I had previously incorporated aspects exploitable for necromancy into Eldwan's magical system in order to power Luminosan society. This second major revision comes by devising changes to the system that also link magical potency to sexual purity. It began with the idea that sexual impurity has consequences that are not immediate and not tangible for us, living in the times when we are now. But I felt that fantasy has the unique ability to render the intangible, tangible. Therefore I decided to take the opportunity and assign links between the two.
In the overall scheme of things, sexual impurity is linked to magical motor functions, and because of the sins of those in ages past, we have lost those motor functions entirely, thus sexual purity no longer has consequences that are as obvious to us as they once were. This is not because there are no consequences, but rather that we have become so defiled as a species that anything of value in that respect has been utterly lost. Perhaps one could think of a family heirloom that was supposed to be passed faithfully from generation to generation, but in the midst of bickering and strife, is rendered worthless.
To be clear, since this is the first post in a long time to discuss the magic of Eldwan, I will describe it here. Eldwan is a world of three planes, the ether is the most fundamental, energy is of condensed ether, and matter is condensed energy. Magic basically refers to a direct manipulation of energy, and it operates according to four schools, corresponding to the four fundamental forces of physics. Like our physical bodies, humans in Eldwan were originally created with sensory and motor energy based pathways, an energy-based body if you will. Just as with physical senses, the magical senses allowed us to sense energy directly, and as with the physical neuro-musculo-skeletal system, magical motor systems would allow for direct application of various forces.
An additional disclaimer, but when I write about Eldwan and use biblical names, as I also will in the post following this one, I am not referring to the actual people, but rather their parallels in my subcreation, who's language I have not yet devised.
When Adam and Eve are first made, in their sinless state, they have senses to all three substances, ether, energy and matter, but a motor component only for matter. As humans matured they were allowed to eat of the tree that granted energy manipulation, thus acquiring access to a whole new layer of capabilities. They began to learn how to use it and wield their new power responsibly. However, in rebellion, some, Adam and Eve included, take of the second tree before the appointed time, or perhaps they are never meant to eat of that tree. Whatever it is, the consequences play out. The punishment of Eleyon is a removal of their ability to sense the magical world. Their direct ability to sense energy is removed from them in a neat severance of metaphysical substance.
As a result, their ability to sense their own glory, which had previously served as a covering of dignity, is lost, and they appear physically naked to one another. However, they actually still retain the entire structure of the energy based component of their being, and they could theoretically thrash around like a blind and deaf man with that body, dangerous as it may be. Like physical muscles, the energy body atrophies with disuse, and so many of the Fallen assume that their magical abilities are simply gone forever after the fall.
So this is the setup at the beginning of history and soon two key discoveries are made.
When Abel is murdered, Alero notices something quite unexpected. Abel's primary awareness, which was in the material realm, pushes through the barriers to the higher realms all the way through to the etheric plane as his body expires. In addition, Cain, by some strange empathy, also experiences a temporary opening of his own magical senses and for the briefest moment. This emphatic magical sense is the basis for necromancy, and Alero bases his promise of restoration of magic to the Luminosa on this mechanism.
Now the second mechanic I will describe is the actual novelty in this post. In the original design in Eldwan, the mother was the main contributor of physical substance for a new embryo. On the other hand, the father would be the main contributor of metaphysical, energy based substance. Something quite strange then happens, when the elves and humans have half-elven offspring. This was prohibited by Eleyon when they first asked if they might stay among their fallen brethren to guide them, nonetheless, a union happens after a few generations in defiance of the command. Specifically, when the 'sons of God' have children with the 'daughters of men', their children are once again able to use magic, because their senses are restored. These become the great heroes, the men of renown. By this means, three of the now seven houses of Fallen men reacquire the ability to use magic.
There is an additional point that drives the loss of sexual purity home. Let me arbitrarily assign a value of 12 units to the default magical strength available to each individual before the fall. This value is of 'genetic' potential, which, like physical traits, can be maximised only under optimal conditions. The Fallen, though unable to sense magic, still retained a latent potential, and when there were children by their elven fathers, this was unlocked once again.
The way that magical potential is inherited though, is not Mendelian. Rather, it comes from a common pool. When two individuals have relations in Eldwan, their very constitution is changed. Suppose both partners start with 12 units. After being joined, they retain a personal pool and a common pool is formed. The ratio of these pools is 1:1 for each individual. Thus, A and B would both have a personal pool of 6 units, and a common pool of 12 units. They access the common pool based on proximity to each other. When they are in physical contact, both of them can now draw upon 18 units in a synergistic fashion. The strength of access to the common pool diminishes according to the inverse square law. This is quite literally becoming 'one flesh'. Any child conceived by this union draws from the common pool, which is 12 units, as their starting potential. Therefore, in a faithful and monogamous society, the design holds true, and each generation is no less worse than the last.
Now the disorder enters. When A has relations with another individual, C who also has a potential of 12, the balance is altered. A now has two common pools and one personal pool, which splits his potentials as 4:4:4, instead of the intended 6:6. As a result, A's two common pools with B and C only have a total of 10 units, instead of the intended 12. A second consequence of this is that A in fact has the potential to draw upon even more magic than before. With his two common pools and his own, He can draw on a grand total of 26 units, even more than 18. Already the potentials for abusing this system begin to take shape.
First of all, when there are affairs and unfaithfulness, this system quickly begins to degenerate, with each generation inheriting less and less because of the choices of their parents. Soon there are families which have stronger bloodlines and those of weaker and more impure bloodlines. There is stratification and a very understandable reason for prejudice against the weaker families. There becomes a segregation of classes, with the higher classes marrying among themselves to preserve their magical potential, and judging those who have sexual immorality and weaker houses as unfit for spousal union. The lower classes become forced to work physically, labouring in toil, while the upper classes disdain them and have their magic to spare them the demeaning drudgery.
Second, the potential for prostitution of a totally different kind becomes possible. A bully of a person could promise protection to others in exchange for access to their magical potential, acquiring vast reaches of magical potential for him or herself. The children of this 'strong wizard' of sorts would, counterintuitively, be much weaker compared to their parent. A dynasty obsessed with power yet losing its ability to work magic could begin a concubine system, with the parent forcing numerous partners on the heir, in order to raise the heir's abilities. This only accelerates the downward spiral of that family.
That is as far as I will detail things for now. In the next post, the wider consequences of abusing this system will be shown through the corruption of the houses of men and elves, the societies that lived apart from the Luminosa.
As a result, their ability to sense their own glory, which had previously served as a covering of dignity, is lost, and they appear physically naked to one another. However, they actually still retain the entire structure of the energy based component of their being, and they could theoretically thrash around like a blind and deaf man with that body, dangerous as it may be. Like physical muscles, the energy body atrophies with disuse, and so many of the Fallen assume that their magical abilities are simply gone forever after the fall.
So this is the setup at the beginning of history and soon two key discoveries are made.
When Abel is murdered, Alero notices something quite unexpected. Abel's primary awareness, which was in the material realm, pushes through the barriers to the higher realms all the way through to the etheric plane as his body expires. In addition, Cain, by some strange empathy, also experiences a temporary opening of his own magical senses and for the briefest moment. This emphatic magical sense is the basis for necromancy, and Alero bases his promise of restoration of magic to the Luminosa on this mechanism.
Now the second mechanic I will describe is the actual novelty in this post. In the original design in Eldwan, the mother was the main contributor of physical substance for a new embryo. On the other hand, the father would be the main contributor of metaphysical, energy based substance. Something quite strange then happens, when the elves and humans have half-elven offspring. This was prohibited by Eleyon when they first asked if they might stay among their fallen brethren to guide them, nonetheless, a union happens after a few generations in defiance of the command. Specifically, when the 'sons of God' have children with the 'daughters of men', their children are once again able to use magic, because their senses are restored. These become the great heroes, the men of renown. By this means, three of the now seven houses of Fallen men reacquire the ability to use magic.
There is an additional point that drives the loss of sexual purity home. Let me arbitrarily assign a value of 12 units to the default magical strength available to each individual before the fall. This value is of 'genetic' potential, which, like physical traits, can be maximised only under optimal conditions. The Fallen, though unable to sense magic, still retained a latent potential, and when there were children by their elven fathers, this was unlocked once again.
The way that magical potential is inherited though, is not Mendelian. Rather, it comes from a common pool. When two individuals have relations in Eldwan, their very constitution is changed. Suppose both partners start with 12 units. After being joined, they retain a personal pool and a common pool is formed. The ratio of these pools is 1:1 for each individual. Thus, A and B would both have a personal pool of 6 units, and a common pool of 12 units. They access the common pool based on proximity to each other. When they are in physical contact, both of them can now draw upon 18 units in a synergistic fashion. The strength of access to the common pool diminishes according to the inverse square law. This is quite literally becoming 'one flesh'. Any child conceived by this union draws from the common pool, which is 12 units, as their starting potential. Therefore, in a faithful and monogamous society, the design holds true, and each generation is no less worse than the last.
Now the disorder enters. When A has relations with another individual, C who also has a potential of 12, the balance is altered. A now has two common pools and one personal pool, which splits his potentials as 4:4:4, instead of the intended 6:6. As a result, A's two common pools with B and C only have a total of 10 units, instead of the intended 12. A second consequence of this is that A in fact has the potential to draw upon even more magic than before. With his two common pools and his own, He can draw on a grand total of 26 units, even more than 18. Already the potentials for abusing this system begin to take shape.
First of all, when there are affairs and unfaithfulness, this system quickly begins to degenerate, with each generation inheriting less and less because of the choices of their parents. Soon there are families which have stronger bloodlines and those of weaker and more impure bloodlines. There is stratification and a very understandable reason for prejudice against the weaker families. There becomes a segregation of classes, with the higher classes marrying among themselves to preserve their magical potential, and judging those who have sexual immorality and weaker houses as unfit for spousal union. The lower classes become forced to work physically, labouring in toil, while the upper classes disdain them and have their magic to spare them the demeaning drudgery.
Second, the potential for prostitution of a totally different kind becomes possible. A bully of a person could promise protection to others in exchange for access to their magical potential, acquiring vast reaches of magical potential for him or herself. The children of this 'strong wizard' of sorts would, counterintuitively, be much weaker compared to their parent. A dynasty obsessed with power yet losing its ability to work magic could begin a concubine system, with the parent forcing numerous partners on the heir, in order to raise the heir's abilities. This only accelerates the downward spiral of that family.
That is as far as I will detail things for now. In the next post, the wider consequences of abusing this system will be shown through the corruption of the houses of men and elves, the societies that lived apart from the Luminosa.
No comments:
Post a Comment