Essences

Pikel

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Essences

« on: 13 October 2005, 20:17:00 »

Essence

All things in this world exist on two levels; the physical level, and the spiritual level. An "essence" is the spiritual side of any given object. Thus nobody ever sees an essence, although with the proper training, it is possible to interact with them. It can be called a soul of sorts, but it is only as sentient as it's material counterpart is. An essence is the very core of an objects existence. If an essence is changed somehow, so to does it's material counterpart. One could say that an essence is the spiritual make-up of it's counterpart.

Each essence comes into being at the same exact time that it's material counterpart comes into existence. Example, A human essence comes into being as soon as the child is concieved. Also, an essence can be said to have died once it's material counterpart is destroyed or otherwise no longer existant. Example, a mountain has an essence. An earthquake occurs, and the mountain is split in twain. Since the "mountain" is no longer there, it's essence can be said to have "died". But now there are two smaller mountains in it's place, and a completely new essence is created for each of them.

Each essence is as completely unique as it's counterpart, but like it's counterpart, it shares similarities as well. All Essences fit into one of the six sub categories, which are: Earth, Water, Fire, Wind, Plant, Animal, and sentiant being. For instance, A small rock's essence is as different from a mountain's essence as their counterparts are, but the essences are still earth based.

With training, one could learn to merge one's essence with the essence of something else. If such a merging occurs, the stronger willed of the two objects will be able to manipulate the essence of the other object, thus changing it's make-up. If the spiritual side is changed, it's physical side will be changed as well, and vice versa. If the physical side is changed, it's essence will change to accomodate it. The exception to this are sentient beings. The merging of the essences is resisted by sentient essences. However, if one can get past that, then they are able to merge. If one's essence is not as strong willed as the essence it is merging with, then one might find his own essence being manipulated, instead of vice versa.

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Edited by: Pikel Thunderstone at: 10/14/05 4:57


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Theodorus Holzman

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Re: Essences

« Reply #1 on: 13 October 2005, 23:33:00 »

Before anything else, I'd say that it is vital you make clear that the whole idea of essences is something the Druids use only.
Otherwise, people might get confused when they read the Ximaxian entries and compare them to this cosmological view.

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Mina

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Re: Essences

« Reply #2 on: 14 October 2005, 07:20:00 »

Sounds pretty similar to Car'all, but still okay, I think.

Theo: I'm thinking maybe we should reorganise the magic section on the site. Right now, entries for different magic systems are put together, which is pretty confusing. It'd probably be better if they are orgainsed according to magic system.


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Theodorus Holzman

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Re: Essences

« Reply #3 on: 14 October 2005, 09:50:00 »

Actually, I wonder if it's really okay if the essences resemble the Car'all - idea. Because if they would both be more or less the same, then why would the Druids come up with a different system in the first place?
If it's almost like Car'all, there's not really any need to make things overly complicated.

And well, perhaps the magic-section could need an update as a whole. But I've just returned, and am certainly no magic master. So we might somebody else to look into that matter.

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Marvin Cerambit

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Re: Essences

« Reply #4 on: 14 October 2005, 10:12:00 »

I don't know if they already have an origin, but Ximaxian theories could be based of druidic ones. You've got to start somewhere, so the first people to try and analyse could have started making druidic believes more scientific and eventually ending up with their own system.

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Mina

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Re: Essences

« Reply #5 on: 14 October 2005, 10:30:00 »

I'm pretty sure Ximaxian theories originated forom elven beliefs/magic theories. Car'all and stuff were originally elven concepts, if I'm not mistaken.


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Luca the Thief

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Re: Essences

« Reply #6 on: 14 October 2005, 14:10:00 »

I think the druids themselves would not really seperate the magic into a kind of "magic" at all. Personally, I can imagine them considering it a way of life. It's just what they do. Perhaps the druidic way of life could almost replace religion? Not only would they alter things directly through the elements, but that is what they beleive... that there are only essences.

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Pikel

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Re: Essences

« Reply #7 on: 14 October 2005, 18:10:00 »

Wehn I write the Druid entry, I planned on making the essnees part of their belief system. Although they DO see it as extraordinary to Manipulate the Essences, because not everyone can do it

Any other comments?

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Silfer Darkflare

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Re: Essences

« Reply #8 on: 14 October 2005, 20:11:00 »

Comments in lovely red.

Essence

All things in this world exist on two levels; the physical level, and the spiritual level. An "essence" is the spiritual side of any given object. Thus nobody ever sees an essence, although with the proper training, it is possible to interact with them. It can be called a soul of sorts, but it is only as sentient as it's material counterpart is. An essence is the very core of an objects existence. If an essence is changed somehow, so to does it's material counterpart. One could say that an essence is the spiritual make-up of it's counterpart.

Is such a change linear, predictable? How much do we (or/and the druids) know of the predictability of changing the essence? Can the essence be manipulated "by cookbook", or do you need to feel your way around?

Each essence comes into being at the same exact time that it's material counterpart comes into existence. Example, A human essence comes into being as soon as the child is concieved. Also, an essence can be said to have died once it's material counterpart is destroyed or otherwise no longer existant. Example, a mountain has an essence. An earthquake occurs, and the mountain is split in twain. Since the "mountain" is no longer there, it's essence can be said to have "died". But now there are two smaller mountains in it's place, and a completely new essence is created for each of them.

Each essence is as completely unique as it's counterpart, but like it's counterpart, it shares similarities as well. All Essences fit into one of the six sub categories, which are: Earth, Water, Fire, Wind, Plant, Animal, and sentiant being. For instance, a small piece of obsidian is vastly different from a mountain, but they are both earth based, as are their essences. and this is how druidic magic is formed.

And please elaborate the "For instance, a small piece of obsidian is vastly different from a mountain, but they are both earth based, as are their essences." sentence. As it is now, it will spread confusion, not clarity.

With training, one could learn to merge one's essence with the essence of something else. If such a merging occurs, the stronger willed of the two objects will be able to manipulate the essence of the other object, thus changing it's make-up. If the spiritual side is changed, it's physical side will be changed as well, and vice versa. If the physical side is changed, it's essence will change to accomodate it. The exception to this are sentient beings. Those essences cannot be manipulated, although they can manipulate non-sentient essences. Sentient essences have the will power to deny the merging of essences, and thus will not be able to be manipulated.

Err... sentient beings can IMHO be manipulated, but that would require forcing it against their will sometimes, which the druids according to you deem a big no-no. Also, would not a sentient beign be able to accept some manipulation, healing for instance?

General: Elaborate. This is currently very short recital of facts. Make it more connected, BETTER PUNCTUATED, and well, richer.

But you are on the right track, Pikel, definately.

Edited by: Silfer Darkflare at: 10/14/05 4:12


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Pikel

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Re: Essences

« Reply #9 on: 14 October 2005, 20:39:00 »

Quote:
Is such a change linear, predictable? How much do we (or/and the druids) know of the predictability of changing the essence? Can the essence be manipulated "by cookbook", or do you need to feel your way around?

That will be explained in the druidic magic entry, not the essence entry.

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Ta`lia of the Seven Jewels

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Re: Essences

« Reply #10 on: 15 October 2005, 00:23:00 »

Didn't have time to comment so far, try to get to it tonight.

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Re: Essences

« Reply #11 on: 15 October 2005, 18:38:00 »

I like the similarity of 'essences' to the car'all system - that is exactly as it should be. There IS only one system of magical energy, whatever the various races and peoples of Caelereth call it; how it is perceived, titled, and manipulated should differ.

So though the flavour of the 'essence' system is/should be unique to the Druids, the way in which it WORKS remains the same as car'all/Ximaxian magic/etc/etc.

Sorta like the laws of physics.

You say the apple falls because of this strange concept called 'gravity' while I say it falls because there's a giant magnet at the centre of the globe and Henry from the village down the road sez 'any livin' thang which as come from thuh earth always wants tuh get back tuh it, doncha know...'


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Re: Essences

« Reply #12 on: 16 October 2005, 12:47:00 »

Now, I cannot agree with you here, dear Bard.

For yes, things in the world are the samen, and will be perceived the same way. However, that does by no account mean they should be explained in likewise fashion.

The point is that although both gravity, or the presence of little invisble gnomes pounding on everything can both explain gravity, both theories have all kinds of other consequences, not directly related with the concept of a gravitational force, that make them different.
Therefore, the eventually elaborated theories would be vary much different.

Moreover, I don't think we can just conclude that all magic in Caelereth should all be explained by the same system. If not the only reason for that would be that we don't even know for certain if the Ximaxian system is the right one. Perhaps it's totally of track in explaining how magic works in reality, who'd now?

I don't think it's wise to equate magic in Caelereth to Terran science, even though there is a tendency to do so. The whole theory of Car'all, elements, Xeuá and ounia, and all other components which I don't know about is of course very interesting, and might very well be able to describe magical phenomena in Caelereth.
But we musn't forget that every other system that could explain these phenomena, even though it's radically different, is valid as well.
Otherwise, it will just be a semantical difference, only the names applied to the same concepts will have changed. And then, there's really no reason left to have any other system than the Ximaxian.

I don't really think we can absolutize/universialize magic, also because it's connected to the cosmological make-up of this world. Because if we do, we'd eventually be forced to standardize one "true" cosmological view, and then the existance of other religions etc. would become a strange thing as well.

KR,
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Silfer Darkflare

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Re: Essences

« Reply #13 on: 16 October 2005, 12:55:00 »

I shall agree with Tio here, as long as it is kept within reason. Within reasons means that we shouldn't frown upon every similarity either.

As I have told Pikel, I am fairly certain I will be able to explain whatever he writes up for the druids in Ximaxian terms. However, guys and gals advocating radically different druidic magic views, please tell Pikel your ideas.