Well this isn't a fan fic, but when I signed on, many of you seemed to enjoy the odd original fiction with your daily dose of fanstuff... If I'm wrong about the general consensus on this point, don't hesitate to tell me.

I've been wanting to write a fantasy/sci-fi for a long time now,  but I only recently started writing down some ideas to base my fic on.  So this is a prelim guide to the "magic" in my fictional universe.  The names and structures are far from static; they'll go through some major revamping as I get time to work on them.  Heh, heh, some of this is pretty corny right now... 

So far I have the two main characters figured out, the basic idea for the "villain", a general plot, and place/time.  There will be plot twists, recurring characters, and lots of conspiracy.  This is going to be a series of as yet undetermined length, spanning several centuries (at least).

Please send me ideas or tell me I'm an idiot who sucks at thinking before I totally embarass myself...

And here we go.  Please enter.----->

A "psycher" is any being that has seemingly extraordinary powers.  Some humans, such as fortune tellers, can be considered psychers, though their powers are extremely limited.  Developing one's true abilities is a centuries-long process; human lifespans are simply too short to gain sufficient knowledge.  So, you ask, how can psychers come to be, if humans are unable to develop such powers?  Well, that question will be one of the driving factors of the story.

Psycher "magic" is based around an extremely simplified view of the universe, which is based loosely on the Big Bang theory and simple cartesian plane/circle geometry.  The universe is an infinitely growing sphere, with little potential energy (Ep).  The expansion of the universe spreads the energy, and weakens the Ep.  The universe was born from pure energy (big bang); pure energy is an infinitely small sphere with infinite Ep.

Spheres of Power
The universe can be divided up into smaller spheres, each step smaller means an increase in Ep.

Gravity- the gravitational spere is the weakest in the universe, though it can provide a direct path to and from pure enery.  (Big Bang/Crunch)  Gravity holds all the other spheres of power.
Sphere of Protection/Diffusion- similar in structure to gravity, Diffusion dissipates other forms of energy (providing balance in the universe), even if that sphere is much more powerful than the Sphere of Diffusion
Sphere of Life- this sphere powers the phenomenon we call "life", the cellular structure of life is based upon the structure of the Sphere of Life itself.
Sphere of Consciousness- powers the will, self-awareness, language, intelligence.  The sphere of consciousness has the power to overcome the Sphere of Diffusion (and perhaps the universe itself).
Sphere of Light- a high powered sphere (small radius) which contains concentrated energies; those energies are compressed and released in a beam/wave.
Pure Energy- Infinitely powerful; the point at which matter is transformed to energy in a reaction similar to the "Big Crunch/Big Bang"; the size of the reaction is dependent on the amount of matter being transformed.  Pure energy reactions will destroy any matter they come into contact with.  All other Spheres of power may eventually be absorbed by the Pure Energy Sphere, resulting in a "Big Crunch", then a "Big Bang" where the universe is restored.  Pure energy is an infinitely small point which holds nearly infinite Ep.

Powers based on the Spheres of Energy
Psychers utilize different spheres of energy to perform different tasks.  Humans also use the spheres of energy, but are unable to master them, due mostly to time constraints.  Mastering a sphere takes a long time; most psychers learn to use only parts of each sphere.  All psychers strive to reach a pure energy state, where the mind is freed from the material body, and consciousness becomes one with the universe.

Sphere of Gravity
Telekinesis- the psycher creates a gravitational field to push or pull objects.  While it is the weakest power a psycher utilizes, it is quite functional.  Attempts to move objects with a larger personal gravity than the created field causes the psycher to move.  Some normal humans are capable of using the Sphere of Gravity (Spoon bending, boiling water, etc)
Teleportation- the psycher uses gravity to become pure energy temporarily.  A safe teleportation requires abilities in the Sphere of Consciousness as well, in order for the Psycher to reassemble himself.  Other radiated energy can also affect teleportation, including radioactivity, extreme heat, and energy blasts from other spheres of power.  Teleportation is generally avoided by psychers because the process is so dangerous and painful.  A failed teleportation destroys the physical body while the conscious mind is forever trapped in the void at the edge of the universe...
Sphere of Protection/Diffusion
Sphere of Protection- the psycher creates an energy field around his body to dissipate energies directed at him.  Depending on the psycher's mastery of this Sphere, Protection can stop all directed energy except for pure energy itself.  The psycher's ability also dictates the maximum size of a Protection sphere.
Sphere of Life
Healing- A psycher can heal himself quickly, and becomes immune to detrimental life forms such as bacteria and viruses.  The psycher can also draw power from Life in order to go without food and water.
Immortality- Utilizing the sphere of life, a psycher can stop the aging process, and to a small extent, reverse it.
Reconstruction- Mastery of Life enables a psycher to change his molecular structure, enabling the growth of inorganic materials from his body.
Sphere of Consciousness
Suggestion- A psycher is able to control, to a limited extent, the thoughts and actions of others.  Some extraordinary humans possess this power.
Telepathy- the psycher is able to communicate with others telepathically, though mind reading is not possible.
Language- the conscious minds of all self-aware beings are identical, enabling the psycher to understand other languages.
Sphere of Light
Psychic Blast- a small sphere of energy is created by the psycher and fired toward an opponent.  A single blast is not lethal to humans, and the weakest sphere of Protection can stop it.  The concentration/time required to prepare it is small.
Psychic Beam- a concentrated sphere of energy is created and fired like a laser toward an opponent.  Lethal to humans.  Vaporizes organic compounds and melts metal.  A weak Protection sphere can stop it.
Psychic Crush- a massive sphere of energy is created by the psycher and fired in a large beam, engulfing an opponent.  Will cause vaporization of metals; medium Protection power can stop it.
Wall of Destruction- The psycher creates a wall of upward-pulsing energy in an arc before him.  When sufficient power is reached, the wall fires away from the psycher in a widening arc, dissipating as it moves away.  Objects directly before the psycher are obliterated, while objects farther away are pushed with great force away from the psycher.  A medium Protection sphere can pass through the Wall, while a weak one will deflect it (causing the psycher to be pushed back).

Because psychers are often immune to one another's energy attacks (a sphere of protection is all that's necessary), psychers must use the sphere of consciousness to harm each other.  A direct physical assault by a willed creature (attacking animals have wills), can cause physical harm to a psycher.  Thus, a normal human, if he can get close enough, can beat a psycher to death with his bare hands.  Therefore, psychers often carry swords, knives, or clubs, as these weapons bypass all energy defenses.  Psychers can focus the power of the sphere of light onto these weapons, causing great destructive potential to even the most basic of weapons.

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Neill Walker
walkersp@oanet.com
http://www.oanet.com/homepage/walkersp/index.htm
Don't blame me... it's my brain's fault!
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[Win95]: I'm embarrassed to send this!
Well, it's not exactly finished.
[Win95]: And that's supposed to make it better?  I should wipe it from my disk!
Oh, come on, just let some people read it.
[Win95]: As long as I get to turn the flames into your desktop wallpaper...
*Sigh* Okay.