This log is edited for clarity, this includes the correction of most spelling and grammar, removal of chit-chat and repetitious questions and the reorganization of questions/answers for readability and logical flow (amounting to cutting the log to nearly half of the log’s original length). This is part of my second summer lecture series, hosted in #forgottenancients on the darkmyst IRC channel at 10 pm EST/ 7pm PST Fridays of 2010. This was the June 18th class.
[22:01] <miri-classic> For starters, is everyone familiar with basic shields? By this I mean bubble, mirror, marshmallow, stone wall, woven, chaos, advanced chaos, and similarly formed shields.
[22:02] <Rein> Shields have names?
[22:02] <miri-classic> heh... hoo-boy
[22:02] <Alusa> I’m familiar with most of those
[22:02] <Kazasu> I am, just a btw.
[22:02] <Kazasu> Though I dislike using them due to the popularity.
[22:02] <Kytvezte> Miri, I actually don't know anything about 'basic' shielding as I don't practice shielding. >_>
[22:02] * EverLearning is familiar with most of those, if in theory and not in practice for many of them
[22:02] <miri-classic> For the benefit of the few I will describe them, they're not directly relevant but worth looking into, to be sure.
[22:03] <miri-classic> Bubble shields are just spherical sheets of energy programmed to keep out “x”, very simple. Mirror shields are similarly simple reflecting either “everything” or something specific.
[22:03] <miri-classic> Marshmallows stop and dissolve things, absorbing their energy. Stone walls are built “stone” by “stone” each being a separate construct programmed for durability and to repel the undesirable.
[22:03] <miri-classic> Woven shields are somewhat similar to stone walls, being woven of strands of energy, rather than “stones”. Chaos shields, of both varieties shift unpredictably from one shield type to another.
[22:03] <miri-classic> The things that look to me like black squares are quotation marks.
[22:04] <miri-classic> Everyone sound on those, or are there questions before moving on to advanced shielding?
[22:04] <Rein> Wait...people make shields that only do one of those things at a time?
[22:04] <Rein> Why?
[22:04] <Kazasu> To learn.
[22:04] <Rein> Its so boring...and ugly...
[22:04] <miri-classic> Rein: they are taught to
[22:04] <Rein> okay then
[22:06] <miri-classic> While most would not consider some of these shield types basic, I do for simple reasons.
[22:06] <miri-classic> Despite elaborate programming and intricate designs all of these shields are the same basic thing, energy, forming a protective sphere around the creator to keep out negative influences, energy, etc.
[22:06] <miri-classic> They are all energetic constructs of literal design, as opposed to abstract design. This is less a short-coming and more simply basic. In short, I do not mean they are all simple, complexity and simplicity are irrelevant in this definition as basic.
[22:06] <miri-classic> These shields can be very effective (or not at all) it depends on the creator’s talent. They will never, however be anything more than they are, basic.
[22:06] <miri-classic> But first, are there any questions?
[22:07] <miri-classic> *pauses*
[22:07] <Alusa> What’s the point in a chaos shield? I’ve used that principle to have a shield that keeps randomly changing sigs but i don’t see the point in it constantly changing types as a whole less you mean possibly sections but still
[22:07] <Alusa> it seems that would be weak
[22:07] <Alusa> heh pardon I can type a lot
[22:08] <miri-classic> Alusa: the idea is to make it difficult to design an attack that would be especially useful against the shield.
[22:08] <miri-classic> Advanced Chaos shields use fist-sized portions that change at any one time
[22:08] <Alusa> Ah, so there is something like that, I just think that it constantly changing there are parts of the attack that could get through
[22:08] <miri-classic> I prefer reactive shields, that change type to best deal with an incoming attack
[22:09] * Alusa nods
[22:08] <@Kalie> It’s nice if a shield can match frequency of attacker to absorb/eat said attack
[22:08] <miri-classic> Mmhmm
[22:08] <@Kalie> smiles I is smart
[22:09] <miri-classic> Anyhow, that's a basic shield :-) Let's move to advanced
[22:09] <miri-classic> Conversely, advanced shields, as I define them, are abstract in design. They function almost as ideas, or states of mind. The simplest example is a mindset of invulnerability.
[22:09] <miri-classic> People of strong will have been known to sometimes will themselves to not feel pain or come to harm, this is similar. The creator, here is not enveloped in a cocoon of energy, rather they are themselves invulnerable.
[22:09] <miri-classic> Advanced shields are therefore closer to an effect invested into the local reality as opposed to a lump of energy infused with an intent/effect (programming).
[22:09] <miri-classic> This may be difficult to accept for most, the energetic model doesn’t easily explain this, but someone convinced they will not be harmed will not be, unless the attacker is significantly more convinced they will do harm.
[22:09] <miri-classic> This works because of the nature of astral space, it is a subjective reality, heavily imprinted upon by the viewer, which is why there are so many different descriptions of astral space.
[22:09] <miri-classic> Some see it as a clone of earth, others as “outer space” others as an abyss, others as infinite blankness, etc. As such imprinting a different set of “rules” on local space is a valid method for protecting yourself.
[22:09] <miri-classic> As I said the invulnerability belief is the simplest “advanced” shield, and requires significant feats of will to be effective, more complicated advanced shields can be highly effective with far less effort.
[22:09] <miri-classic> But first, are there any questions?
[22:12] <Kazasu> I have a question, if the shield is built as you said, but later on, while the shield is active, would a bit of doubt be the bad apple, so to speak?
[22:12] <Kazasu> By that, I mean ruining the bunch.
[22:12] <Kytvezte> Confidence is a nice part of the recipe.
[22:13] <Kytvezte> Mental recipe anyhow.
[22:14] <miri-classic> Kazasu: yes, it's helpful to leave no doubt in your mind, however it is not essential
[22:15] <miri-classic> this isn't purely a construct of belief, like an egregore.
[22:13] <Alusa> if the more advanced shield is so fluid, do they not follow the design types of the fixed basic shielding?
[22:13] <Alusa> better yet do they ignore programming?
[22:16] <miri-classic> These shields have no official names, there are different types, but they are not the same types as with basic shields
[22:17] <Alusa> are they just there and do they just work because you want them to?
[22:17] <miri-classic> They do have programming, the body of the shield is the area surrounding you, instead of a lump of energy, though
[22:17] <miri-classic> As such how you program changes
[22:18] <Alusa> so whats the difference in how someone programs basic and advanced?
[22:19] <miri-classic> Basic you gather energy, infuse will through visualization or another method, and let it sit.
[22:20] <miri-classic> Advanced, you gather your environment to you, breathe in your air, observe your light hear your sound,feel your ground, synchronize yourself to your reality, physical and energetic both, and infuse it with you will.
[22:21] <miri-classic> Visualization works, but typically a shift in your own mind is more powerful, as you are synchronized, specifically, to the surroundings.
[22:15] <Rein> Miri, if you are someone of strong will and you are becoming convinced that you are incredibly vulnerable to everything...does that draw pain and danger to you?
[22:15] <miri-classic> Rather it is forcing an idea into reality, which require substantial will.
[22:21] <Alusa> then i suppose its like feeling the environment as part of and an extension of you and using it that way?
[22:21] <miri-classic> Yes
[22:15] <Rein> If you are someone who always creates your own reality and you believe yourself in danger, do you create danger?
[22:18] <miri-classic> You are more likely to find danger when you expect it. It's like "Psionic War Syndrome" Newbies that become obsessed with energetic combat will experience it everywhere.
[22:19] <SawyerHickory> Amen to that, lol
[22:23] <Kazasu> So basically, you're making the area around you protect you, instead of the energy around you?
[22:23] <AlphaZero> so advanced shielding is more like changing your reality rather than just making a ball of energy around yourself
[22:23] <@miri-classic> Great minds...
[22:24] <@miri-classic> Well to answer both, essentially. There is energy in your surroundings, most of it latent. In one penny is the energy to power any major city in the country for a month.
[22:24] <@miri-classic> Tapping into that, which may or may not really be happening, gives what amounts to an unlimited resource.
[22:25] <@miri-classic> At the very least, the "weight" of your surroundings is being added to your intent is helpful
[22:25] <AlphaZero> so you don't really make a "shield" at all?
[22:25] <@miri-classic> Not in the traditional sense, it is still a construct, the body is just abstract, rather than being literal
[22:26] <Kazasu> So, you're telling the energy of the area to protect you, forming a shield out of the locale?
[22:26] <@miri-classic> Kazasu not precisely. You’re making the locale your bitch and making it the anchor for your will.
[22:28] <Aryn> Hmmm...this touches on beliefs surrounding the law of attraction...
22:28] <@miri-classic> Aryn: I suppose so.
[22:28] <Alusa> Simply cause I thought the shield was mostly the function of some construct around your body, either you have the shield or do that directly
[22:29] <@miri-classic> Alusa: As I said to begin with this is an abstract shield, rather than a literal one, you cannot simply destroy a person's environment as you can a shield, you cannot just pull the programming out of the loose energy.
[22:29] <AlphaZero> do you actually put energy into the environment around you/your reality, or do you just focus on your intent more than anything else?
01[22:30] <@miri-classic> AlphaZero: if you need to do so to influence your environment, yes, however it should not be thought of as a requirement. Will and energy are not the same, just deeply related.
[22:30] <Aryn> hmmm...please correct me if I am wrong...but basically, in almost every locale, the energies and objects in the area can bend to the will of anybody who chooses to be in control, only the mind has to realize this and synch with the area, which can influence you to a degree as well...which parts of this idea are correct and which are incorrect?
[22:32] <@miri-classic> It seems correct entirely, Aryn, though "bend to the will" is a bit dramatic, I'd same they become an extension of the will, by proxy.
[22:35] <@miri-classic> Your questions all answered?
[22:35] <Ceiling_Cat> hmmm...can you recommend some exercises for strengthening willpower?
[22:35] <@miri-classic> Yes
[22:36] <@miri-classic> I have a few exercises written up, they're a little long though, I can email them to anyone interested, though (These are included at the end of the log)
01[22:36] <@miri-classic> I'd recommend them to everyone, in fact
[22:36] <@Kalie> so its not as simple as just willing it into being making it so?
[22:37] <@miri-classic> It can be, if the rest is automatic for you, Kalie, most people have trouble "just doing" things, though, and require specific steps to follow.
[22:37] <zAlusa> isn’t it more a thing of strongest willpower winning if there’s some sort of struggle?
[22:37] <@miri-classic> zAlusa, usually, however familiarity with your environment is an advantage, using your own home would be a supreme advantage
[22:38] <zAlusa> hmm
[22:38] <AlphaZero> if you're trying to bend people to your will then you'd have to overcome their own willpower, right? (not that I want to do that, just a question)
[22:38] <@miri-classic> I suppose, though I've never met someone able to simply bend someone to their will.
[22:38] <zAlusa> you’re at a disadvantage trying to do it to someone on their own body alpha
[22:39] <zAlusa> I’ve tried that with forced tps at one time it doesn’t work very well
[22:39] <@miri-classic> Influence them, sure, but "Bending to your will" as I said before, is dramatic
[22:39] <@miri-classic> Any more questions, or ones I missed, before moving on?
[22:40] <@miri-classic> No? *whew* moving on then :-)
[22:40] <@miri-classic> Astral warps fall under this category of advanced shielding. The concept is still relatively simple for astral warps, though they are more complicated than willing invulnerability.
[22:40] <@miri-classic> Picture “the Astral” as a three (or more) dimensional grid. Bend and twist the grid to that none of the ‘lines’ touch you, but rather they curve around you. In this way something coming “straight at you” will not actually make contact, rather what is “straight” will circumvent you entirely.
[22:40] <@miri-classic> This is again hard to simply accept, however accepting it is the key to making it work. Alternatively you can redirect the “grid” around you to invert on itself in a loop, forcing any attacks into an infinite approach.
[22:40] <@miri-classic> This is still a relatively simple advanced shield, and we will be trying it in the practical portion of this class.
[22:40] <@miri-classic> Before we continue to shields that require a dynamic reality alteration are there any questions?
[22:42] <zAlusa> im done
[22:42] <Kazasu> By entrapping, was that meant energetically, or physically?
[22:43] <@miri-classic> Energetically, that's an energetic defense, I can't imagine it stopping physical events
[22:47] <AlphaZero> reality is influenced by everyone in your environment is it not?
[22:47] <@miri-classic> AlphaZero: yes
[22:47] <Ceiling_Cat> But, if you try to influence something others do not care about, is it more likely to happen?
[22:47] <AlphaZero> I don't think you can all of sudden break everyone's reality :P
[22:47] <@miri-classic> AlphaZero: Certainly it cannot be done casually.
[22:48] <@miri-classic> Ceiling_Cat: Somewhat...
[22:48] <@miri-classic> This is starting to get a bit off topic
[22:48] <@miri-classic> Are there any more questions on Astral warps/advanced shields?
[22:49] <Ceiling_Cat> Yes, what are their drawbacks?
[22:49] <Ceiling_Cat> If any?
[22:50] <@miri-classic> Well, for most they're difficult to wrap your head aroun. I suppose it is more mentally taxing, as well.
[22:50] <@miri-classic> Building up mental endurance and will is essential to making this easily workable.
[22:51] <@miri-classic> If there are no more questions I will provide the final prepared section, and then we can move on to the practical.
[22:51] <@miri-classic> Advanced shields that react to dynamically to the environment are rather more complicated, however they operate similarly as they, too, are infusions of the local reality.
[22:51] <@miri-classic> Our example this time will be the application of extreme luck as a deflection method. In this case you implement the reality that if something can go well for you it will, regardless of how low the probability is.
[22:51] <@miri-classic> This may sound absurd, in some ways it is. If there’s a slim chance an incoming attack will fizzle out, or instead contribute to your health instead of worsening it, such will happen.
[22:51] <@miri-classic> How to do this is harder to decide on that the other advanced shields mentioned, it’s something that should probably come from you personally, as with most complicated constructs.
[22:52] <@miri-classic> This is of course, jus tone example, there are many others but it is a useful example.
[22:52] <@miri-classic> Any questions before I prod you all into making astral warps?
[22:54] <@miri-classic> So, hop to it. Take over your environment and make an astral warp of it, bending functional "space" around you.
[22:54] <zAlusa> the bending space where the grid dosent touch you, you call that astral warp?
[22:54] <zAlusa> im not sure what your defining as the warp unless its that bending grid thing you talked about
[22:55] <@miri-classic> zAlusa: yes
[22:55] <@Kalie> k done
[22:56] <@miri-classic> Looks pretty good, Kalie
[22:56] <EverLearning> done enough, I think
[22:57] <@miri-classic> EverLearning: looks... crooked?
[22:56] <Ceiling_Cat> ok, working on it now, how is this?
[22:58] <@miri-classic> Ceiling_Cat: pull from closer to your center, the idea is that your'e existing in a vacuum, with no space in it.
[22:56] <Kazasu> The lines move back on me. >_>
[22:56] <@miri-classic> Kazasu: then take firmer control... YOUR BITCH :-P
[22:56] <AlphaZero> i think i did it
[22:57] <Ceiling_Cat> I am not sure...am I doing it right?
[22:57] <Kazasu> Hows that? 0.o
[22:58] <@miri-classic> Kazasu: seems to fluctuate, somewhat, but not bad
[22:59] <Ceiling_Cat> ok, is this any better?
[23:00] <@miri-classic> Ceiling_Cat: Yes, prettyful geometry
[22:59] <zAlusa> can’t it be bad to keep space permanently bent like this though? cant it make it easier for the person to find a way through?
[23:00] <@miri-classic> zAlusa: they have to find a way to wrench the reality away from you
[23:00] <Kazasu> So anything that attempts to enter, will be pulled away from the center?
[23:01] <@miri-classic> Kazasu: something like that, more like its center will be as unreachable as something 4-dimensional
[23:00] * Ceiling_Cat is not sure of how to interpret that answer
[23:00] <Ceiling_Cat> pretty full of geometry?
[23:00] <Rein> prettyful! tis a mix between pretty and beautiful. Obviously
[23:02] <@miri-classic> Ceiling_Cat: it's fine as it is, it can be improved through practice, and greater comfort with the idea, the geometric comment is mostly that you seem artificial about it.
[23:03] <SawyerHickory> Hmm
[23:03] <SawyerHickory> Neat effect
[23:03] <Ceiling_Cat> ah...well, I do not have full belief as of yet, will come with time.
[23:03] <Kazasu> Oh, that makes more sense to me, thanks miri.
[23:03] <Kazasu> XD
[23:08] <Ceiling_Cat> ok, I am going to try something on this...let me know if it helps.
[23:08] <Rein> I needs foods
[23:13] <@miri-classic> that's the last topic tonight
[23:13] <@miri-classic> We're holding a vote
[23:13] <@miri-classic> I'd like people to nominate the next topic
[23:14] <@Kalie> can we talk about tactical shielding?
[23:14] <@miri-classic> And vote on it
[23:14] <@Kalie> or too basic?
[23:14] <@miri-classic> Sure, though shielding twice in a row sounds boring :_P
[23:14] <@miri-classic> Nominations so far "Tactical shielding"
[23:14] <@miri-classic> What else?
[23:14] <Kazasu> Anything related, be it abstractly or not, to constructs or thought forms. *shrug*
[23:15] <@Kalie> ok how about effective combat tech?
[23:15] <zAlusa> I want egregores
[23:15] <zAlusa> I wonder how its different and operates different from a construct even if it is more magick
[23:15] <@miri-classic> I'll take that as "How to create self-sufficient and above 100% efficiency dynamos", Kazasu.
[23:15] <@miri-classic> Combat tech
[23:15] <@miri-classic> Egregores
[23:16] <zAlusa> what exactly do you mean when you say combat tech?
[23:16] <zAlusa> you mean tech like omnimancy?
[23:16] <@Kalie> techniqe
[23:17] <@miri-classic> Aww
[23:17] <@Kalie> spelling sucks but ya
[23:17] <Kazasu> omnimancy = interesting.
[23:17] <@miri-classic> I thought you meant tech
[23:17] <@miri-classic> Real tech
[23:17] <@miri-classic> So I'm going to clarify it will not be technique, but tech
[23:17] <@Kalie> that would be cool to
[23:17] <Kazasu> Actually borrowing a bit of it for my own generator.
[23:17] <zAlusa> actually i am curious about that as well
[23:19] <Rein> I like talking about reality shaping
[23:19] <Rein> As in just making things be how you want them to be
[23:19] <Kazasu> Er, miri, can I nominate omnimancy?
[23:19] <Kazasu> Or real tech
[23:20] <@miri-classic> So... one vote a piece, you know the topics, you have two minutes to cast your vote
[23:20] <@Kalie> i vote combat
[23:21] <@Sunblades> combat
01[23:21] <@miri-classic> Specify, combat tech?
[23:21] <@Kalie> sure
[23:21] <@Sunblades> idk... just got back
[23:21] <Kazasu> I vote tech. *shrug*
[23:21] <@Kalie> oh
[23:21] <@Kalie> huh
[23:21] <Kazasu> not combat tech, tech.
[23:21] <@Kalie> tactical
[23:21] <@Sunblades> reading up
[23:21] <@Kalie> :P
[23:22] <zAlusa> i think im interested in tech too
[23:22] <Rein> what's tech?
[23:23] <@miri-classic> 2 for tech, 2 for tactical combat
[23:23] <@Kalie> sits in corner and watches channel
[23:24] <@miri-classic> Rein: Tech is what Omnimancers use, in the stead of regular constructs, they are complex collections of highly specified components
[23:25] <zAlusa> i really don’t see what the difference would be between advanced constructs with a bunch of parts and what your calling tech thats where im curious
[23:26] <@miri-classic> Because there are tens, hundreds, thousands, millions, or billions of specific, highly specialized constructs, specialized by form, rather than programming, making up tech.
[23:26] <Kazasu> I like combining what little I know of tech with programming. *shrug*
[23:26] <@miri-classic> Anyway. What is the final vote?
[23:26] <@miri-classic> last I knew it was a tie, Tech or tactical combat
[23:27] <zAlusa> i voted tech
[23:27] <@Kalie> tactical
[23:27] <Kazasu> We could revote on the two?
[23:27] <Kazasu> and tech
[23:27] <Ceiling_Cat> tactical
[23:28] <Rein> I go tech
[23:28] <Rein> because I don’t care about combat
[23:28] <@Kalie> btw hi blades
[23:28] <AlphaZero> what exactly does tech encompass
[23:29] <@miri-classic> AlphaZero: everything, though I would be going over the basics. It's like constructs, but a different approach, more efficient and powerful, for equal effort.
[23:29] <Ceiling_Cat> ok, I change my vote to tech. :p
[23:29] <AlphaZero> i'll vote tech i guess
[23:30] <@miri-classic> Tech wins it. 4 to 2
[23:30] <Kazasu> And it can be quicker, since your able to use pieces you have in your mind in a number of different ways with other pieces, meaning you can come up with a solution in a quick amount of time.