[Raven Bloodmoon]

Lyinginbedmon, on Feb 28 2009, 07:53 PM, said:

NOTE: If I don't fill in the other sections here soon, poke me.

Heisenburg in real life causes enough problems. Did you really have to bring him into magic?! God, in the most recent Scientific American issue, quantum mechanics has gone so far as to now assert that either there need be no interaction between particals for one to affect the other (similar to me throwing a punch in Florida and knocking out a man in Beijin without my fist ever traversing the space inbetween) or reality isn't "real." Must we really go there? My head hurts just thinking of this, you Lovecraftian horror!

[Lyinginbedmon]

Ah but here we have a separation of magical particles and natural particles.

Magic is formed by the interaction of the theoretical Plane of Incarnum with the "natural" mundane world of most universes, which function on some variation of normal physics.

Mundane particles are "Heisenberg uncertain" because of quantum states, magic particles are uncertain because their nature is simply a state of flux between mundane particles and Incarnum particles.

HOWEVER! Unlike mundane particles magic particles are far more predictable in their flux state. This is why the mortal brain can do anything with them (Imagine looking at a Penrose tile pattern, that's what magic isn't, but mundane quantum particles are). This means that magic particles follow a different set of rules to Heisenberg uncertainty rules. You might not get absolute precision on the details of a magic particle, but you'll get a heck of a lot closer than with mundane particles.

This is a laymen explanation, the actual details are a heck of a lot fuzzier, even for my brain.

EDIT: Added Ptolemy's Junction

[Raven Bloodmoon]

...still sounds like the plane of incarnum is a magical Higgs field.

I have no issues with yoru Ptolemy filter, though. Seems to fit your theory well enough.

How about another update? We demand more!

[Lyinginbedmon]

It'd be inaccurate to consider the plane of Incarnum to be akin to the Higgs field. The Higgs field regulates how things work, but the plane of Incarnum creates magic itself as a byproduct of its own existence.

I've now added details of Arxis' Box, I'm intending to do another piece on spell matrices themselves in a little bit.

Once again, prod me if I don't do so soon.

[Cuilean]

Raven Bloodmoon, on Mar 2 2009, 12:48 PM, said:

... or reality isn't "real."

Of course it isn't. Why did you ever assume it was?

People don't really get more forgetful as time goes on. The software API changes out from underneath them so they lose access to the data.

Ooop... maybe I've said too much.

[Raven Bloodmoon]

Sure thing there, Neo.

[Cuilean]

Raven Bloodmoon, on Mar 14 2009, 06:13 PM, said:

Sure thing there, Neo.

In a way, I was cross-referencing a quantum physics study that showed that reality might be a complex holographic simulation, generated by our own brains. As the synapses age, they can no longer reference the material that is still stored, and therefore we lose access to it not unlike a shifting API. If you wish, you can read about it here: http://twm.co.nz/hologram.html

While I'm de-railling... LIBM, you and I could be brothers as far as looks go. (Photo from about a year and a half ago...)

[Raven Bloodmoon]

Wow, that's some crazy stuff, Cuilean. I tell ya, where they like to go with quantum mechanics really just doesn't make the field sound reasonable. I hope someone has an epiphany and stops this crap soon. :s

[Lyinginbedmon]

Spell Matrices
A "spell matrix" is a specific crystalline formation of heavy Incarnum formed in the mind (Thereby, soul) of a spellcaster when they attempt to memorise or cast a spell. They are virtually indestructible, but in inter-Incarnum interactions are just as fragile as the personality in the Incarnum that makes them.

Where Ptolemy's Junction filters magic, a spell matrix focuses it to produce a specific effect. Because they are held deep within the soul, the actual appearance of spell matrices is completely unknown, their description as "crystalline" comes from noted wizards often describing the formation of a spell in their mind as being different concepts and necessities crystalising into their required effect.

The filtered magic is fed into the matrix and organised and arrayed before it is expelled out of the exit junction(s) of the matrix. Going by further descriptions from spellcasters, there is a rudimentary geography evident in the matrix, whereby ray spells have a single exit junction, area effect spells have many, etc. All known spells have no more than four entry junctions, most have only one or two.

Within a spell matrix, there are a number of recognised components.

• Entry junction - The point(s) at which magic enters the spell matrix. No known spell has more than four such points.
  
• Focus - Narrows the feed point of the magic creating a more dense and potent magic feed.
  
• Resonator - Oscillates the resonant frequency of the magic against itself moderated by a defined variable of the matrix, commonly used in more violent or explosive spells.
  
• Refraction chamber - Reduces magic from a base element to hypothetical constituent parts. Used almost exclusively in Universal school, but occasionally used in other spells to produce different school effects.
  
• Reaction chamber - Forces different magic types to fuse together. A highly unpredictable matrix element, usually used in explosive spells.
  
• Filtration - Restricts magic passing through it to a specifically defined type or frequency. Almost never used since Ptolemy's Junction was created.
  
• Exit junction - The point(s) at which magic leaves the matrix as a spell effect. Rays have a singular point, areas many, as needed for the effect.

The matrix itself has no regard for what magic is being sent through it, though certain elements alter slightly in direct response to certain types of magic, such as elemental fire magic or maligned magic. In theory any kind of magic could be sent through any kind of matrix, but the resulting effects would vary noticeably and the matrix may destabilise.

In general, construction of spell matrices is undertaken by arcane casters only, as divine casters have them produced by their deity. Further, with the exception of highly skilled spellcasters, they are constructed ahead of time using in-depth knowledge of their mechanics. Wizards are known to direct significant ire towards sorcerers, who are fortuitously born with matrices innately constructed within their souls.