A Brief Introductory Discourse on Auric's Theorem

as well as various points regarding such things as aetheric matrices and their downfalls, four-dimensional frame structures in the time-space continuum and their uses, and long-distance runic sequencing

by pallatia the erudite

It has come to my attention numerous times that there appear to be several misconceptions and a general lack of knowledge about the finer points of Auric's Theorem. (EDITOR'S NOTE: This is more commonly known as constellation magic.) As such, in this brief discourse, I shall endeavour to explain the finer points of theoretical magic and how they may be utilized to exponentially increase one's prowess in any magic.

The fact is that many seem to believe, whether from lack of study or lack of knowledge, that they are pulling their magic directly from the stars. This is incorrect, and to begin to understand why, we must first begin with a brief explanation of the past.

HISTORY OF AURIC'S THEOREM

Right when our race was first taking to the stars, Auric the Erudite was one of the foremost thinkers of the Exemplars. Although he was technically a secretary of the Infinite, his real function is recorded as being much more important than that. Highly philosophical and learned, he was approached with the issue of Promethaen on board our first interstellar ships being unable to use magic properly while within space.

In response, he produced the Matrix Dissertation, one of the most influential texts of all time, and a highly recommended reading. Understanding of this theorem allowed our race to not only take to the stars, but deepen our understanding of magic and create long-distance systems transversing thousands of standard light-cycles as well as break the speed of light itself.

BASE UNDERSTANDINGS

Although many view the Theorem to be a highly theoretical statement, it is in fact very practical. In its formal language, it states:

Massive celestial bodies' distortion of quantum foam causes a force of attraction with charged vesperon particles,
eventually leading to the capture and accumulation of particles.

The remainder of the dissertation discusses the matrix formation and shape, which I will endeavour to summarize and simplify for you.

(EDITOR'S NOTE: Vesperons are more commonly known as "magic particles," which are the charged particles that 'cause' magic.)

Before progressing further, one must have a base understanding of vesperons and their nature. As the only known perquantaschizmic (EDITOR'S NOTE: "per kuahn tah skiz mik," that which cuts through the quantum foam) particle, they are what we manipulate when we use magic. They function by exploiting the mutable quantum level of the universe with energy gleaned from our life forces, allowing us to perform a variety of tricks. It is also important to note that they, much like photons, possess wave-particle duality. (EDITOR’S NOTE: this means that they may behave either as particles or waves. For more information, refer to the double slit experiment.)

FORM AND SHAPE OF THE MATRIX

What the theorem describes as the “capture and accumulation” of vesperons is something now commonly referred to as the aetheric matrix. When one manipulates magic planetside, one pulls from the ambient magic—these accumulated vesperons, in other words. Such a method, while efficient, is not nearly as effective as pulling vesperons directly from starlight. Any practitioner knows that the farther away from a star one is, the weaker the magic it gives off is. Additionally, it has been proven that vesperons lose their charge and fade from existence after a given period of time. As such, while pulling from the aetheric matrix is good for any novice, more advanced warlocks may begin to realize its limitations.

For example, ‘raw starlight,’ so to speak, has a much higher energy content than that found in the matrix. Additionally, since there is no aetheric matrix in space, one must be able to pull directly from the stars before travelling into space.

My editor has asked me to take a moment to address the abilities of humans, most likely due to my past experience with their species. From my time on the planet guiding their race, I can assure you that none of them have been able to reach out to the stars yet. They do not have the large life force necessary, nor the mastery of magic required to discover the aetheric matrix. While some may understand that they are not actually directly using starlight, if one had managed to parallel Auric’s Theorem we would have undoubtedly picked up quite a bit more magical activity around their little planet.

The shape that this matrix takes is commonly referred to as the ‘fluid lattice’ model. Although appearing at first as a solid blanket of vesperons dispersed evenly over the surface of the celestial body, upon closer examination one can find that they are very distinctly separated into strings, criss-crossing one another in a entropic bundle. It has been proven through stripping small celestial bodies of their vesperons and then blasting them with artificially generated ones that the particles naturally assume this form.

String crossings are also important to note. Points where individual strings cross are hardly of note, however, in certain anomalous occasions the strings may develop interesting and uniform patterns. However, such crossings are rare: firstly, there must be a great number of strings being crossed by the same number of strings in one location; secondly, these crossings must perfectly bisect existing angles; and thirdly, the number of strings crossed must be a number on the Fibonacci Sequence (an enigmatic Promethaen who held a little too much affection for humans, but a brilliant mind nonetheless). An area where all three of these conditions are met is known as a fractal point or ley point, and performing magic that harmonizes with the grain of these strings can amplify it well beyond the capacity of any single spellcaster.

There are numerous examples of fractal points on the worlds our empire spans. For example, our homeworld of the Coil has thirteen fractals on it, besides being notable for its holding of the Infinite’s councils.

My editor has once again asked me to address the world of the humans. Earth has three fractal points: Stonehenge, and two in the oceans. (EDITOR’S NOTE: more commonly known as the Bermuda Triangle and Dragon Triangle.)

A skilled practitioner or especially sensitive novice may be able to detect a general grain in the flow of the matrix. Performing magic in harmony with this (usually involving an even, ‘fractaling’ expansion outwards) can augment one’s power even when not at a fractal point.

FOUR-DIMENSIONAL LATTICEWORKS IN SPACE

However, those readers with a bit more experience with the finer points of Auric’s Theorem or an understanding of the implication of the wave-particle duality of vesperons may be protesting. After all, if vesperons collect into strings as particles but can also behave as waves, shouldn't constructive interference be possible, even in space? Every practitioner knows that like electromagnetic waves, magic waves do not require a medium to travel through, unlike, for example, sound waves. As such, even in the vaccuum of space, constructive interference should theoretically be possible.

In fact, it is. Rarely, stars may align in space to create four-dimensional structures formally known as latticeworks. This makes them true constellations--stars linked by magic, constructively interfering with each other throughout the time-space continuum.

The more practical application of this is that upon reaching a certain level of expertise with magic, one may be able to call upon an entire constellation, regardless of the different types of stars. The limitations of this method are few but significant: for one, the tremendous amount of energy required to call upon an entire constellation, and two, because of the very limited number of constellation occurrences. It is important to one's safety to note once more the energy necessary, as even the most prepared practitioners may fall prey to the draining exercise of calling upon a constellation. I have very rarely seen any of them used, and know a limited number of Promethaen who are able to call upon them. Truly, the understanding of constellations is a mark of prestige.

In fact, the true constellations are so few in number that I may list them here:

• Auroboros: the mythical wyrm biting its own tail, a sequence of stars forming a perfect ring in space. Famous for its form, but also for the fact that the stars are one of each visible light color, creating a rainbow serpent in the cosmos. Truly, a most powerful constellation, requiring immense amounts of energy for a spectacular effect. I have seen it used once, and it conjured a massive winged serpent, large enough to swallow a star obliterator whole. Viewing such an occurrence was an honor, as the summoner was Lord Vleathakh the Battlemage, whose rather literal Calling Name was well-earned. His invokation of Auroboros lead directly to the fall of the Tharis'karik flagship Talonfire during our brief skirmish with them a few centuries ago.
• Everlight: perhaps the most frequently called constellation, taking the form of a white kirin from a series of blue stars. It is said to guide lost convoys back to civilization, and to tell the guilty from the innocent. From it sprang the quaint human tale of a unicorn goring a guilty man in Japanese courts of law, but in actuality, the kirin summoned is of a much more spectral and powerful nature. I have seen it used four times, each time at the trial of a powerful Promethaen. Twice were these convicts deemed guilty by Everlight, and they died--but not from goring. A touch of the kirin's horn, and they burned to death slowly in silver flames. However, when the Promethaen were innocent, the tap of the kirin's horn simply suffused them in white light. Rather disappointing, I must say.
• The Wild Hunt: an interesting constellation indeed, this collection of stars apparently depicts a series of hound-like demons on the prowl, made of red giants. When called upon, the hounds will seek out a single target for elimination, but often at the price of the invoker. I have seen it used three times, and each of them ended with the death of the target. One also ended with the death of the spellcaster who brought them forth.

My editor has once again asked me to address the abilities of humans in this regard. I am beginning to believe him obsessed. I highly doubt that humans, who cannot even reach directly to the stars, could call upon multiple. They are truly inferior beings.

LONG-DISTANCE RUNIC SEQUENCING

These same properties of constructive interference allow us to sequence extremely long-distance runes. One may have heard of a "runepoint" being established in heretofore unexplored space. The exact significance, however, of such an activity may be lost on many.

Any practitioner knows that vesperons travel at faster than light speed, although the exact multiple varies. Vesperons used in rune magic usually travel at about three times the speed of light, but this decreases over long distances. Thus, to trigger runes across multiple solar systems, we must set up runepoints approximately one light-cycle away for maximum efficiency. These runepoints refresh the vesperons by sending out new ones, the constructive interference between said rune vesperons allowing them to travel even faster (an odd reaction unique to certain types of vesperons). 

The practical application of this is the ability to send signals extremely quickly across multiple systems. One will recall from the history Lexicons (EDITOR'S NOTE: for the less educated, the Lexicons are special repositories of knowledge presented before the Infinite and checked multiple times for accuracy before being used as part of our race's database) speaking of the war against the Xxidao. Our use of rune points was the only way to communicate quickly enough over the extensive battle front. Against a massive swarm of Xxidao drones, we managed to outmaneuver their superior forces and thus win the war. 

IN CONCLUSION

As one can see, the uses of Auric's Theorem are both extensive and practical in many ways. I do believe that my endeavour today has managed to dispel a few misbeliefs about the Theorem and extend my readership's practical knowledge of magic. Auric's Theorem, then, is not something ephemeral or theoretical, but a very actual concept that, when applied in interstellar travel and times of war, can lead not only to the survival and perpetuation of our race but to the glory and prosperity of the Promethaen Empire.