tidbits cross time

Envoys bearing tribute to the Tang court were required to dress in their native costume, since the tribute from far off, strange lands was the point.

To cure a pallid complexion per medieval sources: use a thorn of Apocathery's rose to leave a drop of blood beneath the bush.
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metaphysics and magic

Sometimes you can get away with ignoring metaphysics of monsters and magic. Pick the right plot -- one where the question why some people have powers, and other people don't, doesn't affect the plot -- and the right characters -- who will not think about such philosophical questions, even if resentful that they are in the "other people" group.
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