From: | Erik Jameson <erikj@****.COM> |
---|---|
Subject: | Paradigm Shift? (Re: Mages and Space) |
Date: | Tue, 28 Apr 1998 14:03:55 -0400 |
>>
>>Astral space is a reflection of the physical world. Astral space
>>(and to some extent, the physical world) are sustained by mana (that
>>quasidimensional, poorly known, energy that makes magic possible).
>>
>>In space there is no physical world for astral space to reflect.
>>IMHO astral space and mana operate by different rules in space
>>(causing insanity in those mages that try to project, perceive, or
>>cast spells) or the lack of reflection creates a direct connection
>>between the physical world and mana (astral space isn't there to mute
>>the connection) in which case the excessive drain kills casters (when
>>physical) or drives them insane (when stun).
>>
>
>What about a child that comes of age in outer space and has magical
>ability, learning how magic works in his environment, not trying to work
>magic as it was learned on earth and its astral space?
Actually entirely possible. *IF* the problem with magic in space *isn't* a
lack of mana or a connection to the astral, but is instead simply alien. I
liken this concept to how we view a coin. Here, in our world, we have both
a strong astral and mundane geography and presence. Both sides of a coin.
But in space, one of those sides of the coin is missing; for sake of
arguement let's say that the void of space simply doesn't present a strong
enough mundane geography to present itself. Trying to reconcile that would
drive anyone mad, especially if they *had* to try and reconcile that concept.
Or, another thought, there is an astral place in space. But because of the
void, because of a lack of mana, whatever, there is a greater division
between the astral and the mundane planes.
Think of it like this. On earth, the Awakening happened when the astral
plane/dimension "bumped" up against the mundane plane. They had a certain
amount of synchronicity, a certain amount of similar geography. The two
worlds collided. In space, that hasn't happened yet. And because of the
nature of space, it may never happen. This would imply that it would be
extremely difficult to connect to the astral plane from space; there would
be a sort of "stretching" of the aura/soul to try and bridge that gap
(which is barely a gap on earth). That stretching warps the aura, perhaps
causing the insanity itself. And sometimes that stretching snaps the aura
like an old rubberband, killing the magician.
I don't know how much sense that made, considering I just came up with the
concept mere moments before typing it. But I think it may actually work.
It retains all the features of current SR magic, but also gives a strong
and rational reason why magicians have such problems with space. It is a
shift in the paradigm that we currently accept as gospel, but it makes just
as much sense (that is, the theory makes sense, I may not have worded it as
such this time out) as the old paradigm.
I like it.
Erik J.
"What was that popping sound?"
"A paradigm shifting without a clutch."