Anime-Junkie
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 |  Subject: Dimensional Gates  Mon Apr 25, 2011 5:29 am | |
| Click here for the actual articleI'm using google docs because it's easy. I don't have to update a post, I just have to type in the google doc. Furthermore, I don't have do use BBcode, I can just use formatting tools similar to MS word.So what is this article? It's an unfinished outline of what Dimensional gates must do in order to work. You may be wondering what the difference is between how something works and this. Well the answer is easy. This article simply defines that in order for a dimensional gate to be a dimension gate, it has to do X, Y and Z. It's up to authors how they want dimensional gates to work. All this article would do if accepted as canon would be to provide a framework that ensures some degree of consistency between stories. I believe that this is a far better approach then trying to figure out how Dimension gates work and then saying "This is how they work, use these." That approach is quite restrictive to writers. They can't really come up with their own look and feel for dimensional gates since they've already been precisely defined. I believe they shouldn't be, since in a world where they existed there would be countless ways for dimensional gates to work, magical and technology. So in conclusion, I really hope I don't disappoint anyone with this; I think it works pretty well. So please, give your comments, opinions and critiques. - For those who can't use google docs:
This is currently a work in progress. Some parts are unfinished, but at the moment most of the core concepts are there.
Dimensional
gates are called such because they manipulate the dimensions of
spacetime to produce an instantaneous or relatively instantaneous path
between two points in the multiverse.
This
is a framework for how dimensional gates work. It’s not specifying
exactly how they function, but it should provide a reasonably solid
scaffold for people to build upon.
Terminology
Dimensional
Gate - A machine or magical artifact that facilitates the generation of
portals. It includes all the equipment required for the destination to
be determined and the portal to be generated.
Portal
Generator - A device that manipulates space time to produce a
dimensional portal, a required component in any dimensional gate.
Dimensional Portal - a defined twist in space time that leads to another universe or another location in the same universe.
Mago-mathmatics - Mathematics applied to and used in magical theory.
Dimensional Signatures
Dimensional Signatures are vital to the operation of dimensional gates. Every gate has one.
Each
gate has its own signature that’s based on four main things, the
universe that the gate resides in, the method by which the gate
functions, the mechanism by which that method is used and the specific
circumstances of its creation. These factors are what determines the
specifics of a gate’s signature, however a gate taken from one universe
and activated in another will still have a similar signature.
Any
dimensional signature can be expressed as a mathematical or
mago-mathematical equation. Since a gate must manipulate the dimensions
of the universe it exists in, the signature of a gate is going to be
based off the values of the dimensions of the universe it exists in.
These are the variables in the equation, as they can change if the gate
is moved to another universe.
The
presence of these variables convey the most important information in a
dimensional signature; The information about the specific deviations and
expressions of the dimensions of that universe.
The
circumstances of a gate’s creation are what determine the minor details
of a gate’s signature, but they are still very important. Portal
technology, including portal magic are very precise arts, or sciences,
depending on how they are implemented. The circumstances under which the
portal generator in a technological based dimensional gate is
manufactured influence the method by which the gate manipulates
dimensions by a tiny amount, yet it is still discernible. The specific
circumstances that may affect the gate depends on the method by which
the gate operates.
(Note that the following examples are just two of the methods by which gates could operate. They are not the only methods).
Technological example:
Let
us assume we have a gate that uses a graviton node matrix to bend
spatial dimensions.This is just one way by which a portal can be
generated.
Graviton
nodes are very precise devices. If a star were to go supernova in a
star system relatively near the place of manufacture, the resulting
gravity wave would affect the devices since anything that produces
gravitons would be sensitive to them when it was in an unfinished,
unstable state. This would mean that portals produced with these nodes
would be different from nodes that were manufactured without the
presence of a gravity wave. Of course, such a gravity wave would mean
that the nodes would have a very unique signature. This is an extreme
example. Many things, big or small, can effect portal generator
components.
Magical Example:
Crystalline
gems are apparently the favoured object for holding spells and storing
power. As such, it is reasonable to assume that some dimensional gates
would incorporate them in their portal generators. Of course, such gems
must be cut and polished, and tiny differences in how each is treated
will affect the dimensional signature of the gate.
Not
only that, but the types of gems used will affect the signature. A
sapphire has a different crystalline structure to a diamond, causing
slight differences when a spell is imbued into it. Two magical
dimensional gates may be based off the same spell theory, but the
materials used in the design as well as the design itself will also
effect the dimensional signature. This is an example of how the
mechanism by which the method is employed affects the dimensional
signature.
Connections
For
a gate to accept a connection, it must be standing by. For gates that
use technology, this means they must have an active power source. For
magic, this can vary from gate to gate, but many will simply stand by as
default. When a gate is in stand by, it is still influencing the
dimensions in it, creating a very slight effect that does nothing but
create a minor distortion in space. This distortion is the dimensional
embodiment of the gate's dimensional signature. It allows other gates to
initiate a connection, it's something that they can "lock on" to.
Compatibility
Compatibility
between gates depends on a number of things. The universe the gate
resides in, the mechanism or method by which it manipulates space time
and the functions built into the gate. The more functions a gate has,
the wider its compatibility spectrum is.
Universes
can vary greatly while still appearing to be the same. To give a simple
example; a universe could have its spatial dimension of width expressed
as a positive vector (x). Another universe could have its width
dimension expressed as a negative vector (-x).
A dimensional gate attempting to create a connection between the two would encounter the following problem: -x x = 0
The connection would have no width, so anything with width (ie: anything made of matter) would be unable to pass through.
Another
problem could be that, relative to the first universe, the second
universe's height dimension (y) is perpendicular to the first universe.
This means that any connection going from the first to the second is
going to have to overcome the problem of the width in the first universe
being the height in the second universe (x = y).
These
problems can be overcome by specific dimension contextual functions
built into the dimensional gate to automatically correct these inherent
deviations between the universes. This is where signatures play a vital
role in connections. As any gate manipulates the dimensions of the
universe it is in, the signature of a dimensional gate is an expression
of the dimensions of that universe.
Not
only does the signature of a gate show the mechanism by which the gate
functions, it also shows the particularities of that universe, meaning
that gates initiating connections can read this information and initiate
the required function to deal with whatever dimensional deviation the
destination universe may have.
Another
issue that may arise when connections are being made is that of a
difference in functions. If the destination gate is designed to
automatically correct deviations from the incoming gate, it may conflict
with the initiating gate as both attempt to correct the mirror opposite
deviation in different ways at the same time. This is where secondary
functions come in. If the initiating gate or destination gate can detect
that it does not need to solve the deviation, the above problem would
not arise.
Networked Gates
Gates in a network are limited to connecting other gates in that same network.
They
only initiate and accept connections to and from other gates that match
a specific signature range or match specific preset signatures.
Functions
There
are a great many functions that a dimensional gate can have. The more
functions a gate has, the more advanced it is. Conversely, a gate can
have no functions at all.
A
gate with no functions or a “basic gate” will have very low
compatibility. At the most, it will be able to connect to gates in the
same universe or gates in universes that are nearly identical
dimensionally. That isn’t to say that they’re useless. Advanced gates
would still be able to connect to basic gates due to their own functions
compensating for the basic gate’s lack of functions.
So basic gates still have their use as ‘exit only’ gates.
Advanced gates are fare more useful. They can do a multitude of things, beyond mere compatibility functions.
By
far the most useful is the ability to maintain multiple connections at
once. There is more than one method by which this can be achieved. The
end result is the same though. The portal would be divided into
‘sectors.’, each of which would connect to a different dimensional point
and therefore a different gate. Physical barriers, such as a bar or
wire, might be used in a multi-point connection gate as indicators of
where the division between sectors would be for those using it. Entering
the portal in one sector will take you to a different destination than
entering at another.
This is most practical on larger gates, where there is room for multiple entry and exit sectors of appropriate size.
In
order to maintain multiple connections, the gate must not only have the
programming (whether it be programmed into a computer or cast in the
controlling spell) required to crunch the numbers, but it must also have
the appropriate hardware to limit each sector of dimensional distortion
into a physical section of the gate.
Last edited by Anime-Junkie on Mon Aug 22, 2011 6:23 pm; edited 2 times in total | |
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Anime-Junkie
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| | Subject: Re: Dimensional Gates Thu May 12, 2011 4:30 pm | |
| Updated the OP with a link that actually works. | |
|
Shady Knight
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| | Subject: Re: Dimensional Gates Thu May 12, 2011 4:58 pm | |
| AJ, post it in the actual forum. I can no longer access google docs because my password no longer works for some reason. | |
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Iavlas
Helpless prey
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| | Subject: Re: Dimensional Gates Mon Aug 22, 2011 10:52 am | |
| very interesting, this does allow a bit of breathing room for a writer. ive never been a scientifically or mathematically acclimated person, but this does sound good | |
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Krisexy26
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| | Subject: Re: Dimensional Gates Mon Aug 22, 2011 2:48 pm | |
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Archmage_Bael
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| | Subject: Re: Dimensional Gates Mon Aug 22, 2011 4:55 pm | |
| I agree. It should go on the forum. | |
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Anime-Junkie
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| | Subject: Re: Dimensional Gates Mon Aug 22, 2011 6:24 pm | |
| Done. Apparently the forum editor mode recognises google docs formatting, barely.
Last edited by Anime-Junkie on Mon Aug 22, 2011 8:37 pm; edited 1 time in total | |
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TheArchvile
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| | Subject: Re: Dimensional Gates Mon Aug 22, 2011 8:09 pm | |
| I personally don't mind google docs, do you even need an account to consult it?
Very nice work by the way AJ, dunno how I missed this... | |
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aethernavale
Great warrior
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| | Subject: Re: Dimensional Gates Tue Aug 23, 2011 3:09 am | |
| - TheArchvile wrote:
- I personally don't mind google docs, do you even need an account to consult it?
Very nice work by the way AJ, dunno how I missed this... Depends on the setup of the author, how sharing is implemented. I use Google Docs to provide extensive commission info so that artists don't have to register on my site to get it. Then again though, my domain is integrated through Google Apps, so it is very easy for me to share/use them. | |
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