[Casting magic in the Wild Wasteland was dangerous.
Fortunately, the disorder in the Magic Web did not affect the power of music.
That made me afraid to tug on the Magic Web through music, but I could still sing freely.]
The difference between [Poet's Inspiration] and [Magic] was much like the difference between [Combat Techniques] and [Magic].
Often, combat techniques could achieve effects similar to magic.
For example, a warrior's [Replenish Energy] could mobilize the vitality within his body and accelerate the healing of wounds, achieving an effect much like [Healing Word].
For some psionic spellcasters, casting even depended on exploring their minds' inspiration and talents rather than the Magic Web itself—
The Magic Web was a shortcut to shaping spells, but not everyone necessarily sought a shortcut.
So when Tang Qi used the power of music to tug on the Magic Web and shape the spell [Speak with Dead], the chaotic magic would instead converge into a [Fireball] and smash into his face.
Yet using [Poet's Inspiration] to encourage or support others, unleash combat techniques such as [Sword Dance], or even perform Song of the Vampire remained safe—
As long as the power released by the spirit story itself had nothing to do with the Magic Web.
That was also why the dead halfling had spoken of "providing stability for casting magic," rather than "providing stable magic."
In other words, if Song of the Vampire granted every listener the benefits of the spell [Vampire's Touch], [Vampire's Touch, third ring, necromancy.
Shadows surround the hand. Touch another creature to drain its life force and heal yourself.]
Then Tang Qi would never have attempted to use the spirit story to enhance the beastfolk.
But Lilith's gift happened to be "half-blood," a supernatural blessing that directly altered racial bloodlines for a short