Lorica/Arcanery/Complexity Hierarchy
Fiction Wikia, the place where you can write fiction.
This article is about magic in Lorica.
[edit] Complexity Hierarchy
Arcane components, in increasing complexity:
[edit] 1. Stars
Stars are the basic units of magical power, and massive amounts of stars are necessary for this purpose (somewhat on the order of 10 to the 22th power of stars for a basic spell). Stars combine to form Starscripts. There is great , periodical variety in the types of stars (much like there is variety in the chemical elements). Stars are in turn composed of four Elements, referred to as Fire, Air, Earth, and Water. They are as following:
- Fire: The fire number determines the charge of the stars.
- Air: The air number determines the magical properties of the stars.
- Earth: The earth number determines the mass-ness of the star Outside.
- Water: The water number determines the maximum fire number, though the fire number often falls short in all but the inert stars.
These numbers together determine the characteristics of stars. Considering only the Fire number (and thus its maximum values, the Water numbers), we have 24 stars, and these are conveniently labelled with the runes (Fehu through Othala).
[edit] 2. Star Forms
Several stars combined become a form, a specific arrangement of stars with certain properties. By themselves they are incapable of doing anything; however, their various properties are what define the immense diversity of possible star forms.
Stars don't become "used up"; however, they can only do so much at a time before changing into another form. It is this process that after all allows telmol and tessa spells. Thereafter, they must then be changed back into a usable form, and as a result the longer the time allotted, the fewer stars are necessary; the greater the task, the more stars are necessary; and the fewer the stars, the slower and less powerful is the work done.
[edit] 3. Constellations
Even larger groups of star forms comprise constellations, which are still the smallest components to arcane starscript beings. Variety is massive here as well, with constellations ranging in size from a few hundred stars to a few million stars. Constellations are functional; however, as each entity is very minute, no effect is noticeable; it takes power several magnitudes greater -- functional groups -- to be able to achieve any significant result.
[edit] 4. Functional Groups
Functional groups are clusters of constellations that perform a particular function. These may range from identification to operation to conditions, and are very varied. They are often found in groups, which are then called starscripts. Oftentimes, when a starscript is broken up, the functional groups remain intact but split into their individual pieces.
Selected functional groups:
[edit] Apop
Apoptase is used in the destruction of Scripts. Apop is a subscript, or component, that is the functional group of stars in Apoptase. It is necessary in destroying (or the politically correct term "the decomposition of") Starscripts. The functional group always carries a modifier Q (Q stands for query and acts as a variable) which in turn is linked to the passed-along argument from Foci which in turn is connected to the original Q1 functional group. Thus, the information stored in the variable Q1 is passed along until it reaches Apop, which in turn uses it to specify which starscript(s) to destroy.
[edit] F
F stands for Fehu, the first rune in the Elder Futhark. In the world of Lorica, it is a functional group that signifies the beginning of a starscript. Often, the next one or more functional groups that follow it refer to any conditions that need to be met. In the representation below of Apoptase, the Query1 functional group is necessary for the script to proceed; basically, it will only process when the caster presents what Query1 is asking for. If F is missing, however, then even if the caster presents what Query1 is asking for, the script will not be able to activate.
[edit] Foci
Foci is a functional group that searches for and locks on to a target, whether it be a starscript or a Being. It is also an important functional group for the charm, Magic Sentry, which identifies and uncovers spells that hide beings. It carries a modifier which is passed along from the initial query Q1, so that it will know what to search for: whatever the spellcaster specifies for Q1. It was the evolution of Foci that led to the widespread destruction of starscripts and brought in the relative script calm that has persevered to the present.
[edit] 5. Starscript
Starscripts are associations of stars to form a "program" that causes a certain magical effect. Stars, and hence starscripts, exist in the Outside. Starscripts are very varied, and come in nearly infinitely many sizes, shapes, and uses, and are necessary to spellcasters.
[edit] 6. Spells
See main article: Lorica/Arcanery/Spell
Spells are individual forms of various disciplines.
[edit] 7. Eutris
EUTRIS stands for Elementary Universal Translational Runic Instancing Scriptase. It's useful for when you want to get fast results. As the saying goes, you can't get quick results quickly. You have to get ready for them, and in the case of magic that involves creating your own Eutris for every slightly different version of something. Thus, Eutris is good for particular, standardized results, but not for specific results.
There are literally thousands of even the elementary Eutrises. And even so, very often the charm you want isn't one of them. There are also a handful of massive Eutrises that are used in programming/developing others; these are known as chaperone eutrises.
Lorican name: Scripta instanta runa translata universa elementum (SIRTUE) / Sirtuea
[edit] 8. Imagi
Imagi refers to eutrises that are very complicated, with components involved in obtaining information, processing data, and bringing about results of various forms. Many are used in Lorican medicine. Eutrises are very complex Imagi as well.
[edit] 9. Minions
See main article: Magical Beings
Minions are, at heart, Imagi. In addition, they also have a more useful interface that allows people to interact with them physically rather than just arcanely.
