And I have to tell you, even being the hard-core SW fan that I am, midi-chlorians as a conduit to the Force is still a debatable subject, even if it is Lucas canon. But that's neither here nor there - here I suppose we can say it's being used to establish the difference between magic, psionics and the Force.
But I will not be adopting a similar concept for the Halcyon in Pharos Station. I much prefer their abilities to be more mysterious in origin.
Yep, it is establishing the difference. I'm gonna go with you have to have midi-chlorians to use the Force because the Force is a different thing from Magic or Psionics. Also, you once asked me if the Force is effected by the anti magic zones. I told you no. If we say the Force is some kind of magic then I will have to change that answer. But I won't. I remember when I played with Rick that same thing came up, now that I think about it. I believe I allowed the use of the Force then, too. I thought I did. So the Force is not Magic at all. It is different.
If any mages use the force in their magic it is only by their own force sensitivity and means that not every mage has a chance to learn how to use those spells as they are. Those not force sensitive who want to use a combination force/magic spell like that would have to research and learn to mimic it through completely magical lines. In fact, if it is a combination of Force and magic, then while in the antimagic zones that part that is magic won't work, therefore that spell won't work.
I think I'm gonna go with psionics being different from magic and Force, too. However...
and while Aquil's connection to everything was spiritual in nature, it was also telepathic at the same time, and so a person or being with those abilities would have been aware of that sort of connection.
Key word, Telepathic. That is the connection. Telepathy is not a concept of substance to use but an action type concept, like running or jumping or throwing a ball of fire. Telepathy, telekinesis, making bolts or balls of elements these are all actions that can be accomplished with the Force, Magic and Psionics.
As a side note for the Flow in Pharos... mystical is a wonderful thing and that's fine. However, I'll remind you that there is No Magic in Pharos universe. Magic, as I believe they were mostly meaning it in the basic DnD'ish concept, was one of the no no's just like using SW or ST. It's like using the Force there instead of the Flow... It's like seeing a Jedi (oh bad word there! lol ) instead of the Halcyon. The book gets thrown for using those elements. To say that the Flow is Magic will likely open a can of worms with some people there. Believe me, it wasn't my idea but i feel that I have to go along with it. There were reasons this was done. Just a freindly reminder.