Introduction to Reality Theory: First Exposures

 

                Reality is a rarely explained phenomenon that considered to be a "given". Yet, we do not quantify the alteration of it similar to how we may quantify a change in the passing of time. From the teachings of Paradigmatics we find that reality itself is a changing state, one that can be altered or reversed alongside its twin, time. This small essay is an introduction to the resulting Reality Theory that was brought about by those studying Paradigmatics, and its derivative effects. The goal of this essay is to give a glimpse of the study with regards to practice and analysis.

                Within the study of paradigmatics a practitioner is given the view that reality is a fleeting thing, not a constant quantity. The generally accepted standard is that reality is its own constant, with all things residing inside of it. The alternative is that there are multiple states of reality, reality of the world, reality of the self, and reality of the unknown. Of the three, reality of the unknown is most fluid, as it stands for any reality involving another person or thing with the capacity to change it. An example of this is necromancer’s crucifix, which manifests from the ground beneath us at command. Up until the power is used, that cross was not there. All three realities agree that there is no cross up till the moment the necromancer wills their reality to include the cross. At this point of conflict, the cross is only within the necromancer’s bubble of reality, it is through the use of power that they are able to push the cross into the worlds, and with it, the targets.

                The founding principle of the theory is that each person maintains their own localized reality, which is most primarily effected by the worlds as a whole. Any changes we wish to see begin with us, and all changes must be pressed into the worlds. This concept seems to lack rooting in our observations, but the idea that something comes from nowhere does not make sense. It makes more sense to view the cross as having been there for the necromancer, than to assume it just wills into existence. These clashes in expectation are resolved with the reality of the whole taking precedent. The exception to this is, and always will be, the expenditure of power to utilize a feat.  Drawing upon aether to teleport to web someone is a utilization of existing resources, and it should be understood that all of this already existed in the larger state of things. Most abilities rely on the moving of energy, the focus of will, or the movement of the body. Those that break this mold, or those that create something else take resources.

                There is no limit to the number of examples one may find, although often it can take a middle ground to resolve. The Celestian ability to absolve someone relies on their mind being weak, a state they can create in all involved states of reality. The act of taking a life is a major shift in where things are, and therefore costs power to force the three to agree the person is dead. This can be taken a step further by finding that the vast majority of sudden onset demise can be linked to the use of power. What about when there is no alteration of reality, as Is the case in decapitation? The power used is to alter and impose a new reality, that you can swing a weapon hard enough to remove a head in one assault. There is then a delay as you have not used enough power to make it happen immediately, but this process can be interrupted. Some might ask where it went then, and the simple answer is you used power to get stronger, and this event occurred. The fact your target lived was not tied to that.

                To further expand on connected events, we will show other examples that are not as extreme. The highmagic skill Geburah causes your damage to rise, regardless of what the source is. This is a minor alteration, but a fairly long lasting one, as it will continue for a full die. Serpent, on the other side of the coin, lasts but a few moments.  This is because you did not just will a shield into being, you attempted to make one that assigns a new reality, that you cannot be assaulted by physical force. Those under a serpent will find that the shield falls when attacking, as it is hard to maintain concentration, but the remaining power has not work off, and the shield will attempt to rise once more. Examining any skill, we can find a balance of power, time, and effect, though sometimes you may be able to find an exception, a skill reality itself seems to have altered state for ahead of time. We refer to such skills as “broken”, because they break the standard reality has set, and it is our job to fix these mistaken weavings in the Tapestry of Fate.

                The goal of this piece was to present a brief but thought provoking area of research and study, known as Reality Theory. While this study began as an aspect of the field of paradigmatics, many changes that tie it to other areas have also been found. The research has a way to go, concerning itself with how reality and time interact, whether they are different, or whether the alteration of the future, can change the reality of the present. Significant mental resources are being devoted to this growing branch of science, and there is a great deal to look toward in the future.  This author welcomes questions and comments in regard to our rather newly born field.

 

Thank you,

 

 

Kalas Malarious