Mini Battle

[Foxtale]

Hmmm, that proves once again that enjoyment of Eddings is completely subjective (or, as I suspect, is completely dependent on which books you read first).

[ellimist84]

the will and the word simply because you have the power to state and think about what you want, not state what you want and rely on someone else (god or not) to do it for you.

[devilsgrin]

having read Belgariad/Malloreon and Elenium/Tamuli many times i would have to vote for The Will and the Word. I would even go so far as to say that Polgara could mop the floor with Aphrael! She may be a god, but she is not a powerful god, just manipulative. (I must also add, that i do NOT like Aphrael so it may make me biassed against her).
My reasoning. the Magic of Styricum relies on 1) knowing the styric language, 2) having time and uninterrupted chance to pray to {insert god here} and 3) a god powerful enough to respond to your requests. Aphrael started to die! when her worshippers began being killed.
Will and the Word is entirely centred on oneself. and the power and knowledge that the wielder has. it is virtually instant, and can affect any possible result required. Belgarath and Belgarion alone (without the Orb in Belgarions case) would be more than able to face down a Styric god and emerge victorious. Polgara, as i mentioned could take Aphrael - if she wanted to that is... Polgara would probably want to mother her... Sephrenia would not stand a chance against Polgara.

[Steffi]

Oh definatly The Will and the Word

Notice it's similarity to The Force

[devilsgrin]

The similarity is only superficial... there are limitations to what the Force can accomplish, not so the Will and the Word. Its only limitations are imagination and the wielder's level of power... no force user could turn the sky green or chop the tops off all the mountains... a Will and Worder could

[Talysia]

Only just found this thread. I'd have to go with the Will and the Word, too. Despite the power of having a god intercede for you and do what you cannot, there seem to be a few problems with doing so. One is the language. It was said that Styric is a difficult language with lots of tenses, so getting it right would require the user to do a lot of study.
Even then, there is a certain strain when using the secrets of Styricum, which would make a prolonged battle using magic rather difficult (although this may, too, be a problem for users of the Will and the Word). And also the users of Styric magic have to concentrate hard in order to complete their 'requests' to whichever god they're asking. In Otha's palace, Sparhawk told his fellow knights to give lots of noise to stop their enemies from being able to concentrate, and in the Tamuli Scarpa keeps getting Zalasta so angry that he wouldn't be able to use his magic on him.

[YuYus dumber Brother]

Two schools of thought on the styric magic. Remember Sparhawk in the tamuli asking aphreal in normal elenic to give them light. The request and incatation was only the Gods preference.

But imagine your requesting your Deity to help and he/she is busy somewhere else. Then your stuffed, since Belgarath and Garion can use their considerable power. As long as you keep the fight short will and word is better.
The yo have the Orb. Just tell it what you want it to do and it is done.
Same with Bhelliom.

[Talysia]

Very good point.

I wonder if the Orb of Aldur and the Bhelliom are supposed to have equal power. That way, you wouldn't need the will and the word or the secrets of styricum. Now THAT would be a good contest.