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I've been thinking of ideas to suggest for Warrior Mage Summoning abilities, or things that might utilize Elemental Charge. In the process, I realized I don't have a clear idea of where the lore stands right now on it, and thus which ideas are acceptable. So I thought this might be a good question to raise here. Either I can be pointed to documents/posts I've missed, or perhaps a GM might respond. Sorry if this gets a little long.
Elemental Charge
Elemental Charge I also have several questions about, and I don't know if I can trust the game text to give me an accurate representation of what's going on. For example, Manipulative Resolve is supposed to be gone, per Armifer (https://elanthipedia.play.net/mediawiki/index.php/Post:Magic_3.0_update_-_02/03/2012_-_12:52), but some bits of messaging referencing it still linger, such as, “You lack the necessary resolve to control the Focus Pathway of Damage.”
So, I'm aligned with an element, and when I admit that element, it sure seems to imply I'm charging myself with that specific element. Yet it can be used as a power source for doing all sorts of elemental effects that are from separate Elemental Planes – my air alignment can let me make a sword of electricity or use pathways that resonate to another element.
My Theory: I'm taking a cue from Armifer's comment that this was almost named Elemental Attunement to speculate on how to unify these elements conceptually. My guess is that the mortal body and/or cognition is too limited to just connect with multiple planes at once without Alignment as a filter. So while the mage is aligned to only one plane, he retains the connection to the others, much like the way an old TV is aligned to a specific channel. The antenna receives all signals at once, but the TV can only interpret one channel at a time.
To further the metaphor, when the mage becomes more aligned with that element, it's somewhat like refocusing the antenna of that TV to have the picture be more clear – when you make Channel 3 more clear by moving the rabbit ears, you make the other channels more clear as a side effect, because you're aligning them to get a better signal. So, when casting a spell of the element that you're aligned with you clarify that connection, and building that charge actually helps with your connection to all of the Elemental Planes, even though you're suffused with a single spell.
Casting an opposing spell, or drawing heavily on that connection is jarring, and throws the connection out of focus, and it needs to be aligned again, because it jars your connection. Even though that Fireball is still an element, it's jarring your connection to the Planes because you're currently resonating with the plane of Water. Think of this as though every time you draw on that attunement, it rattles the antenna a bit, or changes the patterns of interference. Either way, the antenna needs to be realigned.
Pathways
So what is actually going on when a Pathway is used? TM used to be, back in the late 90's/early 00's run on the theory that all TM used pathways of Aether, regardless of guild. IIRC, this was articulated by Valdrik, and the idea was that the mage would draw a line of Aether between him and the target and the projectile would ride this like a rail. Aethereal Pathway, first the planned spell (was it ever released?), and then (presumably? I had stopped playing) the ability set worked on this by strengthening or altering that pathway. Obviously this has changed into TM using a targeting matrix, but the name remains. So what's happening in 3.0 when a Pathway is used? I combed Elanthipedia and the forums and couldn't find anything. It may be that my Search-Fu is just weak.
My Theory: I'm thinking that the mage is drawing directly on this connection to the Elemental Planes as a sort of second point of manipulation to gain more control than would otherwise be possible over the end result of the spell. The attunement of various Pathways reflects that certain types of manipulation are primarily performed by certain elements. So even though you're using Fireball, if you use Precision, you're still drawing on the plane of Air slightly, which has Elemental Charge implications relative to your personal Alignment, both because it may be in opposition and because you're drawing upon your attunement to the planes in general.
I hope all this made sense. So, am I close here on the lore? Totally off base? I'd welcome any other players input, and of course, any GM's that might want to chime in and set me straight. Ultimately, I'm hoping this will serve as a catalyst for people to contribute ideas for the Summoning abilities to be fleshed out more.
- Saragos
Pathways are still manipulations of aether. Mana exists, physically, in the aether substructure of the plane, so manipulating aether allows you to improve the environment you are manipulating mana in (and targeting patterns are made of mana).
I'm not entirely sure 'bout charge, but it's not like we ever had much lore about manipulative resolve!
My best guess is that building up elemental charge, and the associated planar influence, weakens the hold of the laws of physics over you. Not so important that you are aligned to an elemental plane as you are out of alignment with the abiding. The more charge you have built up, the less the native physical laws anchor you to the limits of the abiding's reality. But who knows?
>Forgive my snark, but welcome to the life of a warrior mage.
I'm not entirely sure 'bout charge, but it's not like we ever had much lore about manipulative resolve!
My best guess is that building up elemental charge, and the associated planar influence, weakens the hold of the laws of physics over you. Not so important that you are aligned to an elemental plane as you are out of alignment with the abiding. The more charge you have built up, the less the native physical laws anchor you to the limits of the abiding's reality. But who knows?
>Forgive my snark, but welcome to the life of a warrior mage.
>Pathways are still manipulations of aether. Mana exists, physically, in the aether substructure of the plane, so manipulating aether allows you to improve the environment you are manipulating mana in (and targeting patterns are made of mana).
So aether is both an element being manipulated, but also a manipulation that enables further manipulation of other elements?
So aether is both an element being manipulated, but also a manipulation that enables further manipulation of other elements?
Aether'ish
Tracing the lines of the aetheric landscape, you find a transient strong point. You align yourself to it, briefly decreasing your proximity to the Elemental Plane of Fire.
___________________
You make a few adjustments to the Zoluren, and you feel confident that it will recognize you as its owner.
Tracing the lines of the aetheric landscape, you find a transient strong point. You align yourself to it, briefly decreasing your proximity to the Elemental Plane of Fire.
___________________
You make a few adjustments to the Zoluren, and you feel confident that it will recognize you as its owner.
>So aether is both an element being manipulated, but also a manipulation that enables further manipulation of other elements?
Yeah sort of. The visible reality of the abiding is made up of the four cardinal elements but the reality itself is held together with a foundation of aether. That invisible aether foundation of the plane is where both mana and the planar boundary are found. You can think of aether as elemental reality, the supreme insulator, and conversely the most sympathetic element to planar manipulations because it's what you need to move aside if you want to, say, open a fissure.
>Forgive my snark, but welcome to the life of a warrior mage.
Yeah sort of. The visible reality of the abiding is made up of the four cardinal elements but the reality itself is held together with a foundation of aether. That invisible aether foundation of the plane is where both mana and the planar boundary are found. You can think of aether as elemental reality, the supreme insulator, and conversely the most sympathetic element to planar manipulations because it's what you need to move aside if you want to, say, open a fissure.
>Forgive my snark, but welcome to the life of a warrior mage.
I'd been recently thinking that I regret describing Aether as "a landscape" rather than something more gaseous.
Elemental Charge is supposed to represent a form of energy (think spell energy, but not) that builds up in your body and is expelled to manipulate the Aether. It's aspected insofar as it's easier to do Fire things with power from the Elemental Plane of Fire, but the Elemental Planes all work similarly enough and Warrior Mages are awesome enough to pull disjunctions, like using a Water Plane Charge to summon a Fire Plane domain.
Back when I was originally working on the system, the "expellation" aspect was more obvious. Even if you didn't have enough charge for a function, you spent all your remaining charge trying and failing. That proved to be confusing to people, so I quickly and quietly tuned the system to its present condition.
Messaging wise, important things to consider are the tripartite "dualism" that DR has going is in full effect, and higher end messaging is more blatant about what's going on with your body with more charge.
-Armifer
"Perinthia's astronomers are faced with a difficult choice. Either they must admit that all their calculations were wrong ... or else they must reveal that the order of the gods is reflected exactly in the city of monsters." - Italo Calvino
Elemental Charge is supposed to represent a form of energy (think spell energy, but not) that builds up in your body and is expelled to manipulate the Aether. It's aspected insofar as it's easier to do Fire things with power from the Elemental Plane of Fire, but the Elemental Planes all work similarly enough and Warrior Mages are awesome enough to pull disjunctions, like using a Water Plane Charge to summon a Fire Plane domain.
Back when I was originally working on the system, the "expellation" aspect was more obvious. Even if you didn't have enough charge for a function, you spent all your remaining charge trying and failing. That proved to be confusing to people, so I quickly and quietly tuned the system to its present condition.
Messaging wise, important things to consider are the tripartite "dualism" that DR has going is in full effect, and higher end messaging is more blatant about what's going on with your body with more charge.
-Armifer
"Perinthia's astronomers are faced with a difficult choice. Either they must admit that all their calculations were wrong ... or else they must reveal that the order of the gods is reflected exactly in the city of monsters." - Italo Calvino
What armifer said on the charging and use... I was gonna say that, but it'd take too long, and be less coherent.
As far as aether - I always pictured it like an aura mixed with a miasma of energy, kinda like gutting a rainbow and cooking a soup from its intestines. Aether ethereal fissure I thought was spot on.
___________________
You make a few adjustments to the Zoluren, and you feel confident that it will recognize you as its owner.
As far as aether - I always pictured it like an aura mixed with a miasma of energy, kinda like gutting a rainbow and cooking a soup from its intestines. Aether ethereal fissure I thought was spot on.
___________________
You make a few adjustments to the Zoluren, and you feel confident that it will recognize you as its owner.
<<Because if there's one thing we demand from action-hero quips, it's accurate metaphysics.
Now I can't think 'taste the rainbow' without imagining it in Arnie's monotone accent. Thanks.
Elanthipedia - https://elanthipedia.play.net/mediawiki/index.php/Main_Page
Epedia Admins - https://elanthipedia.play.net/mediawiki/index.php/Elanthipedia:Administrators
Now I can't think 'taste the rainbow' without imagining it in Arnie's monotone accent. Thanks.
Elanthipedia - https://elanthipedia.play.net/mediawiki/index.php/Main_Page
Epedia Admins - https://elanthipedia.play.net/mediawiki/index.php/Elanthipedia:Administrators
>>How come? Because it makes people think of little aether trees on top of an aether mountain?
In the real world, Aether was the fifth Stoicheion, or Greek element. It was conceived of as an invisible, gaseous medium that existed past the air of the terrestrial spheres. This was seen as necessary for the universe under the mistaken belief that nothing (including celestial light) could be transmitted across an empty space.
Aether held a place in science until the late 19th century, when we finally arrived at enough sophistication to test it and prove that light could transmit through a vacuum.
-Armifer
"Perinthia's astronomers are faced with a difficult choice. Either they must admit that all their calculations were wrong ... or else they must reveal that the order of the gods is reflected exactly in the city of monsters." - Italo Calvino
In the real world, Aether was the fifth Stoicheion, or Greek element. It was conceived of as an invisible, gaseous medium that existed past the air of the terrestrial spheres. This was seen as necessary for the universe under the mistaken belief that nothing (including celestial light) could be transmitted across an empty space.
Aether held a place in science until the late 19th century, when we finally arrived at enough sophistication to test it and prove that light could transmit through a vacuum.
-Armifer
"Perinthia's astronomers are faced with a difficult choice. Either they must admit that all their calculations were wrong ... or else they must reveal that the order of the gods is reflected exactly in the city of monsters." - Italo Calvino
>I feel like this discussion needs more phlogiston.
Spelljammer ftw!
Or I suppose you could mean the actual theory, but I prefer Spelljammer.
Weapons for Sale:
https://elanthipedia.play.net/mediawiki/index.php/User:CARAAMON#Wares
Hunta Talna Kortok, built by Gor'Togs, for Gor'Togs
http://www.angelfire.com/rpg2/caraamon/home.html
Spelljammer ftw!
Or I suppose you could mean the actual theory, but I prefer Spelljammer.
Weapons for Sale:
https://elanthipedia.play.net/mediawiki/index.php/User:CARAAMON#Wares
Hunta Talna Kortok, built by Gor'Togs, for Gor'Togs
http://www.angelfire.com/rpg2/caraamon/home.html
>In the real world, Aether was the fifth Stoicheion, or Greek element. It was conceived of as an invisible, gaseous medium that existed past the air of the terrestrial spheres. This was seen as necessary for the universe under the mistaken belief that nothing (including celestial light) could be transmitted across an empty space.
>Aether held a place in science until the late 19th century, when we finally arrived at enough sophistication to test it and prove that light could transmit through a vacuum.
Is that similar to how it could be viewed in DR? An element that's the filler between other planes?
>Aether held a place in science until the late 19th century, when we finally arrived at enough sophistication to test it and prove that light could transmit through a vacuum.
Is that similar to how it could be viewed in DR? An element that's the filler between other planes?
Thank you so much for the responses, everyone. Especially your contribution, Armifer. I find this stuff really interesting.
This all has me wondering. If Aether is “the element that composes the 'substructure' of the Plane of Abiding”, and also “the physical layer where mana 'sits'”, it certainly makes sense that Aether would be what's used in AEWO, to debuff mana regen or ETF to increase the mana in a room. It really makes me wonder, though, about spells like Aether Cloak, which is one of my favorites. In AC, it seems to be directly modifying the targeting matrix laid down by an enemy caster.
So, would it be accurate to characterize spell patterns and matrices as being “written” somehow into the Aetheric substructure of the world when spells are cast, channeling the mana in various ways? Is this why Aether Cloak and Pathways are able to manipulate these spell patterns?
- Saragos
This all has me wondering. If Aether is “the element that composes the 'substructure' of the Plane of Abiding”, and also “the physical layer where mana 'sits'”, it certainly makes sense that Aether would be what's used in AEWO, to debuff mana regen or ETF to increase the mana in a room. It really makes me wonder, though, about spells like Aether Cloak, which is one of my favorites. In AC, it seems to be directly modifying the targeting matrix laid down by an enemy caster.
So, would it be accurate to characterize spell patterns and matrices as being “written” somehow into the Aetheric substructure of the world when spells are cast, channeling the mana in various ways? Is this why Aether Cloak and Pathways are able to manipulate these spell patterns?
- Saragos
>>Yeah sort of. The visible reality of the abiding is made up of the four cardinal elements but the reality itself is held together with a foundation of aether. That invisible aether foundation of the plane is where both mana and the planar boundary are found. You can think of aether as elemental reality, the supreme insulator, and conversely the most sympathetic element to planar manipulations because it's what you need to move aside if you want to, say, open a fissure.
And where does Electricity fit into this?
And where does Electricity fit into this?
>And where does Electricity fit into this? [planar configuarion of the Abiding]
Elemental electricity is weird and not a lot is known about its planar properties. The havri'negh depicts it as outside the elements, recent lore ("lay of the elemental planes") points out its even weirder than aether, which was discovered around the same time. Anyone know more?
>Forgive my snark, but welcome to the life of a warrior mage.
Elemental electricity is weird and not a lot is known about its planar properties. The havri'negh depicts it as outside the elements, recent lore ("lay of the elemental planes") points out its even weirder than aether, which was discovered around the same time. Anyone know more?
>Forgive my snark, but welcome to the life of a warrior mage.
> Elemental electricity is weird and not a lot is known about its planar properties. The havri'negh depicts it as outside the elements, recent lore ("lay of the elemental planes") points out its even weirder than aether, which was discovered around the same time. Anyone know more?
Armifer posted this back in 2010, which has a bit more info. https://elanthipedia.play.net/mediawiki/index.php/Post:The_Lay_of_the_Elemental_Planes_-_8/11/2010_-_01:41:20
- Saragos
Armifer posted this back in 2010, which has a bit more info. https://elanthipedia.play.net/mediawiki/index.php/Post:The_Lay_of_the_Elemental_Planes_-_8/11/2010_-_01:41:20
- Saragos
