply cannot utilize any shadow based tactics because their Darkness which takes 3 actions and lasts only a minute does nothing because the party has an 8 hour cantrip active since the start of the day and very few monsters have their darkness heightened beyond at most 4th level. I move, a monster which has the Darkness spell on its list which is not heightened to at least its second highest slot has a flaw with its design, as it has no more practical use for that spell assuming it is expecting to use this darkness in a context where there are light-wielding PCs present than if it had a Dispel Magic or incapacitation effect of similarly low level--and at least the incapacitation spells plausibly have some kind of effect still.
One classic example of a funny blade is the disappearing blade trick. The magician will pretend to stab the blade into a chosen object, such as a box or a cabinet. However, when they pull the blade out, it has magically vanished, leaving the audience in awe and laughter.
How to make darkness magical. Our Winter Solstice celebrations
December 21 is the darkest day of the year. Few of us modern peeps even notice it, except maybe to draw a sigh of relief that the light will begin to return now. Even fewer actually celebrate the winter soltice.
But the older I get, the more meaningful it feels to do so. The more connected I feel to the earth, to the seasons, to the cyclical nature of life, the more natural it feels for me to somehow mark the shift from dark to light, (and back again, on Midsummer).
Where I live, in Sweden, these shifts are huge. The dark season is DARK, with a sun that barely makes it above the horizon, and in the summer, barely sets at all. Living with this kind of darkness can be challenging, but it can also be beautiful and meaningful. Even a bit magical.
Because darkness is more than the abscense of light. It can be a nurturing presence, an invitation to slow down and look inwards. To notice things we don’t see when it’s light. The starlight, the shadow world, the way our senses sharpen when we can’t rely solely on our eyesight. It can be so very restful – if we heed that invitation. But we rarely do. It’s not built into our culture to let the changes of seasons affect our lives like that, to allow for slow periods, for hibernation and gestation.
Well, you know how I feel about that. I want to do it differently. Celebrating the winter solstice is part of it.
I know Christmas is around the corner. The last thing you might want is another thing on your to do-list. But it doesn’t have to be like that. It can be simple. A noticing, a conscious slowing down and noticing.
It can be a moment in the evening when the house is quiet when you turn off the lights and light a candle. A moment spent pondering what you’re leaving behind in the dark, and what you’re inviting in as you move into the light.
I’ve done it like that for a few years. Just me, a private little ceremony. But the last few years I felt like inviting the rest of the family and make it a part of our holiday season. I want to show my kids (without lecturing them) that there is more to this season than shopping and exchanging presents. Before the Christian tradition of Christmas there was Yule, the celebration of the new solar year and the return of light.
I want them to know about Frigga, the northern goddess who wove fate into being on her spinning wheel, and how her wheel – called “hjul” in Swedish and Norse – gave name to Yule. (Christmas is still called Jul in Sweden).
I want them to know where they come from. I want to anchor them in a tradition that is nourishing, that invites them to pay attention to the shifting seasons and the land they walk upon.
In doing so, we’re also removing some of the extreme focus on Christmas Eve. You know, the months of build up to that one day. It’s stressful, not just for us adults who are making it happen, but for the kids as well.
So, this is what will happen in our home on the 21st:
1. No electrical light in the house for the entire day. Only candles and fire (the Christmas tree exempted, see below) in order to really experience and rest in the dark. No computers or smartphones.
2. we’ll decorate the Christmas tree – finally! The lights from the tree will be the exception to the rule of no electrical light, because Christmas trees are magical.
3. For those who are up for it – a bath in the freezing lake, to really rinse off everything sluggish or old. It’s not for the faint of heart but I’m telling you, the rush of fire in your veins afterwards is exhilirating.
4. Back home, we’ll light a fire , inside or outside depending on weather. (The fire represents the returning light but you don’t have to make it into a thing if you don’t want to, kids love a good fire regardless).
5. on litte scraps of paper, We’ll write what we’re Leaving behind in the darkness, and what we’re inviting in (with the returning light), and then we throw the scraps into the fire.
6. We’ll have a picnic style feast lit by all the candles we can find in the house. Nothing that needs to be cooked since We want to keep it simple. Also, the kitchen is a bit dark without the electric light 🙂 We’ll likely be playing some cards or a board game or two.
7. We’ll end it all with a sleepover on the living room floor, in front of the fireplace. Just bring out some matresses and sleep the whole family together in the dark. Yep, this was the kids’ idea, but I have to admit it’s kind of cosy 🙂
Nothing fancy, nothing expensive, no big party. Just us, spending some very special time together before the rush of Christmas.
Wishing you a blessed Yule, whichever way you do (or don’t do) it.
This illusion is achieved through clever misdirection and sleight of hand, creating a moment of light-hearted entertainment. Another funny blade trick involves the use of a retractable blade. The magician will appear to thrust the blade into their own body or a volunteer's body, but instead of causing harm, the blade simply retracts into the handle, leaving everyone relieved and amused. This trick relies on the element of surprise and the audience's suspension of disbelief, leading to a comedic and memorable experience. Funny blades can also be used in combination with other magical elements, such as sawing someone in half. In this illusion, the magician will use a blade to seemingly cut a person in half, only to reveal that they are unharmed and perfectly fine. This trick is a classic example of how magic can be both jaw-dropping and hilarious at the same time. In addition to their entertainment value, funny blades also serve as a reminder that magic is all about illusion and misdirection. They remind us not to take things too seriously and to embrace the joy and wonder of the unknown. Whether it's a disappearing blade or a retractable one, these funny props add a touch of playfulness to the world of magic. In conclusion, funny blades and magic go hand in hand, bringing laughter and amusement to audiences around the world. They remind us of the imaginative and whimsical nature of magic, and the power it has to captivate and entertain us. So the next time you watch a magic show, keep an eye out for those funny blades – they may just leave you in stitches..
Reviews for "The Comedy Magic of Enchanted Blades: Creating Laughter with Sorcery"
1. Jane - 2/5
I was really disappointed with "Funny Blade and Magic". The humor felt forced and the jokes were not funny at all. The storyline was also quite weak and predictable. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth. Overall, I found the whole experience to be quite underwhelming.
2. Mark - 3/5
I didn't hate "Funny Blade and Magic", but I didn't love it either. The plot had potential, but it fell flat due to the lackluster execution. The comedy felt forced and didn't always land. The characters were not well-developed and I found it hard to care about their journey. While it had its moments, it ultimately failed to keep me engaged.
3. Emily - 2/5
I really wanted to like "Funny Blade and Magic", but it just didn't work for me. The comedic timing was off, and most of the jokes felt forced and unfunny. The plot felt disjointed and rushed, leaving me feeling confused and disconnected from the story. The characters were forgettable, lacking any real depth or development. Overall, I found it to be a disappointing experience.
4. David - 1/5
I found "Funny Blade and Magic" to be painfully unfunny. The humor was juvenile and relied heavily on tired cliches. The plot was convoluted and hard to follow, with an abundance of unnecessary subplots. The characters were poorly written and lacked any real charm or personality. It was a struggle to make it through the entire movie, and I would not recommend it to anyone.
5. Sarah - 2/5
"Funny Blade and Magic" had potential, but it failed to deliver. The comedy felt forced and often fell flat. The plot was mediocre and lacked originality. The characters were forgettable, and their motivations were not well-established. Overall, it was a forgettable film that I wouldn't watch again.