Quinticus Report post Posted March 23, 2005 I have had this question nagging at the back of my mind for some time now. From what i can figure (due to pictures and limited descriptions) and essence is a spherical object the contains some magical energy or substance that allows magical acts to be done. Am i right on that account? Also, what does it contain? engergy? or a mixture of substances that create energy. What happens when the sphere is ruptured or broken? Do the contents leak out or enegry evaporate? And what act is necessary to engage the sphere to do its purpose? OR... Am i free to make this up? I have some good ideas Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chintan Report post Posted March 23, 2005 Some of the essences are easy to make up explanations for. For example, a fire essence could be a sphere filled with fuel which ignites instantly when exposed to air. To use one, you would simply have to break it open. Others are hard to describe, such as life essence or spirit essence. Most of them, such life essence, do something quite complex which energy in a simple form couldn't do alone. There would have to be some kind or magical algorithm or machinery which runs once the essence is activated. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeone3000 Report post Posted March 23, 2005 (edited) Life essence could be just the energy of life that is released. If placed inside something before it breaks, it turns into a mindless golum following its creator and attacking everything it sees. (explains summons too) Health essence could be the energy of life in a restoring format. Cures wounds and the like. When reveresed with a death essence (like the harm spell) it causes wounds, but only at half of the normal potency. Magic essence could be a power enhancer. Can move the effects of other essences. Not really powerful by itself, but increases effects of others by 1.5 (like remote heal). Matter essence might be an expanding feild of energy that sticks particles of matter together. Makes something like a "bubble" of protective air when used alone. In a teleport spell, it provides a easy target to lock on to for the magic essence. Energy essence would increase the power of other essences, especially magic. Would be able to increase the power of two essences enough to triple the effects. With four, it would make the effects up to two hundred times. (It's magic. Doesn't have to make sense.) Spirit essence would give the mind the power to do things. It can command other essences to do what you are thinking of. This is the only essence that can produce some inkling of power over the golums produced with the life essences. Water, fire, air, earth. They posses the compressed elemental energy of each element, bursting forth when opened. The act neccecary is merely crusing the fragile sphere containing the pure energy with your hands. The energy would then dissaparate over a matter of seconds if the proper binding words and actions are said. After set to one purpose, the energy is used up. As summoning creatures and assembling the golum has no magic words or signs (sigils) used, the energy just leaks into it and gives it power without purpose. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I have WAY too much time. Did I miss any? Edited March 23, 2005 by freeone3000 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chintan Report post Posted March 23, 2005 (edited) What is "life energy" and "elemental energy" anyway? Since the teleport spells both use matter and energy ess, they can easily be explained in terms of manipulating matter and energy. Energy essences could contain a LOT of energy in some form, and matter essences could allow you to manipulate matter. Matter and energy are related by the equation E=mc^2, so manipulating matter would also allow you to convert energy into a useful form for teleportation. One possible way of teleporting is creating a wormhole connecting your location and the target location and walking though it. Creating a wormhole requires a lot of energy though, because you basically have to create a black hole. Another possible way of teleporting in destroying yourself and making a copy elsewhere, which requires manipulation of matter and has the potential to require a lot of energy. Changing bones to gold requires changing the elements of bones (carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, etc.) into gold, which requires a lot of energy since you'd have to break the nuclei and reconstruct them, which involves a nuclear reaction with a net negative energy profit. Once again, you would need a lot of energy and the ability to manipulate matter (they won't just turn into gold spontaneously if you give them a lot of energy). Life essence and spirit essence would have to contain a lot of information, because they have to repair whatever damage has been done by decay or the teleportation process, which requires a lot of small scale manipulations. In the case of life ess, they would have reprogram the animal's brain, since it probably decayed beyond usability, even for just a zombie like state. Spirit ess would have to store/restore whatever information was lost during the teleportation process so that you don't come out of the teleporter braindead. Edited March 23, 2005 by chintan Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The_Pale_Elf Report post Posted March 23, 2005 Magical energy is an unseen force. It is a part of nature, in the air around us. Once the reagents have supplied enough energy to begin a "spell", the rest of the energy can be transferred from nature itself. Thus, the energy required to change the elements within the composition of bones into pure gold is coming from nature, channeled by the will of the caster. Thus, the amount of energy transferred into the spell is not simply from the reagents used. Similarly, energy is being used from the creator when making an essence... The reagent is a product of the components, plus the energy expended by the creator, generally identified by the drop in food in the creator. Also the energy from nature can be put into the created resource, using techniques and skill of the creator. Thus each resource may have more energy within it than the combined energy of the components which created it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Quinticus Report post Posted March 23, 2005 I think, though, it would be better to keep it all consistant. All full of energy or something tangible. Or both at the same time. Examples: Fire Essence: Full of explosive energy/fire at the same time it radiates heat and imbues attached objects with that trait Death Essence: Full of a hazerdous/poisonous fog (stinky like decomposition as well) and gives off a corruptive energy and imbues attached objects with that trait. Energy Essence: Full of Lightening and radiates static energy and imbues attached objects with that trait Etc. Thus theres an element of both. If the sphere is breached, then there is an effect. Yet the energy it radiates is capable of affecting attached/near by objects. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Roja Report post Posted March 23, 2005 oh...wait guys, I did explain this recently, white developing the new magic system: An Explaination of the Magic in EL: The Magic in Eternal Lands is another force of nature. It is completely invisible and powerless unless used in conjunction with the the 4 main Elements: Fire Water Air Earth -with a mysterious 5th Element, practiced by renegades and although it is respected by the schools, it is not practiced in the school-at least not knowingly. And only the highest mages know what this 5th Element truly is. It is not talked about, and taught to children as something forbidden, even evil. People fear the unknown. The Sigils Sigils are something akin to a mathematical formula that channels the magical forces into the ability to create a product. They are the key that must be used in conjunction with other material to create the magic spells. A sigil is embedded into a sort of almost ethereal tablet, that is visible to us to help us concentrate on and put the spell together. Without a sigil it is next to impossible to do a spell. Only the gods are said to be able to do without them. The Essences Essences are the spiritual energy forces from nature. They are made from various organic materials. A Mage would drain the object of it's energy force-it's "essence", and concentrate it into a sphere, ready to be used whenever the mage calls upon a spell. It is the force of Magic which keeps this energy together. As it is also the force of magic that combines Sigil with Essence and manifests the spell. Magic Items -Scrolls contain an incantation which when read, preform a magic spell once before dissapearing. The scroll itself becomes the energy of which the spell is made from-which is why it can be used only once. The energy transforms itself. A scroll is made by a mage having the proper sigils and essences, as if he were to cast the spell. He also has with him parchement specifically prepared for this process, and special ink. He then acts as a catalyst-allowing the magic to flow through him from the sigils and essences into the words he is writing on the paper. Other magical jewelry and items are made in a similar fashion. Weapons & Armor Magic is never powerful if the caster is wearing metal armor, or carrying a metal weapon. Metal somehow neutralizes the magic, but only if the caster is wearing it. It's because of this that you'll never see a mage wearing more than leather armor at most. Mages of official order normally wear a simple robe, representing what they are. The only exceptions to wearing metal are those that are enchanted in a specific way by magic. They will not drain the magic. However most mages are not used to wearing any armor, as it hinders their movements and spellcastings. Also softer metals that can never be used alone for armour such as gold and silver, do not affect the magic if the mage wears it. Metal that is worn by others than the Mage is casting the spell on does nothing to impede the magic, nor does being around metal items. It only affects the caster if it is worn. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Quinticus Report post Posted March 23, 2005 (edited) So, lets say (for the storylines sake, thats why i made this thread here), could someone knowing the ways of magic tear apart this magic binding to release the energy inside? Say like have a fire essence, cast it to the ground to cause a small explosion. Or death essence to blind and enrage an enemy? Or would those sigils be needed inorder to cause that release, thus making it a spell? (i'm sure of the answer, but i'd like to make sure...Can there be more spells in a story than in the game?) Also, then might we say that the effect of magic is trunkated by the density of the metal worn? Perhaps even the softer ones when used in designs and such may even aid the spell? ^ (such as a design in gold surrounding an essence on leather armor may make the spell more efficient) Sorry i'm just kinda going off with ideas. Eager to enter any of them into my stories. Edited March 23, 2005 by Quinticus Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The_Pale_Elf Report post Posted March 23, 2005 I think, though, it would be better to keep it all consistant. All full of energy or something tangible. Or both at the same time. Examples: Fire Essence: Full of explosive energy/fire at the same time it radiates heat and imbues attached objects with that trait Death Essence: Full of a hazerdous/poisonous fog (stinky like decomposition as well) and gives off a corruptive energy and imbues attached objects with that trait. Energy Essence: Full of Lightening and radiates static energy and imbues attached objects with that trait Etc. Well, a fire essence is created from sulphur, thus it will smell of sulphur. Similarly with flowers and other materials. The law of conservation of energy (which may not apply in this world) states that energy has to come from somewhere and go somewhere, if the FE radiates heat and/or light, then it is losing energy. Similarly with smell... Also, if not for the combination of both component energy and natural magical energy, how would you explain the enriched essences? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Roja Report post Posted March 24, 2005 Those are some good questions...like, for instance, the fire essences are used in lighting a fire, so yes they can be used without a sigil, in certain circumstances. But you cannot "break" them. They are not made out of glass or any form that can really be "held"...they are like balls of spiritual energy, and are "held" in air, you don't really touch it when you are holding it. Let's say you can release their energy without the sigils, however the energy they release with no sigils is very minute..but it is enough to start a spark on some wood to light a fire. And maybe a death essence would give off enough to kill a small bug? Stuff like that, so that they really can't be used to do a real spell by themselves. They just give off a little energy. The sigils would increase and guide the energy in a focul point and along with the magic would cause the effects to be much greater. Do they smell? No..I don't think so. I want to keep them more ethereal, just a ball of light I guess. Remember this is a type of Spiritual Energy, so we have more freedom in what we do with it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Quinticus Report post Posted March 24, 2005 That's helped so greatly, thanks a lot roja. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Roja Report post Posted March 24, 2005 No problem And I'm glad you brought this up because it did need an explaination for you guys. I will even post this on the website, when I get time. Perhaps make a Resource section for writers? Where they can read about all these things so they don't contradict the already existing ones. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Quinticus Report post Posted March 24, 2005 (edited) That sounds like a great idea. It would be very helpful! Let me know if you need any help with it, i'll be glad to do anything i can. (though it probably won't be much) Edited March 24, 2005 by Quinticus Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chintan Report post Posted March 24, 2005 Let's say you can release their energy without the sigils, however the energy they release with no sigils is very minute..but it is enough to start a spark on some wood to light a fire. And maybe a death essence would give off enough to kill a small bug? Stuff like that, so that they really can't be used to do a real spell by themselves. They just give off a little energy. The sigils would increase and guide the energy in a focul point and along with the magic would cause the effects to be much greater. So either the law of conservation of energy doesn't apply in this world, or maybe some of the energy turns into heat and sigils simply increase your efficiency (less energy into heat and more into something useful). The other possibility is that the essences don't contain all the energy necessesary for the spell, but most of the energy comes from somewhere else. The sigils allow you to use the energy from somewhere else, and the essences simply provide the activation energy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Quinticus Report post Posted March 24, 2005 I think it would be better to think of the sigils as a catalyst to the energy stored in the essence. Chemistry: A substance, usually used in small amounts relative to the reactants, that modifies and increases the rate of a reaction without being consumed in the process. The energy is in the essence (an orb of light, luminescent). You might be able to say (if you wish to use such terms) that the sigils are the catalyst that changes the engery from giving off light into some tangible reaction. I'm not good with any kind of scientific terms. Personally i think the mystery behind how it works is better it leaves it to each person to just accept what happens, or think about it and make their own conclusions. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chintan Report post Posted March 24, 2005 (edited) If they gave off light, they would slowly be losing energy, which means they would eventually decay into nothing. Of course if they contained a lot of energy, the amount of energy lost would be negligible so their decay time would be so long they basically last forever. Having an essence decay slowly would go well with the catalyst idea though. A catalyst simply increases the rate of a reaction. Without the catalyst, the reaction would still happen, but much more slowly, so the essences would still release their energy slowly. What would be the catalyst when you use essences without sigils though, like making bars, summoning, or polishing gems. Edited March 24, 2005 by chintan Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeone3000 Report post Posted March 24, 2005 You can just poke them in the ball of burning fire. It'll melt them for fire, and polish them for water. The energy inside would be constantly moving. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Quinticus Report post Posted April 4, 2005 O.K. So here's my next question on Essences: How does one conjure them? by that i mean, ingredients are mixed together to make the essence. If the essences are an orb of light/energy. How would one store them? If they are stored, out does one retrieve/conjure them? Just pluck one out of a tin box among other essences? Roja any insight on this? I can certainly come up with something if you don't have anything in mind. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Roja Report post Posted April 4, 2005 you can try to come up with something, i don't have too many ideas on this yet Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Quinticus Report post Posted April 4, 2005 Ok well here's one of my preliminary ideas. Of course i'm thinking ONLY from the storylines point of view. One must use a magic bag (much like a drawstring purse type deal), to store essences. It is branded with a seal or special sigil that fortifies the binding that holds the essence together so it does not dissapate. When one opens the bag, though, it appears to be perpetually empty. In order to get an essence out, the person using the bag must place thier hand inside and think of the essence they wish. In this way there is a small item that can carry relatively large loads of an intangible mass. So, with higher levels, people more experienced are better able to retrieve and hold more essences. Of course the strength of the seal/sigil is contingent upon the persons experience. Now you can use this to tie in that a person's will (not the attribute in game, but their ability to reason and desire) is a form of magic that allows them to create, store, "conjure" (meaning retrieve), and use the power bound within this relatively small orb of light. Let me know what you think of this. Also that is my next question... How big is an essence? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Roja Report post Posted April 7, 2005 For size..i'd say they'd be about the size of..a softball. I will think on the other thing, about the will and the bag. I'll get back to you on that soon Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Quinticus Report post Posted April 7, 2005 ok, on the size...it makes it kinda difficult to handle more than one for spells that require multiple essences. Which is fine...this just means that the essences can't be "handled". They definately would have to be "conjured." We would have to find another way to have them carried about. The sealed bag thing definately wouldn't work in this case. :lol: lol i was thinking they were marble sized. Which that all is fine. Something that can be discussed at the storylines meeting. Let me know what you think and i'll work something else out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeone3000 Report post Posted April 7, 2005 Maybe they could change in size? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pocal Report post Posted April 7, 2005 Maybe they float, so they don't have to be handled? Then they merge into one as the spell is cast? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Quinticus Report post Posted April 7, 2005 (edited) i was thinking along the lines of both of those things. perhaps they are conjured and float in place until needed. But also they vary in size depending on size, quality, experience of the alchemist, etc. I was going to write it into my stories, however, that in order to imbue an item the essence is physcially placed and anchored into the item. This way one could create an enhanced but aesthetic item. But this would require that they be physically touched in order to move them into place. I don't know, anything can be written around though. Edited April 7, 2005 by Quinticus Share this post Link to post Share on other sites