Torus

Torus is a term used in karmastry to describe the golden, ring-shaped object that is used to channel, store and manipulate karma energy. 
==Description==
Toruses come in various sizes and configurations, depending on the specialization of the Escape Artist, or karmastry user. For instance, those who specialize in clockwork karmastry wear single, large toruses on their chests, while those who specialize in creative karmastry might wear multiple smaller toruses as earrings or on their fingers.
A torus serves as a conduit for karma, allowing Escape Artists to siphon it from the environment for use in karmastry. By manipulating the torus, an Escape Artist can control the flow of karma into and out of it. Once inside the torus, the karma is stored like a battery, ready to be used at a moment's notice. Toruses are vital tools for any Escape Artist, enabling them to access the full potential of their abilities.
Without a torus, karmastry is impossible, as it is an essential tool that allows an Escape Artist to channel karma.
Toruses also serve as warning indicators for how close its owner is to triggering Payback via a red glow. The brighter the glow, the closer the Escape Artist is to payback.
==Composition==
The unique properties of titanium gold and red (copper) gold alloys make them ideal for the creation of toruses in the world of Flux Destiny. While these alloys may not be the best conductors of electricity, they have been found to be excellent at storing karma. This is due to the fact that karma has its own distinct properties that make it behave differently than electricity or other forms of energy.
In order to contain karma within a torus, only gold can be used, as it is the only metal capable of effectively storing karma for long periods of time. However, gold is too soft on its own for practical use, so it is often mixed with other metals like titanium, copper, and silver to create stronger alloys for the creation of toruses. These alloys are formed into circular structures, as it has been found that no other shape is capable of attracting and storing karma in the same way.
Despite the advantages of using titanium gold and red gold alloys for the creation of toruses, the cost of gold makes the creation and distribution of large toruses is often limited, making them highly valuable tools for any Escape Artist. 
The circular shape of the torus is also critical, as any dents or damage to the shape can cause problems with karmastry use such as backfires, and a broken torus containing a significant amount of karma can even explode, making their use a dangerous yet vital aspect of the universe.
== The Importance of a Circular Torus in Karmastry ==
In the Flux Destiny universe, the concept of a circular torus is integral to the safe and effective channeling of karmic energy. The circular shape is not arbitrary but is rooted in the Principle of the Rotation of Karma, which asserts that karma is cyclical by nature and flows best in continuous, unbroken paths. This principle is crucial for understanding the functional design of toruses used in karmastry. 
=== Why Only a Circle Works ===
For a torus to hold and channel karmic charge, it must be as close to a perfect circle as possible. Other shapes, such as ovals, crosses, or squares—even rounded squares—will fail to store or transmit karmic energy effectively. Non-circular shapes disrupt the cyclical flow of karma, either weakening the charge or causing dangerous backfire effects. This makes the use of non-circular objects, such as heirloom jewelry, ineffective and potentially hazardous when attempting to perform karmastry.
=== Circular Toruses and the Flow of Karma ===
The continuous, looped shape of a torus allows karma to flow smoothly through the conduit, following a predictable and stable path. This shape aligns with the inherent nature of karma in the Flux Destiny universe, where karma must circulate without interruption to avoid collisions of karmic energy. A circular torus facilitates this flow, minimizing the risk of karmic collisions and maximizing the efficiency of karmic charge storage and control.
=== The Problem with Spheres ===
Interestingly, a sphere—while geometrically continuous—disrupts the cyclical flow of karma and is perhaps the most dangerous shape to attempt the storage of karma. Unlike a torus, which directs karma along a fixed loop, a sphere lacks a clearly defined cyclical path, causing karma to collide with itself inside the shape. This leads to turbulence and chaos within the karmic field, making it impossible to control or channel effectively. The karmic collisions that occur within a sphere introduce instability and significantly increase the risk of a backfire, rendering it unsuitable for karmastry.
==Significance to Escape Artists==
Each torus is unique, reflecting the personality and style of its owner. The torus is more than just a tool for practicing karmastry to Escape Artists—it is a symbol of their identity and a mark of their skill, a significant achievement that is considered a rite of passage for anyone who wishes to pursue a career in karmastry. 
While most prefer to have their own customized torus, the high cost of gold means that new toruses are not always within reach. As a result, toruses are sometimes passed down from generation to generation of Escape Artists, becoming cherished family heirlooms, imbued with sentimental value and memories of past generations of Escape Artists who used them to hone their skills. They can be gifted by mentors and family members, continuing the legacy of karmastry within a family.
Foundries that cater to the creation of unique toruses are common in Fortuna, catering to the individualistic values of Escape Artists.
Commercial foundries create toruses with simple designs and alloys that contain significantly less gold, making them more affordable but less effective at storing and siphoning large amounts of karma for extended periods. 
High-end boutiques merge metallurgical knowledge with artistic flair, creating intricately designed toruses that can store a significant amount of karma, but with a hefty price tag. Despite the cost, egotistical Escape Artists will gladly go into debt to obtain a torus that reflects their journey and tells their unique story.
== Toruses as Indicators of Approaching Payback ==
Toruses not only channel and store karma for karmastry use but also serve as crucial indicators of potential payback. As an Escape Artist approaches the threshold of causing significant payback, their torus begins to emit a soft red glow. This glow intensifies in brightness and depth of color as the risk of triggering payback increases, shifting from a pale, almost pinkish hue to a deep, ominous crimson. This visual cue allows Escape Artists to gauge their proximity to invoking the universe's countermeasures and adjust their actions accordingly.
== Dangers of Toruses ==
While toruses are essential tools for channeling and storing karma, they come with inherent risks that every Escape Artist must be mindful of. The torus functions like a battery, holding a specific amount of karma energy based on its size, composition, and the skill of its user. However, when pushed beyond its limits—whether through physical damage or artificial manipulation—a torus can become highly dangerous. 
=== Structural Integrity and Torus Implosions ===
One of the most well-known dangers of a torus is the risk of a torus implosion when it is dented or misshapen while fully charged. Though karma is a form of energy and not matter, it behaves in a way similar to gravitational forces, always in motion and naturally pooling throughout the universe. The circular shape of a torus is essential for maintaining this smooth, cyclical flow of karmic energy. However, when the torus is damaged, it disrupts this flow, causing the stored karma to spiral inward, much like how matter collapses under the influence of gravity.
This disruption leads to an implosion as the unstable karmic energy collapses toward the center of the torus. The concentrated energy then detonates outward in a violent release, resulting in a destructive explosion. Escape Artists are trained to carefully protect their toruses, especially when fully charged, as even a minor dent or crack can trigger a catastrophic torus implosion.
=== Overloading a Torus ===
While a torus cannot naturally exceed its maximum capacity—it simply cannot store more karma than it is designed to hold—there are dangerous, artificial methods that can push a torus beyond its intended limits. By forcing more karma into the torus than it can safely manage, the user risks creating severe instability within the torus. This process is highly dangerous, as the overloaded karma can strain the torus, leading to cracks, violent energy release, or complete destruction.
The ability to artificially overload a torus requires advanced skill, and even then, it comes with immense risks. It is not commonly practiced, as the consequences of failure—ranging from severe payback to the outright destruction of the torus and everything nearby—are often too great a cost. However, in moments of desperation, an Escape Artist might attempt this, knowing full well the dangers involved.
== The Realistic Costs of Toruses in Flux Destiny ==
Toruses are essential tools for Escape Artists, allowing them to channel, store, and manipulate karmic energy. Crafted by expert torusmiths, toruses vary in size, composition, and price depending on the type of karmastry being practiced. The cost of a torus depends heavily on its size, composition, and the amount of karma it needs to channel. Large toruses, such as the ones worn by Clockwork Karmastry specialists like Hugo Wandschneider, can cost between 30,000 and 50,000 merits—similar to purchasing a high-end vehicle. These large toruses require a substantial amount of gold, and while they often incorporate alloys like titanium gold or red (copper) gold, the gold content remains a critical factor in both price and karmic efficiency.  By contrast, smaller toruses—such as earring toruses like those worn by Marco Mendoza—are significantly cheaper. A pair of earring toruses with a higher gold purity might cost around 5,000 to 10,000 merits. Despite their smaller size, these toruses often feature purer gold ratios to maintain the necessary potency for karmastry, making them more efficient for specific uses but less expensive due to the reduced material volume.
=== Managing Torus Acquisition Costs ===
While toruses are highly valuable, their costs can be managed through various means, especially for private-sector Escape Artists, who make up the majority of those in the profession. 
==== Private-Sector Escape Artists ====
Sponsorships and Fame  For freelance Escape Artists operating in the private sector, acquiring a torus can be a significant financial investment. However, many of these Escape Artists benefit from sponsorships and endorsement deals with major corporations or renowned torus foundries. Famous Escape Artists and Great Escape Artists—who hold celebrity status in Fortuna—often have their toruses fully or partially funded by sponsors eager to associate their brands with these high-profile figures. In some cases, the most prestigious torusmiths compete to outfit these Escape Artists with the latest and most advanced torus designs, using them to showcase their skills and innovations.  For these celebrities, the cost of toruses can be easily offset by the perks of fame. However, lesser-known and up-and-coming Escape Artists often must rely on more traditional means to acquire their toruses, such as loans or sponsorship deals with smaller companies.  
==== Inherited Toruses: Family Heirlooms ====
In many cases, toruses are passed down through families, becoming valuable heirlooms that reflect a legacy of karmastry. Escape Artists who inherit their toruses often have them repaired or updated by skilled torusmiths to maintain their functionality. These inherited toruses, while saving the cost of buying new ones, carry significant sentimental value and are treasured by those fortunate enough to receive them. 
==== Government and Academia ====
Subsidies and Support  Escape Artists employed by the National Karmastry Authority (NKA) or working in universities and academies often receive substantial subsidies or direct funding for their toruses. This allows public-sector and academic Escape Artists to obtain high-quality toruses without the financial burden that many freelancers face. These toruses, often crafted by torusmiths contracted by the government or educational institutions, are designed to balance cost-effectiveness and performance, ensuring that they are both durable and capable of storing significant amounts of karma.
==== Loans and Payment Plans ====
Financial institutions in Fortuna recognize the importance of toruses and offer specialized loans or payment plans to assist freelance Escape Artists in acquiring one. This option allows them to pay for their toruses gradually, similar to how professionals in our world finance equipment or vehicles for their trade. 
==== Second-Hand Markets ====
Escape Artists can also purchase refurbished or second-hand toruses at a reduced price. While these toruses may not have the high efficiency of new models, they provide a viable option for newer artists who need to manage costs while still accessing functional tools.
==Other Uses==
===Electronics===
Karmastry has also revolutionized the world of electronics. Engineers have discovered that tiny toruses can be integrated into electronic circuits to power them using karma energy. These toruses are typically made of titanium-gold or red gold alloys, and are specifically designed to be small enough to fit inside electronic devices. 
When the device is activated, the torus channels karma energy into the circuit, allowing it to function without the need for conventional power sources like batteries or outlets. Karma-powered devices are often more efficient and longer-lasting than traditional electronics, as they can constantly replenish their power supply from the surrounding environment as long as there is plentiful positive karma.
=== Special Agent Tech ===
Advanced technology equipped with toruses and powered by karma is utilized in the specialized equipment of Special Agents. Weapons and gadgets enhanced by karma (known as karma-tech) not only improve functionality but also possess unique capabilities. These devices can disrupt the flow of karma around others, creating environments where opponents temporarily can't use their powers. This technology gives Special Agents a significant advantage in situations where controlling or neutralizing other karmastry users is crucial. 
===Fashion===
In the country of Fortuna, the torus has become more than just a tool or a symbol of identity for Escape Artists. It has also become a fashion accessory, with people incorporating torus designs into their clothing and jewelry. However, these torus-inspired accessories are often just costume jewelry, lacking the ability to channel or store karma energy.
Despite this, famous Escape Artists often inspire fashion designers with their torus designs, leading to unique and cutting-edge fashion creations. The torus has become a cultural icon in Fortuna, representing not just the power of karmastry but also the artistic and creative expression of the Escape Artists who wear them.
==Non-Canon Rings of Fortuna==
In the non-canon Flux Destiny: Fortuna's Rings continuity, a Ring of Fortuna is a specially-made torus capable of extreme feats of karmastry. These are typically reserved for government officials.
Category:Karmastry
==Trivia==
* While a torus can theoretically be used by multiple Escape Artists, this is largely considered extremely risky, as toruses are generally configured for a single Artist, and sharing it means the torus has to deal with multiple wills. This technique is not impossible, but it IS extremely risky.
* The inspiration for the torus design in Flux Destiny came from a documentary creator Chris Moujaes watched about parachuters. He was struck by the large rings on the parachuters' harnesses, which held the gear together, and this visual concept inspired him to integrate toruses into both the costume designs and the karmastry magic system itself.