NationStates Jolt Archive


How Magic Works, at least in Harmonia Mortus

Harmonia Mortus
12-09-2004, 02:41
Ok, Harmonia Mortus is a space-fantasy nation, occupied by Goblins, Trolls, some Humans, a few other species.
The 'King' is a being of pure magic, the Keeper, who can take on a physical form when he so-chooses.

WARNING:
If you are in a high-magic area, you can expect the following to occur:
Nasuea
Blurred vision
Unexpected transmutation
Unexpected Things from Before the Dawn of Time
Spontanious combustion and/or implosion
Unexpected transportation

If you find yourself in such an area please remain clam and thing pleasant thoughts. If you are religious, pray to whatever god you have and hope like hell He/She/It exists.

How Magic is Measured:
Magic is measured in Thaums. One Thaum is the basic unit of magic, generaly agreed to be enough to create a 10lb bowling ball or three small pigeons.
Thaums are measured similarly to the metric system, EX: Milithaums, Centithaums, Thaum, Decithaum, Kilothaum.

Keepers:
A Keeper is, as I said, a being of pure magic. In non-corporeal form he is nearly invincible, since you cant see him, cant shoot him, hit him, bite him, or anything. The problem is that he has to maintain a 'heart' a storehouse of all his spare magical energy not being used to keep him in this dimension, if this is destroyed the Keeper looses most of his mind. This is reversable, if the Heart is rebuilt and charged with magic he will regain his mind.
Keepers are naturally skilled with magic, and can use just about any spell, and manipulate magical objects with ease.
Theres a catch.
Outside of a Keepers claimed area (in this case his nation) he has almost no power. There is a loophole though, an ally who grants a Keeper 'right of passage' within his nation opens up the door, but can easily remove the Keeper by revoking said passage.
You might say 'But how does that WORK?', and I say 'Its magic, its not logical.'

Harmonian Space Ships:
Harmonia Space ships maintain a minimum of six crystals (explained later), four 'movement' crystals, a main power crystal, and one shielding crystal.
The movement crystals are set up in the front, back, port and starboard sides of the ship, in order to move magic is channeled from the main power crystal into one of the movement crystals which automatical attempts to move in that direction, the same principal can be applied to projectile weapons.
To keep the preassure/atmosphere in a constant stream of power is poured into the shielding crystal, creating a sphereical 'aura' around the ship. This is visible as a pale-white sheen about ten feet from the ship at its closest point. Its roughly sphereical.

Shielding and Magical Weapons:
Magical weapons work by focusing raw or processed magic into a stream and projecting it at a target. With raw magic this can produce any number of effects, implosions, explosions (or both), sudden transmutations (Changing into things), and general choas. Processed magic acts similarly to a laser, basicaly it burns stuff. It CAN create strange effects, but this is usualy an aftereffect, like the sound of a bullet.
As I said, projectile weapons can be aguemented movement crystals, they go quite a bit faster than normal and in a straight line unless deflected, until the magic runs out.
There are other ways to use magic as a weapon, Crystalbombs are two oppositely charged magical stones, which when touched rupture at the same time, the two opposite types of magic react much the same as matter and antimatter, and both change into a mix of energy and raw magic.

Ok, magic itself:
The power for magic is mana, mana comes from land under control of the Keeper, the Keepers minions, and magical artifacts. Basicaly, the more land, people and stuff the Keeper gets, the more magic he has.
Raw magic acts alot like energy, it can be absorbed, slowed, sped up, moved about, and converted into matter. But unlike energy it reacts to suffeciently strong mental powers, EX: If your in a high magic-area and REALLY want a chicken dinner, one might just pop up.
Magic in its raw form also reacts with matter. If enough magical particles strike an area it creates lots of uncertanty in that matter, and it can change into nearly anything. This sends energy spiraling off for a short distance, sometimes causing chain reactions.

Magic comes in many forms, each is usualy based of the environment it was drained from.
Magic absorbed in a swamp would be a combination of water and death magic, magic claimed in a plains would be a combination of light and plant magic.
This doesnt really effect the type of spell you can use it for, but it can affect the spell itself, if you attempt to heal a person in a swamp the wound might grow back deformed (or worse), a fire spell used while at sea could result in burning the ocean down.

On its uses:

Crystals:
Crystals (Quartz, diamonds, basicaly anything transparent and shiney. Like I said, magic isnt science) have a unique property, they can retain magic. Certain types of crystals also use magic to create differnt effects, a spherical crystal can focus light and sound energy and move it over large distances, IE: Crystal ball. A crystal formed into a cube can act in a similar way, recreating an image it recorded, the size effects its 'memory'.
By far the most usefull is the octagonal shape, which can mete out energy by set amounts, like a magical gas tank.
The problem is that that much magic in one area, released suddenly, its a bad thing.
A ruptured crystal combines all the devastation of Chernoble in half a second, but usualy inside a small area.
Crystals can also be used to increase the performance of weapons, a combination of a mortar and a crystal ball work quite well.

How 'People' use it:
Focus, determination, and a strong will. Some people have a naturall talent, and some are sort of Thaumic-Messiahs, called Sourcerers, who are actual sources of magic.
A wizard (or Keeper) near a sourcerer has his powers increased almost a hundred fold, the Sourcerer itself is also a very powerful mage.
Most humans need a staff or some sort of magical item to 'distil' raw magic for actual use. Raw magic can be used, but it is dangerous and unpredictable, and harder to use.

Octirion:
Octirion is the colour of magic, what it 'looks like'.
Most people describe it as a sort of Greenish-Purple colour.
While most people have rods and cones in their eyes, in order to see black and white, and colour, wizards and magical creatures (and cats) have special octagons, which enable them to see magic.

Thaum Bomb:

Recently Revealed by Harmonia Mortus Govornment:

In order to better secure the state of Harmonia Mortus from nuclear, biological, chemical and other weapons of mass destruction we have begun development of a Thaumic Weapon basicaly equivalent to an atomic weapon.
The weapon is magical by nature, and generaly bomb-shaped, so our increadibly talented Clever Names Department has come up with 'Thaum Bomb'.

The weapon works by putting a HUGE amount of magic in one spot and holding it there by way of magical seals which keep the thaumic particles and radiation in one spot. The bomb itself is mainly glass, an oblong about six feet long and three wide, quite smooth and covered in said sigils to keep it from exploding.
The glass is placed inside a steel case. This is because Iron and Steel have the unique property of being nearly unnafected by magic, and acts much like the layer of lead in your average atomic weapon.

There are three components to the bomb itself.
First is the Containment Field, the magical glass case holding everything in.
Second is the magic concentration, the 'plutonium', which causes the damage.
Finnaly there is the Charge Crystal, a 'battery' for holding the magic in place, giving it a focus. Once dropped the crystal usualy ruptures, adding more destructive power to the blast.
There are plans for two types of bomb, a raw magic and a proccessed magic bomb.
Raw magic has long lasting effects similar to radiation, only not really. While some effects may be similar to radiation, you generaly dont expect to leave the area with more arms than you came in with, or as a small orangutan. Raw magic is rather unpredictable and can have strange effects on matter.
Proccessed magical bombs are similar to typical 'nukes', they explode and release alot of energy.

Currently we have plans to build (at most) one hundred of each type of bomb, within the next fifty to sixty years, a rate of about two bombs per year of each sort.
The plans for proccessed bombs are about 25-50 kilotons. Its rather hard to estimate the damage caused by raw bombs, but the effects are thought to linger for about ten years, then begin declining over a period of twenty years, though superconcentrated magic may last longer than the sort we have had...incidents with before.
This is not a threat, of course. Merely an announcement.

As an act of faith we are willing to allow observers from other nations to monitor the movements of these weapons, the progress of our thaumaturgist, and most other aspects of the development and production of these bombs.
We will NOT allow them to view the actual assembly and charging of the bombs, these are closely guarded state secrets and will not be divulged except to trusted allies...of which we have none as yet.

Our first T-Bomb test is schedualed to occur five years from now, you may send representatives to witness the event.

More later, I think.
Harmonia Mortus
12-09-2004, 20:48
:eek:
Der Angst
12-09-2004, 21:12
Al very nice, but...

The movement crystals are set up in the front, back, port and starboard sides of the ship, in order to move magic is channeled from the main power crystal into one of the movement crystals which automatical attempts to move in that direction, the same principal can be applied to projectile weapons.Space ain't a sea, you're moving in a three- dimensional area, not a two- dimensional area... I would suggest two more crystals at the top/ bottom :P
Harmonia Mortus
12-09-2004, 21:39
Well, at least somebody replied :P

Anyway, I wasnt thinking...but would having something to angle the crystals work as well, you think?
Harmonia Mortus
12-09-2004, 22:30
Dadadada.

Heres my idea:

Each crystal is placed in a sort of gryroscopic cage mounting which can rotate 360 degrees in any direction, the crystal is suspended in the center by a magical field which also provides its power, chaging the ships course rotates the cages around and increases power to the ones closest to the direction of the turn/pitch, EX: If you turn to port, the portside crystal has power redirected from the starboard crystal.
Sound good?
Jonothana
12-09-2004, 22:33
Very well thought-out and I congratulate you for that but...I don't think there is that many space-fantasy nations around...
Harmonia Mortus
12-09-2004, 22:36
Well, alot of the current spacenations seem to be fairly accepting of fantasy, after all, its Science Fiction :)
Besides, Goblins and Trolls are pretty similar to most aliens, and I am trying to give a good explanation of how magic works, and trying to keep it from becoming super-de-duper powerful.
Ermor
12-09-2004, 22:46
Ermor is, in a sense, a "Space Fantasy nation". Except it's a fantasy nation that got ships from a certain nation (by accident, since they crashed onto mainland Ermor) that helped it to get into space. Later on, it... Acquired other ships and stations and whatnot from other spacedy people. Ermor itself is a nation of undead.

EDIT: And right, I could've said something about the first post itself. Nice enough that is, but the system I use is pretty different from that. Won't go into comparing them with each other.


OOC, dammit!
Camel Eaters
12-09-2004, 22:57
I don't think swamp magic would be a combination of water and death. Have you ever seen a swamp? Just the amount of life there is staggering so I think it would be like water/land magic. Plus in my opinon if you used swamp manna to heal a wound it would probaly grow salty due to the amount of brine in a swamp before it is purified by the marsh.
Harmonia Mortus
13-09-2004, 00:17
I don't think swamp magic would be a combination of water and death. Have you ever seen a swamp? Just the amount of life there is staggering so I think it would be like water/land magic. Plus in my opinon if you used swamp manna to heal a wound it would probaly grow salty due to the amount of brine in a swamp before it is purified by the marsh.

Yes, but a swamp is normally associated with death, its an 'aura' thing, you know? Tradition and all that.

Ummm...*waves at Ermor*
We have a few undead, some vampires, animate-skeletons, that sort of thing. All except the Vampires are basicaly mindless puppets though...
Kendari
13-09-2004, 00:56
Very well thought-out and I congratulate you for that but...I don't think there is that many space-fantasy nations around...

Not many, perhaps, but there are a few- Kendari, for one.

That was an excellent explanation, with a lot of good details. Would I be correct in saying that your form of magic has a certain amount of Discworld influence?
Harmonia Mortus
13-09-2004, 00:59
Dingding, you are correct sah!
Im using a mix of Magic: The Gathering and Discworld, with a few modifications.
Harmonia Mortus
14-09-2004, 03:50
:sniper:
Harmonia Mortus
15-09-2004, 00:34
:mp5:
Chronosia
15-09-2004, 00:41
The Chronosian Imperium is interested in this force known as 'magick'. We wish to learn more. We request that you show us the method and mechanics of magic, and in turn we will reward you well.
The Imperium requires your answer as soon as possible; and the Emperor looks forward to any progress that can be made.,
Viking Yak Herders
15-09-2004, 00:51
this is excellent, my compliments
Sharina
15-09-2004, 01:18
The official Sharina TAG stamp is hereby put on this thread.


I'm seriously considering starting a technology v.s. magic RP. That would open up some awesome RP potential.
Harmonia Mortus
16-09-2004, 01:18
Thank you all for your compliments. I plan on adding more once I have time to think/write the whole thing out.
If you have any ideas that your just dying to show off, TG me, I am quite intersted in adding new aspects to magic.

What you can look forward to:
List of the attributes of differnt types of crystals
List of common uses of magic
Details on more magical weapons
And such :)
Camel Eaters
16-09-2004, 23:07
Hey! Did you get our telegram? We gave your Keeper access to our land thereby opening up almost unlimited desert magic and blood magic. TG me if you have questions on the second one.
Harmonia Mortus
17-09-2004, 01:54
Sorry, didnt get it.
Any charges for this?
Harmonia Mortus
18-09-2004, 02:28
Thaum Levels:
Thaums are measured in metrics, that is Milithaums, Centithaums, Thaums, Decatahums, Kilothaums, etc.

Abbreviations:
Mt= Milithaum
Ct= Centithaum
T= Thaum
Dc= Decathaum
Kt= Kilothaum
MT= Megathaum
and so on

An area with zero thaum level has NO magic at all, magical items will eventually stop working there when their supply of magic runs out.
Milithaums is barely noticable, some people experience odd effects.
-The average non-magical nation has levels in the Milithaums. Some areas can build to Centithaums, but are dispersed by the events mentioned under Centithaums, that is when they use their power up.

Centithaum levels can cause minor distortions in reality, but they are few and far between. Mostly they come in the form of objects being moved around, vanishing, appearing, small things and all that.

Levels in the Thaums can cause moderate disturbances, explosions, combustion, and randomized happenings, as well as the events from Ct levels.

Decathaums indicate that magic is being used, the magic is usualy used up by the spell.

Kilothaums indicate that you are dead, as well as everybody within a few miles of you. Nobody has survived in the area long enough to write a report on these, but study of areas after the magic has dispersed show an alarming number of things that have been turned into other things, things that are walking around when they shouldnt be, and people turning into those things.
Harmonia Mortus
19-09-2004, 01:57
Bump...any more comments?
Updated, added Thaum Bomb details.
Kendari
21-09-2004, 02:13
The official Sharina TAG stamp is hereby put on this thread.


I'm seriously considering starting a technology v.s. magic RP. That would open up some awesome RP potential.

If you do start such a thread, please let me know...
Camel Eaters
21-09-2004, 02:31
Sorry, didnt get it.
Any charges for this?
Just don't attack us.
Wrestica
21-09-2004, 02:58
Decathaums indicate that magic is being used, the magic is usualy used up by the spell.

The energy has to go somewhere, doesn't it? Where does it go? A different dimension, to be recycled into the sources of it? If so, how is the path for it to travel opened, or is it always open, just "monkeytrapped"?

Sorry if you don't care, but I'm one of those who make these systems in their spare time. :P It's a lot of fun.
Harmonia Mortus
21-09-2004, 03:12
The energy has to go somewhere, doesn't it? Where does it go? A different dimension, to be recycled into the sources of it? If so, how is the path for it to travel opened, or is it always open, just "monkeytrapped"?

Sorry if you don't care, but I'm one of those who make these systems in their spare time. :P It's a lot of fun.
Magic is not energy, its magic. It has its own 'state' outside of either energy or matter.
HOWEVER, the magic is nearly all used up by a spell (converting it into matter or energy, or doing something to one of them), with the 'residue' flying off and dispersing what little power it has in minor little effects...
Camel Eaters
21-09-2004, 03:23
What I find interesting is the many ways that magic could be put into spell form like for my people we use song, ancestral magic, and of course traditional spells.
Giltheran
21-09-2004, 03:29
Very cool, and welcome to NS... I think I also spotted a Dungeon keeper influance there? All in all very well thought out, and I like it.
Camel Eaters
21-09-2004, 03:58
To show appreciation may I suggest allowing Harmonia Mortus's (awesome Latin BTW) have access to our lands collectively. Basically mixing any magic we all may have into one ubermagic.
Harmonia Mortus
02-10-2004, 19:42
Thank you all, again, for your compliments and comments.
Camel Eaters, we thank you as well. We will be keeping a metaphysical eye on you ;)
Cax
02-10-2004, 21:15
OOC: You've obviously nicked the 'thaum' definition from Discworld. But the thaum is the old mesaurement, the equivalent of imperial. And the new unit is the prime, the amount of magic required to move one pound of lead one yard, the equivalent of metric, which would be better suited to the 'milli', 'centi', etc. Some quick editing work would fix it now. Or you could ignore me, as I'm obviously an annoying pedant. As you choose.
Camel Eaters
02-10-2004, 23:04
May I BUMP this for you?
Harmonia Mortus
03-10-2004, 03:06
OOC:
Well, I prefer the Discworldian definition, its more fun :P
And anyway, by my definition at least, metal is harder to magic than living material, or former living material.
So, wood for instance would be a good way to measure magic, since it is a formerly living material.
Now I could give you a long BS story about why thaumic particles are interfered with by the quantum matrix of the temporal nature of mettallic and silicate objects, but that would bore everybody and then I would have to explain why it works on trolls, since they happen to be made of rock :P

And yes, CE, you may bump. Bump to your hearts content. BUMP I SAY!
Camel Eaters
03-10-2004, 06:18
Bumpity Bump Bump
Akaton
03-10-2004, 06:45
I would most certainly characterize Akaton as a future-fantasy tech nation. Congradulations on an excellent thread. Perhaps it will help gain some respect for us magic using nations, much as Padmasa's guide did for wierd species.

I use magick slightly differently than you do, but it has similar effects. Magick in Akaton is much less precise, based on only partially understood ancient texts and artifacts. Akaton lacks a definite system of measuring magical quantity. Lastly, instead of using a crystal to contain magical energies, I tend to use devices inscribed with arcane runes and sigils for that purpose.
Harmonia Mortus
03-10-2004, 14:38
Interesting Akaton...perhaps we could open IC relations between our nations? Possibly creating some sort of Fantasci alliance?
Notquiteaplace
03-10-2004, 14:44
Let me guess? Trolls with high powered projectile weapons instead of MBTs?

I like the way your magic doesnt make you unstoppable. I guess that in terms of "budgeting" or stuff for military a wizard or sourcerer would be a very expensive item unit.

Otherwise, nice. Im glad a lot of people out here have read some discworld.
Akaton
03-10-2004, 15:02
Interesting Akaton...perhaps we could open IC relations between our nations? Possibly creating some sort of Fantasci alliance?
Well, I'm already in the Splitting the Thaum thread. However, if you want to enter into an alliance IC, you should check out my From The Ashes of Empires (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=357221) thread. You should also probably read the first post in the Supernatural Disaster in the Ministry of the Occult (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=350006) thread as well.
Harmonia Mortus
07-11-2004, 18:41
Refrence Bump
Camel Eaters
07-11-2004, 18:44
HM do you have alchemists in Harmonia Mortus (harmonius death classic)?
Harmonia Mortus
07-11-2004, 18:55
Dont think so...
Camel Eaters
07-11-2004, 18:58
The alchemists or my misinterpretation of Latin?
Harmonia Mortus
10-11-2004, 15:27
Both ;)