House Rules for Physics of Essence Magic

by David Bate

Date: Mon, 27 May 1996 12:43:41 -0400 From: "Nicholas H.M. Caldwell" Reply-To: rolemaster@tower.clark.net To: Multiple recipients of list Subject: David Bate sends "Physics of Essence Magic"

David Bate (who is currently only able to receive but not send posts to the mailing list) has asked me to forward the following document.

The Physics of Essence Magic

Introduction

Over the last few weeks the discussions on Illusions and other issues has raised the question: How does magic work ? Since Shadow World actual exists in our universe as well as the threshold of another thus allowing magic to work, the standard laws of physics should, to a certain extent, apply. Below is a series of ideas and thoughts on this which I hope people find useful. It is the intention that these notes might be able to answer questions about whether a specific effect is possible.

I have chosen to start with Essence since its effects are most noticeable.

Basic assumptions:

I will assume that all matter is made up of fundamental particles (inc. Quarks, leptons etc.) which are bound together into larger groupings by forces (strong, weak, electromagnetic and gravitic) which are in turn mediated by particles (i.e. Gluons, gravitons, photons). All of these particles are assumed to obey the laws of quantum mechanics as in our world. As such both a particle and a wave description can be given of their existence. These particles have a list of properties which can be used to describe them. Some examples are momentum, spin, magnetic moment, angular momentum, mass.

Essence magic

In what follows I will assume that the effects of essence magic are to alter the properties of some or all of the particles in a region. This naturally requires energy which is provided by the caster from power points. The next step is to estimate the inherent energy in a PP. A simple estimate can be gained from the shock bolt spell. This has an effect similar to a Taser gun which I think has a voltage of 10 kV and a small current (about 1 mA) [please correct if you have more recent information]. This gives and energy of about 10 J since a shock bolt uses 2 PPs each PP has 5 J of energy. More energetic effects can be achieved by the Quantum tunnelling effect where an additional 5 J will increase the probability of an event by a large amount (but not to a certainty hence the spell failure range). To return to the shock bolt example above, this works by stripping the electrons from atoms to cause ions and then creating a return path to earth. The effect is that a stream of current travels to the target from the caster. Clearly the more PPs invested the larger the damage and the damage will drop with range as the ionisation will tend to spread out and reach background at some point.

Illusions

In the rolemaster system I would describe illusions as being the creation of a sensory image which will fool a particular sense but which can be detected by any other sense. Lets consider the senses

Sight.

There are two ways a Light illusion could be created.

1) The magical energy could directly interact with the photons and change their paths and wavelengths so that they appear to come from the sources appropriate for the illusion

2) The energy could alter the refractive index of the matter in the area so that the light will appear as the desired illusion. Either way the illusion cannot be detected by sight but will be detectable to feel, taste etc.

Sound

This is perhaps the easiest illusion to create. Since sound exists as longitudinal pressure waves it is fairly easy to see how the injection of energy could set up waves with the correct apparent source for the illusion. It is interesting to note that this illusion can be performed non-magically by 'throwing your voice' where the sounds appear to come from another source.

The remaining three senses are much harder.

Taste/Smell

In order to fool these senses it would be necessary to use magical force to stimulate the correct patterns of sensors in the nose/mouth. This can clearly be done in one of two ways.

1) Use magic to directly stimulate the sensors.

2) Use magic to create analogues of the triggers for the relevant sense.

This involves the moving and joining of atoms for a short period after which they dissipate. This can be explained using the fluctuations in a vacuum model. From Heisenbergs uncertainty principle there are conjugate pairs of properties of which the product of their uncertainties is always greater than a given figure. One such pair is energy and time. Thus you can have much more energy than is supposed to be available for very (very very) short times. This excess energy can lead to the spontaneous creation of particles (and their destruction). So if the magical energy can make this more likely and influence the particles produced. It is possible

Feel.

This is the sense which has aroused the most controversy. However using the above argument it could be said that the magical energy is causing a region of atoms to join into a structure that has the tactile properties of the illusory material without having any of its other physical properties. The duration and stability of this change is very limited so that a single blow will destroy the structure unless it has been enhanced with additional power (more feel mirages). There is clearly an inherent limit to the damage such an illusion could do as it only has the energy calculate earlier. If the feel mirage is 5th lvl (don't have my books handy) then it would have an energy of 25 J. This is applied in a time of order 1-10 secs (less than one round) if we assume 5 secs then the power is 5 W. To convert this to a physical attack 1 W would be 1Kg moved 1m in 1s. In Britain where bags of sugar are 2 Kg the power in a feel mirage is equivalent to someone dropping a bag of sugar from 2.5 metres, enough to stun you but unlikely to be fatal.

How is the magical energy produced.

The main question is how is the magical energy produced and how does it affect matter. I would propose that there are particles which leak into our universe from the other universe which have an additional property (or quantum number) related to that aspect of them which is magical. These particles interact with the normal particles by normal means (i.e. collision, electrical repulsion magnetism) but under the right circumstances the additional effects are observed. The best candidate for this in my view is the combination of two such particles to form a di-particle which has a net 0 for this new quantum number and is hence the same as the 'normal' matter in the world. This accretion is accompanied by a release of energy (5 J) and possibly some other particle or radiation which can be controlled by a sentient being.

This is the most difficult aspect of the problem, Control. My suggestion is that the processes are affected by the Electromagnetic waves generated in the brain, so that a well trained user can direct the magical energy but the layman just has an aura of energy which can be detected.

A well trained user has an affinity and can draw on the magic particles from a wider area to perform his magic and so has access to more powerful spells. However the presence of any electromagnetic shielding such as a metallic armour or just an insulated gap will reduce the level of control which the caster can exert on the magic.

[ Note: This work is not meant to be taken seriously. Also anyone who likes their physics accurate should be warned I have been playing fast and loose with some well known laws. ]

Hope people find this interesting

David Bate contact: Bate@leo-em.co.uk


Back to the House of Rules.