HOA

Hoa, the will to halt, the first word taught to young orators — and yes, in spite of your skepticism, quite simply the most useful word to be learned in those explosive early days when magic flows freely between the fingertips of new mages. 

Where some see no point in it, the most basic form and function of Hoa lend themselves to the very spell which the back row has now been familiarized with: Gnast, to snuff out a light, to extinguish a flame, whether magical or mundane. If I were inclined to beg rather than order, I might beg you to reconsider overlooking this word of power, for it bears many stalemates in its arsenal. 

Indeed, its uses are many. 

Xystus and Zug will protect you from the fiercest weather, either by creating an archway to repel water or waterprrof your clothes themselves. 

Halch will create an invisible restraint, binding your enemies in place, and Temerate will sever such a bond or any other. 

Susurrus, another expression of halting, prevents all sounds from being uttered, or discerned outside of a certain radius. For the secretive group of orators, there is no spell with more utility; and indeed, our own libraries use this word to ward their study halls. 

The more confidently a word is spoken, the stronger the effect. Temerate has been known to break down doors, fracture bones, even shatter chains in the hands of the right orator; when you reach immediately for Vis or Ord, forget not Hoa, and the variety of power contained therein.