Between Worlds Mun Discussion (OOC comments here)

[StrangeWulf13]

In other words, the alchemists weren't running into dead ends, but impossible to scale cliffs. They just never managed to look up (or had reason to; science was pretty primitive even then).

I'm gonna have to say that any transformations would have to involve something other than lux. What that would be, I don't know, but I have my own theories on how magic would work. My chief point is that all magic doesn't have to be the same. God obviously isn't limited by the laws of physics (according to my beliefs anyway), so when He did wonders on the earth, He either bent the rules, used the loopholes He designed, or brought His own rules. The first two are probably the most likely; the third plays havoc with the balance of the universe.

I can't think of a good analogy of my theory using things in this world, so maybe I'll just use words if I can.

Basically, I see three types of magic in my own fantasy worlds:
1. Arcane
2. Natural
3. Divine

Time to explain each in turn, with its advantages and disadvantages.

Arcane

This is the one used by wizards and most sorcerers. It is a magic of science, of intelligence, and requires intense study and concentration. It's important to be able to chant a spell correctly while a horde of barbarian orcs is breathing down your neck. One wrong word, gesture, or symbol and you can kiss your skinny butt goodbye.

This form of magic yields a great deal of power, and most readily choose it if offered. It also is the magic responsible for most magical artifacts, as the creation of such things requires a scientific approach, lest you create something that can't be used.

Unfortunately, this magic is also susceptible to negation, or rather, the art of creating anti-magic fields. Some people, though unable to cast spells, can alter the flow of arcane magic around them, thus increasing or decreasing the various types involved in spells, or blocking it all together. The name given to such gifted individuals varies, but the ability does not, only the skill and power of the person does. They also make the best artifactors, as they can see the flow of magic around an object and alter it until they get the result they want.

Some who are capable of psychic attacks may also be able to cause arcane magic users a bit of trouble, as it requires one to think and plan. A powerful psychic could probably overwhelm a small-time wizard easily.

So long as you prepare for the occasional negation and psychic attack, this type of magic can prove to be very useful.

Natural

This is the magic of nature and the world around us. Some group it in with Divine, but I feel that is a mistake. Nature is not a god, nor is it really sentient; plus, worshiping it tends to lead to stagnation. I feel it is better put in its own category, and treated accordingly.

Natural magic usually requires great wisdom. It is the magic of mages, who focus on one small thing and learn its secrets. It relies more on instinct than intellect, which gives it strength against mind readers. Your concentration can be disturbed, but the psychic will not know exactly when the attack is coming, except perhaps a split-second before it happens.

One example of natural magic is that of the sand mage, one of my creations. A desert-dwelling race of anthro wolves I also created, called wulves, learned to "listen" to the harsh land around them. One result was the sand mage, an individual who can manipulate the sand around them through pure will. They never think of what they want to do; they will it and it happens. Sometimes they will create a sand golem (do I have to explain this one?) and give directions though simple commands, but the masters rarely do this save in times of trouble. It is advisable never to anger a sand mage anywhere near a beach or desert. You won't live to regret it.

Though less powerful, natural magic is highly resistent to negation, mostly because the magic resides inside the thing being manipulated, and thus does not rely on outside sources that can be severed. Sucking the magic out in some way would be very effective though.

Divine

Finally, we have this magic. Although its name implies it is taken from a god or gods, it might also come from other spiritual creatures with great power, such as demons and other magical creatures. It is the most powerful of the three, and is immune to any negation. Sucking magic out of the user or artifact would only result in drawing the attention of their diety or demon, which is usually a very bad thing. Other magics can sometimes punch through or slow it down, but they cannot destroy it. That requires Divine magic.

Before you go sacrificing to Thor for lightning powers, know that this is also the most fickle power, and difficult to maintain. If you displease your "sponsor" in any way, he/she/it may decide to revoke the powers granted you, or perhaps just make it less effective. Giving people small shocks instead of electrocuting them with a few thousand volts for instance.

Even worse is that some dieties or demons demand high prices for their power, often ones you wouldn't agree to if you had any amount of common sense. Desperate individuals are often the ones who seek such power, for reasons that are entirely their own.

Powerful though it may be, the price of Divine magic may not be worth the benefits gained. Be wary of spirits offering immortality for a "small thing" you'll never miss.



That's pretty much it. I must stress this is not related to the Questorverse; it's my own magic system and the bare bones of it. I have to add flesh later on when I write my stories. In any case, I'm betting Rayne was transformed by Divine magic. Seems the most likely to cause chaos anyway.

[Aurrin]

Also, I wanted to apologize to everyone for the other night. That was waaaay overboard in reaction, and I feel like an idiot now. However, I think I know why it happened. Yesterday, I started developing cold symptoms, and I think what happened was that the cold (probably combined with stress and lack of sleep) was causing me to heavily exaggerate reactions. Looking back now, I see how it affected quite a number of things I said and did around that the time, not just this mess. Because I didn't know that I even had something coming on (in fact, I think it's actually a cold that never fully went away from something I caught waaaay back in december), I didn't know to be watching for that.

Again, I apologize for that. The arguing, yes, that really was my fault. And yes, I was a bit upset at RH already. But that last bit was incredibly over the top, and I'm frankly kinda surprised I didn't realize what was going on sooner with that one. I hope you'll forgive me.

[Kerry Skydancer]

Basically, complete bodily transformation from one species to another is impossible with Lux.

I think we just have to say that that's part of the fanfiction. I think Astral was saying, "Let's just pretend that a human got transformed into a Rac Conan, and try to go on from there."

Transforming one element into another, or one substance into one of entirely different chemical content (lead into gold, stones into bread, etc.)

My chemistry teacher told us about some university physics department that succeeded in turing a piece of lead into gold--sorta. From what I understand, they took a very very tiny piece of lead and used brute physical force to change the number of particles in the molecules. The catches are: the process cost more that the piece of gold would be worth, and the resulting speck of gold is radioactive. Still, it's a pretty cool thing to try.

Yep, way back in the '60's, using Stanford's original linear accelerator, I believe. The one that's built -across- the San Andreas fault.

[Kerry Skydancer]

I was about to chew Strangewulf out for powergaming Adam vs. Falcon, and then I realized I'd misread one of -his- posts. My fault. I thought the group was still at the table with Falcon. I've made a minor change to correct that; suggest -minor- follow-on changes, as we continue. If you still want to pick me up by the shirt, though, I will react by swiping one of your belt-knives; let me know if I trigger a reaction from a bond-weapon, though as I recall they're not common at this point in RCD history. I was -not- trying to talk across the room, really!

Expect Falcon to be somewhere between a rogue and a ranger in D&D terms.

[Mjolnir]

Of course we forgive you, Aurrin. I'm just glad you're still around.

- Mjolnir

[Astral]

Glad to see you back Aurrin, the Rp needs all the writers it can get

P.s. I've made some 'more' alterations to that last Ic of mine. Nothing of grate imprtance but I just seemed like a good place to talk about his reaction when he first regained conciousness.

[StrangeWulf13]

I was about to chew Strangewulf out for powergaming Adam vs. Falcon, and then I realized I'd misread one of -his- posts. My fault. I thought the group was still at the table with Falcon. I've made a minor change to correct that; suggest -minor- follow-on changes, as we continue. If you still want to pick me up by the shirt, though, I will react by swiping one of your belt-knives; let me know if I trigger a reaction from a bond-weapon, though as I recall they're not common at this point in RCD history. I was -not- trying to talk across the room, really!

It's alright; I just caught the post and it seems to only be fair. =P I think I still have some powergaming habits from a freeform RP I used to do with some friends of mine over MSN. Real fun, but these days I'd rather try something not so godlike. Makes it more interesting if you escape with a few scars by the skin of your teeth.

None of his weapons are bonded to him, which is a good thing should someone need to use it and he's knocked out. However, he still prefers to keep them close. I hope we get into a small battle soon... I wanna show off the gauntlets.

Expect Falcon to be somewhere between a rogue and a ranger in D&D terms.

That sounds pretty cool. Adam will probably be keeping a close eye on a potential thief, but only to make sure he doesn't steal from the wrong people. If this was outside the Seven Villages, he could always snitch a key from a guard should we get caught. And rogues have more fun anyway. Oh, and Adam says to keep your fingers in your own pockets and there wont' be any trouble.

[Yuoofox]

Yay! We love you, Aurrin!

Aurrin, I hope I'm not overstepping my bounds by telling everyone this, but when Aurrin first put his character into this roleplay, he had come up with really big plans about what his character would be and do. He wanted her to be a MacGyver-type character, someone who takes everyday items and makes clever weapons or inventions out of them. This would especially be handy in a situation where lux-powers are ineffective.

The difficult thing is integrating these good ideas into a story with pre-defined rules, especially one being told by several people at once. Perhaps we can help him with this.

[Kerry Skydancer]

Yay! We love you, Aurrin!

Aurrin, I hope I'm not overstepping my bounds by telling everyone this, but when Aurrin first put his character into this roleplay, he had come up with really big plans about what his character would be and do. He wanted her to be a MacGyver-type character, someone who takes everyday items and makes clever weapons or inventions out of them. This would especially be handy in a situation where lux-powers are ineffective.

The difficult thing is integrating these good ideas into a story with pre-defined rules, especially one being told by several people at once. Perhaps we can help him with this.

Shouldn't be a problem, most ways. Gadgeteering is fine; it was just that a full-fledged 19th-Century firearm was way beyond the local tech limits, like MacGyver building a Star Trek phaser out of spare parts. Run stuff by RH and the rest of us here first to see what flies?

[RHJunior]

a semiautomatic weapon is a 20th century weapon--- mid to late 20th, at that, though revolvers and even machine guns (such as the Gatling Gun) can be found in the 19th.

But just as big an issue as the "advanced" nature of such a firearm is the fact that at their size scale, a handgun small enough to handle is too small to be effective--- even without magic users being thrown in the mix.

[DracoDei]

The difficult thing is integrating these good ideas into a story with pre-defined rules, especially one being told by several people at once. Perhaps we can help him with this.

In case I failed to mention this... (and knowing me I have probably harped on the subject but just can't remember doing so)...
Mechanical Engineering degree here... not much practical experience though...

[Mjolnir]

Ah, another enigineer. Cool. My degree's in Civil Engineering, although that's not the job I have. (Figures.)

- Mjolnir

[Aurrin]

You too? I'm an undergrad in Aerospace Engineering. Good to know I'm not alone.

[Mjolnir]

So Draco builds the weapons, I build the targets and Aurrin will build the delivery platforms.

- Mjolnir

[Aurrin]

Sounds like a plan to me.

[Kerry Skydancer]

And I'm a physics specialist. Y'ever notice how few science/engineering types have lefty politics? Our religious beliefs are all over the map, but we seem to have our heads on straight when it comes to government.

[Mjolnir]

It's that whole "analytical thinking" thing that does us in.

- Mjolnir

[Aurrin]

*shrugs* I'm a dead-on centrist by most tests. I prefer to look at each issue and judge it by it's own merits rather than what the various and sundry political camps have to say, then translate that back into who is most closely aligned with whatever (informed) opinion I form on it.

[UncleMonty]

I haven't been much "into" role-playing, since it requires more online time than I can afford to spend, but it looks as though we humble "technicians" follow the same sort of political path as you fellows with degrees. They call me a "Broadcast Television Engineer" but all I've got is an FCC first-class license, an FCC Extra amateur-radio license, an SBE certification, and about 25 years on-the-job... I'm not complaining, it pays better than working in a TV-Repair shop.

Anyway, I'll go back and start reading this thread. Who knows, maybe I'll find time to post something on-topic. I don't imagine there's many characters that'd suit a bookish, crusty, opinionated, occasionally-short-tempered, middle-aged, cynical tinkerer who'd give the shirt off his back or the food from his table to help a friend.
Maybe "he" can help in a tavern or brewery? I brew beer as a hobby.

[Kerry Skydancer]

Don't sell yourself short, Uncle Monty. Techs do as much analytical thinking, maybe more in direct real-world contact, as anyone. It does tend to have the same effect on the thought processes. Plus having a job that close to the ground tends to give you a first hand view of the fact that no matter how bad a job someone's doing, the government can do it worse.