"The Kindling" Appendices
Fundamental to the story of The Kindling is the theoretical foundation of Lightcraft. Dr. Timberi, one of the Magi/teachers has kindly provided me with some relevant texts that explain some of the fundamentals. However, in order not to bog the reader down with too many details, or run the word count up too high, I have decided to provide some relevant passages here on the website instead of in the book.
APPENDIX A
JURGENS’ POSTULATES ON THE WHAT AND WHERE OF TRANSLOCATION
(Selected portions)
“When a human seeks to transport an object, the two great factors he must consider are the size of the object and length over which said object must be transported. However, using Lightcraft, a Magi may move objects from one place to another regardless of the object’s size or the distance involved. Indeed, when using the Light, both size and distance are irrelevant in any sense other than the psychological obstacle which they sometimes present.
“However, while size and distance are not relevant, there are two relevant factors
critical for the Magi who wishes to translocate: knowledge of the object and knowledge of the location. In order to translocate an object, a Magi must know exactly what object he wishes to move—this is the great What. Knowledge of this object must be specific and detailed. Secondly, a Magi must know the great Where—the location to which he wishes the object to be moved. Again, the knowledge must be exact. Only when What and Where are perfectly and precisely apprehended can the Light respond to his request for translocation . . . .
While both of these factors are critical, they vary in precedence. When summoning an object, the What is more important than the Where. The Light will respond to a clear summons for a specific object coupled with a general location. The process of removal is exactly opposite. In this case, the Where must be highly specific, while the fact that the object is already in the Magi’s possession at this point makes specificity with the What less important. If the Magi tries to send an object somewhere without a precise Where in mind, he risks sending that object into the void of the Otherwhere and it will be gone forever . . . . ”
APPENDIX B
THE DELCIDIDUS THEOREMS
“Let then the Magi who would use the Light learn well the following laws:
1. Action of any kind always and only comes about through the expenditure of energy. Action may never result from inaction.
2. Whether an action is caused by means of human exertion or the usage of Light, energy must still be expended. In the case of physical work, the energy is expended by the muscles and sinews, the organs and systems of the body. In the case of Lightcraft, the energy is expended by the mind, the soul, and the body as well. This energy, the energy that is consumed by the Light, is called Virtue. It is the energy of the soul, the strength of the spirit.
3. Thus, it takes more energy to work through the instrumentality of the Light as it does to perform a task physically. Indeed, if x is the amount of energy required to execute a task in the mundane, physical way, then the amount of energy required to execute that task by the power of the Light is at least x + 1, the number 1 representing one extra degree of difficulty.
4. Therefore, given the ease with which they may be accomplished and the minimal exertion required, some actions will require less energy when executed in the normal, physical fashion.
5. Lightcraft should therefore be used only when using the Light will be a more efficient use of energy. That is, some tasks may be so complicated or difficult to perform by human means that Lightcraft is the only way in which they can be performed. The Magi should remember the equation x+1. Lightcraft should only be used for a task that is at least as difficult as x+2. If a task is going to be as difficult as x + 3 or more, then Lightcraft is clearly indicated and, in the final analysis, will conserve energy.
6. If a task is very complex and specialized when executed by human agency, then it will be at least as complex and specialized when carried out by Lightcraft. For example, if one is an artist, then one can use the Light to paint a picture. But a knowledge of Lightcraft will not turn one who cannot paint into an artist. A great warrior can use the Light in combat, but no easier, and with no greater skill than he can use his sword. The Light enhances that which we already do, it does not create skill and ability ex nihilo.”
APPENDIX C
LANT ON THE GENERAL DYNAMICS OF ILLUMINCY
To send a Light image to a specific Magi, you do not need to have a precise location, if you know the person well. This is especially true of sigils. However, this is possible only if the Magi in question has recently opened their Gateway and connected to the Light. Moreover, it is possible for the Darkhands to shade and hide the soul of a Magi they have captured. In such cases, messages will not be able to be transmitted, unless the captured Magi establishes a link . . . .
It is possible to send a sigil out into the Otherwhere. It will exist there on its own for as long as the Magi has strength to maintain it, and stay there until someone either receives it or the Magi’s strength fades . . . .
Because a sigil is part of a Magi’s soul, it is impossible to predict with complete certainty what a sigil will and will not do. Just as individual Magi have similarities and differences, so do sigils. Therefore one sigil may act differently than another in any given circumstance—particularly in extreme or extraordinary circumstances . . . .
APPENDIX A
JURGENS’ POSTULATES ON THE WHAT AND WHERE OF TRANSLOCATION
(Selected portions)
“When a human seeks to transport an object, the two great factors he must consider are the size of the object and length over which said object must be transported. However, using Lightcraft, a Magi may move objects from one place to another regardless of the object’s size or the distance involved. Indeed, when using the Light, both size and distance are irrelevant in any sense other than the psychological obstacle which they sometimes present.
“However, while size and distance are not relevant, there are two relevant factors
critical for the Magi who wishes to translocate: knowledge of the object and knowledge of the location. In order to translocate an object, a Magi must know exactly what object he wishes to move—this is the great What. Knowledge of this object must be specific and detailed. Secondly, a Magi must know the great Where—the location to which he wishes the object to be moved. Again, the knowledge must be exact. Only when What and Where are perfectly and precisely apprehended can the Light respond to his request for translocation . . . .
While both of these factors are critical, they vary in precedence. When summoning an object, the What is more important than the Where. The Light will respond to a clear summons for a specific object coupled with a general location. The process of removal is exactly opposite. In this case, the Where must be highly specific, while the fact that the object is already in the Magi’s possession at this point makes specificity with the What less important. If the Magi tries to send an object somewhere without a precise Where in mind, he risks sending that object into the void of the Otherwhere and it will be gone forever . . . . ”
APPENDIX B
THE DELCIDIDUS THEOREMS
“Let then the Magi who would use the Light learn well the following laws:
1. Action of any kind always and only comes about through the expenditure of energy. Action may never result from inaction.
2. Whether an action is caused by means of human exertion or the usage of Light, energy must still be expended. In the case of physical work, the energy is expended by the muscles and sinews, the organs and systems of the body. In the case of Lightcraft, the energy is expended by the mind, the soul, and the body as well. This energy, the energy that is consumed by the Light, is called Virtue. It is the energy of the soul, the strength of the spirit.
3. Thus, it takes more energy to work through the instrumentality of the Light as it does to perform a task physically. Indeed, if x is the amount of energy required to execute a task in the mundane, physical way, then the amount of energy required to execute that task by the power of the Light is at least x + 1, the number 1 representing one extra degree of difficulty.
4. Therefore, given the ease with which they may be accomplished and the minimal exertion required, some actions will require less energy when executed in the normal, physical fashion.
5. Lightcraft should therefore be used only when using the Light will be a more efficient use of energy. That is, some tasks may be so complicated or difficult to perform by human means that Lightcraft is the only way in which they can be performed. The Magi should remember the equation x+1. Lightcraft should only be used for a task that is at least as difficult as x+2. If a task is going to be as difficult as x + 3 or more, then Lightcraft is clearly indicated and, in the final analysis, will conserve energy.
6. If a task is very complex and specialized when executed by human agency, then it will be at least as complex and specialized when carried out by Lightcraft. For example, if one is an artist, then one can use the Light to paint a picture. But a knowledge of Lightcraft will not turn one who cannot paint into an artist. A great warrior can use the Light in combat, but no easier, and with no greater skill than he can use his sword. The Light enhances that which we already do, it does not create skill and ability ex nihilo.”
APPENDIX C
LANT ON THE GENERAL DYNAMICS OF ILLUMINCY
To send a Light image to a specific Magi, you do not need to have a precise location, if you know the person well. This is especially true of sigils. However, this is possible only if the Magi in question has recently opened their Gateway and connected to the Light. Moreover, it is possible for the Darkhands to shade and hide the soul of a Magi they have captured. In such cases, messages will not be able to be transmitted, unless the captured Magi establishes a link . . . .
It is possible to send a sigil out into the Otherwhere. It will exist there on its own for as long as the Magi has strength to maintain it, and stay there until someone either receives it or the Magi’s strength fades . . . .
Because a sigil is part of a Magi’s soul, it is impossible to predict with complete certainty what a sigil will and will not do. Just as individual Magi have similarities and differences, so do sigils. Therefore one sigil may act differently than another in any given circumstance—particularly in extreme or extraordinary circumstances . . . .
