[Roa_Aoife]

Ah, yes, symbols. Like the Crucifix, a church, the Star of David, etc, etc, etc. Not to get too deep into theology, or off topic, but when we hear of exorcisms, miracles, and the like, it always involves a symbol. Catholics/ Orthodox Christians pray to paintings of saints, a statues of Mary. Do these objects hold any power? Well, that's a faith issue, but I would say no. They are symbols of the Greater Power.

I had a discussion once with friends about Vampires. (Bear with me, I have a point.) Purely theorizing and the like, we decided that a cross alone couldn't ward one off- it's just two intersecting lines. It has to be a Crucifix. Then we decided that with out faith behind the Crucifix, it can't do anything. So the faith is what really matters, but it needs a symbol to bring the meta-physical power into a physically oriented world. People are simply incapable of dealing with abstractions like magic. It can't just happen- something has to cause it, whether it is a word, a gesture, or a symbol.

The wizard's staff if like this. It can't just be a stick; that would be pointless. It has to be designated as the symbol. But even then it can't do anything without the wizard's power. So, the staff allows the meta-physical and the physical to connect, and the power comes straight from the wizard. It's like a point of contact, or an = in an equation.