Now, times are different. My fellow Singaporeans might still be stuck in time, but I've moved on from there. To be honest, I've learnt that response counts the most when you're used to a life where bad things happening is the only consistency. Perhaps that's why I can never remove myself from being drawn to write the dark and gritty fantasy stuff.
Note: And speaking of dark stuff, I was once again reminded that the world of Berserk is far more real than we'd like to think otherwise. I won't say "blame Texas", but... yeah, you get the drift.
Note: And speaking of dark stuff, I was once again reminded that the world of Berserk is far more real than we'd like to think otherwise. I won't say "blame Texas", but... yeah, you get the drift.
Above lyrics are not really a case of glorifying violence, but rather pointing out the fact that Guts represents the world he has to live in. A world of darkness, evil, and bereft of hope. In fact, the lyrics were written from a third person view of a storyteller, not something like... this?
So what this post will be all about?
Above link is my latest update on the deums. However, I still feel like expanding from there.
How the deums work aka the laws of (human) physics
We all are suckers for stats. Maybe that's why video games are so attractive. Ironically, stats are also the reason justifying video games against academic excellence. In RPG, we all know the usual suspects: Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma. It's very D&D, I know (note: D&D in this context is not about what your dept do on an annual basis unless you're guilty of playing pen and paper with your BFF killing you every time as the DM). For the deums, I'm gonna do some... well, streamlining. Not that I'm the first one to do that.
Note to Joseph "not Justin" Wong before I continue: You don't have to feel bad for admiring Master Chief. Just like how you admired the master boss of Halo, I also admire that hero of the North.
Unlike thaumaturgy, the bridge runes don't serve any magic purpose. In fact, the runes don't serve any such purpose as well. With the exception of Zyf, the four deums are deemed legit when it comes to the laws of (human) physics.
Note: The respective aspects covered in the list should not be seen as a case of exclusivity, but rather a matter of focus. After all, knowing nothing about maths and scoring a C in the subject are two different matters altogether.
Earrach:
Like how spring represents vibrancy, Earrach represents a nimble take on combat. Commonly associated with reflexes and physical recovery, warriors focusing on the aspect of Earrach tend to favour light to medium armour. This is to create a balance between fluid movement and protection. Below is the list of runes under Earrach in terms of what they represent.
Bors [Fort]-Parrying
Cers [Refuge]-Evasion
Darg [Blood]-Accuracy
Fleig [Banner]-Fortitude
Gis [Gift]-Awareness
Es [Spring]-Linking the deum of Earrach to the deum of Samhradh, hence creating a technique focusing on mobility and aggression.
Samhradh:
Summer symbolises the peak of strength and passion. Therefore, the deum of Samhradh deals with physical traits such as strength and physical durability. Warriors focusing on the aspect of Samhradh tend to favour medium to heavy armour. Eschewing mobility as something worthless, such fighters are all about taking damage and dealing it back.
Hel [Pyre]-Damage
Jorm [Flare]-Adrenaline
Kaer [King]-Fortitude
Les [Circle]-Awareness
Mar [Battle]-Rage
Ia [Summer]-Linking the deum of Samhradh to the deum of Fomhar, hence resulting in a technique based on overwhelming the opponent via a soak and counter approach.
Fomhar:
Autumn is a season where all things are nearing an end. Hence, the need to prepare and hold back is what the deum of Fomhar is all about. Dealing with the mental aspect of combat, warriors focusing on the aspect of Fomhar are able to gear themselves with any manner of armour so long the choice suits the style. While the physical aspects are still a must, there must come a day where things will wane. This is where the mind comes into the picture.
Nid [Steal]-Riposte
Pros [Struggle]-Resolve
Qui [Regret]-Rage
Rag [Twilight]-Awareness
Ste [Beauty]-Fatalism
Or [Autumn]-Linking the deum of Fomhar to the deum of Geimhreadh, thereby creating a technique feeding off the negativity of the mind.
Geimhreadh:
Despite lasting only a month, the bite of winter is surely fiercer than what the other three seasons can offer. This is a season representing the end of all things, a season known to the Homm'Nua as Creill Bháis. The deum of Geimhreadh is also no less a symbol of demise as it deals with how one reacts to mortality on the battlefield even before affliction arrives. Feeding off a fatalistic mindset, warriors focusing on the deum of Geimhreadh often favour light to medium armour even though those choosing heavy armour are never unheard of. This is a deum that teaches only two things: The need to survive and the understanding that survival is not always within one's grasp.Tev [Cold]-Awareness
Van [Mortality]-Death
Wod [Wood]-Resolve
Xiv [Blizzard]-Damage
Yet [Survival]-Fortitude
Uf [Winter]-Linking the deum of Geimhreadh to the deum of Earrach which results in a technique of defensive pinnacle.
Notes:
1. It's too tiring trying to devise one unique word for every rune. If I can do that, it means I'm Clark Kent (although Superman isn't exactly unbeatable).
2. Creating bridges in ways more than one is fun. I don't have to be a Democrat to get a license to build (unlike getting a license to kill, which would require me to be James Bond 007). And besides, common ground between any two technique isn't something unheard of in real life. It's like asking me whether there's a common ground between Park Shin-hye and Aragaki Yui, Emilia Clarke and Anok Yai (in case you don't know who she is...). My answer would be that they're beautiful ladies. The key word is ladies.
3. No, you can't link all four deums in a straight line. It's not just illegal, it's also impossible. In fact, you can only have two deums for the price of one (read: only one bridge rune allowed). So what if Aeravor can command four deums instead of one? It's just a case of "hey, it's a kind of magic lol!"
Apparently, the concept of a master race isn't a kind of magic, but some kind of magic mushroom.
4. What you see here in terms of what the runes represent is a case of concept. Let's see things this way: If I say that my girlfriend is beautiful, does that mean she needs to look like some kind of Hollywood/Bollywood/Kollywood/Japanwood/Koreawood/Chinawood/Singaporewood/etc actress? If the answer is yes, then I'm an idiot. If the answer is no, then it means beauty is never about being identical. Rather, it's a matter of identity. If the identity is there, there's no need to be identical. Be it a beautiful girl or the usage of technique.
5. Okay, I'll have to admit the so-called laws of (human) physics is a lie. It's like politicians promising you something only to realise you've been had. The factually correct version should be the laws of (humanity) physics. Yeah, right. As if this version is really more factually correct than the erroneous (original) Sanders.
How the deums work in terms of magic science
Okay, I admit above header is a paradox. How can magic be science? It's like asking how is it possible for science to be a kind of magic (unless we're talking about code programming). It's like telling me Dr Strange's identity as the Sorcerer Supreme=his (ex) career as a surgeon. We all know the two are unrelated even though they're pointing at the same doctor. Likewise, inscribing runes into weapons isn't science. Rather, it's the art of Metallurgy.
Let me just state that there are still stuff yet to be finalised. Metallurgy is one of them. I know it entails the reinforcement of metals and non-living matter. However, things change in the same way people change. At this point of time, I realised there's little to no leeway for me to justify metallurgy as a legit form of magic. Therefore, I decided to do a total recall by reinterpreting the M-word.
Arnie and Davis get older every year, but not this vid.
Metallurgy is all about inscribing the runes onto weapons. It's all about turning the mundane into the outright badass. There's nothing natural or scientific about this. Otherwise, it won't be called magic. Metallurgy, as a crafting technique, is something both elves and dwarves know. Ultimately, the only way to differentiate an elven sword from a dwarven sword is via the nature of craftsmanship. Elven weapons are lighter with more emphasis placed on the balance. Dwarven weapons are heavier and sturdier. At the same time, however, metallurgy is also doable on armour, both metal gear solid and non-metal gear solid.
The common perception when it comes to runic/magic gear is that everything is magic. Wrong. Whatever supernatural property of such equipment hinges on the one crafting it. In accordance with the unspoken rule passed down since the Age of Renown had ended, "He who crafts must be he who engraves". Below is the list of what the respective deums do. Please note a few things.
1. Only two runes can be used: The deum rune and the relevant bridge rune.
2. The character of the crafter is not just about personality, but equally important is the way he/she views the world at large.
3. As the result, the choice of deum is not about the crafter's free will, but rather the materialising of his/her character via the relevant runes.
3. As the result, the choice of deum is not about the crafter's free will, but rather the materialising of his/her character via the relevant runes.
4. I won't include the bridge runes for obvious reasons.
5. The deum rune used has no bearing on the effect. Necessity lies in the act of choosing, not the outcome.
6. The deum rune generated is by random. No rules, no practical purposes as well. This is chaos working its way into the creation.
7. Nihilo (i.e. the one with Zyf) is included.
Earrach: Either replenishes the wielder's life force whenever hitting an enemy (hinting at the crafter's hope for a world that is otherwise beyond hope) or maintaining the wielder's focus without any interference (hinting at the crafter's determination for a greater goal at all costs).
Samhradh: Either confers the weapon the elemental property of fire (hinting at the crafter having destructive tendencies for whatever reason) or lightning (hinting at the crafter being either unstable or whimsical).
Fomhar: Either increasing the durability of the weapon (hinting at the crafter having been through trials and tribulations aplenty) or increasing the wielder's physical strength according to how little (or much for that matter) he/she expects from the world (hinting at the crafter experiencing so many losses in his/her life that nothing in this world matters).
Geimhreadh: Either confers the weapon the elemental property of ice (hinting at the crafter's apathy towards all things including him/herself) or the ability to inflict death upon an enemy once specific requirements set by the crafter are met (hinting at the crafter's animosity towards the world).
Nihilo: The ability to nullify and reshape all supernatural effects coming into contact with the user (hinting at the crafter most likely no longer a mortal being as one knows it).
Note: If the crafter has more than one aspect of character concerning the deums, then which deum to use will be a case of personal choice.
So what will I do next?
I dunno. I hope to do something about the Grail, but that one alone is not going to take up much of the so-called blog space.
6. The deum rune generated is by random. No rules, no practical purposes as well. This is chaos working its way into the creation.
7. Nihilo (i.e. the one with Zyf) is included.
Earrach: Either replenishes the wielder's life force whenever hitting an enemy (hinting at the crafter's hope for a world that is otherwise beyond hope) or maintaining the wielder's focus without any interference (hinting at the crafter's determination for a greater goal at all costs).
Samhradh: Either confers the weapon the elemental property of fire (hinting at the crafter having destructive tendencies for whatever reason) or lightning (hinting at the crafter being either unstable or whimsical).
Fomhar: Either increasing the durability of the weapon (hinting at the crafter having been through trials and tribulations aplenty) or increasing the wielder's physical strength according to how little (or much for that matter) he/she expects from the world (hinting at the crafter experiencing so many losses in his/her life that nothing in this world matters).
Geimhreadh: Either confers the weapon the elemental property of ice (hinting at the crafter's apathy towards all things including him/herself) or the ability to inflict death upon an enemy once specific requirements set by the crafter are met (hinting at the crafter's animosity towards the world).
Nihilo: The ability to nullify and reshape all supernatural effects coming into contact with the user (hinting at the crafter most likely no longer a mortal being as one knows it).
Note: If the crafter has more than one aspect of character concerning the deums, then which deum to use will be a case of personal choice.
So what will I do next?
I dunno. I hope to do something about the Grail, but that one alone is not going to take up much of the so-called blog space.
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