Resonance
The resonance factor (more simply, resonance) is the as-of-yet unexplained phenomena of rapidly creating and destroying matter or causing high-energy anomalies that can have observable effects on the physical world.
Adarans simply refer to this as magic.
The Science
According to the Law of Conservation of Mass [Antoine Lavoisier, 1785], matter in its most compact form can neither be created nor destroyed. Mass remains constant, even if it changes states or energy is transferred. On that note, the same law applies to energy. The Tellan scientific community is keenly aware, however, that the Breit-Wheeler process proposes pure light can be transformed into matter, but even this process follows Lavoisier's finding: light must exist first. This basic principle regarding matter and energy is astonishingly called into question with the resonance factor, which is a phenomenon unique to Adarus. Any practitioner of resonance can create a genuine sword from seemingly nothing, provided they have the know-how to construct one. Close observation through multiple spectrums has revealed that matter is indeed being created without disrupting existing space-time. To put it simply: where an object is "summoned" into existence using the resonance factor, the pre-existing matter or energy is simultaneously being replaced, not converted. There is no Breit-Wheeler pair production, only a phenomenon that defies the very laws of Tellan reality. Odysseus’ physics peam is very much aware that the Polyphemus gate has brought them into an alternate universe, hardly "parallel" to Earth’s own. Thus, they are willing, if only hesitantly, to concede that Clarke's Third Law (any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic) does not apply in the case of the resonance factor.Laws & Limitations
According to practitioners, there are several limitations to using resonance and the phenomenon may not be as all-powerful as it initially seems. There are laws that govern its use and significant drawbacks on the user that abuses the power. Resonance can alter reality itself in small amounts; sometimes permanently, sometimes temporarily. Projections can have physical drawbacks on the user, whether sapient or animal. It seems that a mental and physical toll must be paid in return for the power to play god.From the Creator, divinity. From divinity, a world of boundless possibility.
Manifestation
From what Odysseus can understand, based off their own observations and the explanations of reliable indigenous, sapient beings (humans, chimeras, and nephilim), as well as certain species of sentient fauna, are able to materialize physical mass or produce energy by thought alone. Animals capable of resonance typically use it according to primitive survival instinct, such as for defense against predatory species or when hunting prey themselves. Only a handful of sentient creatures are known to have resonance capability and their projections are often weak against humans. Legends and folklore, however, may sing a different tune, but Xenobiology has yet to confirm the existence of such lifeforms.
The true miracles of the resonance factor are performed by the nephilim. This ethnic group of astral-human hybrids can cast projections of energy and mass that can have adverse or devastating effects on the physical world around them. One nephilim can generate a storm of arrows and launch them without a bow, or engulf a battlefield in a fiery inferno. These scenarios are not just "what ifs", they are recorded historical events during the military conflicts between Arcanaan and Nasir.
Localization
Irrespective of their origin, resonance practitioners are generally trained by magisters. However, despite the name of the occupation, a magister does not necessarily practice magic. As on Tellus, the rank and form of address is bestowed upon those that teach others and are experts in their field. It is a rank or title primarily reserved for scholars and medical doctors.
Arcanaan Empire
In the Empire, magisters that do teach magic are bestowed the title magista arcanus, where arcanus is the reference to magic. These scholars and masters of resonance have devoted their entire lives to a selection of the magic schools. The more gifted magisters among them may have mastered around four or five schools by retirement. Magisti (plural) arcanus work for the Violet College, which is the only institute of higher education in the Empire that is sanctioned to instruct on magic. Half of the magisters of the college are assigned to various patron houses, and magisti arcanus are no different. In exchange for room and board, they personally instruct the young heirs and heiresses of their benefactors, making them their apprentices. Those that cannot afford a formal education and apprenticeship must learn magic on their own or look beyond imperial borders. Slaves are not allowed to learn magic, and chimeras found to have knowledge or any semblence of magical skill are immediately put to the sword. Nasir Dominion
In the Dominion, which values higher education and provides equal opportunity to learn to all its citizens, magisters of magic are known as maolim sahir, where sahir translates as magic and maolim (singular and plural) means teacher. All colleges in Nasir fall under the management and organization of the Library of Sena. Each subject, including each school of magic, has an entire "college" devoted to it. Sometimes these individual colleges can be quite small, numbering only a few dozen students and a few magisters. As there are no traditional classes, students of a college may come and go as they please, studying as time permits. An open forum style of education through lecture and demonstration allows for students and magisters alike to be members of multiple colleges. Aside from a tuition (which varies by college), students are expected to archive their research and findings with the Library upon graduation, thereby contributing to all of Nasir. In keeping with their ideal to provide all citizens with an equal opportunity to learn, the Dominion does not restrict Library applicants by race or status. Chimeras and indentured servants are free to apply to the colleges and may learn magic freely. However, the pervasive economic hardships that most Dominion chimeras face may impede their ability to afford a college's tuition fees. Being a pawn, however, gives a chimera an opportunity for a free education: the The Crimson Legions will pay the tuitions of up to five colleges of a soldier's choosing, chimeras included. A pawn that knows how to use magic is a boon that any self-respecting cavalier lord should want serving under them.
In the Empire, magisters that do teach magic are bestowed the title magista arcanus, where arcanus is the reference to magic. These scholars and masters of resonance have devoted their entire lives to a selection of the magic schools. The more gifted magisters among them may have mastered around four or five schools by retirement. Magisti (plural) arcanus work for the Violet College, which is the only institute of higher education in the Empire that is sanctioned to instruct on magic. Half of the magisters of the college are assigned to various patron houses, and magisti arcanus are no different. In exchange for room and board, they personally instruct the young heirs and heiresses of their benefactors, making them their apprentices. Those that cannot afford a formal education and apprenticeship must learn magic on their own or look beyond imperial borders. Slaves are not allowed to learn magic, and chimeras found to have knowledge or any semblence of magical skill are immediately put to the sword. Nasir Dominion
In the Dominion, which values higher education and provides equal opportunity to learn to all its citizens, magisters of magic are known as maolim sahir, where sahir translates as magic and maolim (singular and plural) means teacher. All colleges in Nasir fall under the management and organization of the Library of Sena. Each subject, including each school of magic, has an entire "college" devoted to it. Sometimes these individual colleges can be quite small, numbering only a few dozen students and a few magisters. As there are no traditional classes, students of a college may come and go as they please, studying as time permits. An open forum style of education through lecture and demonstration allows for students and magisters alike to be members of multiple colleges. Aside from a tuition (which varies by college), students are expected to archive their research and findings with the Library upon graduation, thereby contributing to all of Nasir. In keeping with their ideal to provide all citizens with an equal opportunity to learn, the Dominion does not restrict Library applicants by race or status. Chimeras and indentured servants are free to apply to the colleges and may learn magic freely. However, the pervasive economic hardships that most Dominion chimeras face may impede their ability to afford a college's tuition fees. Being a pawn, however, gives a chimera an opportunity for a free education: the The Crimson Legions will pay the tuitions of up to five colleges of a soldier's choosing, chimeras included. A pawn that knows how to use magic is a boon that any self-respecting cavalier lord should want serving under them.
