Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd
Subject: Re: Invisibility/Magic and physics
From: jsbrown@acs.harding.edu
Date: 12 Dec 92 15:28:03 -0500
Reply-To: jsbrown@acs.harding.edu
Organization: Harding University

In article <1992Dec9.160508.15119@email.tuwien.ac.at>, alex@mips.complang.tuwien.ac.at (Alexander Forst) writes:
>A few years ago I started a campaign with a group of students (physics,
>astronomy, mathematics). They were very interested in the way how magic
>"really" works. So we tried to explain certain spell effects with the help
>of quantum mechanics and so on.
>
>The way magic works (at least in my campaign):
>
>As you all know, :), there is the positive and negative material plane.
>Of course there is an energy flow between them. When a magic-user casts
>a spell he is channeling and transforming this energy flow. The actual
>casting of the spell triggers a certain amount of this energy which can
>then be used for the effect. If you use a material component, then you
>are adding more energy to the spell.
>Because there is so much energy there (remember E = mc^2) nearly every
>spell effect is possible.

Who cares the way magic works at all?  Isn't that why they call it MAGIC?

BTW this is all there is to read.

Jason
>
>*** please note:
>	Priest spells do *not* work that way!!!
>	They depend on the existence of gods who actually perform the
>	spell, i.e., from 1st to 3rd spellevel the minions of the gods
>	do it, 4th and 5th level lesser gods who work for the actual
>	god, and 6th and 7th level spells the actual god personally creates
>	the spell effect.
>
>*** another note:
>	The magic-user spell "wish" is very, very special!!!
>	You need some "meta-energy" to do the spell effect.
>	Imagine what "I wish for more wishes" and "I wish that my wish
>	is not granted" would do without a meta-energy.
>	(see: Goedel, Escher, Bach; D. Hofstadter)
>
>*** 2nd note on priest spells:
>	I do *not* like the idea of priest spells being transformed to
>	magic-user spells, like "know alignment"
>	This spoils (in my opinion) the playability of priests. Remember
>	priest act as the link between mankind and gods! Not every little
>	mage should gain access to the same spells.
>
>
>Okay, now for a few spells:
>
>Light	
>	This is an easy one. The mage uses the energy flow to make the atoms
>	at a given location emit photons. Note that this location could be
>	an actual object or the light just comes from the air.
>	=> you can't create light in vacuum, cause you need atoms to do it.
>
>Continual light
>	The 2nd level spell is mightier (our mage can control the energy
>	better) and we have enough energy for photons left (E=mc^2).
>
>Invisibility
>	When you use this spell, photons are not absorbed nor reflected by your
>	body. They are going right thru all material. So it is *not* possible
>	for you to see yourself.
>	Important!!! Only visible wavelengths are affected. You don't want
>	this spell to be a protection from heat or cold, i.e., the infrared
>	spectrum. Second, this means that if you use real infravision, you
>	could actually see an invisible person in total darkness. (You see,
>	it's very tricky)
>
>Fireball
>Lightning Bolt
>	trivial, just take energy, and booom.
>
>Levitation
>Fly
>Jump
>Push
>	Atoms and molecules are pushing you forward.
>
>Darkness
>	This is a tricky one. Say, darkness does not allow photons to be
>	emitted. Remember the wavelengths of the electromagnetic waves.
>	If you prohibit *any* radiation, then also heat (from a fire) and
>	ultraviolet light is blocked (never get sunburns).
>	Infravision again: you don't want someone with IV see in magical
>	darkness -> no infrared spectrum.
>
>My group of characters started to burn a small hut and the Priestress of
>Darkness casted a globe of darkness right in the middle of the hut. It *is*
>then possible to enter the hut stay uninjured!!
>
>You see it is not that easy because you must be very specific about how and
>why a spell is working this and that way.
>
>On the other hand it is a great advantage because now you can use spells in
>very, very different ways and you know *why* they work that way.
>
>I would like your opinion on that, hope you like it.
>My group was enthusiastic (ya know, physicians)
>
>P.S.: If you don't know how to explain a given spells, well, it's magic! 
>
>
>-- 
>Alexander Forst    			     alex@mips.complang.tuwien.ac.at
>   "Dad! You shot the Flanders-Zombie!"		       Fax:  *43 1 505 78 38
>           "He was a Zombie?"
>                             Bart & Homer Simpson
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