 |
| Metaphysics |
|---|
|
--
--
|
Paraphysical reality bending, colloquially referred to as magic, thaumathurgy, or simply paraphysics, is a field of metaphysics concerning the interaction of living consciousness with the multiverse-wide Waltzmann morphic field. Said interaction results in a precise manipulation of energy that allows the directing consciousness to freely affect base properties of the reality around them. Paraphysics is, however subject to modulation by the local paraphysics framework, thus creating and maintaining syntax from previous usage by individuals which cultivate the local governing consensus reality.
Unlike exophysical reality bending, paraphysics remains largely within the confines of classical physics, and thus is constrained by many physical laws such as the laws of thermodynamics. As such, it is often described as a primarily negentropic system which attempts to enforce order against the natural progression towards entropy.
Origin
The rules which define paraphysical reality bending were created as a result of the Wethsp seeding multiple planets and their inhabitants with the progenitor to AR-type structure development. Notable seeded planets include multiple variations of Earth, Xilotaph, Varos, and Byta-Annulus. In each case the dominant species from these planets have been observed to possess paraphysical capability, and as a result have attracted ThoughtForms and Primordials.
Mechanism
The basis of all paraphysical interaction pertains to the Theory of Consciousness, which ascribes a difference between the morphic projection capabilities of beings which can be classified sapient, and those that are not. Concentration of metaphysical energy causes a physical resonance within AR-type structures, typically present in the body of the directing entity or a conducting artifact, which in turn is able to receive energy from the Waltzmann field. This energy, known as initiating power, increases permanence within the user's consciousness, resulting in conversion of chemical energy directly from the user's cells in order to affect changes to local reality based on the intent of the user via their morphic field. Therefore, the main limiting factor of such an energy transfer is the energy of the directing entity itself, and overexertion may prove fatal. This process is known as the Waltzmann pathway.
Movement of matter resonating with both conscious intent and the Waltzmann field may be assigned to different syntax through repeated, ritualistic use, allowing for the creation of a wide array of recorded catalytic actions that result in more energy-efficient instances of reality bending. Syntaxes may be created from scratch, as in the case of sphincter magic, but the presence of a ThoughtForm greatly accelerates the development. Over time, the existence of a syntax creates a shift in the local consensus reality and may affect organisms within range in the same manner as typical morphic fields.
The energy conversion ratio ç determines the efficiency of somatic energy converted to the effecting reality changes, and varies due to somatic AR peptide concentration and type, density of AR structures in artifacts, and degree of permanence increase, all of which vary between species. Alternatively, the energy deficit from conversion may be mitigated through the use of artifacts which store paraphysics charge, or being directly supplied energy from a paraphysical source, such as a ThoughtForm. In some species, a significant change within the state of the directing consciousness can result in an increase of initiating power from the Waltzmann field, resulting in an indirectly heightened ç value. Finally, all paraphysics-capable species may passively absorb energy for use in reality bending while within a paraphysical realm.
Unusually heightened permanence in conjunction with powerful paraphysics, whether in an object, entity, or even may result in a paraphysical anomaly.
Due to their classification as low-sapient, artificial intelligences are incapable of triggering the Waltzmann pathway.
In humans
A paraphysics-enabled human is referred to as a thaumathurge, mage, or paraphysicist. The paraphysical conductor in human biology is the AR-family protein AR-21, most abundant in spongy bone matrix, soft connective tissues, synovial fluid, cerebrospinal fluid and blood plasma. AR-21, AR-6 and AR-5 are all regulated by transcription factor Vkon. The high dexterity of the human upper limb, particularly in the digits and wrist of the hand, allows for a large permutation of movements and positions, to which a wide variety of syntaxes can be applied without overlap. As a result, the vast majority of human-oriented syntaxes as defined by their associated ThoughtForms include upper limb articulations, ranging from those that incorporate full arm movements to small-scale finger positioning. The average ç value in humans during the Unification Era is approximately 0.8719, as measured by the Magical Intervention Bureau of the First Unified Human Empire. Despite this, most humans are not actively paraphysics-enabled unlike the Anulin, and require training in order to utilise these abilities.
Prior to the rediscovery of Trisonius and the following Thaumathurge Exodus, the human average ç value was estimated at around 0.00511, due to the gradual inactivation of associated transcription proteins within the human genome following a loss of paraphysical knowledge in the wake of the ThoughtForm War. However, the inhabitants of Trisonius had an average estimated to be around 0.79327; this can be attributed to their prolonged proximity to Horus. As at the time, paraphysics was not properly understood and no definitive methods of detection had been developed, these values were derived from legacy data and may not be entirely accurate.
After the Thaumathurge Exodus, inhabitants of the Human-Hyalean Empire were exposed to the collective consensus reality of the relocated magicians, which triggered reactivation of Vkon expression and leading to synthesis of AR-21, AR-6 and AR-5. Reactivation was further promoted by the actions of Peyton Parabel III, whose successful attempts to proliferate paraphysical knowledge led to a rapid increase in magical syntax usage across the Empire. The return of many ThoughtForms to Earth, A01 also triggered morphic resonance that contributed to this process.
Elhrich Waltzmann determined the primary mechanism of action of paraphysical reality bending through the examination of thaumathurge cadavers supplied from Trisonius by the Stateship. Once the importance of the the AR structures were published in his 2349 paper Recurring Structural Motifs in Paraphysical Manipulation, efforts to procure additional structures as a means of increasing paraphysical ability led the Human-Hyalean Empire to seek out ThoughtForms and their paraphysical creations for materials with which to produce artifacts. Although remains of physical ThoughtForms are highly sought after due to their vastly superior paraphysics-compatible energy storage and conduction capabilities, the most common material found throughout the Human-Hyalean Empire as well as the UHE is processed from the remains of pre-Inferno demons.
Many educational institutes, including the Institute of Demonology in Alator, Theremis, were set up in order to teach paraphysics skills as a supplement to previously existing course, though over time the prominence of purely paraphysics-based courses grew. Within the human race, several pure thaumathurge occupations came into existence, including demonology, counter-paraphysics, and psionics. Supplementary use of paraphysics include examples such as telekinesis to assist in surgical procedures, fluid dynamic manipulation to contain forest fires, and the integration of magical artifacts into technology.
Humans have also been known to cooperate with ThoughtForms, which offers its own benefits different from the harvesting of their physical remains. With few ThoughtForms left, each can offer unique applications of magic through their own syntaxes, granting power in exchange for worship in order to survive. Notably, the Universal Church was established to ease communications between the human race and these ThoughtForms and their followers. Notable examples include Nyx's cult, the Hawthorne Society's relationship to the amalgam god Abaddon, and the late Al-kutbay's teachings being used by the Order of the Rooster to perform rituals in cognitomancy.