Neifleheim Aerie
Before the Fall
Now
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Levels of indirection and circle theory
A Treatise Summary by Savin Thonat
A magic circle is
designed to block a creature of a certain energetic parameterization from
crossing it's boundaries. Indeed, a creature of the correct parameterization
cannot act upon the circle directly or take a direct action across its
boundaries. So what constitutes direct action?
Let us consider the different levels of magic circle and see how the answer to this question changes.
Level 1* and level 2 circles are rudimentary circles. They do not actually block a creature at all. While they cannot act across the barrier, they can simply walk across the edge (though the resulting energy discharge would kill some, lesser, creatures) as a result, these circles actually have an indirection factor of 0
Beyond level 2, circles have ever increasing indirection factors. So what affects whether or not a creature can breach a circle? Let us examine some of the factors:
Let us consider the different levels of magic circle and see how the answer to this question changes.
Level 1* and level 2 circles are rudimentary circles. They do not actually block a creature at all. While they cannot act across the barrier, they can simply walk across the edge (though the resulting energy discharge would kill some, lesser, creatures) as a result, these circles actually have an indirection factor of 0
Beyond level 2, circles have ever increasing indirection factors. So what affects whether or not a creature can breach a circle? Let us examine some of the factors:
- Direct
interaction with the circle versus action upon the circle. If a being
tries to simply pass through a circle, then the power of their aura is the
only relevant factor. If, on the other hand, they are attempting to act
upon the circle in some way the factors are more complicated.
- Directness
of action. Simply attempting to brush out a circle with a stick as opposed
to using one’s finger does add some indirection; but it is nearly an infinitesimal
amount. On the other hand, actions that involve more natural forces
(pouring water near a circle for example) have significantly more
indirection.
- Power
of action. A flood is able to act more upon a circle than a bowl of water.
- Number
of steps. Each additional step in the chain also adds indirection.
However, this is a case of diminishing returns. The indirection of each
step is also a factor. Knocking a bowl of water over with a stick adds
virtually no additional indirection. Burning the leg of a table out to
cause a bowl to fall is more significant.
- Additional
intelligences. Having a being of a different parameterization adds a very
large amount of indirection. The level of free will is also significant.
Thus a dominated creature has less indirection than a creature who has
been asked to break the circle.
A note
of mental control: while mental control cannot be exerted across a circle's
boundary, an affected creature can control a being on the same side of the
circle as they are. This controlled being can then be used to disrupt the
circle (assuming of course that the controlled being is not also affected by
the circle). Through testing on Olen (whose parameterization is elemental
unlike my own) I have proven that this works even on circles with a indirection
factor of two. So why is this? Further experimentation is required but there
are two possible explanations.
One possibility is that the nature of the controlled being cannot be overridden by the controller. Thus while water becomes aligned to the parameterization of the being that poured it out, a controlled being retains its original parameterization.
Alternatively, animate beings may be so complicated that they, inherently, introduce many additional levels of indirection. Unfortunately, higher level circles will be required to settle this issue.
Olen remains upset on the subject of my mental control of him. He never was interested in the advancement of magical knowledge.
One possibility is that the nature of the controlled being cannot be overridden by the controller. Thus while water becomes aligned to the parameterization of the being that poured it out, a controlled being retains its original parameterization.
Alternatively, animate beings may be so complicated that they, inherently, introduce many additional levels of indirection. Unfortunately, higher level circles will be required to settle this issue.
Olen remains upset on the subject of my mental control of him. He never was interested in the advancement of magical knowledge.
- Chance.
Additional indirection can be added by adding a random factor into the chain
of events being used to break the circle.
- Intent.
Attempting to interact with a circle reduces indirection when compared to
unintentionally doing so. This also applies to the indirection added by
additional intelligences.
Ultimately, this is a
somewhat academic exercise. Given that I am only now creating the process for
level 10 circles, it is inconceivable that circles beyond level 14 exist. The amount
of indirection required for a level 10 circle is still relatively low.
*Rules: The level of a circle is the arcana roll that created it divided by 5 (rounded up)
*Rules: The level of a circle is the arcana roll that created it divided by 5 (rounded up)
The Worlds We Know
Ancient creation myth says that the gods tricked the primordials to help them create a universe. Then in the batters fought after its creation, the universe fragmented into many world, breaking the gods and primordials up in the process. Kansul and the demons that serve him are the remains of forces created by the Primordials to unmake the worlds. The primordials no longer guide them. Angels and devils were similarly created (but by the gods) to stop the demons. Devils stick to their original mission (though with ruthless means) while angels have left the path to try to protect the beings of individual worlds.
For countless centuries, civilization has been fleeing the march of Kansul. On Haven, an effort was made to suppress this knowledge in the hopes that it would keep the gates upstream closed. This worked for a time. The gate is open again.
2. Furlough. 1 world "down stream" from Haven. Unknown alignment. During the god wars, Furlough was losing due to the division of their pantheon. This disruption allowed draconic energies from further downstream to enter Furlough and create the dragonborn and kobold races.
3. Draconic world. 2 worlds downstream from Haven. Draconic alignment. Nothing else known.
4. Detached world. We encountered the beings from here in Barera. They can, apparently, detach further worlds. Presumably they have done this before and there are other detached worlds. Alignment unknown.
5. Calubrian world. We encountered this snake race near the coast mining residium. They escaped through a portal to another world. Archeological evidence indicates they predate Eladrin, Elven, and Human presence on Haven and that they were contemporary with the goblins. It is unclear if they fled Haven or if they originate elsewhere and have colonized Haven in the past. Alignment unknown (presumably reptilian). My current understanding of planar theory would indicate that they are either nearby on the chain or they are using whatever means the devils are to reach our world.
6. Upstream worlds. Given the Barerans and Olen's own transformation, it seems clear that as Kansu's forces consume a world, it's energies and alignment shift to elemental. As a result, the destruction of Haven's Tercera allowed these energies into Haven and created the Tiefling race. We have seen records that indicate that, in the past, several worlds actively traded with one another at once. Some of the races of these times (such as an insectoid race) have not travelled downstream and have, presumably, been consumed. It is currently unclear as to how much of a worlds original alignment reminds during the consumption process ( or indeed how long it takes, or what happens to the uncollected souls on these planes, or what remains after the consumption completes, or a multitude of other questions).
7. Are their worlds that are naturally detached from the chain? How could one find them?
Elementals
Entering through the loading docks, we encountered (and dispatched) several elementals that were corrupted by shadow.
The Aeries, of course, employed bound elementals to serve as the moving parts of their structure. In this case two doors and a pathway used for cargo transport.
Their corruption points out something that should have been obvious to me before: they are in possession of a soul. Given this, what occurs to their souls after their destruction? Indeed, what of the souls of other living things (animals and such)
The sheer volume of such unaligned souls would seem to necessitate the need for a powerful feral force in a word. Indeed, might this explain the Mother's shifting in this way? On the other hand, perhaps the force of a soul is proportional to the will of the being it came from.
Voss seems bothered by the revelation that beings of forced servitude possess souls. I'm not sure what the basis of his concern is.
Aerie of Winter
We have reached the glacier on which rests the Aerie of Winter.
The Aerie is remarkably intact. This would indicate at least a somewhat controlled landing. Indeed, one of the control stones is still visible and, apparently, active.
A mound of snow and rock leads part of the way up to the Aerie's landing docks. Near the base of this ramp are several graves. I recognize some of the names as members of the Nefleheim household staff. There are also several open grave holes that appear more recently dug
A path leads from the ramp to a nearby ice crevasse.
We have chosen to investigate the Aerie first.
Given the state of the visible control stone, I have hope that I could actually reactivate the power plant and get it off the ground.
Plain of Sighs
The Plain of Sighs is covered with scatterings of standing stones. These stones have an emotional aura of depression and apathy. With regularity, storms of uncollected souls sweep over the plain causing necromantic damage to those caught in them
For the most part, we have been able to use summoned steeds to fly above the storms. Additionally, the standing stones offer protection against the necromantic damage to those standing next to them.
At one point, however, a very large storm had enough height to force us to land. In this case, it appeared that several souls were controlling the swarm as a whole. We were able to defeat these souls and the rest dispersed. During the storm, a large ambush predator (perhaps a shadow altered toad) attacked the party and we were forced to fight a two front battle.
The standing stones appear to be people who died within the aura of another stone. While this is the metaphysical reason for their existence, it is not a fully possible theory. The stones are not clustered. As a result, they would appear to have been moved or earlier stones have been destroyed or weathered away.
To the Plain of Sighs?
I have built a powerful circle of protection against shadow around the Worldtree. The tree seems to understand the protective nature of the circle and has grown its branches to protect the circle from the elements.
As the tree grows, it will push the shadow fell back from around itself.
The shadow fell may have developed around Treacher's Folly due to uncollected evil souls. Treacher's Folly turned to necromancy centuries ago which may have drawn the souls to it until a critical mass was reached. Treacher's Folly was destroyed for this necromantic research.
Oefa believes that she knows there the Aerie of Winter is. On the other side of the Plain of Sighs is a ruin that did not used to be there. The Poxies refer to it as the Sky Ruins and worship it as a holy site.
Unfortunately, the Plain of Sighs seems to be filled with unbound souls. So many that there are actual storms caused by these souls (soul storms)
Oefa will not continue traveling with us but has given us her Map of Unseen Lands to aid us.
More on Oefa and the resistance
Oefa challenged the leadership of the church of the Father before the fall and was imprisoned during the fall. This likely saved her life as many church representatives were targeted during the uprisings.
Oefa spent 50 years studying the fall and wrote her treatise of soul collection. Upon returning to Ascension, the scriveners wiped her memory of this research.
Oefa hates undead and blames the gods for their proliferation on Haven.
Most of the resistance are followers of Urgrit (the goblin mother goddess). Urgrit seems to be a feral reflection of the Mother. Urgrit followers got their powers back much earlier than followers of Ellessial (the more civilization focused face of the Mother). Urgrit followers regained their powers approximately 40 years after the fall while those of Ellessial didn't until 35 years later (25 years ago)
The patriarchs power (the religious leader in Ascension) regained his divine powers approximately 50 years ago, as much as 10 years after Urgrit. Given the originally goblin alignment of Haven, this may have been an indication of the plane returning to a base level alignment without sentient deities to guide it.
Oefa has been fighting the undead, who have become more organized since the Lich Queen's return.
Most of Oefa's allies are Poxies (goblins who have been changed by the shadow energies of the area. They are highly territorial but hate undead. As Urgrit followers, their primary goal seems to be to preserve nature (albeit in its current shadowy form)
Amicus Meiorin
Amicus (an title meaning learned friend) Meiorin is the name of the Lich. He and Voss sparred about fashion and court standing briefly before we entered into combat.
It turns out that Meiorin's heavily decorated skull was, in fact, a separate creature. His actual skull was hidden within his rib cage. This skull regenerated damage dealt to it.
We were able to force both Meiorin and his gaudy skull to surrender.
Meiorin was acting on his own initiative to attempt to gain status in the court of Lord Duskblade, the regent of the newly ascendant Queen Felocial. He was attempting to desecrate the Mother's holy site.
Duskblade has been receiving envoys from various nations (including both Ascension and Barrera). At the moment, the court is circling those two groups and (not unexpectedly) little progress has been add by either side.
We forced Amicus Meiorin to write us a letter of introduction to the court.
I constructed two magic circles to contain Meiorin and his skull ally. Meiorin as a smaller circle within the large circle that holds the skull. The circles are within a cave which should, hopefully protect them both from discovery and from undo weathering.
I am of the opinion that we may need Meiorin as a bargaining chip at a later date. This is why the circles as opposed to simply destroying them.
Additionally, Meiorin is a Lich of some power. As a result, he is able to anchor his own soul outside of his being. This knowledge will be invaluable in the construction of a well to hold unclaimed souls.
Battlefield
We entered an old battlefield (where Treacher's Folly fought goblins)
Here we encountered cinder zombies, wights, and ghouls.
We dispatched all but a few ghouls who retreated. These we tracked to the river where we, finally, encountered the Lich.
Pedrason
Oefa suspects that the necromancer is a Lich that she has encountered before. The Pedrason is an artifact that Oefa unsuccessfully tried to keep out of this lich's hands. The Pedrason allows for a greatly accelerated creation of undead.
Oefa says that the Lich favors a gaudy and heavily decorated skull.
Oefa and Yulia are staying to guard the Wordtree while the rest of us track down the necromancer before he uses the Pedrason to bury us in undead.
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