Prime elements and magic
Welcome to the Magical University of Lille! Best university in France, its lecturers wage a fierce competition for promotions. The recent arrival of the Chosen One thrust lecturer Adélaïde into the high-stake politics she has tried so hard to avoid. Soon, both the king and the Dark Lord take interest in her... Come read about her struggle and the world in which she lives!
Introduction to the story | The University of Lille | Novel upcoming
Introduction to the story | The University of Lille | Novel upcoming
Table of Contents
Rune Introduction module
by Master Adélaïde Jameux
Prime elements and magic
Interactions between prime elements and magic
Definition: A prime element is an element that cannot be decomposed into more elements. Prime elements are combined together to make bigger elements that are called molecules. For example, sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl) are combine to make salt (NaCl). Only metallic prime elements can interact with magic. Each has its own mix of properties, but by combining them in different manners inside molecules, more complex magical properties can be obtained. All living organisms have a huge range of natural magical abilities thanks to this, with consciousness and intent adding an additional layer of complexity by influencing magic in a manner we are still struggling to understand. The main alchemical elements, known since ancient times are:
Carbon C and sulphur S. They are used as neutral separators between different sections of magical artefacts.
Lead Pb. It is used to make shields and armours that reflect attacks away from their wearer.
Arsenic As and antimony Sb (weak conductors) and iron Fe (very good conductor). They are used in weapons, to focus soldiers' magic and allow them to throw it away from them in a powerful attack.
Mercury Hg, zinc Zn, copper Cu, silver Ag and gold Au. They are used in runic magic: liquid mercury is poured into geometric grooves on the ground, while the others are put inside magical artefacts with enchantments attached.
Recycling
After being used once, elements can be recycled, for example by melting an artefact and purifying the elements to separate them from each other. However, those elements are not going to be the same as before that use, as the magic they have been exposed to leaves a trace on them. Because of this, some recycles are possible between similar uses, while it is better to avoid it otherwise. Some techniques have been developed to try to "reset" the magic, but they're not very performant.
After being used once, elements can be recycled, for example by melting an artefact and purifying the elements to separate them from each other. However, those elements are not going to be the same as before that use, as the magic they have been exposed to leaves a trace on them. Because of this, some recycles are possible between similar uses, while it is better to avoid it otherwise. Some techniques have been developed to try to "reset" the magic, but they're not very performant.
New discoveries
Chemical research has been at the heart of almost all major discoveries of the past 50 years. Beyond inventions like the new Parisian blue dye, 24 new elements have been discovered, each one coming with a range of new applications.
Prof. Michel Lecoeuvre of the University of Lille has been one of the pioneers of this research. He has already discovered iridium, and he is convinced that there are still more elements to be found.
Aluminium Al, perfect for making shields.
To better combine them in each part of an artefact: platinum Pt and palladium Pd.
Especially important for the lone ace division of the army: platinoids, a group of very rare elements found alongside platinum (ruthenium Ru, osmium Os, rhodium Rh, iridium Ir).
Uranium U has been used in a handful of legendary artefacts, while thorium Th and berkelium Bk are still being studied to find applications for them.
Wars
Those new elements are often very hard to get access to, as their mines and purification processes are still being developed. The perfect example of this is the Mines of Lherz in the Pyrénées, where platinoid minerals were discovered, leading to the First Spanish War.
Those new elements are often very hard to get access to, as their mines and purification processes are still being developed. The perfect example of this is the Mines of Lherz in the Pyrénées, where platinoid minerals were discovered, leading to the First Spanish War.
Application to runes
In the field of rune-based magic, we have several manners in which we can incorporate this knowledge:- Specific metals can be incorporate into the chalk or paint used to trace runic design so as to enhance their effects, or used to traced them directly (e.g., by pouring liquid mercury or melted metals into grooves).
- An artefact can be made entirely of different metals that enhance or muffle certain of their effects.
- A gemstone made of a metal mineral can be added to an artefact to complete, enhance, or control its effects.
For more information, consult our course on Rune-based magic.
This is fun. You're so clever. <3
Explore Etrea | March of 31 Tales
Thanks <3 This was a lot of trouble to develop but I also had a lot of fun with my magic chemistry XD And I'm super proud with how well it works now with what I intended for this world!