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Forums » RP Discussion » Magic vs Technology

So, I had this idea about a world where it's magic versus technology. One rule being neither can cancel the other because then that's no fun and defeats the purpose.

Originally I thought the magic would be used by mythical beings, dragons and gryphons and such, like actual beasts. Then the technology be used by humans or anything classified as demihumans.

I'm trying to gauge interest in this and just sort of throwing it out there, looking for ideas or any volunteers to help plan this out.

What do you think? Any ideas or suggestions?
Tron (played by Sweetyceltic)

i have this cybernetic wolf who runs on power crystals i need a RP for
G_Candell

Is there a need to have magic and technology in conflict or is it more of a term to display their mutual existence in the concept? To what end and for what purpose? Benefits, side-effects? Can they be combined? How wide a scope does either/both have over the world?

Technology is just as vast a term as magic, in some or most cases. A catapult is a form of technology in the same way a neural wave transmitter is, given era and such; might there be an example to show in that department? Is its use solely restricted to demihuman/human/ect.? Magic usually varies, often most noteworthy in its reach, purpose, and magnitude: Is it common place or a practiced skill?

Is there frequently positive or a negative results to using either in public abundance? That is, if I blew up a tavern with a rocket or torched it with ten little fire-golem summonings, would I... I dunno, be fined? Get public service? Would I receive a medal instead? Is it common enough I'd go unnoticed, or would using one or the other all but guarantee me some severe consequences?

Would magic's use, as a mortal human, be seen as impossible... or simply unheard of prior to the phenomena? What if a fox spirit learned to glide with a gyro-wing? Would he be punished, shunned, exiled... or considered evolved?

I'm not so much asking for direct answers to these questions as presenting them for reflection. Rubber walls can be fun.
StrayValkyrie Topic Starter

G_Candell wrote:
Is there a need to have magic and technology in conflict or is it more of a term to display their mutual existence in the concept? To what end and for what purpose? Benefits, side-effects? Can they be combined? How wide a scope does either/both have over the world?

Technology is just as vast a term as magic, in some or most cases. A catapult is a form of technology in the same way a neural wave transmitter is, given era and such; might there be an example to show in that department? Is its use solely restricted to demihuman/human/ect.? Magic usually varies, often most noteworthy in its reach, purpose, and magnitude: Is it common place or a practiced skill?

Is there frequently positive or a negative results to using either in public abundance? That is, if I blew up a tavern with a rocket or torched it with ten little fire-golem summonings, would I... I dunno, be fined? Get public service? Would I receive a medal instead? Is it common enough I'd go unnoticed, or would using one or the other all but guarantee me some severe consequences?

Would magic's use, as a mortal human, be seen as impossible... or simply unheard of prior to the phenomena? What if a fox spirit learned to glide with a gyro-wing? Would he be punished, shunned, exiled... or considered evolved?

I'm not so much asking for direct answers to these questions as presenting them for reflection. Rubber walls can be fun.

Boy you're sure putting me through the ringer on this one. Lol. I just thought it might make an interesting RP, I hadnt given it much more thought than that. But you do raise a bunch of good points that can help flesh the idea out.
G_Candell

I asked what I felt might help bolster a long-term plot; doesn't need to be one. I enjoy demihuman/magical motifs greatly, and if I can get a mech suit to pilot I'll probably giggle myself into whatever war you throw my way. But in truth, I'm just playing chalkboard here, so take that fuzzy brush to whatever questions are irrelevant and keep me posted. Happy to help, if I can.
There may be a number of roleplayers interested in this kind of rp. Flesh it out, it's interesting.
StrayValkyrie Topic Starter

I'm not sure if this is something I can do on my own. I'd probably enlist the help of others to help figure it all out, but I do agree it could be an interesting and fun RP environment.
G_Candell

Well, let's lay some ground work then, hm? Maybe just some general agreements, associated solely with the idea as you first suggested it?

Had a huge thing up here, trashed it because:

I need a visual aid or some basis for understanding on what "technology" means for future use. Muskets or ion cannons? Are people still using heroin for a bad cough or do they inject you with a chemical compound that tells your nanites that coughing is not allowed for the next three weeks? I feel like that sets the scope of magic better. I wouldn't think it practical to have magic that could burn an entire forest with a pouring of a vile, which is damned unfair and overpowered... unless we're dealing with mech suits and cyborg ninja cowboys with laser blades. Just trying to get an idea of your desired tone, then I can maybe be useful.

For the record, what really keeps ticking in my head is a simple, singular question: Which is older: Magic or Tech? Did the first caveman start fire with a pair of twigs and some brush, or did he clap his hands together and torch his beard after cleansing himself in the mystic waters of Lake Minetanka?
Or what aspects would you want the rp to take place? Schools pitted against each other in difference? Two countries with one side tech and the other magic was brought into battle? Or a small town of tech received few magic users and weren't as welcome. Or you got a new type of people who uses a combination of the two.
G_Candell

^^^ This is also very, very good logic to consider.

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