@ druke: I\'d say it\'s as explained as quantum physics are IRL... there are models that describe the effects that have been observed, that can even predict new effects, but they are not a real explanation, just guesses and models. They could be proven wrong any day (and IMO they
will be proven wrong within 20 years time). So magic in Yliakum is, in essence, a science.
@ dfryer: it of course doesn\'t
need to be. It would add another option to RP, but what you can
do in the world wouldn\'t differ. Like having a blue pen besides a black one. Doesn\'t really change anything, but is nice to have. I do agree to the glyph argument to a certain extent only, and I\'d say that psychic powers wouldn\'t be strong enough to create a race. However, because the gods used the power from the crystal, not their own, to create the races, and the rune magic of Yliakum AFAICS isn\'t very powerful, either (i.e. doesn\'t allow even the most powerful magician to create a new race), there wouldn\'t be any difference.
Also, on the settings page it is implied that runes aren\'t the only way to use the magic of the crystal.
Originally posted on the history page
Since Talad wanted to have mastery on glyphs, Laanx would control the pure and violent power of the Crystal.
So obviously, there
is another way of using the magic of the crystal. Therefore, psionics wouldn\'t be ruled out by implication as well.
Anyway, I regard psionics as fourth branch of magic because it is so very similar to the other branches. It drains power by making the user tired. While this could be attributed to the sheer act of concentration this is unlikely the case because you need great concentration for any academic branch of magic, and even wild talents get drained despite them not actually concentrating hard. The conventional tiredness, however, usually doesn\'t even affect or limit you so it cannot be the same.
Therefore the source of power seems to be a self-draining effect, just as you said. Assuming this, there is no great difference between this and the blood magic branch that just draws upon another source, the life force, as opposed to the mind. Therefore, overusing psionics will IMO lead to madness because the mind is damaged permanently, just like overusing blood magic on your own life force will kill you.
Furthermore, it\'s not \"non-magical force\" but rather another magic force. If not, then any magic forces are \"non-magical forces\" by definition as well because all can be traced and all have different percieved origins. All can be manipulated using specific but different techniques. Therefore it is IMO only a matter of traditional nomenclature that differenciates between magic and psionics, just as divine magic often is not being seen as magic but as miracles as well.
If we now look at magic from a scientific point of view of todays physics, you would come to the conclusion that all magic, regardless of the percieved source of power, essentially manipulates
the exact same energies and strutures. These are what is being tried to describe by quantum physics: the space-time-energy fabric itself. Any differences are differences in what you use to focus yourself to be able to manipulate it, a model that fits your way of thinking and of percieving the world, not what you
actually do. Therefore, natural magic can be considered to be the most accurate model, because it defines the source of power to be interwoven with the surrounding, which is nearly precise: quantum structures make up everything.
Means of focusing:
Natural magic: concentration on the harmony of the surrounding, bringing yourself into this harmony and then changing the harmony. Diretly ccesses the fabric through the concept of \"harmony\".
Divine magic: concentration on the entity you believe in and catalysing your efforts through it because this being is supposedly connected to everything. Uses one level of indirection by relaying the power though an abstract entity (that might coincide with real entities).
Blood magic: concentration on the life force that essentially makes up everything and that can thus affect other life forces. Uses the concept of \"life force\" to directly access the fabric.
Psionics: concentration on what you want to achieve, connecting your mind to the target and affecting it this way. Uses the concept of \"will\" to directly access the fabric.
The different assumed sources of power therefore are what actually defines what is being drained, because the drain itself only takes place because the need to drain something is at the very heart of any of these theories. Therefore, with a theory that isn\'t based on drain, there would not be any drain (except the tiredness of concentrating).
