Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Add Reply
Alchemy and Linguistics; See other Linguist topic for explanation
Topic Started: Jan 4 2009, 12:49 AM (69 Views)
Grim
Spider-Mod
[ *  * ]
Alchemy can be divided into several structures:

Forces, which limit the ways in which Alchemy affects the world, as well as defining which elements are used.
Techniques, which takes the various Forces and turns them into viable ways of working Alchemy.
Processes, which take the various Techniques (both simple and complex) and transform them into demonstrations of Alchemy's Might.
Effects, which take meaningful Processes and translate their effects into the real world as a means of using Alchemy.

Each one can correspond with various parts of linguistics:
Forces are the Phonology, the basic structure of what can and can't exist in an Alchemical system. Similar Forces that cause a distinction to be made depending on other Forces are like distinct phonemes, while other Forces are allophones. For instance, in Psynergy, "Speak" and "Reveal" are Allophones. In addition, Forces can be divided into Purposes and Elements; Purposes are things like "Speak", "Reveal", "Damage", and "Heal", while Elements are the four Elements of Alchemy, as well as a non-Elemental marker that exists for things which use no element.

Techniques are the Morphology, the smallest units of Alchemical Meaning. Techniques are often considered to be the only thing done in an Alchemical Process; however, as we will see later, they are one part, albeit a highly varied one. Techniques can be amended by use of various Forces. Techniques do not have to be inherently stable on their own; Techniques that augment a portion of an Effect by applying additional Forces are, on their own, unique Techniques, but it's impossible to use Alchemy to power a Modifier Technique.

Processes are the bread and butter of Alchemy, and are similar to Syntax. They form complete phrases that, when used properly, have some Effect upon the world. Composed of several Techniques, most invisible to the untrained observer, there are complex rules governing the arrangement and execution of a Process. Through layers of Technique Movement, the same basic underlying structure can be used to understand any Process, no matter which particular Alchemical Method one uses. Current knowledge of Alchemical Theory suggests up to twelve different Technique Movement theories have the possibility of being correct.

Effects, being for all intents and purposes the "meaning" of a Process, are the Semantics of Alchemy. An Effect cannot be realized from a Process wherein the composite Techniques, when strung together, have no meaning. Similarly, an Effect can be strung together from a Process whose more functional Techniques are gone, much as the human mind can make sense of "Polls show beef preferred." Effects can take Techniques at their literal value (a flame pops into brief existence) or metaphorical (flames in the shape of a dragon rise up, engulfing someone).

Finally, an analysis of Psynergy:
The Forces of Psynergy are Create (although only Temporary), Harm, Heal, Move, See, Read, Illude, Strengthen, Weaken, Muscle, Fortitude, Resist, Summon (although only Temporary), Transport, Expend, Power, Mars, Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, and Nonelement. Techniques are formed with one Element (or Nonelement) and any number of forces. Processes typically follow through the standard formats for such things. Effects are usually damage-based, although movement is a common trick, and both reveal effects and mind reads exist.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
« Previous Topic · Book One · Next Topic »
Add Reply