Table of Contents
The Science of Magic and the Evolution of God
Magical Tectonics Timeline
| Big Bang | Universe splits into Physical, Energy and Magical in equal proportions | |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Life | Energy and Matter concentrate into planetary systems as does Magic | |
| Life | The concentrated Magic engenders life as a non-entropic user of matter and energy | |
| Plants | Evolution #1 of Magic - essentially non-dynamic and with little affect | |
| Animals | Evolution #2 of Magic - Instincts, killing for food, births and deaths have a greater affect on the 3 forces | |
| Intelligent Life | Evolution #3 of Magic - Many more uses | faeries evolve from plants, dwarves evolve from minerals |
| Magical Beings and Users | Evolution #4 of Magic - Almost pure use of Magic | elves evolve from faeries and create most of the other races |
| Gods | Evolution #5 of Magic - Embodiments of pure Magic | The created races spread their beliefs |
| Post-Matter and Energy | The other two forces are gradually converted over time into Entropy/Magic | |
| Pre-Big Bang | The universe of Magic once more condenses ready to split again |
Ley Lines
Origins
Before intelligent life, magic covered the world in eddies and flows with occasional concentrated pools at important events. Much like the sea.
Some lines are formed temporarily along tidal waves or earthquake fronts.
As the tectonic plates stabilised, lines formed at their edges becoming more permanent. These lines are clased as Static. Intelligent life began worship of natural forces - especially destructive and localised ones. Creating larger pools of Magic around natural events. As these religions spread to other areas, so too did the pool of magic. Creating another line.
In general all lines of Magic prefer to connect to other lines rather than to end abruptly. This stabilises the flow somewhat, like the currents of an ocean.
The invention of churches and temples over sacred areas led to Dynamic Ley Lines. As Holy Days, rituals and events were introduced, these changed to Variable Ley Lines.
Currently the only Dynamic lines are linked to natural events, magical unique artefacts and cults/sacrificial altars.
Types of Ley Line
Dynamic
The Magic varies in pulses along its length. A sine wave oscillation.
Where they occur
- Permanent: between sacrificial altars, magical artefacts
- Temporary: between battlefields, natural events
Static
The amount of Magic along the length of the line remains relatively constant and does not vary by much over very long periods of time.
Where they occur
- Permanent: between shrines and places of power
- Temporary: between mages casting the same spell
Variable
The Magic varies in a uniform manner along its length. Usually increasing around Holy Days and festivals.
Where they occur
- Permanent: between churches
- Temporary: between festivals and holiday celebrations.
When do they change
- Dynamic - A new pulse is generated each sacrifice or eruption/earthquake and travels the line until it is used.
- Static - Never
- Variable - Every service or special ceremony.
Gods
Gods are personifications of Magic given religiously significant form and function. They find it easiest to perform miracles along the Ley lines they control (those of their religion).
Magic Items
A mechanical “wondrous” device subtracts from the sum total of Magic available to everyone by trapping it in a physical form (usually a golem or artefact). Devices need to obey consistent rules in order to tap into the correct Ley Line - much the same way as religions need to be consistent to maintain power (a heretical split will create a new, lesser Ley Line which will need to be increased before being useful).
Magic Users
Do not believe in religion and are therefore not restricted to using a specific Ley Line. They use Magic from all sources. In general Magic Users are Jack-of-all-trades when it comes to magic but cannot perform Miracle-class spells, which require Godlike quantities of magic. Magic Users have no religion and each individual is too different to form a Ley Line.
Clerics
In general all minor spells and miracles must be performed in close proximity to a Line or Church of their religion. Pantheistic clerics may also use allied God's Ley Lines (dependant on the politics of the time). Major Miracles require Godlike intervention - depending on the size of the religion, more than one manifestation may take place at the same time - it's dependant on resources available.