Post by Q on May 22, 2012 21:11:19 GMT -5
Magic system
Glyphs:
The more complex the glyph the more complicated the resulting transformation. There are two main types of glyphs, physical transformations and mental transformations. Only one glyph can be active at a time. Physical glyphs are typically larger and more complex in nature, they will overwrite mental glyphs in place. The mental glyphs effects will return is the physical glyph is removed/broken. Debt glyphs are physical glyphs and often have a similar pattern within them which is theorized as adding durability to the resulting form. Mental glyphs are smaller and simpler than physcial glyphs. If two different mental glyphs are placed on the same subject the results can range from the glyphs canceling to driving the subject into an unstoppable psychotic rage or turning them into a mindless shell. Removing or damaging the glyph removes the effect. Many glyphs have been lost to history. Scholars and treasure hunters scour old writing attempting to find new glyphs or meanings. Few people attempt to create new glyphs as mistakes can be deadly.
Glyphs must be embedded into the flesh of the recipient (pushed deep enough to mark, tattooed, cut, etc.). A drawing of the glyph will have no effect.
Physical forms grant instant knowledge on how to move and use that form.
Harnesses:
Temporary transformations may be produced through the use of harnesses made from leather and carved bone or horn. The harnesses are placed on the subjects skin and tightened until they form an impression in the skin, which causes the transformation. Removal of the harness reverses the change. The harnesses are typically kept tightened and locked by special keys in the lawgiver or harness's owner's possession and the leather straps are of a high thickness and toughness so as not to be removed prematurely.
Branding:
Brands are used in mass production situations, such as large groups of prisoners or captives of war. The branding of the glyphs is a permanent process. The brand is made of iron and can become deformed after repeated uses resulting in more common occurrences of mishaps with this method. The healing afterward may also disfigure the glyph causing trouble or reversion.
Tattoos:
Blood, bone ash and ground up insects comprise most of the tattoo inks as the glyphs require an animal basis to work. The symbols are tattooed on the subject allowing for a permanent application of the form or attribute in question. The process also allows for more accurate depictions of the symbols resulting in higher accuracy.
Scars: Occasionally, instead of using a brand or tattoo, the glyph will be cut into the flesh of the recipient. Often bone ash is rubbed in the cuts to encourage scarring and prevent mis-drawn glyphs.
Mishaps and Mistakes:
TBD
Long term effects:
Physical glyphs have minor long term effects, so long as the time spent under the glyph is less than a couple years. Longer than a couple years and the mind starts treating the glyph form as its natural one, resulting in loss of normal human behavior. A person returned to human form after so long may have difficulty walking or speaking normally and have trouble interacting with other people, however the skills are relearned quickly. If the person is affected longer than five years, for example some criminals and slaves, the human mind may become subsumed in the instincts of the form and take much therapy and counseling to return to normal.
Mental glyphs often have drastic long term effects and may become permanent over time. Mind glyphs train the mind to act accordingly, so removal may make little difference. It is a criminal practice to allow a person to be under a mind glyph for more than a few months, and even that sort time may cause alterations in personality. Mental glyphs in place longer than a year are effectively permanent and take counseling to reverse. Most mental glyphs have an opposite, however this only brings the affected to the opposite end of the spectrum and does not cure them.
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If a person has incurred a debt to someone they have a way of paying it off even if they don't have money, a kind of indentured service.
They go to the official and the arrangements are made for what length of time and whatever, then the official comes out with a leather harness inscribed with runes and having a carved bone amulet placed on it.
The bone amulet can be decorated but is often not, but the entire harness must be made out of organic materials originating from animals
So the servant is taken to a yard and fitted with this harness, which transforms them into a specific monstrous thing that the person they are paying off can put to work doing things like pulling carts, body guarding, etc.
When the time is up the official removes the harness and the person transforms back, none the worse.
The beasts used for debts are incredibly durable so there is little risk of foul play.
Actual criminals are treated differently.
The runes are tattooed onto them (sometimes branded) so there is no going back from that (without cutting the offending skin/branded area off, provided it can be found). However, if the rune is destroyed or defaced to a sufficient degree, the effect is canceled. (i.e. enough scarring can obscure the mark enough to reverse the transformation.)
The transformation symbols are very specific, and there are only a few known ones outside the archives. Anyone who has a unique one guards it jealously.
What if someone was tattooed that wasn't a criminal?
Snatch and tattoo and suddenly you have an extra 'criminal' to sell. Criminals are sold as beasts of burden, like horses or cattle (or slaves).
The beasts look nothing like regular Earth animals, nor mythical ones. So no dragons, gryphons, dinosaurs, horses, oxen, wolves etc.
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Glyphs:
The more complex the glyph the more complicated the resulting transformation. There are two main types of glyphs, physical transformations and mental transformations. Only one glyph can be active at a time. Physical glyphs are typically larger and more complex in nature, they will overwrite mental glyphs in place. The mental glyphs effects will return is the physical glyph is removed/broken. Debt glyphs are physical glyphs and often have a similar pattern within them which is theorized as adding durability to the resulting form. Mental glyphs are smaller and simpler than physcial glyphs. If two different mental glyphs are placed on the same subject the results can range from the glyphs canceling to driving the subject into an unstoppable psychotic rage or turning them into a mindless shell. Removing or damaging the glyph removes the effect. Many glyphs have been lost to history. Scholars and treasure hunters scour old writing attempting to find new glyphs or meanings. Few people attempt to create new glyphs as mistakes can be deadly.
Glyphs must be embedded into the flesh of the recipient (pushed deep enough to mark, tattooed, cut, etc.). A drawing of the glyph will have no effect.
Physical forms grant instant knowledge on how to move and use that form.
Harnesses:
Temporary transformations may be produced through the use of harnesses made from leather and carved bone or horn. The harnesses are placed on the subjects skin and tightened until they form an impression in the skin, which causes the transformation. Removal of the harness reverses the change. The harnesses are typically kept tightened and locked by special keys in the lawgiver or harness's owner's possession and the leather straps are of a high thickness and toughness so as not to be removed prematurely.
Branding:
Brands are used in mass production situations, such as large groups of prisoners or captives of war. The branding of the glyphs is a permanent process. The brand is made of iron and can become deformed after repeated uses resulting in more common occurrences of mishaps with this method. The healing afterward may also disfigure the glyph causing trouble or reversion.
Tattoos:
Blood, bone ash and ground up insects comprise most of the tattoo inks as the glyphs require an animal basis to work. The symbols are tattooed on the subject allowing for a permanent application of the form or attribute in question. The process also allows for more accurate depictions of the symbols resulting in higher accuracy.
Scars: Occasionally, instead of using a brand or tattoo, the glyph will be cut into the flesh of the recipient. Often bone ash is rubbed in the cuts to encourage scarring and prevent mis-drawn glyphs.
Mishaps and Mistakes:
TBD
Long term effects:
Physical glyphs have minor long term effects, so long as the time spent under the glyph is less than a couple years. Longer than a couple years and the mind starts treating the glyph form as its natural one, resulting in loss of normal human behavior. A person returned to human form after so long may have difficulty walking or speaking normally and have trouble interacting with other people, however the skills are relearned quickly. If the person is affected longer than five years, for example some criminals and slaves, the human mind may become subsumed in the instincts of the form and take much therapy and counseling to return to normal.
Mental glyphs often have drastic long term effects and may become permanent over time. Mind glyphs train the mind to act accordingly, so removal may make little difference. It is a criminal practice to allow a person to be under a mind glyph for more than a few months, and even that sort time may cause alterations in personality. Mental glyphs in place longer than a year are effectively permanent and take counseling to reverse. Most mental glyphs have an opposite, however this only brings the affected to the opposite end of the spectrum and does not cure them.
---------
If a person has incurred a debt to someone they have a way of paying it off even if they don't have money, a kind of indentured service.
They go to the official and the arrangements are made for what length of time and whatever, then the official comes out with a leather harness inscribed with runes and having a carved bone amulet placed on it.
The bone amulet can be decorated but is often not, but the entire harness must be made out of organic materials originating from animals
So the servant is taken to a yard and fitted with this harness, which transforms them into a specific monstrous thing that the person they are paying off can put to work doing things like pulling carts, body guarding, etc.
When the time is up the official removes the harness and the person transforms back, none the worse.
The beasts used for debts are incredibly durable so there is little risk of foul play.
Actual criminals are treated differently.
The runes are tattooed onto them (sometimes branded) so there is no going back from that (without cutting the offending skin/branded area off, provided it can be found). However, if the rune is destroyed or defaced to a sufficient degree, the effect is canceled. (i.e. enough scarring can obscure the mark enough to reverse the transformation.)
The transformation symbols are very specific, and there are only a few known ones outside the archives. Anyone who has a unique one guards it jealously.
What if someone was tattooed that wasn't a criminal?
Snatch and tattoo and suddenly you have an extra 'criminal' to sell. Criminals are sold as beasts of burden, like horses or cattle (or slaves).
The beasts look nothing like regular Earth animals, nor mythical ones. So no dragons, gryphons, dinosaurs, horses, oxen, wolves etc.
----