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** The Tourney itself, although non-Citizens who lose are deported from Proton rather than killed.
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* AuthorAppeal: Aside from Anthony's usual underage sexual situations and an entire planet of naked people, ''Split Infinity'' '''really''' gushes on about horses, which the author adores and raises.
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* AuthorAppeal: Aside from Anthony's usual coercive and/or underage sexual situations dilemmas and an entire planet of naked people, ''Split Infinity'' '''really''' gushes on about horses, which the author adores and raises.
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* AuthorAppeal: Aside from Anthony's usual underage sexual situations and an entire planet of naked people, ''Split Infinity'' '''really''' gushes about horses, which the author adores and raises.
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* AuthorAppeal: Aside from Anthony's usual underage sexual situations and an entire planet of naked people, ''Split Infinity'' '''really''' gushes on about horses, which the author adores and raises.
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* AuthorAppeal: Aside from Anthony's usual underage sexual situations and an entire planet of naked people, ''Split Infinity'' '''really''' gushes about horses, which the author adores and raises.
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** Subverted in ''Split Infinity'', when Sheen and Stile suddenly realize she might unwittingly have a bomb implanted inside her. Stile's employer has her dismantled and searched, but fortunately the Citizen grants his best jockey's request and has his security crew re-assemble her when they find no bomb.
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* TakeOurWordForIt: In "Unicorn Point", Agape (in Fleta's body) plays matchmaker with Suchevane and Trool, the Red Adept. In "Phaze Doubt", it's said that something similar must've happened with Citizen Red and Suchevane's Photon opposite, but Fleta doesn't recall anything like that.
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* TakeOurWordForIt: In "Unicorn Point", "Robot Adept", Agape (in Fleta's body) plays matchmaker with Suchevane and Trool, the Red Adept. In "Phaze Doubt", it's said that something similar must've happened with Citizen Red and Suchevane's Photon opposite, but Fleta doesn't recall anything like that.
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* AttractivenessIsolation: Suchevane - see SoBeautifulItsACurse.
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* TwiceShy: Adept Trool doesn't believe a woman as beautiful as Suchevane would be with someone as ugly as him except out of fear or pity. Suchevane, on the other hand, is so used to being a concubine that she takes Trool's failure to make a move as a lack of interest in someone so far out of his class, power and status-wise. They confess their feelings, separately, to Agape, who gets Suchevane to approach Trool in such a way that negates both their objections.
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* TheAce: Rifleman, from ''Juxtaposition''
* TheBigGuy: Hulk
* BizarreAlienBiology: The Amoebans are [[BlobMonster gelatinous masses]] who eat through their skin in their normal forms. They also have VoluntaryShapeshifting abilities which they can use to look like humans.
* BizarreAlienBiology: The Amoebans are [[BlobMonster gelatinous masses]] who eat through their skin in their normal forms. They also have VoluntaryShapeshifting abilities which they can use to look like humans.
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* BizarreAlienBiology: The Amoebans are [[BlobMonster gelatinous masses]] who eat through their skin in their normal forms. They also have VoluntaryShapeshifting abilities which they can use to look like humans.
* TheManBehindTheCurtain: Brown, in her first appearance.
* ThePromise: Several, made via oaths or the Splash of Truth
* TheScottishTrope: The "Triple Thee" (a binding and powerful love-oath in Phaze)
* SoBeautifulItsACurse: Suchevane the vampire. She's so beautiful that the only ones with the nerve to approach her were ones who wanted her just as a sex object. Trool had too much honor to exert his power on her, despite his genuine feelings towrards her, figuring such was the only way a literal troll like him could be with one such as her.
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* TechnicianVersusPerformer: Stile (Performer) versus various other Technicians, most notably the musician Clef.
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* TheAce: Rifleman, from ''Juxtaposition''
* TheBigGuy: Hulk
* TheManBehindTheCurtain: Brown, in her first appearance.
* ThePromise: Several, made via oaths or the Splash of Truth
* TheScottishTrope: The "Triple Thee" (a binding and powerful love-oath in Phaze)
* TheVamp: Merle, Yellow (while she's using one of her youth potions)
* TheBigGuy: Hulk
* TheManBehindTheCurtain: Brown, in her first appearance.
* ThePromise: Several, made via oaths or the Splash of Truth
* TheScottishTrope: The "Triple Thee" (a binding and powerful love-oath in Phaze)
* TheVamp: Merle, Yellow (while she's using one of her youth potions)
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* TheAce: Rifleman, from ''Juxtaposition''
* TheBigGuy: Hulk
* TheManBehindTheCurtain: Brown, in her first appearance.
* ThePromise: Several, made via oaths orTakeOurWordForIt: In "Unicorn Point", Agape (in Fleta's body) plays matchmaker with Suchevane and Trool, the Splash of Truth
* TheScottishTrope: The "Triple Thee" (a bindingRed Adept. In "Phaze Doubt", it's said that something similar must've happened with Citizen Red and powerful love-oath in Phaze)
Suchevane's Photon opposite, but Fleta doesn't recall anything like that.
*TheVamp: Merle, Yellow (while she's using one of her youth potions)TechnicianVersusPerformer: Stile (Performer) versus various other Technicians, most notably the musician Clef.
* TheBigGuy: Hulk
* TheManBehindTheCurtain: Brown, in her first appearance.
* ThePromise: Several, made via oaths or
* TheScottishTrope: The "Triple Thee" (a binding
*
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* TheVamp: Merle, Yellow (while she's using one of her youth potions)
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** The original Herd Stallion takes this a step further, and succeeds in mastering a fourth Form after Stile persuades him that it would be uniquely helpful in getting them out of their current situation: [[spoiler: the Cockroach.]]
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** The original Herd Stallion takes this a step further, and succeeds in mastering a fourth Form after Stile persuades him that it would be uniquely helpful in getting them out of their current situation: [[spoiler: [[CrowningMomentOfFunny the Cockroach.Cockroach]].]]
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[[quoteright:286:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/15496_161.jpg]]
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[[quoteright:286:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/15496_161.jpg]]
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* HumansAreSpecial: Most species have some level of innate magic. However, only humans have the sheer power needed to become an Adept. A nonhuman with the Book of Magic becomes functionally somewhat stronger than a human Adept; a ''human'' with one [[StoryBreakerPower has unlimited power]].
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* UpgradeArtifact: * The [[GreatBigBookOfEverything Book of Magic]] and [[MagicMusic the Platinum Flute]]. The Book lets anyone who possesses it to cast magic spells at an Adept's power level (It let a troll with no inherent magic become the new Red Adept). The Flute enhances the innate magic of anyone who holds it (allowing Stile, the Blue Adept, to use his magic withing the AntiMagic influence of a unicorn circle). Anyone who can actually play the damn thing gains Adept-level magic. A master musician? Becomes stronger than all the other Adepts put together.
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* UpgradeArtifact: * The [[GreatBigBookOfEverything Book of Magic]] and [[MagicMusic the Platinum Flute]]. The Book lets anyone who possesses it to cast magic spells at an Adept's power level (It let a troll with no inherent magic become the new Red Adept). The Flute enhances the innate magic of anyone who holds it (allowing Stile, the Blue Adept, to use his magic withing the AntiMagic influence of a unicorn circle). Anyone who can actually play the damn thing gains Adept-level magic. A master musician? Becomes stronger than all the other Adepts put together.
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* HighHeelFaceTurn / LoveRedeems: [[spoiler:Tania]]. Although she doesn't end up with Bane, her love for him makes her change her character completely, to a point that stretches suspension of disbelief. For example, she used to enjoy torturing frogs, and now she doesn't.
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* HighHeelFaceTurn / LoveRedeems: [[spoiler:Tania]]. Although she doesn't end up with Bane, her love for him makes her change her character completely, to [[ShowDontTell over several years, condensed into a point that stretches suspension couple of disbelief.paragraphs]]. For example, she used to enjoy torturing frogs, and now she doesn't.
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* NoBiochemicalBarriers: But it takes strong magic to get there (see: HalfHumanHybrid).
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* FreakyFriday: Mach and Bane's accidental swap which sets off the events of the second trilogy.
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* FreakyFriday: FreakyFridayFlip: Mach and Bane's accidental swap which sets off the events of the second trilogy.
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** Then double subverted when [[spoiler:Stile learns Lady Blue has conceived before the final battle, removing that particular piece of YouCantFightFate.]]
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** Then double subverted when [[spoiler:Stile learns Lady Blue has conceived before the ''true'' final battle, removing that particular piece of YouCantFightFate.]]
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* LetsGetDangerous: Clef was a professional musician with little physical prowess. Put a rapier in his hand and it's Go Time.
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* LetsGetDangerous: Clef was a professional musician with little physical prowess. Put a rapier in his hand and it's Go Time.
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* LetsGetDangerous: Clef was a professional musician with little physical prowess. Put a rapier in his hand and it's Go Time.
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* WordOfGod: That Red wasn't a PsychoLesbian, but an asexual Psycho [[DoesNotLikeMen Misandrist]].
** Also, admitting that he [[SuddenlySexuality turned Brown gay]] because he needed to balance the cast a bit.
** Also, admitting that he [[SuddenlySexuality turned Brown gay]] because he needed to balance the cast a bit.
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* MeaningfulRename: Several characters choose their names from events and objects of personal importance (Stile, Rifleman, Clef).
* MeaningfulName:
** Hulk, which was a ShoutOut. Also, [[RidiculouslyHumanRobot Sheen and Mach]]. The third-generation characters, meanwhile, have names composed of a PortmanteauCoupleName from their parents--Nepe (Bane, Agape) and Flach (Fleta, Mach).
* MeaningfulName:
** Hulk, which was a ShoutOut. Also, [[RidiculouslyHumanRobot Sheen and Mach]]. The third-generation characters, meanwhile, have names composed of a PortmanteauCoupleName from their parents--Nepe (Bane, Agape) and Flach (Fleta, Mach).
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* MeaningfulRename: MeaningfulRename:
** Several characters choose their names from events and objects of personal importance (Stile, Rifleman,Clef).
* MeaningfulName:
** Hulk, which was a ShoutOut. Also, [[RidiculouslyHumanRobot Sheen and Mach]]. The third-generation characters, meanwhile, have names composed of a PortmanteauCoupleName from their parents--Nepe (Bane, Agape) and Flach (Fleta, Mach).Clef).
** Several characters choose their names from events and objects of personal importance (Stile, Rifleman,
* MeaningfulName:
** Hulk, which was a ShoutOut. Also, [[RidiculouslyHumanRobot Sheen and Mach]]. The third-generation characters, meanwhile, have names composed of a PortmanteauCoupleName from their parents--Nepe (Bane, Agape) and Flach (Fleta, Mach).
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* MeaningfulName: Hulk, which was a ShoutOut. Also, [[RidiculouslyHumanRobot Sheen and Mach]]. The third-generation characters, meanwhile, have names composed of a PortmanteauCoupleName from their parents--Nepe (Bane, Agape) and Flach (Fleta, Mach).
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* MeaningfulName: Hulk, which was a ShoutOut. Also, [[RidiculouslyHumanRobot Sheen and Mach]]. The third-generation characters, meanwhile, have names composed of a PortmanteauCoupleName from their parents--Nepe (Bane, Agape) and Flach (Fleta, Mach).
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* MeaningfulName: MeaningfulName:
** Hulk, which was a ShoutOut. Also, [[RidiculouslyHumanRobot Sheen and Mach]]. The third-generation characters, meanwhile, have names composed of a PortmanteauCoupleName from their parents--Nepe (Bane, Agape) and Flach (Fleta, Mach).
** Werewolf naming has four stages: First syllable given at birth, second when pups are made official pack members (around age 6), third after a first successful solo hunt and fourth after First Mating (traditionally taking their partner's first syllable as their last). A werewolf isn't considered a full adult until they gain the fourth syllable.
** Hulk, which was a ShoutOut. Also, [[RidiculouslyHumanRobot Sheen and Mach]]. The third-generation characters, meanwhile, have names composed of a PortmanteauCoupleName from their parents--Nepe (Bane, Agape) and Flach (Fleta, Mach).
** Werewolf naming has four stages: First syllable given at birth, second when pups are made official pack members (around age 6), third after a first successful solo hunt and fourth after First Mating (traditionally taking their partner's first syllable as their last). A werewolf isn't considered a full adult until they gain the fourth syllable.
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* BizarreAlienBiology: The Amoebans are [[TheBlob gelatinous masses]] who eat through their skin in their normal forms. They also have VoluntaryShapeshifting abilities which they can use to look like humans.
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* BizarreAlienBiology: The Amoebans are [[TheBlob [[BlobMonster gelatinous masses]] who eat through their skin in their normal forms. They also have VoluntaryShapeshifting abilities which they can use to look like humans.
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The Apprentice Adept series is a seven-book fantasy and science fiction series by PiersAnthony. The series takes place on two worlds occupying the same space in two different dimensional planes: Phaze - a MagicalLand in MedievalStasis and [[TheMagocracy more or less ruled by the Adepts]], the strongest magic users, each specializing in a separate aspect, and Proton, a barren mining planet of high technology, ruled by the Plutocratic Citizens (who control the immense wealth of the Protonite mines). The worlds are divided by The Curtain, an energy field only visible to those capable of crossing it (someone without a doppelganger on the other side).
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The Apprentice Adept series is a seven-book fantasy and science fiction series by PiersAnthony.Creator/PiersAnthony. The series takes place on two worlds occupying the same space in two different dimensional planes: Phaze - a MagicalLand in MedievalStasis and [[TheMagocracy more or less ruled by the Adepts]], the strongest magic users, each specializing in a separate aspect, and Proton, a barren mining planet of high technology, ruled by the Plutocratic Citizens (who control the immense wealth of the Protonite mines). The worlds are divided by The Curtain, an energy field only visible to those capable of crossing it (someone without a doppelganger on the other side).
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The seventh and final book, ''Phaze Doubt'' sees the newly-merged worlds dealing with an alien invasion, and the BatmanGambit meant to deal with it and prevent future ones.
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The seventh and final book, ''Phaze Doubt'' sees the newly-merged both worlds dealing with an alien invasion, and the BatmanGambit meant to deal with it and prevent future ones.
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Hottip Cleanup
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* RapeAsDrama: One of the sections of ''Unicorn Point's'' TournamentArc pitted Tan against Agape in a "Seduction by Proxy" match[[hottip:*:two volunteer serfs were selected and placed in a social situation where they took turns trying to imitate sex. Their memories of the game would be wiped afterward.]], where rape was allowed to "ensure a finish." Tan's proxy ended up raping Agape's proxy. Though the rape was treated with less drama than the fact that the good guys lost.
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* RapeAsDrama: One of the sections of ''Unicorn Point's'' TournamentArc pitted Tan against Agape in a "Seduction by Proxy" match[[hottip:*:two match[[note]]two volunteer serfs were selected and placed in a social situation where they took turns trying to imitate sex. Their memories of the game would be wiped afterward.]], [[/note]], where rape was allowed to "ensure a finish." Tan's proxy ended up raping Agape's proxy. Though the rape was treated with less drama than the fact that the good guys lost.
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* VoluntaryShapeshifting: A unicorn can take up to three forms (unicorn, human, and a third of their choosing, usually a bird or some sort of predator)[[hottip:*:Though, if Belle is any indication, some stick with two forms if they eschew a human form]]. Similarly, werewolves can voluntarily change between human and wolf forms at will, while vampires have human and bat forms.
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* VoluntaryShapeshifting: A unicorn can take up to three forms (unicorn, human, and a third of their choosing, usually a bird or some sort of predator)[[hottip:*:Though, predator)[[note]]Though, if Belle is any indication, some stick with two forms if they eschew a human form]].form[[/note]]. Similarly, werewolves can voluntarily change between human and wolf forms at will, while vampires have human and bat forms.
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* WhatKindOfLamePowerIsHeartAnyway: Tan's Evil Eye grants absolute mind control; nifty, but other Adepts with more versatile powers can create spells to duplicate the effect[[hottip:*:although they need a new spell each time; see ItOnlyWorksOnce]] in addition to the many, many other things they're capable of doing.
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* WhatKindOfLamePowerIsHeartAnyway: Tan's Evil Eye grants absolute mind control; nifty, but other Adepts with more versatile powers can create spells to duplicate the effect[[hottip:*:although effect[[note]]although they need a new spell each time; see ItOnlyWorksOnce]] ItOnlyWorksOnce[[/note]] in addition to the many, many other things they're capable of doing.
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* RapeAsDrama: One of the sections of ''Unicorn Point's'' TournamentArc pitted Tan against Agape in a "Seduction by Proxy" match[[hottip:*:two volunteer serfs were selected and placed in a social situation where they took turns trying to imitate sex. Their memories of the game would be wiped afterward.]], where rape was allowed to "ensure a finish." Tan's proxy ended up raping Agape's proxy. Though the rape was treated with less drama than the fact that the good guys lost.
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* MagicVersusScience: Magic doesn't work in Proton. Technology more advanced than a horse-and-carriage doesn't work if ported over to Phaze. Stile was able to get around this in the first trilogy by casting an animation spell on Sheen the robot.
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* MagicVersusScience: Magic doesn't work in Proton. Technology more advanced than a horse-and-carriage doesn't work if ported over to Phaze. Stile was able to get around this in the first trilogy by casting an animation spell on having the Brown Adept animate Sheen the robot.robot as a golem.
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* LaResistance: When the Hectare invade in Phaze Doubt, the protagonist Lysander is a Hectare agent tasked with joining the resistance to figure out their plans and foil them. Subverted in that he falls in love with another resistance member and faces a conflict of honor.
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* LesCollaborateurs: In Phaze Doubt, many Phaze/Proton citizens support the new regime to save their skins or profit, most notably the Tan and Purple Citizen/Adepts.
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The Apprentice Adept series is a seven-book fantasy and science fiction series by PiersAnthony. The series takes place on two worlds occupying the same space in two different dimensional planes: Phaze - a MagicalLand in MedievalStasis and [[TheMagocracy more or less ruled by the Adepts]], the strongest magic users, each specializing in a separate aspect, and Proton, a barren mining planet of high technology, ruled by the Plutocratic Citizens (who control the immense wealth of the Protonite mines). The worlds are divided by The Curtain, an energy field only visible to those capable of crossing it (someone without a doppelganger on the other side).
The first trilogy (''Split Infinity'', ''Blue Adept'', and ''Juxtaposition'') starred Stile, a Proton serf who, after a mysterious assassination attempt destroyed his career as a race jockey, becomes the central figure in an ancient prophecy to SaveBothWorlds from destruction, or ensure said destruction.
The second trilogy (''Out of Phaze'', ''Robot Adept'', and ''Unicorn Point'') featured Bane and Mach, the sons of Stile and Stile's opposite number, Blue, and their efforts to keep the previous impending doom from happening all over again.
The seventh and final book, ''Phaze Doubt'' sees the newly-merged worlds dealing with an alien invasion, and the BatmanGambit meant to deal with it and prevent future ones.
----
!!This series contains examples of:
* AIIsACrapshoot: In this case, [[spoiler: it's an AntiVillain for the first two-and-a-half books, and indirectly responsible for most of the crap Stile goes through.]]
* AllOfTheOtherReindeer: the unicorn Neysa is an outcast because of her small size and horse-normal coloration. Most unicorns are technicolor.
* AllYourPowersCombined: Anyone with the Book Of Magic gains the ability to use every school of Phaze magic.
* AlternateUniverse: Phaze to Photon, and vice versa. Not quite a MirrorUniverse (because morality isn't reversed), but it otherwise fits the trope: people born on Proton have a counterpart in Phaze that is as close to identical to them as possible while still being consistent with the setting change. In particular, magical power in Phase translates as wealth and Game-skill in Proton.
* AnguishedDeclarationOfLove: Mach makes one towards Fleta at the end of ''Out Of Phaze,'' via the [[TheScottishTrope the "Triple Thee"]]. [[ThePowerOfLove It's powerful enough to break the enchantment she'd put on herself to commit suicide.]]
* BadassNormal: Stile, at least in Proton.
* BatmanGambit: [[spoiler:The Oracle]] used Red's Adept paranoia against her in order to make sure [[spoiler:Stile entered Phaze]] at the right time.
* BestHerToBedHer: Brown (though it's only a crush), Merle, Neysa, Tania
* BlessedWithSuck: Al - a half-vampire who's allergic to blood.
* BizarreAlienBiology: The Amoebans are [[TheBlob gelatinous masses]] who eat through their skin in their normal forms. They also have VoluntaryShapeshifting abilities which they can use to look like humans.
* ChuckCunninghamSyndrome: Rifleman after ''Juxtaposition''.
* ColorCodedWizardry: The wizards, called Adepts, each pick a color, which matches their personality & type of magic.
* CoolHorse: The book strongly features unicorns, which are portrayed very favorably.
* DefeatMeansFriendship: Stile with Neysa, Hulk, & Clef.
* DepravedBisexual: Tania, in the second trilogy (at first) & a good chunk of Proton's Citizens
* DoesNotLikeMen: the first trilogy's Red Adept
* EvenEvilHasStandards: Purple insuring Brown was treated fairly in ''Phaze Doubt'', as she treated him and Tan fairly as their jailer.
* FingerInTheMail: The villains kidnap Clip, one of the protagonist's unicorn allies, and send him Clip's horn as proof. [[spoiler:Clip is rescued, and the protagonist uses his magic to reattach the horn.]]
* FloweryElizabethanEnglish: Standard dialect of Phaze.
* FreakyFriday: Mach and Bane's accidental swap which sets off the events of the second trilogy.
* FusionDance: Happens at the end of ''Unicorn Point'', in a BIG way.
* GreatBigBookOfEverything: The Book Of Magic
* GreenRocks: Phazite, used to power the various spells.
** Which, when taken to Proton, becomes the energy-bearing Protonite.
* HalfHumanHybrid: Thought to be impossible. [[IdiotBall But no one thought to check The Book Of Magic for cross-species fertility spells.]] Once they do, along come Flach (human father/unicorn mother) and Al (vampire mother/troll father).
* HappinessInSlavery: Many Proton Serfs will do anything they can to stay on Proton.
* HerHeartWillGoOn: Subverted. A prophecy foretells that [[spoiler:Lady Blue will give birth to Stile's child, so he puts off romancing her until after the big battle to ensure his safety]].
** Then double subverted when [[spoiler:Stile learns Lady Blue has conceived before the final battle, removing that particular piece of YouCantFightFate.]]
* HeroAntagonist: The Translucent Adept in the second trilogy. Mach even more so, due to HonorBeforeReason.
* HeroicSacrifice: [[spoiler:Stile's other self, Blue]], though we don't know it until much later.
* HighHeelFaceTurn / LoveRedeems: [[spoiler:Tania]]. Although she doesn't end up with Bane, her love for him makes her change her character completely, to a point that stretches suspension of disbelief. For example, she used to enjoy torturing frogs, and now she doesn't.
* HoistByHisOwnPetard: Tan and Purple's [[TheStarscream Starscream-like]] power grab (after their side had basically ''won'') gave the good guys the opening to play their trump card.
* HonorBeforeReason: Comes up so regularly, the bad guys start to [[BatmanGambit count on it]].
* HypnoticEyes: The Tan Adept possesses the magic of the [[HypnoticEyes Evil Eye]], which grants him the power of MindControl. His two children, a son who becomes [[IdenticalGrandson the next Tan Adept]], and daughter, Tania, also have this power.
* InevitableTournament: nearly every major conflict is settled, once and for all, via the Great Game (or a variant, in Phaze).
* IHaveBoobsYouMustObey: The version of Tania in Proton doesn't have her Phase counterpart's HypnoticEyes, so when she desperately needs to convince a man to do something at a plot-critical moment, she tries the closest thing she can think of: flashing her breasts. It works.
* ItOnlyWorksOnce: Any specific Adept spell can only be used once, then variations have to be used.
* LawfulStupid: Piers Anthony's definition of "good." This is subverted whenever the good guys take advantage of ExactWords.
* LiteralGenie
* LivingLieDetector: unicorns can test the truth of a person's words by spearing them with their horns. If the person spoke truly, they are left unharmed.
* MagicalIncantation: Stile's magic.
* MagicAIsMagicA: Phazian magic has some very specific rules.
** MutuallyExclusiveMagic: But those rules are pretty much the only thing the various Adepts have in common.
** {{Subverted}} by [[spoiler: Mach]], the Robot Adept, whose ability with the Book of Magic is [[StoryBreakerPower bound by virtually no rules]], and in fact explicitly breaks several pre-existing rules (such as the impossibility of crossbreeding).
*** To be fair, the Book of Magic is described as the nuclear age of magic whereas the normal Adept magic is like cave men using tools.
** The biggest rule is the one-use rule. The blue adept needs a different rhyme for each new spell. The tan adept can only use the Evil Eye once on a given person. The yellow adept has a different appearance each time she takes a youth potion, etc. Even the Book of Magic adheres to this, but its wielder can use spells that are just a little bit different to reproduce the same effects with a little imagination, and another wielder can still use a spell that someone else has.
* MagicMusic: Stile's magic must be invoked via rhyme and is strengthened by the use of music.
** Clef's ability with the Platinum Flute allows him to do something that none of the other Adepts can: manipulate the Curtain that separates Proton and Phase.
* MagicVersusScience: Magic doesn't work in Proton. Technology more advanced than a horse-and-carriage doesn't work if ported over to Phaze. Stile was able to get around this in the first trilogy by casting an animation spell on Sheen the robot.
* MeaningfulRename: Several characters choose their names from events and objects of personal importance (Stile, Rifleman, Clef).
* MeaningfulName: Hulk, which was a ShoutOut. Also, [[RidiculouslyHumanRobot Sheen and Mach]]. The third-generation characters, meanwhile, have names composed of a PortmanteauCoupleName from their parents--Nepe (Bane, Agape) and Flach (Fleta, Mach).
* MergedReality: The two worlds are eventually merged into one; as the characters are explicitly paired across both worlds (mirror-universe twin kinda thing), each pair merges into one being, and each pair has to time-share their body. Substantially easier for the heroes than for the villains, since heroes are used to putting the needs of others on par with or ahead of their own.
* MindControl: See HypnoticEyes, above.
* MixAndMatchCritters: Some native Phazites have animal heads on human bodies.
* MorphWeapon: The Platinum Flute
* NoNameGiven, OnlyKnownByTheirNickname: The real/birth names of most of the human cast are never revealed. Also, serfs are required by Proton law to call Citizens "Sir", unless given ''explicit'' permission for other forms of address. Similarly, the Adepts in Phaze adopt their titles as their names: the Blue Adept is called "Blue", the Red Adept is called "Red", and so on.
* NoNudityTaboo: Serfs on Proton are not allowed the privilege of wearing clothing. (There is an exception for safety gear.) This has made them indifferent to nudity and enhanced the appeal of [[ForbiddenFruit sexy clothing]].
* OneJudgeToRuleThemAll: How Stile won his harmonica duel against Clef, despite Clef giving what was clearly the superior performance. (The judges gave Stile the victory because he was a better *supporting* player; during their duet, playing with Stile produced a bigger improvement in Clef than playing with Clef produced in Stile.)
* OohMeAccentsSlipping: Stile and Blue tend to slip into their native dialects when speaking seriously or stressed.
* OurVampiresAreDifferent: Fully alive, basically were-bats that drink a little blood.
* PrecociousCrush: Brown, towards Stile.
* PropheciesAreAlwaysRight / PropheticFallacy: In ''Juxtaposition'', Stile was told he would be betrayed by "a young-seeming woman" and concludes it already happened, when Merle turned him in to the Citizen coalition. It turns out, however, that the true traitor was [[spoiler:Brown]]...except in a DoubleSubversion, not only did she not ''know'' she was a traitor ([[spoiler:she accidentally cast the spell wrong to switch the cardinal directions, thereby reversing ''everything''--though considering her crush, this may not have been accidental after all]]), but the betrayal actually ended up helping Stile in the end--[[spoiler:since it allowed Stile to stay in Phaze by reversing where his spirit lay, putting it in the golem's body and Blue's in Stile's]]. This last was ''another'' PropheticFallacy--everyone assumed [[spoiler:"Blue must leave Phaze forever" meant Stile since he had taken up the mantle of the Adept after his death. But once Blue's spirit was taken out of its SoulJar and put in a golem body, he was the one who had to leave Phaze, and did]].
* PsychicLink: Mach and Bane, Flach and Nepe (Stile and Blue presumably can do the same but choose not to find out)
* RetCon: The third generation protagonists get their nature and power level changed radically between when they were background and major characters.
* RidiculouslyHumanRobots: intentionally so.
* RhymesOnADime: How Stile's magic works
* SacrificialLion: [[spoiler:Hulk]]. This, and the death of the equally innocent Bluette, led Stile into a RoaringRampageOfRevenge.
* SelfFulfillingProphecy: [[spoiler: The Red Adept only tried to kill Stile because the Oracle said that Stile would destroy her, but Stile only fought her because she struck first.]]
** In a more series-wide sense, the Oracle does its best to make sure all its prophecies come true, aided by the fact that [[spoiler:it is a magical computer which can therefore work across both frames, and that it has contacts with the self-willed machines, including the [[DungeonMaster Game Computer]].]]
* SeriousBusiness: In a world where losing a game of Rock-Paper-Scissors can mean getting booted off the planet, ''everything'' possibly included in the Great Game is treated as Serious Business. Also, oaths on Phaze (which are magically enforced).
* SexAsRiteOfPassage: A werewolf gains adult status only after a ritual First Mating.
* SmugSnake: the Purple Adept
* SoulJar: [[spoiler: Stile's harmonica, which contains the soul of the original Blue Adept.]]
* StoryBreakerPower: Mach has no limits on his powers as the Robot Adept. He's kept in check solely by HonorBeforeReason; while he personally supports Team Stile, he's agreed to play by the rules that the Adverse Adepts set instead of simply blasting them off the map by ''force majeure''.
* SuddenlySexuality: The revelation, after seven books, that Brown is a lesbian, and given a relationship with Tsetse.
** Actually, there's a veiled reference to this in the fourth book when Mach, referring to Brown, says "She may have had some forbidden love of her own." in regards to Browns understanding of his love of Fleta.
* TechnicianVersusPerformer: Stile (Performer) versus various other Technicians, most notably the musician Clef.
* TakeAThirdOption: In Stile's duel with the Herd Stallion in ''Blue Adept'', Stile uses the Platinum Flute's power to ensure a fair fight between them, rather than using the power of the Flue to curb stomp the Stallion (humiliating him and making things even worse for Neyssa) or fight him without magic (resulting in ''Stile's'' stomping/humiliation).
* TheAce: Rifleman, from ''Juxtaposition''
* TheBigGuy: Hulk
* TheManBehindTheCurtain: Brown, in her first appearance.
* ThePromise: Several, made via oaths or the Splash of Truth
* TheScottishTrope: The "Triple Thee" (a binding and powerful love-oath in Phaze)
* TheVamp: Merle, Yellow (while she's using one of her youth potions)
* ThereCanBeOnlyOne: Established Adepts (read: Any adept who isn't Stile or one of his allies) tend to protect their positions by wiping out anyone who shows any real power within their specialty.
* TookALevelInBadass: Clip (from exiled male in ''Juxtaposition'' to Herd Stallion in ''Out Of Phaze'')
* TournamentArc: Most of ''Blue Adept'' and part of ''Juxtaposition'' involves Stile's journey through the Great Game.
* TrilogyCreep: There are seven books.
* TruthSerum: when someone swears something's true in Phaze, and they ''really mean'' it, a wave of rainbow light radiates from them.
* TykeBomb: Flach and Nepe
* {{Unobtainium}}: Phazite/Photonite
* UnknownAssailant: [[spoiler: The Red Adept]]
* UpgradeArtifact: * The [[GreatBigBookOfEverything Book of Magic]] and [[MagicMusic the Platinum Flute]]. The Book lets anyone who possesses it to cast magic spells at an Adept's power level (It let a troll with no inherent magic become the new Red Adept). The Flute enhances the innate magic of anyone who holds it (allowing Stile, the Blue Adept, to use his magic withing the AntiMagic influence of a unicorn circle). Anyone who can actually play the damn thing gains Adept-level magic. A master musician? Becomes stronger than all the other Adepts put together.
* VillainProtagonist: Lysander in ''Phaze Doubt'', though in actual deeds, he comes across as a MinionWithAnFInEvil.
* VoluntaryShapeshifting: A unicorn can take up to three forms (unicorn, human, and a third of their choosing, usually a bird or some sort of predator)[[hottip:*:Though, if Belle is any indication, some stick with two forms if they eschew a human form]]. Similarly, werewolves can voluntarily change between human and wolf forms at will, while vampires have human and bat forms.
** The original Herd Stallion takes this a step further, and succeeds in mastering a fourth Form after Stile persuades him that it would be uniquely helpful in getting them out of their current situation: [[spoiler: the Cockroach.]]
* WhatKindOfLamePowerIsHeartAnyway: Tan's Evil Eye grants absolute mind control; nifty, but other Adepts with more versatile powers can create spells to duplicate the effect[[hottip:*:although they need a new spell each time; see ItOnlyWorksOnce]] in addition to the many, many other things they're capable of doing.
* WhatMeasureIsANonHuman: The unicorns, werewolves, and other shifters on Phaze, the self-aware machines on Photon
* WhyAmITicking: In "Blue Adept", the hero is forewarned that the villain will try to force a magic bomb that will destroy him if he returns to Phaze with it. [[spoiler:The bomb turns out to be a bullet, which the villain shoots into the hero]], who realizes Just In Time what it really is.
* WiseBeyondTheirYears: Flach and Nepe
* WordOfGod: That Red wasn't a PsychoLesbian, but an asexual Psycho [[DoesNotLikeMen Misandrist]].
** Also, admitting that he [[SuddenlySexuality turned Brown gay]] because he needed to balance the cast a bit.
* YouCantFightFate: Stile uses ''other people's'' Oracle prophecies to ensure his own survival.
** This is made worse by the fact each person ''only gets one''.
** Serrilyan, who was prophesied to die after seeing the Sidhe [[RuleOfThree three times]]. [[CrowningMomentOfHeartwarming Clef then proceeds to pipe her soul to Heaven]], [[TearJerker despite her belief she didn't belong there]].
----
The first trilogy (''Split Infinity'', ''Blue Adept'', and ''Juxtaposition'') starred Stile, a Proton serf who, after a mysterious assassination attempt destroyed his career as a race jockey, becomes the central figure in an ancient prophecy to SaveBothWorlds from destruction, or ensure said destruction.
The second trilogy (''Out of Phaze'', ''Robot Adept'', and ''Unicorn Point'') featured Bane and Mach, the sons of Stile and Stile's opposite number, Blue, and their efforts to keep the previous impending doom from happening all over again.
The seventh and final book, ''Phaze Doubt'' sees the newly-merged worlds dealing with an alien invasion, and the BatmanGambit meant to deal with it and prevent future ones.
----
!!This series contains examples of:
* AIIsACrapshoot: In this case, [[spoiler: it's an AntiVillain for the first two-and-a-half books, and indirectly responsible for most of the crap Stile goes through.]]
* AllOfTheOtherReindeer: the unicorn Neysa is an outcast because of her small size and horse-normal coloration. Most unicorns are technicolor.
* AllYourPowersCombined: Anyone with the Book Of Magic gains the ability to use every school of Phaze magic.
* AlternateUniverse: Phaze to Photon, and vice versa. Not quite a MirrorUniverse (because morality isn't reversed), but it otherwise fits the trope: people born on Proton have a counterpart in Phaze that is as close to identical to them as possible while still being consistent with the setting change. In particular, magical power in Phase translates as wealth and Game-skill in Proton.
* AnguishedDeclarationOfLove: Mach makes one towards Fleta at the end of ''Out Of Phaze,'' via the [[TheScottishTrope the "Triple Thee"]]. [[ThePowerOfLove It's powerful enough to break the enchantment she'd put on herself to commit suicide.]]
* BadassNormal: Stile, at least in Proton.
* BatmanGambit: [[spoiler:The Oracle]] used Red's Adept paranoia against her in order to make sure [[spoiler:Stile entered Phaze]] at the right time.
* BestHerToBedHer: Brown (though it's only a crush), Merle, Neysa, Tania
* BlessedWithSuck: Al - a half-vampire who's allergic to blood.
* BizarreAlienBiology: The Amoebans are [[TheBlob gelatinous masses]] who eat through their skin in their normal forms. They also have VoluntaryShapeshifting abilities which they can use to look like humans.
* ChuckCunninghamSyndrome: Rifleman after ''Juxtaposition''.
* ColorCodedWizardry: The wizards, called Adepts, each pick a color, which matches their personality & type of magic.
* CoolHorse: The book strongly features unicorns, which are portrayed very favorably.
* DefeatMeansFriendship: Stile with Neysa, Hulk, & Clef.
* DepravedBisexual: Tania, in the second trilogy (at first) & a good chunk of Proton's Citizens
* DoesNotLikeMen: the first trilogy's Red Adept
* EvenEvilHasStandards: Purple insuring Brown was treated fairly in ''Phaze Doubt'', as she treated him and Tan fairly as their jailer.
* FingerInTheMail: The villains kidnap Clip, one of the protagonist's unicorn allies, and send him Clip's horn as proof. [[spoiler:Clip is rescued, and the protagonist uses his magic to reattach the horn.]]
* FloweryElizabethanEnglish: Standard dialect of Phaze.
* FreakyFriday: Mach and Bane's accidental swap which sets off the events of the second trilogy.
* FusionDance: Happens at the end of ''Unicorn Point'', in a BIG way.
* GreatBigBookOfEverything: The Book Of Magic
* GreenRocks: Phazite, used to power the various spells.
** Which, when taken to Proton, becomes the energy-bearing Protonite.
* HalfHumanHybrid: Thought to be impossible. [[IdiotBall But no one thought to check The Book Of Magic for cross-species fertility spells.]] Once they do, along come Flach (human father/unicorn mother) and Al (vampire mother/troll father).
* HappinessInSlavery: Many Proton Serfs will do anything they can to stay on Proton.
* HerHeartWillGoOn: Subverted. A prophecy foretells that [[spoiler:Lady Blue will give birth to Stile's child, so he puts off romancing her until after the big battle to ensure his safety]].
** Then double subverted when [[spoiler:Stile learns Lady Blue has conceived before the final battle, removing that particular piece of YouCantFightFate.]]
* HeroAntagonist: The Translucent Adept in the second trilogy. Mach even more so, due to HonorBeforeReason.
* HeroicSacrifice: [[spoiler:Stile's other self, Blue]], though we don't know it until much later.
* HighHeelFaceTurn / LoveRedeems: [[spoiler:Tania]]. Although she doesn't end up with Bane, her love for him makes her change her character completely, to a point that stretches suspension of disbelief. For example, she used to enjoy torturing frogs, and now she doesn't.
* HoistByHisOwnPetard: Tan and Purple's [[TheStarscream Starscream-like]] power grab (after their side had basically ''won'') gave the good guys the opening to play their trump card.
* HonorBeforeReason: Comes up so regularly, the bad guys start to [[BatmanGambit count on it]].
* HypnoticEyes: The Tan Adept possesses the magic of the [[HypnoticEyes Evil Eye]], which grants him the power of MindControl. His two children, a son who becomes [[IdenticalGrandson the next Tan Adept]], and daughter, Tania, also have this power.
* InevitableTournament: nearly every major conflict is settled, once and for all, via the Great Game (or a variant, in Phaze).
* IHaveBoobsYouMustObey: The version of Tania in Proton doesn't have her Phase counterpart's HypnoticEyes, so when she desperately needs to convince a man to do something at a plot-critical moment, she tries the closest thing she can think of: flashing her breasts. It works.
* ItOnlyWorksOnce: Any specific Adept spell can only be used once, then variations have to be used.
* LawfulStupid: Piers Anthony's definition of "good." This is subverted whenever the good guys take advantage of ExactWords.
* LiteralGenie
* LivingLieDetector: unicorns can test the truth of a person's words by spearing them with their horns. If the person spoke truly, they are left unharmed.
* MagicalIncantation: Stile's magic.
* MagicAIsMagicA: Phazian magic has some very specific rules.
** MutuallyExclusiveMagic: But those rules are pretty much the only thing the various Adepts have in common.
** {{Subverted}} by [[spoiler: Mach]], the Robot Adept, whose ability with the Book of Magic is [[StoryBreakerPower bound by virtually no rules]], and in fact explicitly breaks several pre-existing rules (such as the impossibility of crossbreeding).
*** To be fair, the Book of Magic is described as the nuclear age of magic whereas the normal Adept magic is like cave men using tools.
** The biggest rule is the one-use rule. The blue adept needs a different rhyme for each new spell. The tan adept can only use the Evil Eye once on a given person. The yellow adept has a different appearance each time she takes a youth potion, etc. Even the Book of Magic adheres to this, but its wielder can use spells that are just a little bit different to reproduce the same effects with a little imagination, and another wielder can still use a spell that someone else has.
* MagicMusic: Stile's magic must be invoked via rhyme and is strengthened by the use of music.
** Clef's ability with the Platinum Flute allows him to do something that none of the other Adepts can: manipulate the Curtain that separates Proton and Phase.
* MagicVersusScience: Magic doesn't work in Proton. Technology more advanced than a horse-and-carriage doesn't work if ported over to Phaze. Stile was able to get around this in the first trilogy by casting an animation spell on Sheen the robot.
* MeaningfulRename: Several characters choose their names from events and objects of personal importance (Stile, Rifleman, Clef).
* MeaningfulName: Hulk, which was a ShoutOut. Also, [[RidiculouslyHumanRobot Sheen and Mach]]. The third-generation characters, meanwhile, have names composed of a PortmanteauCoupleName from their parents--Nepe (Bane, Agape) and Flach (Fleta, Mach).
* MergedReality: The two worlds are eventually merged into one; as the characters are explicitly paired across both worlds (mirror-universe twin kinda thing), each pair merges into one being, and each pair has to time-share their body. Substantially easier for the heroes than for the villains, since heroes are used to putting the needs of others on par with or ahead of their own.
* MindControl: See HypnoticEyes, above.
* MixAndMatchCritters: Some native Phazites have animal heads on human bodies.
* MorphWeapon: The Platinum Flute
* NoNameGiven, OnlyKnownByTheirNickname: The real/birth names of most of the human cast are never revealed. Also, serfs are required by Proton law to call Citizens "Sir", unless given ''explicit'' permission for other forms of address. Similarly, the Adepts in Phaze adopt their titles as their names: the Blue Adept is called "Blue", the Red Adept is called "Red", and so on.
* NoNudityTaboo: Serfs on Proton are not allowed the privilege of wearing clothing. (There is an exception for safety gear.) This has made them indifferent to nudity and enhanced the appeal of [[ForbiddenFruit sexy clothing]].
* OneJudgeToRuleThemAll: How Stile won his harmonica duel against Clef, despite Clef giving what was clearly the superior performance. (The judges gave Stile the victory because he was a better *supporting* player; during their duet, playing with Stile produced a bigger improvement in Clef than playing with Clef produced in Stile.)
* OohMeAccentsSlipping: Stile and Blue tend to slip into their native dialects when speaking seriously or stressed.
* OurVampiresAreDifferent: Fully alive, basically were-bats that drink a little blood.
* PrecociousCrush: Brown, towards Stile.
* PropheciesAreAlwaysRight / PropheticFallacy: In ''Juxtaposition'', Stile was told he would be betrayed by "a young-seeming woman" and concludes it already happened, when Merle turned him in to the Citizen coalition. It turns out, however, that the true traitor was [[spoiler:Brown]]...except in a DoubleSubversion, not only did she not ''know'' she was a traitor ([[spoiler:she accidentally cast the spell wrong to switch the cardinal directions, thereby reversing ''everything''--though considering her crush, this may not have been accidental after all]]), but the betrayal actually ended up helping Stile in the end--[[spoiler:since it allowed Stile to stay in Phaze by reversing where his spirit lay, putting it in the golem's body and Blue's in Stile's]]. This last was ''another'' PropheticFallacy--everyone assumed [[spoiler:"Blue must leave Phaze forever" meant Stile since he had taken up the mantle of the Adept after his death. But once Blue's spirit was taken out of its SoulJar and put in a golem body, he was the one who had to leave Phaze, and did]].
* PsychicLink: Mach and Bane, Flach and Nepe (Stile and Blue presumably can do the same but choose not to find out)
* RetCon: The third generation protagonists get their nature and power level changed radically between when they were background and major characters.
* RidiculouslyHumanRobots: intentionally so.
* RhymesOnADime: How Stile's magic works
* SacrificialLion: [[spoiler:Hulk]]. This, and the death of the equally innocent Bluette, led Stile into a RoaringRampageOfRevenge.
* SelfFulfillingProphecy: [[spoiler: The Red Adept only tried to kill Stile because the Oracle said that Stile would destroy her, but Stile only fought her because she struck first.]]
** In a more series-wide sense, the Oracle does its best to make sure all its prophecies come true, aided by the fact that [[spoiler:it is a magical computer which can therefore work across both frames, and that it has contacts with the self-willed machines, including the [[DungeonMaster Game Computer]].]]
* SeriousBusiness: In a world where losing a game of Rock-Paper-Scissors can mean getting booted off the planet, ''everything'' possibly included in the Great Game is treated as Serious Business. Also, oaths on Phaze (which are magically enforced).
* SexAsRiteOfPassage: A werewolf gains adult status only after a ritual First Mating.
* SmugSnake: the Purple Adept
* SoulJar: [[spoiler: Stile's harmonica, which contains the soul of the original Blue Adept.]]
* StoryBreakerPower: Mach has no limits on his powers as the Robot Adept. He's kept in check solely by HonorBeforeReason; while he personally supports Team Stile, he's agreed to play by the rules that the Adverse Adepts set instead of simply blasting them off the map by ''force majeure''.
* SuddenlySexuality: The revelation, after seven books, that Brown is a lesbian, and given a relationship with Tsetse.
** Actually, there's a veiled reference to this in the fourth book when Mach, referring to Brown, says "She may have had some forbidden love of her own." in regards to Browns understanding of his love of Fleta.
* TechnicianVersusPerformer: Stile (Performer) versus various other Technicians, most notably the musician Clef.
* TakeAThirdOption: In Stile's duel with the Herd Stallion in ''Blue Adept'', Stile uses the Platinum Flute's power to ensure a fair fight between them, rather than using the power of the Flue to curb stomp the Stallion (humiliating him and making things even worse for Neyssa) or fight him without magic (resulting in ''Stile's'' stomping/humiliation).
* TheAce: Rifleman, from ''Juxtaposition''
* TheBigGuy: Hulk
* TheManBehindTheCurtain: Brown, in her first appearance.
* ThePromise: Several, made via oaths or the Splash of Truth
* TheScottishTrope: The "Triple Thee" (a binding and powerful love-oath in Phaze)
* TheVamp: Merle, Yellow (while she's using one of her youth potions)
* ThereCanBeOnlyOne: Established Adepts (read: Any adept who isn't Stile or one of his allies) tend to protect their positions by wiping out anyone who shows any real power within their specialty.
* TookALevelInBadass: Clip (from exiled male in ''Juxtaposition'' to Herd Stallion in ''Out Of Phaze'')
* TournamentArc: Most of ''Blue Adept'' and part of ''Juxtaposition'' involves Stile's journey through the Great Game.
* TrilogyCreep: There are seven books.
* TruthSerum: when someone swears something's true in Phaze, and they ''really mean'' it, a wave of rainbow light radiates from them.
* TykeBomb: Flach and Nepe
* {{Unobtainium}}: Phazite/Photonite
* UnknownAssailant: [[spoiler: The Red Adept]]
* UpgradeArtifact: * The [[GreatBigBookOfEverything Book of Magic]] and [[MagicMusic the Platinum Flute]]. The Book lets anyone who possesses it to cast magic spells at an Adept's power level (It let a troll with no inherent magic become the new Red Adept). The Flute enhances the innate magic of anyone who holds it (allowing Stile, the Blue Adept, to use his magic withing the AntiMagic influence of a unicorn circle). Anyone who can actually play the damn thing gains Adept-level magic. A master musician? Becomes stronger than all the other Adepts put together.
* VillainProtagonist: Lysander in ''Phaze Doubt'', though in actual deeds, he comes across as a MinionWithAnFInEvil.
* VoluntaryShapeshifting: A unicorn can take up to three forms (unicorn, human, and a third of their choosing, usually a bird or some sort of predator)[[hottip:*:Though, if Belle is any indication, some stick with two forms if they eschew a human form]]. Similarly, werewolves can voluntarily change between human and wolf forms at will, while vampires have human and bat forms.
** The original Herd Stallion takes this a step further, and succeeds in mastering a fourth Form after Stile persuades him that it would be uniquely helpful in getting them out of their current situation: [[spoiler: the Cockroach.]]
* WhatKindOfLamePowerIsHeartAnyway: Tan's Evil Eye grants absolute mind control; nifty, but other Adepts with more versatile powers can create spells to duplicate the effect[[hottip:*:although they need a new spell each time; see ItOnlyWorksOnce]] in addition to the many, many other things they're capable of doing.
* WhatMeasureIsANonHuman: The unicorns, werewolves, and other shifters on Phaze, the self-aware machines on Photon
* WhyAmITicking: In "Blue Adept", the hero is forewarned that the villain will try to force a magic bomb that will destroy him if he returns to Phaze with it. [[spoiler:The bomb turns out to be a bullet, which the villain shoots into the hero]], who realizes Just In Time what it really is.
* WiseBeyondTheirYears: Flach and Nepe
* WordOfGod: That Red wasn't a PsychoLesbian, but an asexual Psycho [[DoesNotLikeMen Misandrist]].
** Also, admitting that he [[SuddenlySexuality turned Brown gay]] because he needed to balance the cast a bit.
* YouCantFightFate: Stile uses ''other people's'' Oracle prophecies to ensure his own survival.
** This is made worse by the fact each person ''only gets one''.
** Serrilyan, who was prophesied to die after seeing the Sidhe [[RuleOfThree three times]]. [[CrowningMomentOfHeartwarming Clef then proceeds to pipe her soul to Heaven]], [[TearJerker despite her belief she didn't belong there]].
----
