Promise Fair - Magical Attraction - RPLOG
Participants
Date
11/5/480
Log
It's early in the afternoon, and the lecture room is slowly filling up with beings of all walks of life. Some Strongheart and Underhill on the front row, with several craftsbeings and students on the next two or three rows. There also appear to be some beings whom are mostly just wandering around, completely in awe at the scale of the building. Regardless, all beings are slowly meandering into their seat, while a older, pure-white furred mink seated on the chair furthest from the entrance.
And of course, there's Flora, standing by the seat closest to the entrance, a smile on her lips as she gestures for people to pick a seat.
The proprietor of Silver Lining Shipwrights is here, which would seem odd for those who don't know her. She likes learning about magic, and having an opportunity to improve her craft is always welcome. She takes a seat as close to the front as she can, mostly in case she needs to ask questions.
Fenris is present for the lecture. This is not strange. What IS a bit unusual, is that he is here as himself, rather than any official capacity in one of his varied disguises or aliases. The big tiger is in his Creator inspired armored jumpsuit and apparently attached to the Underhill party. An ear flicks and his tail sways lazily as he watches beings come and go from the lecture hall.
Doffing his hat once he'd entered into the lecture assembly, the elderly rodent adjsuts his spectacles and moves with care adn a cane to a closer sitting spot. The Blackback knight settles down, placing his hat across his lap while his old bones settle into place, craning just a bit to better hear when it starts in earnest.
As the various beings entering the room make their way to the seats, eventually, the flow of beings dies down, and the doors are slowly closed behind them. Soon enough, Flora moves to the small lectern at the front of the hall, smiling out to the gathered crowd. "Flora is not much for speeches, so Flora'll keep it short. As part of the fair, Mister Lightfur, who has a stand on the floor for the coming week and a half, has elected to give a small lecture about his work on earth magic and its applications in categorizing minerals and metals, yes. Please, do give him a warm welcome," she offers, as she steps aside, allowing the white-furred mink to take center-stage.
Lightfur waits a moment for things to calm down, before offering a nod and a small thank-you to Flora.
"Lets start things off by saying I expect you all to challenge me and to ask me questions. These are complicated equations I've been working on, and if anything is interesting or unclear, just raise your hand," the older mink offers with a smile. "Today, I'm considering you all my students. Don't forget to hand in your homework next week," he offers with a big grin.
Cirra nods, scribbling on her slate, since she doesn't know if Lightfur has the ability to understand sign. so once she sees a break, she holds up her slate, which now reads: [How is earth magic different from others, since no developed elemental?]
Fenris joins in with the polite applause and settles in for the lecture. If his experience with Cliffside professors held true, this was going to be a long afternoon. His eyes are drawn to Cirra and her slate. "That was fast," he murmers to Dmitri Underhill, seated beside him, "I sort of expected a lecture before questions."
Mordecai nudges his spectacles up higher on the bridge of his nose and listens keenly, ears flitting to try and listen better to the questions that pop up at first. An interactive lecture would be an interesting first for him.
"Ah! Hold on, miss. Can't quite read that from over here. Anyone else here have some troubple speaking?" Lightfur offers with a small smile, as one being in the back of the room meekly raises their hand. Soon enough, Lightfur procures two wooden slates, runes on the backside, and a set of chalks, handing off to the LongTech employee by the door, delivered to the mouse in the back.
The other, he hands off to Cirra himself, with a small smile. "A small touch of earth-magic. Saves me from having to use my legs to move around the entire lecture-hall whenever someone has a question," he offers. Same with the speech-stick," he adds, gesturing to the small, air-enchanted stick in his hand, amplifying his voice.
"Now, the miss asks if there's anything fundamentally different about earth-magic, versus the other elemental magics. I could go into -excessive- details here, but I think it's best I stick to the basics here, although if you want a more detailed answer later, seek me out after the lecture, alright?" he offers after a short moment, before drawing a few simple spells on the paper along the wall. "Fire, water, and air-magic are all about change. About things constantly in motion. Earth magic is largely static. Which might very well contribute to, as you concluded, the lack of an proper, easy-to-conjure earth-elemental. Although there are a few beings who've managed to make quite a bit of decent progress in that field, too. Of course, there are significant differences between the other three elements, too, and Dark magic is a whole other subject. Does that satisfy your curiousity, for now? Any other questions, anyone?"
Cirra blinks, studying the enchantment. She's going to want to replicate that later, since that would be useful for her communicating with her staff while she's in the forge. She writes her question again, though differently: [Why no earth elementals yet? Wisps exist, but not elementals?]
While the answer to Cirra's question does not much matter to Fenris, the writing slates are interesting. "That is a good trick," he says quietly, sitting up a little straighter. He frowns a little toward Cirra. The tiger had hoped to hear what Lightfur came to share, rather than sitting in on a question and answer session about elementals.
Lifting a hand with one gnarled finger poised, Mordecai asks in a reedy, but audible tenor, "Does this mean that an elemental, theoretically, comprised with Earth magic would take far longer to create, but its effective existence would last longer at the same time?"
"Ah! On the elementals, specifically. Like I said, earth magic is, largely, the magic of statics. As such, an earth elemental is something of an oxymoron. You are wanting to create something that is mobile from something that is, largely, inherrently static. It's not impossible, of course. Take ice, for example. It is something static made from something mobile. Or, alteratively, water is something mobile made from static ice. But it does mean the difficulty in finding the right equations is harder," Lightfur offers with a smile, as he offers a gesture towards the paper once again. "Not quite. It simply means that finding the right set of equations towards making a proper, functioning earth elemental is a more difficult process. Once someone publishes a breakthrough, however, it shouldn't be much harder to conjure one than it is to conjure a fire-elemental. Assuming, of course, you have the required affinity for earth-magic."
"Now... How many of you are familiar with three-dimensional magic? Show of hands will do fine. And how many of you have even the faintest how it works?"
To the first question, Cirra raises her hand, but to the second, she half-heartedly lowers her hand. She's seen a couple of her fellow mages using it. But she doesn't know it herself, mostly since she can't yet pony up the entry fee. Not to mention she enjoys being an elementalist. She nods a bit at the talk of statics, wondering if she might be able to talk over the discussion of elementals with the speaker without interrupting his talk.
Technically, that was two questions, but Fenris raises his hand anyway. He was certainly familiar with three dimensional magic, and could use it like a pro! But honestly, it was more of an instinctual thing than a carefully learned and well understood set of principals for the uniformed tiger.
The elder rat gives a show of his hand amongst those doing so, , and he lightly shifts his posture in his seat. The lecture was going to take a good, interesting avenue if that was the lead-in, and Mordecai was earger to ehar.
A smile, a nod. "Very good. At least a couple. Not to worry, though. We won't go too in-depth. But the important thing is that where normal two-dimensional magic hits a limit, three-dimensional magic can be used to surpass it. Cleaving a crystal along a fault is easy. Cleaving it anywhere else is far harder. But when you use the right three-dimensional spell, the process becomes simpler. It CAN be done with two-dimensional magic, but by adding the third dimension, the process becomes smoother and more accurate. In other cases, it might add more potency to an effect."
"And in other cases, when two-dimensional magic hits a hard limit, adding the third dimension may break through it."
"Any questions about this? If not... How many of you've ever held a piece of iron ore, and marveled at the little bits of iron and other metals that seem to want to stick to it?"
Again, some hands in the crowd raise, in particular the Underhill and Strongeart, although the former find it an almost silly question. Hasn't everyone?
Cirra once heard Creators mention such things in passing. Mag Nets? But they weren't netlike, that's for sure. [What, in particular, does 3D magic do for Earth?] She's wanted to study it a long time, but learning it would take time.
Fenris raises an eyebrow at the question. "Is he talking about lodestone?" he asks Dmitri, "I mean, I have seen it." He half raises his hand, not sure if the question is about seeing natural earth magic in action or about a love affair with iron ore.
Mordecai nods thoughtfully at the direction the questioning is going to, recalling having handled some dust of the material in the past and how interesting the grains had behaved.
"Ah. Three-dimensional earth magic isn't that different from other branches of three-dimensional magic. In short, it amplilfies or alters the way basic two-dimensional spells work, and certain spells that only work in three dimensions have more potent effects than their closest two-dimensional analogue. If you want to know the full details, though... I do believe the creator of three-dimensional magic, miss Hearthkeep has a stand on the fair, and teaches at your very own academy. She can probably explain things in -far- greater detail than I can during this short lecture," the mink offers with a smile on his lips, as he gestures for a Longtech employee, procuring a sizable chunk of, indeed, lodestone.
"This piece of iron, Lodestone, to be specific, is 'magnetic'. It attracts iron, as the misters Underhill can probably tell you. Now, through careful construction," the mink offers, as he starts sketching out a complicated kevinscope in the air, invisible to all but him... "We've managed to replicate this effect. It is a delicate spell, but it most definitely works," he offers, his hands continuing to move, tracing out the math... And then, the lodestone slowly starts sliding along the table, at least for a little bit. It's definitly a visible motion.
Cirra nods, simply watching for now. The magnetic effect is quite interesting to her, though she's more curious about the applications and implications of this development.
Fenris's eyes go a little unfocused as he takes in the mink's careful hand motions, committing them to memory, before observing its effects on the jittering lodestone. "Well," he says under his breath, "That is another good trick." The tiger ponders on the intricacies of the kevinscope he just witnessed, trying to feel out the nuances in his head, for future imitation and experimentation.
Squinting and leaning forwards to try and get a better look at the demonstration, Mordecai's chair creaks a bit, or are those his bones? In either case, his interest is peaking.
"This has led to some interesting observations, as well. Althoug the effect is certainly strongest in iron, other metals react just as well. And, more interestingly... Some of them react quite differently," Lightfur offers, as he offers a small smile. "I'd show you this effect, but I'm afraid it's quite a weak effect, and not something I can show here on the table. Which is, of course, why there'll be a demonstration outside, in about half an hour. That said, I think it's time for another round of questions. Anyone? Anyone at all?"
At the moment, Cirra is satisfied with the demonstration, though she still wants to dicuss much about the elementals. She just simply sits and listens, curious.
Fenris had thought to ask about the effect of this particular bit of math on other metals, but the mink had answered that question already. While the tiger appreciates theory and discussion, a practical demonstration is much more his speed, and he is more than ready to stretch his legs.
And here Mordecai thoguht his interest had peaked, but now it grows to new heights! Piqued to a new peak, one might say. He strokes his chin thoughtfully, and he murmurs to himself, "This... will be itneresting."
A small shake of the head, a soft sigh. "No questions, really? You are worse than my students. At least they ask something inane before the break," he offers with a small chuckle. "Ah! Miss mouse. Very good, he offers, as he looks over the slate on his lectern. Miss mouse is asking about the implications for this development for the common being. I admit, they'll likely be slim, at first. These spells are complicated, and the kevinscope I drew in the air is only half the picture. Without the rest, you won't get far. More importantly in the long run, will be people such as the misters Underhill or Lord Strongheart. These methods may provide valuable tools for categorizing ores, meaning quality metal is easier to identify. Which of course, leads to improvements in tools and other such things that might very well be of interest to the common being. Anything else? If not, shall we head outside? I assume the Lady's people have taken the time to set up the demonstration already."
Fenris finally raises a hand. "What about swift and powerful application?" the tiger asks, "How strong a pull can you generate? I notice that your demonstration here produced only a small attraction, could this be applied for moving cargo? Or other, less strictured applications?"
It took a moment's thought before a query did pop up for the old rat. Lifting his hand, Mordecai asks, "Can this property, this 'magnetism' be imparted onto items that don't normally have the capacity for it? Other minerals or organic products, like quartz, fused sillicates like sand or perhaps even items such as fur or leather?"
"Afraid not. Much like two-dimensional magic has a limit, so does three-dimensional magic. And this is about the highest we've managed to squeeze out of the spell, so far. It is a very specific spell, with a very specific set of applications available. Though, of course, we are exploring new ways of formulating the spells to greater effect."
"As for imbuing other materials, unless you find a way to inscribe three-dimensional spells AND find a version of this spell that works passively, I'm afraid not. Though I think I'd do best to remind everyone that this is research that I've completed only in the past few months. Perhaps we'll make new in-roads. Perhaps we won't."
Fenris looks thoughtful at Lightfur's explanation, and rises to join the Underhill contingent as they leave to see this practical demonstration. "Too bad, really," he says, "I can see the ability to push and pull a chunk of Iron around being useful."
There's a nod of the old rat's head as he contemplates the possiblilities. This will definitely warrent some research and experimentation to see what avenues could be possible with this.
Soon enough, the whole group is being led outside, where a large basin of water has been set up, with various floating planks of wood set up in partially separated rows, each holding a chunk of a different metal, in a roughly pure form.
"Please, gather around. I will show this a couple of times, draining as it is, so if you can't see it the first time, don't worry too much. Do give everyone a chance to view, though," the mink offers, as he points at the various planks. "This is a rough estimate of the quality of each metal, but combined with other methods, it might give some indication of what metal someone is dealing with," he offers with a smile.
Once again, he starts drawing kevinscopes in the air, with a slightly different shape, a slightly different motion.... And then, the planks all start moving, slowly, at different rates. And more importantly, one of them is moving in the 'wrong' direction'...
Fenris folds his arms and watches with interest, doing his best to take note of the effect of the Kevinscope on the various metals. It is becoming apperent that simple imitation is not going to teach this particular bit of mathemagic, but he takes note as best he can. "So, what exactly are you creating with this mathemagic?" he asks, "Why do all of these ores react so differently?
Cirra watches with fascination, taking her normal slate out and writing on it: [Why is that one moving the wrong way?] She tilts her head, curious.
Pursing his lips and squitning in concentration to watch what's going on with the equations and the with the machinations that the mathemagic manifests upon the metal, Mordecai is intensely drawn into the demonstration.
"Astute question. Why, indeed, is it going the wrong way? It is a much weaker effect, but this metal appears to be repelled by the spell, rather than attracted by it. If I knew why, I'd love to tell you, but our best guess, right now, is that its magnetism is different somehow. Because the strange thing is, while a lodestone may repel another lodestone when angled the right way, it wil always attract iron. The same holds for the spell. Instead, this little piece of metal here is always repelled, but only very weakly."
"We are creating a magical lodestone, if you will. The whole process is -quite- complicated, but we've figured out some of the key elements in making a small patch of air carry the same 'magnetism' as a lodestone would. Unfortunately, the effect scales rather poorly, which is why we can only show you this," he offers as he gestures at the metals, slowly coming to a halt, "by using the water, which means the metals don't have to be pushed quite as hard to move. With air-magic, we could perhaps set up an even more visually satisfying experiment, but as a simple demonstration, this does quite well, no?"
cirra doesn't have a question, but comments with her slate: [The water does a good job of showing the effects, in any case.] She smiles a bit.
Fenris doesn't really have anything to say, but the demonstration is interesting. Even if he does not really see the practical application. It is probably something that Flora would like better than he does.
"I wager that, in time, the process will get more and more refined with different dedicated aids. So much progress in so little time, though, to create this though! It's quite impressive, "murmurs Mordecai in his reedy but audible voice.
"Of course, of course. The magical arts are ever evolving, ever changing. Now, while we reset, perhaps the next group might want to come and see?" Lightfur offers, a small smile on his lips. "Unless there are further questions, of course?" he offers with a smile, as some of the beings wander off to the side, while others do offer one or two minor, inconsequential questions...
Fenris does not have any questions. Not for Lightfur, at least. Mostly he is itching to go do a little experimentation of his own. He gives the appropriate goodbyes to his Underhill friends and waves a lazy salute to Flora.
Dawing nearer once all has been displayed and final questions are asked for, Mordecai comes in and asks, "Do you think these magics will have any effect on the development of the soul pendants? Perhaps bring light to another class of soul yet undiscovered?"
"As of right now, technically, anything is possible. Though I don't expect much in the way of new souls or pendants from this. Pendants are the purview of the spellcrafters and the enchanters, not the theoretical and practical mages. And they've precious little to do with earth-magic to begin with. As for souls. They are a field of study even further distanced from my own, I'm afraid. Valuable work, of course, but hardly related to my own," he offers with a small shake of the head.
With a courtly incline of his head, Mordecai demures, "Thank you so much for the demonstration," before he genteely departs with slow pace and avid cane.
Slowly but surely, the next group comes in, with their own question, and their own amazement at the little demonstration. Meanwhile, Fenris, Mordecai, Cirra, and the other beings are free to wander the fair and see all the various beings presenting their discoveries and inventions. And of course, sample the different foods from 'round Promise...
