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Blending technology and magic in a sci-fantsy

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Bur from Flyover Country (Living Relic) Relationship Status: Having tea with Cthulhu
#1: May 6th 2011 at 8:54:17 AM

So. Yes... topic. What kinds of ways do you think it would be fun to do this? What do you think would remain as non-magical and what could be completely taken over by psionics, or wizards meditating over a crystal, or whatever? Powered by a Forsaken Child FTL drives? Plasma rifles and magic missles? Maybe circuits take the shape of runes of sorts to when an electric current goes through them it also generates a magical one?

Quoth Pink's alright, I guess. Since: Apr, 2010
Pink's alright, I guess.
#2: May 6th 2011 at 11:05:06 AM

It completely depends on the limitations of magic and technology in your setting. Fishing for ideas?

Bur from Flyover Country (Living Relic) Relationship Status: Having tea with Cthulhu
#3: May 6th 2011 at 11:16:23 AM

I am fishing for ideas, but I really do want to hear others' opinions on what things could be done with magic thrown in, assuming it's completely incorporated into society.

Right now in my setting I don't really have an established tech/magic/magitech ceiling. I know it's below glassing planets... but it's definitely high enough for faster than light travel.

nrjxll Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: Not war
#4: May 6th 2011 at 11:22:29 AM

Well, I'd say use magic for FTL Travel at least, as it's pretty much what you would need anyway...

edited 6th May '11 11:50:39 AM by nrjxll

Quoth Pink's alright, I guess. Since: Apr, 2010
Pink's alright, I guess.
#5: May 6th 2011 at 11:41:43 AM

I know it's below glassing planets... but it's definitely high enough for faster than light travel.
Complete violation of physics is way more powerful than just burning some planets jus' so y'know.

annebeeche watching down on us from by the long tidal river Since: Nov, 2010
watching down on us
#6: May 6th 2011 at 12:05:31 PM

For that steampunkish Germanic AMAT I was starting off a while ago, I planned on fluidly combining Germanic magical practices and steam technology. In history, it was not at all uncommon for people to cut their spears and swords with runic inscriptions intended to bring good luck or enhance the capabilities of the weapon—the same would most likely be done to trains, horseless wagons, airships and such.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that people who have been using magic for eons will apply their magic to technology the way they would apply it to everything else.

edited 6th May '11 12:07:21 PM by annebeeche

Banned entirely for telling FE that he was being rude and not contributing to the discussion. I shall watch down from the goon heavens.
breadloaf Since: Oct, 2010
#7: May 6th 2011 at 12:06:17 PM

Basically anything that causes pain to the laws of physics, I would use magic instead. It makes it easier to explain. For instance FTL, or cheap cooling for superconductors or say high efficiency fuel.

Bur from Flyover Country (Living Relic) Relationship Status: Having tea with Cthulhu
#8: May 6th 2011 at 12:16:36 PM

[up][up][up] That was a little uncalled for. Just so ya know. That's why it's a science-fantasy.

[up][up] That makes sense. I may have to just resign myself to having things completely blended.

edited 6th May '11 12:18:09 PM by Bur

MattII Since: Sep, 2009
#9: May 6th 2011 at 2:21:51 PM

Most sci-fis already use magic, or at least break the laws of physics, specifically thermodynamics, and if you don't believe it, explain to me why the International Space Station needs radiators.

MattII Since: Sep, 2009
#10: May 6th 2011 at 2:28:48 PM

Gah, stupid freezing browser.

edited 6th May '11 2:30:38 PM by MattII

nrjxll Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: Not war
#11: May 6th 2011 at 7:46:01 PM

Ah, yes, Ye Goode Olde Stealth in Space. Another tailor-made place to use magic.

Worlder What? Since: Jan, 2001
What?
#12: May 6th 2011 at 11:01:40 PM

Personally I would make magic have a higher rate of failure than cutting edge engineering and design.

Reason being that the magic is essentially a controlled and limited form of Reality Is Out to Lunch. The enchanted objects (especially applicable to stronger enchantments) that travel farther away and spend longer time away from the enchanter risk rapid decay of the enchantment.

That is why in my story any magical UA Vs typically only operate within a few hundred yards and need frequent recharges, whereas the purely technological can operate for miles and days even.

66Scorpio Banned, selectively from Toronto, Canada Since: Nov, 2010
Banned, selectively
#13: May 8th 2011 at 9:47:13 PM

Tech and magic can be compatible, interchangeable, and yet derived from different processes. Psionics adds a third dimension assuming that it is not explainable and replicatable by magical or technological means. Combining the two would be a whole field in itself. For the magic you would have to go heavy on material components or focuses, or else jack up the point cost for various powers. You can look at a role-playing system like HERO Games to see how tech and magic can be broken down into a system of effects and then played with.

Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you are probably right.
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