"So the basic particle of material existence is an atom. It, in turn, is made of up tinier particles called protons, neurons, and electrons. No, wait -- neutrons, that's it. And those, or in among those, are other, smaller particles, and they're held together by forces. It's sort of the same way that planets and moons orbit due to gravity, but also not like that at all. You can't even use the same math to describe it, which is interesting in and of itself. Remind me to show you some of the modeling I've played with, some day."
Anyway.
"Now, the way in which worlds with science understand fire is that it requires three things. Material to burn, such as wood or oil or anything made of carbon, an energy source for ignition, such as an already extant fire or a spark of some kind, and oxygen. In the absence of one of these things they cannot make fire. Now, if I were to cast a fire spell, I need actually none of those things. I did some experiments once and I can cast fire in a vacuum -- that's a place with no air -- no oxygen. Theoretically impossible, but because of how magic works in Thedas, possible for me."
A soft exhale.
"So while mathematically it's impossible to figure out how to interrupt the forces holding atoms together -- using the right magic in the right way at the right time -- "
Dreaming it often enough that a person who knew it was there could reach into the Fade and bring the dream of dissolution into the waking world --
no subject
"So the basic particle of material existence is an atom. It, in turn, is made of up tinier particles called protons, neurons, and electrons. No, wait -- neutrons, that's it. And those, or in among those, are other, smaller particles, and they're held together by forces. It's sort of the same way that planets and moons orbit due to gravity, but also not like that at all. You can't even use the same math to describe it, which is interesting in and of itself. Remind me to show you some of the modeling I've played with, some day."
Anyway.
"Now, the way in which worlds with science understand fire is that it requires three things. Material to burn, such as wood or oil or anything made of carbon, an energy source for ignition, such as an already extant fire or a spark of some kind, and oxygen. In the absence of one of these things they cannot make fire. Now, if I were to cast a fire spell, I need actually none of those things. I did some experiments once and I can cast fire in a vacuum -- that's a place with no air -- no oxygen. Theoretically impossible, but because of how magic works in Thedas, possible for me."
A soft exhale.
"So while mathematically it's impossible to figure out how to interrupt the forces holding atoms together -- using the right magic in the right way at the right time -- "
Dreaming it often enough that a person who knew it was there could reach into the Fade and bring the dream of dissolution into the waking world --
" -- I can do it. Potentially."