User:ZoshiX/Sandbox/Experimental Element System

As you may note by its presence in the sandbox portion of my pages, this is just me messing around with some ideas I have floating around in my head, and not anything that's necessarily going to be applied to anything else in any concrete way.

This spawned as a result of me playing around with an existing self-made system of "magical elements" not unlike something you'd find in the Pokemon series or other similar RPG-type setups. However, I couldn't help but feel like the traditional "fire, water, earth, wind, etc" thing was a bit cliche at this point, so I wanted to take a more philosophical approach rather than a purely physical one. I guess it's kind of like the MTG color pie in that way, but hopefully not too overly-similar.

The Elements


In this system, there are seven "elements," each arranged in orientation to those which they align with and oppose respectively. For example, Chaos (top of the circle) is aligned with Nature and Darkness (to its sides) and opposed to Light and Technology (on the opposite side).

I might not explain them as well as I would like to, but I hope you get the general idea.

Chaos
Chaos is the inherent disorder of the world, and the way in which it tends to "choose" its own path regardless of what those who inhabit it may desire or intend. Friends of chaos see this as a source of new opportunities and pleasant surprises. Enemies see it as the disruption well-made plans, and the universe's own cruel way of enforcing its mysterious yet omnipresent will upon us.

Darkness
Darkness is obfuscation, keeping secrets, and knowing that some knowledge is better left unseen. Friends of darkness keep only that information which is essential, leaving anything else to be lost to time or hidden away from those who cannot be trusted with it. They know that for every bit of knowledge that is truth, there are equally as many being presented that are lies. Enemies of darkness see it as ignorant and/or deceptive, and a barrier to progress and enlightenment.

Time
Time is entropy. Time is the acknolwedgement that the endless forward march of the ages is eternal and unstoppable. Progress will go on, and those who cannot keep up, or that which cannot be sustained, will be left behind. Friends of time see this as a simple acceptance of reality, and have little time for nostalgia or clinging to the past. Enemies of time see it as defeatist and irreverent towards history and tradition.

Technology
Technology insists that we are the creators of our own destiny. Friends of technology would say we should not be complacent with the conditions we are given, but do everything in our power to mold them into something more useful. Progress is an opportunity for us to continually improve upon our existing work, and continue to remove ourselves from the limitations of nature and circumstance. Enemies of technology might say that it is unnatural, and an affront to the sanctified destinies that the universe has chosen for us, or that it is arrogant to play god.

Light
Light is information, knowledge, and communication. The most fulfilling pursuit is that of enlightenment, and it is our collective duty to preserve and spread that which we know, not only to enrich our own minds, but to prepare us for the future. Enemies of light may see it as pervasive, preumptive, and ripe for abuse by liars and manipulators.

Space
Space is creation, birth, and expansion. A friend of space has an affection for novelty, and sees our universe as an ever-flowing abundance of new things to be discovered, interacted with, and shared. Enemies of space may see it as naive, invasive, or an unsustainable strain on the balance of the universe.

Nature
Nature is destiny, instinct, essentialism. We are all born with a plan set out for us, and a role to play in the world. This destiny was carefully crafted by forces beyond our control and comprehension, and straying too far from the paths we are given will only lead to disappointment, turmoil, and destruction. Everything is the way it is for a reason. Enemies of nature may see this attitude as an unnecessary limit on our potential, a foolish attachment to the natural and traditional, or flippant to those of unfortunate circumstance.