Sons of Ether Paradigm

By Anders Törlind. Thanx to Paul Beakley for the concept of models.

This page does in no way try to contradict the Paul Beakley page, just add new information and ideas. Live long and prosper.

The Paradigm

The Model. Reality is a model. There are many models, and they may all be equally valid, this is the central fact in the Sons Of Ether paradigm. This means they actually somewhat understands the other traditions, as their models may also be functional, but the Sons view them as decidedly narrow-minded. The only criterium for a successful model is that you, within it, can prove it works by experiments. A complete model is a model that includes all effects that may be experimented with. Such complete models exist in large numbers (for example the usual tradition paradigms), and partial models, models under development and not yet finished, are as many as there are Sons Of Ether. However, most partial models are mere changes from already existing complete models.

Magick

Experiments. The model and the theories of it are constantly being revised and improved, and in some cases even strengthened by experiments. To be a Scientist is to experiment, and the more far fetched the effects of an experiment, the greater conclusions may be made by it.

Spheres

This is yet another model for the SoE paradigm. Scientists have named it the quantum-wave model, and have spread like a bush-fire through labs all over the world. In fact, this model has had such success that some technomancers are seriously worried about losing control of the sleepers scientific society in various physics labs.
Please note that the spheres Time and Entropy is somewhat redefined from the wievpoint of the basic rules. This should not really create a problem, except with the most specific rotes.

Prime: Waves. Everything consists, in one form or an other, of waves. Those who understand how to control and create waves thus gains immense insight in how the reality is structured. Waves can be extracted from matter, and transformed through the means of cleverly built machines. Ordinarily these waves are of infinitesimal amplitude, but they may interfere in places, and so become "visible".
Forces: Medium frequency wave-interference, energy. Waves of medium frequency reverbs through the universe, where many such waves interacts, there the amplitude goes above the infinitesimal, and there is where we perceive energy to exist. Of course there is energy all around, but the waves does not interfere, a Scientist, skilled in the discipline of energy, may bend and twist these waves to create interference wherever he wants, or, in reverse, may disjoint the waves that makes up energy, and thus neutralize it.
Matter: Extreme frequency wave-interference, matter. As medium frequency waves, the extreme frequency waves exist everywhere, the only difference is their frequency, and the fact that when extreme frequency waves interact, they create what we perceive as matter. This leads to the same conclusion about creation and unmakeing as it does in the case of medium frequency waves.
Life: Medium and Extreme frequency wave-interference in self-sustaining systems. This is a complicated area of research. The secret of life is evidently based on energy and matter, and therefore basicly on waves. It seems that the interference-points of energy and matter may in turn interact, and form systems which are self-sustaining and reproducing. This would mean that the systems themselves support the basic matter-energy transformations, and also structures the so new-formed interference-points into new self- sustaining systems. If a scientist has an understanding of how these wave-systems interacts and interpolates, he may change the properties of living organisms. Research is ongoing. (For enlightenment study the Game Of Life, by the famous Professor John Conway)
Entropy: Frequency fluctuations. All waves vary in frequency. This is a natural thing and normally occurs at a slow rate. This rate, however may change rather unpredictably, and throw the most carefully planned experiment off cue. The higher the understanding of frequency fluctuations a scientist has, the more precisely he can predict these fluctuations in the future, and he can in fact himself change the frequency to his own ends.
Time: Frequency reduction. The phenomena people usually regards as time is really only a special case of frequency fluctuations. It is a fact that the waves in the universe are slowing in frequency. What causes this has not been identified (The current theory stipulates that the frequency becomes lower as the number of interference-points on a single wave increases, and so is "using up" the wave. The constant lowering of frequencies would be explained by a continuing creation of matter and energy. Exactly where this creation takes place is as of yet undetermined). The loss of frequency will eventually (of course) disrupt matter and energy, as the waves it consists of, one by one, drops off into new spectra. The connection between what people in general mean when they say time and frequency reduction is only the direction of the frequency change. Why we only move in one direction of time is currently unknown. Knowledge of frequency reduction will bestow upon the scientist an ability to predict future events and retrace past ditto.
Spirit: Medium frequency wave-interference in self-sustaining systems. This is a phenomenon very much like the one usually referred to as life, the only difference we have been able to establish is that the Extreme frequency portion is simply void. Otherwise the systems work quite alike. Also, as these "life-forms" are made up of pure energy, they are not visible to the naked eye.
Correspondence: Interference-point. One portion of everything is the location at which interference occurs, this location is called interference-point. As every vibration spans the entire universe, it is, in a sense, omnipresent. A side-effect of this is that every interference-point may be shifted to another location in the space-time continuum. At least according to theory. We have not yet been able to shift an interference-point into the "future", but some related experiments has been fruitful. For a skilled scientist it is a mere formality to shift an interference-point to any location he may fathom. Combined with a knowledge of frequency reduction, he may even transport it in time.
Mind: Structured interference. This seems to be a subset of Extreme and/or Medium frequency wave-interference in self-sustaining systems. For a reason not yet fully researched, the rules for it's making and support is somewhat different than "life". Current theories indicates that it might depend on different matter/energy ratios as compared to "life". While this still remains to be fully proven it does explain its different behavior. Experiments has been carried out, which has proven these systems, at least for some periods of time, may uphold their equilibrium even without the matter component, thus producing the effect other traditions label untethering.

Paradox

Mistakes. When a scientist makes mistakes, they might be so serious that they affects the universe directly with totally unforeseen results. These results also seems to, generally, be very unlikely. Mistakes often also affects the scientists own self-sustaining systems, creating small imbalances, that might in the long run multiply and cause greater and greater problems. This might even lead to the death of a sloppy scientist. Beware!

Arete

Insight. The greater the insight, the greater changes may be made to the universe without fear of mistakes. Insight is generally gained by very hard study, concluded by an experiment which will confirm ones learning, then the flash of insight will strike.

Quintessence

Free Waves. Waves is the essence of the universe, they are what makes it up. Free waves are waves which have no interference-points. This means that they have great potential of use, as nothing taps their energy. Free waves may be gained from everything, if you know how to control waves, by extracting the waves that has only one interference-point (that is, that one point lies in the object from which you are extracting).

Mage-specific Backgrounds

Arcane: Uniqueness. Some scientists have found a way to reduce the number of interference-points in other self-sustaining systems, located outside their own, on the waves that makes up their system. This has as effect that they interact less with the universe as a whole.
Avatar: Storage. The ability to temporarily incorporate Free Waves into your self-sustaining system by giving them a sole interference-point, located inside your system.
Destiny: Firm goal. Scientists who knows what they want (subconsciously or not) are more likely to achieve something in life. If sufficiently strong, it will motivate them, and carry them through hard times.
Dream: Structured interference flux. This is caused by the random natural fluctuations that every vibration have. When acting on a highly structured interference system (i.e mind) they cause small changes to multiply through the system, and cause, in the case of a sentient system, new and innovative ideas to arise. Of course half of the time, it will produce utter garbage...
Node: Vibration isolator. This is a machine that locates Free Waves and binds them to one single interference-point. This locks the waves in matter or energy form, for easy access. As you see, this is only a special case of Storage, and may come in very handy in certain situations.

Anders Törlind
anders.torlind.editout@iname.com