Dagon (Gothic literature) 2 of 2

Of the three things mentioned in part 1, the Unknown seems to be the most fundamental. Things being alien is a two way street (aliens are only alien to things that are alien to them. You get me?) And unnatural things are deviations from what is right and healthy, which is another kind of borrowed existence. Things being unknown, however, is an unavoidable part of being a human being (i.e. a being that is both conscious and limited). This makes it more fundamental than the other two categories, even though it is also a relative reality (it only exists because other things do).

But, it’s more than that. Not only is it

Magic... is Wonderful

If someone was talking to you casually and they said that some character in a relatively recent book, comic, game, or movie used “magic”, what would you think you know about that character, without any further information? I don’t think you’d know any more than this: said character uses means apparently unrelated to his ends to achieve them. In addition,

Magic...

those ends may be impossible under conventional circumstances. Really, that’s it; after the countless fictional worlds containing countless variations on the theme, that is the dry and general, basic understanding of magic we are left with. Does the character make grim bargains with other-worldly spirits? Does the character tap into an invisible force and bend it to his will? Is there no explanation whatsoever? To know that, knowing it was “magic” isn't enough.