Reality's Plaything 5: The Infinity Annihilator

by Will Greenway

  Krill can be made photonically opaque or permeable through nano channeling in the molecular structure. In other words, this allows the creation of a super resilient transparent metal.

  Krill cannot be alloyed as with other materials. However the material can be interwoven into the structure of other compounds to lend strength and resiliency. Krill itself has extraordinary tensile strength, even thin wires of the material able to hold hundreds of tons. This property is the basis for the ‘monofilament’ wire, which is a strand of multibonded molecules with super-resilient qualities. Most forms of krill are super-rigid and thermal-resistant to well over a 100,000 degrees. However, there are variants with alternate properties.

  See Also: shaladen

  Kul’Amaron — The great citadel of Malan where the elven rulers sit court. This structure is more than a dozen millennia old and warded by generations of powerful magics.

  See Also: Malan

  Kylindria — A Valkyrie in the service of the pantheon lord Sif, and member of the Valkur clan of the Chosen. She is often called by her shorter name Kylie. She travels extensively with Bannor. Kylie is the commander in charge of Sif’s Valkyrie contingent.

  — L —

  loremage — A arbitrary ranking of a mage’s skill in magic. Few mages attain lore mage status. A way to note a magic-user’s status as a lore-mage is their ability to singly complete coven magics (magics that require multiple mages working in concert).

  See Also: magic

  Luthice — A baronian war-witch hailing from the Karanganoi homeworld. She and her sister Senalloy both have an extraordinary knowledge of Kriar technology and artifices. Both sisters speak the Kriar high-tongue fluently which alone is very rare.

  Beyond her millennia of hardened hand-to-hand combat and weapons training, Luthice is noted for her stealth abilities, and her understanding of locks and traps. In addition, she is an extremely accomplished mage rivaling the likes of Elsbeth Crowninshield and Aarlen Frielos. Those skills coupled with her Baronian physiology makes her a harrowing opponent.

  At some point, Luthice came into the possession of Kriar master gate key. She has in some way managed to magically alter this technical tool and has used it on occasion to “hack” the Kriar time-gate network. Luthice is in possession of a kind of magic that allows transport between universal pockets. Something previously thought to only be possessed by the very oldest of the elder races the Jyril.

  In return for being freed from captivity on Karanganoi homeworld, Luthice agreed to work as an agent for the pantheon lord Isis. Her infiltration skills and knowledge of magical security have been put to abundant use since.

  As a diversion, Luthice joined up with a group of musicians headed by the infamous bard Arabella. With Luthice’s help, the red-haired bard persuaded the D’klace sisters Sindra and Drucilla to also participate in this odd musical endeavor. The group which they dubbed the “Rainbows in the Dark” is fast becoming renowned through the Ring Realms for their music. This is not surprising given that the skills and resources of three great elders are at the core of the group. Initially, this group started as a traditional bardic troop using common stringed and wind instruments. The three technically savvy elders eventually led the group to technical instruments like amplified guitars, keyboards, and rock-style band accoutrements. This band’s own unique style of “bardic rock” is an unmimickable mixture of vast elder life experience influenced lyrics, youthful creativity, and beautiful all-girl band novelty. This group became so profitable that even Aarlen Frielos wanted to manage for them.

  Later, Eviria Felspar is engaged to Luthice, and the two of them live together in the Felspar citadel.

  See Also: Corresont, Senalloy Moirae, Crowninshield, Elsbeth, Frielos, Aarlen, Frielos, Drucilla, Frielos, Sindra, Isis, kriar, magic

  — M —

  mage — Simply a person who uses or is knowledgeable in the science of magic.

  See Also: magic

  magelights — Magelights are similar to priestlights, the only major difference being the guild that installs them.

  magestrix — Title given to the ruler of the fourth alliance. Aarlen Frielos has held this title for more than ten thousand cycles. The title was developed for her and is derivative of the words ‘magesty’, ‘mage’, and ‘dominatrix’. Aarlen’s rule over the technical worlds is largely because of her skills both as a technologist and mage, and her even rarer talent of being able to blend the two.

  See Also: Frielos, Aarlen, magic

  magic — Magic in the Ring Realms is a science, but unlike a technical science it is an elitist pursuit. While anyone can study and understand biology, and put its principles to use, the same cannot be said for magic. It’s largely believed that all creatures have the ability to wield magic to a certain degree, however the spark which allows us to tap into that power is typically too small to do anything significant with. The evidence of this at work are those isolated moments in our lives when we experience déjá vu, briefly see another’s thoughts, or foretell the future.

  While magic itself can be learned, the powers that can be attained cover a vast range, from simple hand illusions to the altering of reality on a interdimensional level. In some cases, creatures can substitute personal and psionic (mind power) energies for the gift that allows most mages to cast spells and manipulate magical energies.

  Magic is not a specific energy or range of energies. It is more of metaphor that encapsulates a “principle” of action and reaction. In the Realms, the true magic is defined as:

  The persistent ability to manipulate the environment in ways otherwise impossible without the utilization of natural phenomena, the influence or cooperation of physical bodies, or the use external artifices.

  By this definition then, powers such as telepathy, and telekinesis, and other abilities of mind qualify as magic. However, they are not what is considered “traditional” or “ritual” magic.

  Ritual magic uses the wielder’s magical spark and aspects of “sympathetic bonding” to generate chains of forces that act in place of birth-granted abilities to mentally tap and manipulate energy. In another regard, these ritual formulas substitute for an actual working knowledge of the mechanics and physics that make a particular feat possible. Rituals are coded schemes that at the basic level simply unleash simple reactions while at the higher complexities are actually sonic mnemonics that generate sympathetic reactions in dimensional space that can unleash whole chains of complex energetic interactions. As a mage increases in power and knowledge, his/her reliance on “ritual” totems for the performance of magical feats grows less.

  Magical sophistication falls into categories at follows:

  1st Order

  Raw Ritual

  The most basic level where all principles of magic are taken by rote and no underlying understanding of the physics or laws is assumed. Most shamanistic magic exists at this level

  2nd Order

  Reinforced Ritual

  Rituals are assisted by a rudimentary knowledge of natural laws and fundamental sciences. This is the level of most trained lower-order mages.

  3rd Order

  Academic Ritual

  Rituals are combined and enhanced with more sophisticated studies and

  scientific principles like chemistry and alchemy. Mages who have advanced to the point where they may expand their abilities without a mentor’s guidance have this level of magic.

  4th Order

  Elaborate Ritual

  Lower order rituals can be performed by force of will alone. The mage’s

  academic understanding of rituals and their interaction with nature and physics allows them to create simple rituals that can be followed by other mages. They can also alter rituals to create slightly different effects. At this level of skill, a mage can insinuate (“bind”) magical energies into an artifice. Magical staves, swords, wands, and the like are examples of this ability.

  5th Order

  Sophisticated Ritual

  The mage
begins to develop pseudo-psionic capabilities. Many lower-level rituals can be performed with little or no concentration. The mage’s reliance on ritual is now a matter of following “templates” or “guidepaths” which tap the interactions of energy. The mage begins to manipulate the powers “manually”.

  6th Order

  Psionic / Pseudo-Ritual

  Pure psionics are considered to practice magic of the sixth order. However, a being who uses mental energies like telepathy or telekinesis do not have the broad scope of abilities a ritual mage typically possesses. On the other hand, a creature who can perform such feats without resorting to rituals tends to have more flexibly and control in their application. Generally, psionicists have greater capabilities in their narrow spectrum of power. Ritual mages at this level can work magical energies in abstract ways and can combine them into newer structures. Rituals become “source material” that can be treated as building blocks.

  7th Order

  Reinforced Psionic / Free ritual

  At this level the creature’s psionic potential affects a broader spectrum of the physical world and chains of interaction can be stimulated into motion. They can perform feats like cellular adjustment (healing). Mages of this order rely little on ritual. Their understanding of ritual is complete enough that they can “make it up as they go”. They are essentially still using rituals but are now only using them as anchoring or controlling points in their magic.

  8th Order

  Psi-Master / Ritual Independent

  Psionic creatures begin to exhibit broad powers that are in many ways like ritual magic only performed by force of will alone. They can develop skills like self teleportation, dimensional travel, and can in some instances control their psyche so completely that they are independent of their physical bodies. Mages at this skill level no longer rely on ritual except for reference and ideas. They freely combine energies and are limited only by endurance of their physical bodies.

  9th Order

  Living Magic

  The highest order of psionics and magic is cosmic or “living” magic where the creature becomes in tune with the physical nature of the cosmos and can manipulate it directly. The 9th order of magic is the top of the scale but creatures that possess this level of ability have a tremendous range in scope of their capabilities. At one end of the range might be the ability to control storms or perform miracle healing—in the Ring Realms the other end of the scale is the strength to destroy stars and alter the flow of time.

  See Also: energy, telepathy, teleportation

  magocracy — A governing body comprised of magic-users.

  See Also: magic

  Malan — The kingdom of the elves north of Ivaneth ruled by King Jhaann T’Evagduran and Queen Kalindinai. Malan is one of the most powerful nations in Sharikaar.

  See Also: Ivaneth, malanian

  Malanian — Of or hailing from Malan. See Malan.

  See Also: Malan

  Malbraion Hall — The structure in Green Run where Sarai T’Evagduran and her entourage stay in residence.

  Matradomma — Elvish. A term of respect when addressing an Elven queen. Literally it means ‘mother of mothers’. Domma is the respectful form of address to older woman or a woman of higher station. It is the female gender equivalent of ‘sire’.

  See Also: elvish

  mecha — Mecha is term for artifices, usually those of a sophisticated nature. The Kriar use the term in specific to refer to the race of artificial life-forms that live on Homeworld.

  See Also: kriar

  Mercedes — Level 12 Kriar mecha healer or cybermed currently in the employ of Bronawyn Shadowstalker. Though Bronawyn actually owns Mercedes’ contract. The good-hearted healer tries to help everyone she can. Bronawyn is extremely stingy with the expensive cyber’s time. Mercedes is considered an “elite-class” healer, which means specifically that she can upgrade (or enhance) other healer type mecha. Mecha physicians are the most advanced of all mecha created by the Kriar and possibly the most quirky and eccentric.

  See Also: cyber-unit, cybermed, kriar, mecha, Shadowstalker, Bronawyn

  mimi — Elvish. It is most often used as an affectionate term expressed to a loved one. It translates to the way the word ‘baby’ is used by a mother to a child. It can also be from wife to husband or vice versa.

  See Also: elvish

  mindspeak — Another word for telepathy. See telepathy.

  See Also: telepathy

  Mitaka — Mitaka is the name a Kriar combat unit. Dulcere Starbinder is a strike Belkirin from the 12th Mitaka Legion.

  See Also: belkirin, kriar

  mithril — A light strong metal that possesses magical properties even in its ‘raw’ state.

  Mon’istiaga — A horrendously powerful sword created by the first one Shiva. It has the ability, in Wren Kergatha’s words, to cleave a world in two. Wren uses this weapon on a few occasions to devastating effect. She slew hundreds of demons and the physical essence of Hecate with this weapon. This artifact is the embodiment of destruction, and its true capabilities are unknown.

  See Also: ascendant, Kergatha, Liandra {Wren} Idun-daughter

  Myrmigyne — Member of an all woman clan of warriors. The Myrmigynes typically have isolated communities in the deep forests and jungles.

  — N —

  needleleaf — Tall evergreen tree common to the highlands and mountain regions, with a thin cylindrical leaf and pungent sap. They have a striking similarity to pine trees on earth.

  network — A chain of interconnected units esp. in computers, or communications where one part has access one or more of the other parts.

  Nightslash Elite — A special division of the Malanian royal guard. The Nightslash are covert bodyguards who watch over the royal family. Senalloy when she signs on to guard the princesses is inducted into the Nightslash guard.

  See Also: Corresont, Senalloy Moirae, malanian

  nola — Used to refer to a savant’s magical power. In powerful savants the Nola can be a considered much like a living thing that inhabits his or her body.

  nomar — A class of trade ship used in the violent seas around southern tip of Canth. Nomar ships are renowned for both their speed and ability to run in rough seas where other ships capsize or break under the strain. Nomar ships range from a hundred tons to over ten thousand… the biggest ships on Titaan. Their design is a closely guarded secret and it is commonly believed that there is magic involved.

  See Also: magic, Titaan

  Nova — Shaladen sword spiritually bound the eternal Nethra Argos. Nova confers the ability to open rips in time and space primarily for purposes of travel but usable in a myriad of ways. Initially, Algernon D’Tarin wielded this weapon but conflicts with Eternal Nethra prompted him to switch weapons with Talorian Falor. Tal Falor is now the current wielder of the weapon and he and Nethra share an excellent working relationship considered one of the best in the Shael Dal.

  See Also: shaladen

  nulltime — A way of referring to temporal non-existence similar to non-consecutive time. See non-consecutive time.

  See Also: temporal

  — O —

  Octavia — Level 20 Kriar mecha healer or cybermed currently in the employ of Eladrazelle Delarn. Though Octavia is a creature created by Eladrazelle, the two have a mother/daughter relationship. Octavia is for all intents and purposes the queen of healer mecha, having the most sophistication of any healer on Homeworld. As such, all mecha, even those from other dastas recognize and acknowledge her with a certain amount of awe.

  Octavia and Marna Solaris team up to create the avatar for Gaea, one of the most sophisticated organic bodies ever created by the Kriar. Octavia also recreates Bannor’s ascendant body when his is destroyed by a run-in with jikartandak.

  See Also: ascendant, avatar, cybermed, Delarn, Eladrazelle, kriar, mecha, Mercedes

  Odin — Pantheon lord, ruler of the Aesir. Odin is god of the atmosphere and warriors. Odin is the father of Thor with his discard
ed wife Jord.

  — P —

  paladin — A warrior who fights and represents a religion or cult. Paladins are generally seen as warriors who represent the most holy and righteous of the orders of the light.

  phoenix — A powerfully magic bird-like creature that appears to be made of flames. When this creature dies, it reconstitutes out of its own ashes. Only a few phoenixes have been sighted in the Ring Realms and they are difficult creatures to find as they prefer the calderas of volcanoes as the location for their barn-sized nests. Phoenix are said to be the guardians of the lore of the First Ones.

  See Also: magic

  plasma — A state of matter reached during fusion temperatures when all matter exists in a liquid state and the electron shell of the atom is so diffuse that atomic material bunches together in super-dense form.

  — Q —

  quasar — Quasi-Stellar. Bodies in space which emit light and radio waves.

  — R —

  Ratch, Boss —

  Thug leader hired to capture Sarai.