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)
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