09-18-2019, 11:06 PM | #21 | |
Join Date: Feb 2007
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Re: Magic and Hard SF
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When the subject of study is conscious and aware of being studied, that makes study fraught.
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09-18-2019, 11:20 PM | #22 | |
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Berkeley, CA
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Re: Magic and Hard SF
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09-18-2019, 11:51 PM | #23 |
Join Date: Jul 2005
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Re: Magic and Hard SF
I chose spell magic because it fits with the way I conceive of ki manipulation working at this point: lots of engineering, not much science. It's all cut-and-try, each technique highly specific, with ki theoreticans still working to get enough information to produce and test actual theories. Of course, this is complicated by the strong subjective component of ki manipulation... and the apparent violation of physics some ki techniques involve.
So far, it's been determined that ki sensitives have a few small structures in their brains that non-sensitives lack, but the genetics are unclear at best, if it's even genetic. The Imperial Family (Empress, Consort, their children) are all powerful sensitives, which strongly suggests a genetic or epigenetic origin to the ability. Where ki comes from is currently undefined, but not all stars exist within bubbles of it. Of the two hundred human-occupied worlds, the setting world is the only one that orbits such a star. Currently, the only non-hard elements are hyperdrive FTL (which is slow, only five lights) and of course ki. |
09-19-2019, 07:53 AM | #24 |
Join Date: Feb 2016
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Re: Magic and Hard SF
What do you mean by five lights? Do you mean 5c?
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09-19-2019, 08:22 AM | #25 |
Join Date: Jul 2005
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Re: Magic and Hard SF
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09-19-2019, 08:24 AM | #26 |
Hero of Democracy
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: far from the ocean
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Re: Magic and Hard SF
Could you give an example of one thing you'd like Ki to do? That will help us a lot in giving advice.
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09-19-2019, 08:37 AM | #27 |
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Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Forest Grove, Beaverton, Oregon
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Re: Magic and Hard SF
5c still means years to get anywhere but next door. In any realistic setting, next door won't have a habitable planet.
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09-19-2019, 11:39 AM | #28 |
Join Date: Jul 2005
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Re: Magic and Hard SF
Well, I have no problem with a ki handler, for example, sealing a door so that it just won't open, or calling up a light, or even bending the elements. I do have a problem with creating intelligent beings, and anything involving ghosts is impossible; you can't influence what doesn't exist. A lot of communication spells and knowledge spells give me difficulties, especially Gift of Letters.
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09-24-2019, 12:17 AM | #29 | |
Join Date: Aug 2018
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Re: Magic and Hard SF
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09-24-2019, 07:11 AM | #30 |
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Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Forest Grove, Beaverton, Oregon
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Re: Magic and Hard SF
And some kind of limited energy or Fatigue that dwindles over time. That would give a pseudo-scientific feel while also keeping them from hanging around too long.
Oh wait, the Draining disadvantage, but no advantage to repair itself could work.
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Tags |
magic, rules modification, science fiction, setting building |
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