The Squared Law, The Cubed Law and Trian's flawed idiocy...
The Squared Law of Planar Stacking and thoughts of the Cubed...
It is quite possible that the fall (as it is so colloquially termed by the layman) was triggered by energies released by the activation of the Grotius Cube during the God wars. As is my wont, I will examine my theories on the subject so that future scholars can see the thought process of what (undoubtedly) is a great historical figure in their time.
Let us start that with what we know:
1. The Grotius Cube was activated approximately 500 years ago during the God Wars. It was created by renowned artificer Nisendor Insenthel
2. The Grotius Cube works on the cubic law of Planar binding. This is NOT a law that I am currently familiar with. Indeed, the SQUARED law of planar stacking served as the basis of much metaphysical theory of my time.
3. The Cubic law was apparently forwarded by one Ansanthum Grotius, a theoretician that I am unfamiliar with (despite the fact that he predates me by several centuries).
4. The Astral plane seems to have either been removed or amalgamated with wherever it is that the gods live. This has therefore likely resulted in a large reduction of the total number of planes. Since things powered or using the Squared Law of Planar stacking were highly dependent upon this number, a reduction in the total number of planes would have greatly reduced their power
5. Trian's multi-planar divergent theory appears to be at least partially correct. I was, however, told that there significant issue with the theory. Of course there are! Anyone even glancing at his meta-stasic calculations could see that! Consider the following timeline (based upon our current apparent temporal location) and note the 400 year echo:
a. Roughly 1100 years ago the Squared law of Planar stacking was postulated leading to the creation of extra-dimensional spaces and serving as the power source for the creation of the Aeries.
b. Roughly 700 years ago (400 years later) Mount Pushkin was discovered and the link to Furlough was established. This increased the linked Realm count from one to two.
c. Roughly 500 years ago, during the God Wars, the Grotius Cube was created. This was the first (and as far as I know only) example of an application of the Cubic law of Planar stacking.
d. 97 years ago (roughly 400 years later) a magical realignment occurred. The result of this may have been the connection of a third Realm to Haven. Indeed the energies that created the tiefling may have originated from this realm.
It is now necessary to examine the Squared law of Planar Stacking before trying to recreate the Cubic law. I will also, unfortunately, be forced to examine Trian's multi-planar divergence theory.
The Squared Law of Planar Stacking
The Squared Law of Planar Stacking states that energy resistance caused by the proximity of different planes decreases by the square of their distance.
Of course, in this case distance is an abstract concept and doesn't necessarily refer to physical distance (though in the case of extra-dimensional spaces it can)
The direct consequence of this is that Planes (and extra dimensional spaces) cannot exist within the same Meta-Magical space. The planes themselves exude a repulsive force that keeps them apart. In the case of extra-dimensional spaces, this force is fairly weak on the physical plane and can actually be overcome. The result of two planes co-existing is spectacular, to say the least.
There are (or were) three known exceptions to this law. They are (were) the Prime Material, the Shadow, and the Astral Plane these three Planes exist conterminously (ie their separation is effectively 0). This exception is what allowed the creation of extra dimensional spaces which are, in essence miniature planes created as bubbles within the Astral.
There were a multitude of practical consequences and applications of the Squared Law. I will outline some of the most prominent here:
1. The creation of Extra-Dimensional spaces. I discuss this above. Effectively these spaces are miniature Planes and share most of their characteristics.
2. A great energy source. Two specially created extra dimensional spaces can be kept in close proximity and the resulting repellent energy can be siphoned off and used for other purposes. Indeed, the Aeries use this as their power source. It is difficult to establish these sources and, the spaces will eventually evaporate but this discovery did result in the establishment of a powerful and relatively stable energy source.
3. Higher level magics. The metaplanes are under a constant inward pressure. It is unknown what this pressure represents (though it may be proof of an outer edge of the universe). As a result of this pressure, the outer planes were constantly generating HUGE amounts of energy as the Squared Law pushed them apart. In particular, several groups of planes or Plane Sets generated tremendous energies as dozens or even hundreds of planes resisted being forced together. Higher level magics (both Arcane and Divine) tap into this energy source to supplement the metasphere. Additionally, this is a common source of magic used by magical items.
The current planar landscape seems to have been completely rearranged. For starters, there seem to be VASTLY fewer planes. This, in part, explains my inability to access many of my former spells and the lack of function of many of my arcane implements.
Trian's multi-planar divergence Theory (Such as it is...)
I already have it on good authority that there are flaws in the following but that it is PARTIALLY correct. Thus it is worth at least a partial examination of the theory. I will skip the rambling and often flawed meta-mathmatical proofs and cut to the basis of the theory.
Haven and Furlough each represent separate realms rather than planes. Each appears to encapsulate its own set of planes (though some theorists hold that the Astral Plane is, in fact, common between the two). Up until the fall the two appeared to share the same metaphysical rules and magic worked the same in both.
Common wisdom is that there are exactly two such realms and that (in some way) they balance each other out access was assumed to always have been possible but simply was not discovered until recently. Trian's theory, conversely, postulates that there are an infinite number of realms that do not typically have access to each other. Some event in the past cause Furlough and Haven to come into contact.
Trian's theory is more compelling in a number of ways. In particular, it better explains the limited access points between the two realms as well as the timing of the contact. The specifics are where the flaws begin to creep in.
The Cubic Law of Planar Stacking (and beyond?)
The basic tenant of a cubic law of Planar Stacking would be that energy resistance caused by the proximity of different planes decreases by the CUBE of their distance. This does not match with observed results but could be explained if the additional energy was being dumped into another "place" (excuse the imprecise language).
This does, somewhat follow from the squared law. If one looks at energy output from two proximate planes on ONLY the material plane, energy output only appears to rise in a LINEAR fashion as they approach. The squared growth curve is only observable if one includes the astral and shadow planes (curious how this bears out in the new planar reality – I must get some proper instrumentation!). Thus it is conceivable that even GREATER energy is occurring but on a currently unobserved plane or "place".
It would appear that the Grotius Cube operates (operated?) by harnessing this law. Since it appears functional, the law appears to hold merit.
Here is where we get into dangerous territory. Where was that energy going? What was the consequence of interrupting its flow? Might this energy having been keeping Trian's Realms apart? By tapping into the cubed part of their energies, did the Grotius Cube set into motion the "collision" of a third Realm? And if a third, is there a fourth or more. Perhaps the truth is that the energies of planar stacking are truly INFINITE but they are all that are keeping our Realm separate from INCREASINGLY disparate ones.
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