Ah, your ignorance shines through. There's a reason stereotypes and specialists exist: magic comes from the mind, and familiar, traditional images help it channel magic. Witches don't dress in orange leopards because it isn't conducive to their casting. This is also why you spend time preparing your materials, to have a better mental image of them.
And the worst thing that could have happened is opening a crack in the defenses of this plane, letting demonic armies breach through. Then, the legions of Celestia would have to march in our defense, turning the mortal plane into endless battlefield.
This is why you stay in school. Take an apprenticeship. It's worth it.
I will agree with you on why the traditional stereotypes and specialists exist, i.e., mental focus, but I don't agree that that means we need to keep to the tradition always, as different mental images are also useful. I wouldn't have been able to survive on the Hyperplanes of Traaldagur for three weeks in robes and a pointy hat instead of my akubra and duster, and it's not just because of the protective magic woven into them. All those times I should have died, the sheer image of them gave my magic a survivalist edge, so that my gameseeker bullets, for example, always flew true. And, besides for showing off, I will admit that the image of robes is very useful for rituals (I can't imagine how armored mages do them, frankly).
And I do agree that Fniff should try to seek proper magical training. There's a very good fae school that can be reached through Tara, if he can make it there. (There's other ways to the Fae Realm, but it's best to go through Tara if he can, since it will bring him closest to the place and he won't have to travel through the Fae Realm forests and deal with their time-warping properties).
I must dispute you on this point, good man. Symbols have power. Why, it is half the reason for the pointy hat! Any Aetherpriest can tell you that symbols and belief, particularly collective belief from common culture, as shaped by the mind of the caster, have a great deal of power. It's why the Gods are so powerful, such that we call them that. Although I believe the technical criteria is simply the ability to be in two places simultaneously without the use of time travel...
Nonetheless, it is also why Wardshields are as effective as they are, even against wide-area-effect spells. Shields are one of the most ancient and time-honored symbols of protection, alongside helmets and castle towers. Just as staves, wands, and pointy hats are symbols of the arcane arts, and are thus doubly able to support our casting.
Also, a question for the necromantically or biologically inclined: My body has begun to deteriorate from the countless healing spells I've been forced to use or performed upon me after significant battles, and my men are beginning to grow doubtful of my leadership. I have no wish to replace them, as mindless servants are, by definition, unable to think on their feet to adapt to new situations, and cannot perform beyond their capacities when motivated properly, as those of flesh, blood, and beating hearts can. Is there any way to restore my body to it's previous condition, or should I simply begin making preparations to transfer myself into a suitable vessel? I've been forced to take new bodies twice now and every time I find my powers diminished and my memory foggy. I can scarcely remember my 50th birthday. Besides which, the aesthetics of taste and touch are a mite too pleasurable to forego, call me a softy if you might. Yet occupying new bodies always means spending the next three years getting accustomed and making sure the former tenant doesn't stir up a fuss.
If you are at a lack for cash, Cryxis, then I can only say that
that is your fault, if nothing else. Or do they desire payment in something other than mundane money?
Oh, yes, and a question for the crowd: Have we any Cybermancers here? I have dabbled in it, but I want to have an idea of what I'm getting into before I bother any further with the practice.