Відео

Thanks so much to all the organisers and panelists for these fascinating conversations - really thought-provoking stuff!

Promo'SM

𝓹𝓻𝓸𝓶𝓸𝓼𝓶

This is my magic system, it’s called "stone craft" (Tolad language: L'ndith /ləndiθ/): -Stone craft can have many potential uses, both necessary (transportation, medicine) and trivial (cosmetics, entertainment), but it is seldom used (usually only by elites and scholars) because it can be dangerous. Stone craft manifests itself through precious crystals, called "wizard stones" (or 'khridhvel’nt' /χriðvɛlənt/ in the Tolad /tɔlad/ language). Users summon Stone craft by properly reciting Tolad incantations while making physical contact with wizard stones. If used properly, Stone craft can help its users solve problems and give the user powers such as teleportation, healing, disguise, etc. -Stone craft is mostly used by elites and scholars, as they have the resources to obtain wizard stones and learn incantations in Tolad. Although extremely rare, a handful of individuals (regardless of class) are predisposed by birth to contain quantities of wizard stones in their blood streams, which enables such individuals, called the "stone-blooded" (or 'l’ndrogh' /ləndrɔʁ), to use (or be used for) Tolad incantations without crystals. -Natural wizard stones are a limited resource which is strictly guarded by henchmen who work for the elites. However, some scholars can secretly synthesize artificial wizard stones by using fragments of natural crystals to convert other matter into it. Elites consider this conversion theft, and make attempts to persecute scholars and the stone-blooded for their usage. Stone craft can become addictive if used multiple times during a short period. For incantations, unrounded vowels require two wizard stones (for height and backness) while rounded vowels require a third for roundedness; length and stress also warrant more. Voiceless consonants require two (for place and manner of articulation) with voice and ejectivity also warranting more. Users can be defeated by simply running out of it or using it incorrectly. -After being used for an incantation, wizard stones quickly sublimate into an odorless, toxic gas which can cause temporary paralysis/vision impairment if inhaled (although this usually isn’t fatal and lasts on average temporarily for ten-15 minutes). Large scale sublimation can cause pollution and collateral damage to ecosystems. The stone-blooded are sought after and are particularly vulnerable to abduction/slavery for their natural abundance of wizard stones. Criminals are often punished with harmful incantations (in addition to the temporary paralysis/vision impairment). Wizard stones can be used to cure debilitating illnesses, but there is a price to pay; that illness must be transferred to another lifeform (usually to the aforementioned criminals). Anti-elitist possession of wizard stones is often severely punished by the elites, who fear class mobility from its usage by lower classes. -Wizard stones were created naturally by “paramount comets” (or 'k’al’nv’t' /kʼalənvət/), which impacted and their supernatural minerals became embedded within the ground. Eons later, the Tol tribes settled throughout the rugged landscape which was shaped by craters from paramount comets. As the Tol civilization developed, farmers, paid laborers, slaves, and other workers participated in architecture projects and engineering endeavors, including construction, agriculture and landscaping. One day, according to legend, four Tol slaves were ordered by their master to explore a cave in search of fresh drinking water. One of them brought a torch so they could see through the darkness and deep within the cave, they discovered beautiful rock formations covered in crystals. After one if the slaves yelled in amazement, the unstable ceiling caved in and they were buried in an avalanche of crystals. They were wounded and crystal particles became imbued in their blood streams as a result. Only one of the slaves was still conscious afterwards and made cries for help. To his amazement, the stones surrounding his body sublimated and then he passed out from blood loss and the toxic fumes. Hours later, the four slaves regained consciousness in the cave and miraculously escaped from the pile of crystals. Their language, the Tolad language, was the first language ever uttered within the crystal’s vicinity, which triggered a mutation that only allowed the crystals understand Tolad. There may be undiscovered crystals that haven’t been exposed to Tolad and thus available for another language. They were physiologically altered by the crystals, it fused with their dna and several of their descendants became the stone-blooded from the wizard stone's dominant gene. After emerging from the cave, the four men used their new abilities to free themselves from slavery and become a quadrumvirate which would unite the Tol tribes beneath a federation. Their cooperation and even distribution of land to rule within the federation enabled an era of peace and prosperity for the Tol federation, which balkanized after their deaths. During the power vacuum, Tol elites usurped control of separate territories and became fiercely protective of the wizard stones, often warring with each other over the crystals. Scholars were employed by the elites to study the wizard stones so that elites could utilize their power. -Even today, Stone craft is strictly guarded by the elites and their henchmen, although its existence is no secret. Most people among the lower classes could benefit from wizard stones but most wouldn’t dare try to obtain it from fear of severe punishments by the elites. Additionally, Tolad language resources are scarce beyond the elites’ mansions. Elites and scholars have established a wizard stone society to regulate what Tolad words and phrases can be used for incantations. These approved incantations are recorded in a text called “the canon” (or 't’avdru' /tʼavdru/), which is updated every year. Some rogue scholars illegally practice their own unapproved incantations. Although there is no particular set of clothing that distinguishes users, elites are (needless to say) the most well dressed of the classes and thus, fine linens and robes could possibly indicate usage. However, not all elites can be bothered to learn about wizard stones or how to use it. Additionally, scholars, who are the most familiar with wizard stones, are different from elites in that they generally prefer to stay away from attention. They often disguise themselves among the lower class, which also include some of the stone-blooded. The lack of incentive to procure wizard stones or resources to learn the Tolad language has made many lower class citizens indifferent to Stone craft. tl;dr: rich guys use magic crystals to do stuff sometimes.