Writer's notes for SME (Sailor Moon Expanded) Notes of High and Low magic, as given by Sensei Michiru in lecture to the Younger Senshi: "Magic is often divided into two classes, High Magic and Low Magic, but in many ways it's an artificial distinction. The difference between the two is really only one of scale, with the two being on different ends of the scale. Where to divide between them is a highly subjective matter. But for the sake of this lesson I will refer to them as distinct separate forms. "A few quick definitions to start. A Magician is a master of Low Magic. A Wizard is a skilled caster of High Magic. Sorcerer is the more generic term, simply implying one who uses magic. A Magisci, or simply Mage, is one skilled both at magic, High or Low, and Science, working to blend the two together. This last category never existed during the time of Silver Millenium, because humanity never really bothered with Science in those days. "All humanity has the ability to do magic at one level or other, but not many could master more than a lighting spell. "Low Magic is generally considered that level of magic that, given the proper training, most humanity could master. And many do. With humanity's technology today being a mix of science and low magic, the need for magicians skilled in the use of low magic is great. Low magic is relativly safe, and is thus taught at most universities on Earth. "That mix of science and magic has brought about some things that the ancients never imagined. The people of Silver Millenium used Air Stones to provide air and pressure in vacuum. But those were bulky and unweildy. A few hundred years ago an Terran Magisci engineer got his hands on one of the air stones brought back from the landing on Mars, and began to study it, eventually figuring out how it worked, and improving on it, creating the air-belts we now have. While air-belts can't be mass produced, and don't have nearly the lifespan of an air-stone, they are much more convienient than the air-stones ever were. "That's just one example, but generally Low Magic has now permiated all aspects of life on Earth. And without the miracles that High Magic can achieve, humanity is forced to make their own miracles happen. "Now High Magic is in some ways just a higher scale version of Low Magic, but there are some differences. The power for magic must come from somewhere. For most Low Magic, the caster just uses his own lifeforce, using a bit of it to power the spell. But the key problem with High Magic is that the amount of energy required is much, much higher. So high, in fact, that few humans have the internal reserves to power such spells. That's the biggest reason that most of those untrained in the arts who try burn themselves out, killing themselves. "So the trick of High Magic is finding a power source. And there are many possible sources. Druidic magic would take a little from each living thing around. Certain places on Earth are repositories for magical power. Most of the ancient holy places are built on such spots. Black Magic, or Necromany, gets it's power from fear and death, or even worse, from demonic entities. And a few humans are born with seemingly infinite personal energy reserves. From these last ones tend to come the most powerful of Wizards. "We Senshi actually have it easy in that respect. We already have our source, as each of us is linked to our respective world, and draw power from that world as a whole. All our powers are rightfully considered High Magic, and it only takes a little training to funnel some of that power off into other spells. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Notes on the "Magic Well" concept: (by Mark Latus) Planets generate mana, the power behind magic in addition to magnetic and electrical fields. Except in the case of mana these energies are released through natural wells of power. So in the days civilization was magically based cities grew by these energy springs. When Silver Millenium fell Serenity capped the Earth's magic wells. Beryl had forces scattered over the entire planet who would escape exile from this dimension, some of them would survive the cataclysm caused by Metallia's entrance to this dimension. Being the strongest military force remaining they would seize the planet and build a future based on the values Beryl ingrained in them. However without magic available to maintain their civilization Earth fell into barbarism and the long climb back to civilization began again. This time based on a different way of manipulating and understanding the universe. Which is also why the survivors from the other planets couldn't maintain their "technology" after resettling on Earth. So terran civilization was not rebuilt in the image of the other worlds in the system either. At some currently unknown point prior to the 20th century the mana fountain under the area that will one day become known as Tokyo erupts. It was probably preset to do this as the mana pressure has to be bled off or there'll be worldwide disaster. Mass global reality alteration for a start. By this time magic based science is long lost and this event remains unknown to humanity. If Serenity deliberately chose that site is unknown at present but definitely possibile. A side effect of being the prime source of mana on the planet is probabilty around this area tends to be warped and it becomes a magnet for paranormal events. Hence the synchronistic zone mentioned the DKR stories. Along with the answer to the question, "Why do all the weird things in the world happen in Tokyo?" However it's not the only power spot on the planet. Serenity was rushed so the mana caps aren't perfect. Over time they begin to leak. Stonehenge is the worst of these. The megaliths are a recent addition by the ancient (in 20th century terms) Celts. It's one of their many solar temples/observatories. But it's the major one as the druids learned their magics worked (work better they tell the chiefs) in this place. Which is why they went to so much trouble to honour their gods by dragging sacred stones hundreds of miles to build the temple and mark the holy site. Ayers Rock in Australia is the site of another leaking well. There are others scattered around the world but most have not yet been identified. Neither have the dates they began to leak. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Notes on the Moon Cats: (by Andy Combs) The Moon Cats are an artificial race created shortly after the start of the Silver Millenium. The were created as advisors to each of the royal families in general, and the Guardian Senshi in particular. The Cats are immortal, but by no means unkillable. They need food and water like any other living beings. They are also able to breed, but female Moon Cats become fertile very rarely, on the scale of once a millenium. Moon Cats have similar growth cycles to humans, as the building of sentient adults takes a lot longer than non-sentients. So Diana is actually 5 or 6 years old in SMSS, while still physically a kitten. The Sleep Modules are self contained suspended animation chambers designed specificly for the Moon Cats. While the Sleep Modules are not indestructable, they are close, and can easily withstand vacuum and extreme temperatures for many millenium. There were ten original Moon Cats created, one for each planet. Five male, five female. Pluto refused one, and the extra went to the Moon, so that both Earth and Moon had one. There were 4 or 5 kittens born during the reign of Silver Millenium. These kittens were not parcelled out like the originals were, but were allowed to choose who they served. Where they went, and who they served is undetermined. In the table below, a ? means the authors havn't decided. "Unrev" means the authors know the answer, but consider it Spoiler information for future stories. First generation cats: Planet Name sex fate Mercury Phoebe female Unrev Venus Artemis male Alive, in CT (White) Terra Puck/Mecavity male Unrev (Black&White splotched) Moon Luna female Alive, in CT (Black) Mars Aries male Unrev Jupiter Isis female Unrev (Calico) Saturn Arachne female ? (Persian) Neptune Selene female Alive, at GM (Tortiseshell) Uranus Apollo male Alive, at GM (Orange tabby) Pluto None Nemesis Rudra male Unrev (siamese) Second generation cats: Name Sex Parentage Fate ? female Phoebe and Puck ? ? female Phoebe and Puck Unrev ? male Selene and Apollo ? ? male Aries and Arachne ? Diana female Luna and Artemis Swears to Princess Usagi --------------------------------------------------------------------------- From Sam Ashley: Tentative Map of the Dark Kingdom World ___ Shattersea _/| ______| \_ ____ / | \ /_ / C \ \ |_ ____ /MMMMMMM \ \ |_______| / / | __ | MMM /___| Velkarth / | F| | \__/ MMMM ___/ | FF\__ /Zahgenmire MM MMMMMMMMMMM | / FFFF \ \ MMMM ___ M |____ / FFM / / /---\MMM ___/ | MMMMM \__/ M / /_/ \C / \ C MMMMMV M / __ / | \ M ____M__/ / \ / \ / M / | / \_ / / FFFFFFF |______ \_/ /_/ |FFFFFFFFFF | ______ |FFPallidFFF Hardlands / \ \ _/ FFJungleFFF | | MMMM \______/ FFFFFFFFFF _____/ __ / Infernal Reach M |\ FFFFFF / / / / VMMVVMMM VMV MVMM | \ FFFFFFF /______ / / / MMVMMVVMVV MMV V _/ / FFFFFFFFF C | | | /________MMV _ | | FFFFFFFFF |____\ \ | / \ C | |___FFFFF ___ FFFFF | |__/ \____/ | FF \ \ FFF_____/ | \ \___ / \_____/ \_______\ Burning Sea M=Mountain V=Volcano F=Forest (mostly fungoid) C=major city Okay, here's the scoop... There's only this one major continent, stretching from just south of the Arctic Circle to over the equator. The rest of the planet's ocean with scattered island chains, mostly uninhabited (that's just a little too far away from the centers of power for Beryl's tastes). Administration of the continent has been roughly parcelled out among Beryl and the Generals. The Queen directly rules the central regions around Exile. Kunzite holds the Velkarth tundra, everything north and east of the mountains (Metallia's Fangs); he seems to find some obscure satisfaction in the barrens. He rules from the City of Far Snows. Zoisite's turf is the southeast, including a good chunk of the Pallid Jungle and most of the Hardlands, as well as the southernmost plains--the biggest agricultural region on the continent. From the City of Fire, Nephrite administrates the extremely volcanic Infernal Reach peninsula; all those active volcanoes have brought up veins of kimberlite, and that means diamonds--the region produces most of the raw materials for high-grade crystal magic. Jadeite, the most grandiose of the Four, picked the nastiest area of them all for his personal playground--the northwest peninsula, including the terrible Zahgenmire swamp, primary breeding grounds for Deadwalker beetles; keeping the little abominations bottled up is one of his primary duties. The other generals couldn't understand why he'd choose the area deliberately, until he revealed his agents' discovery of extensive mineral deposits in the southwestern Fangs--including huge veins of jadeite. Over the centuries the City of Jade has become the most relentlessly spectacular city on the continent. In addition to the mines, the area is noted for its fisheries (well, shellfisheries anyway). The island off the west coast is called Oolite's Folly. Oolite was the first and only youma ever to rebel against Beryl; he was also the first (but far from the last) to earn Eternal Sleep. He is also the only Sleeper not present in the Hall; his crystal stands atop the tallest tower of his otherwise ruined island fortress. As he's been entrapped for over a century longer than any other Sleeper, the island is thoroughly deserted; even non- telepaths have problems with his mind these days. The Hardlands are considered the terrain most "typically" DK: to human eyes a barren, rocky, storm-lashed waste. Only a lifelong resident would easily spot the plentiful lichen, hardy mushrooms, and busy insects native to the region. (Such terrain is found all over the continent, but the Hardlands are the widest single stretch.) The Pallid Jungle is the largest fungus forest in the world, a murky moist maze of mushrooms that would gladden Hayao Miyazaki's heart. The Shattersea is named for the constantly storm-tossed icebergs that fill it year-round. Bad place for a romantic cruise. The Burning Sea: even worse place. Cracks in the shallow seafloor release a constant stream of oil and natural gas; sometime in the distant past something set the surface on fire. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Information on Metallia's origins by Mark Latus and Andy Combs: Demons are malignant entities that exist purely to spread pain, death and misery. But where did the demons of Earth originate? The answer is somewhat complex. Demons are magical lifeforms composed of negative energy. They are products of the nightmarish dimensional psychic sinkhole known as the Abyss. Here can be found the collected evil of humanity. This place acts as a magnet for evil/negative energy and accumulates it. The evil that men do literally lives on after them. Perhaps there's a positive equivalent but the key to this has not been found yet. Sadly it's always easier to notice evil. If the Abyss is natural or a mystic artifact is currently unknown. The truly horrifying part is that the demons did not evolve from the Abyss. They were created. Long before Silver Millenium, back during the days of the Golden Imperium, there was a very powerful necromancer by the name of Metallia. Seeking immortality and great power she impressed her mind into the energies of the Abyss giving it sentience and becoming the incarnation of human evil. Not being fool enough to attempt the merger without some indications of success she'd experimented beforehand. She began with animals, fusing them with energies she'd drawn from the Abyss. Initial results were disasterous but after several years she'd achieved success. The experiments began creating vicious though controllable spirit monsters (as opposed to a large wet explosion and a headache for her cleaning staff). With this in mind she proceeded to human experiments. The energies she infused them with were minor compared to the power she intended to wield. This created the lesser demons which she bound to obey her. Ready at last Metallia's mind vacated her body and left it to rot. She and the energies drawn from the Abyss became one and the Abyss itself was hers alone to take power from. Something new and terrible was born that day. The Demon Queen Metallia. Having been a sociopath before the merger and now composed of the sum total of all human evil what followed was inevitable. Metallia ran amuck across the world destroying all in her path followed by her demonic servants. However she'd underestimated the sorcerors who opposed her. After a battle which wiped out most of Earth's mages they bested her. They couldn't destroy her so they reversed the warpgate she was using to draw power from the Abyss. This resulted in her being sucked through it and dumped into her powersource. While she was disorientated by that they sealed the dimensional gate. Metallia raged but couldn't reopen the gate from within the Abyss. A few of the surviving mages questioned the wisdom of sealing her within the source of her power. But no reasonable alternative existed. They'd been unable to destroy her so this was the only remaining option. Another attempt to destroy her would mean unsealing the dimensional gate and was too risky to dare. At any rate while Metallia would grow stronger it was impossible to initiate a gate from within the Abyss. It had to be opened from Earth so the matter was ended. She'd grow more powerful but without a way through to Earth it was irrelevant. No one would ever be evil, greedy powerful and foolish enough to free her. "Don't call up anything you cannot control" was the most basic rule of magic. Sadly there were no premenitions concerning a queen who would not be born for generations. The Abyss continued to fill as humanity has never had a shortage of monsters. This is the unfortunate counterpart to being a race that produces saints. Metallia grew more and more powerful. By the time of Silver Millenium her entry into the Universe would unsettle reality itself. The mages who had bested her once would have no chance against her now. All that could counter her would be a weapon that could also reshape reality. Even more unfortunately the mages who beat Metallia failed to destroy all her servants. Many lesser demons survived the final battle. Partially because several of the surviving mages were black magic users. They'd simply banded together with the white mages out of common cause. The end of the world would render conquest impossible. They bound lesser demons to various artifacts and places for their own use. A few demons escaped notice and remained free to wander the world spreading malice. Eventually Metallia was able to communicate through the dimensional boundaries with her remaining servants. Through them Metallia began searching for someone who'd take the power she offered in exchange for giving her access to the universe. In time this brought her to the attention of the royal house of Arcadia. Secretly she became their principle diety as they opened a minor breach between Earth and the Abyss. They sacrificed to Metallia in return for spells and mystic artifacts. Metallia provided these and bided her time. Sooner or later a member of the house would want more than they could gain through such a small gate. Then they'd grant Metallia access in exchange for power. She provided the rituals of how to break the seal and waited. In time her patience was rewarded and Metallia was called forth to destroy Silver Millenium. When Queen Serenity banished Beryl and Metallia, she cut off Metallia completely from the Abyss. Metallia used the last of her consciousness to weave a cocoon around herself, in which she could maintain her existance. However she still had some power reserves, sufficent to link into the exile world's magic wells before her mind shut down. She couldn't use the power herself but it flowed through her, becoming contaminated in the process so it was useless to the aboriginal inhabitants. But provided the power for Beryl and her followers to survive and defend Metallia against the many threats of their new home. The contaminated magical background radiation engineered Metallia's final project. It affected the genes of the humans and began the mutagenic changes which after generations created the youma race. Metallia slept on, dreaming of vengeance and broadcasting dark thoughts telepathically to the receptive youma. A few generations later Beryl's mage researchers informed Queen Beryl they had good news, they'd learned how to wake Metallia. The bad news, was it requires human lifeforce and thanks to Metallia there were no longer humans to be found within the Kingdom. Beryl became upset then thought about the problem. She ordered her researcher's replacements to work on the problem of regaining access to Earth. Where there would be no shortage of human lifeforce to take. Time passed, and the Dark Kingdom changed to the form it had when the breakout period began in the late 20th century. Metallia had still not recovered, and was still sleeping in her cocoon. After the breakout began, Beryl had her minions begin to gather energy. She fed this energy to Metallia, which finally began to heal and awake. Eventually Metallia regained consciousness, and was able to inform Beryl of the fate of the Ginzuishou, and it's current existance as the seven Nijizuishou. If Beryl could secure the Ginzuishou, and feed it to Metallia, Metallia would gain the energy she needed break the barriers between her and the Abyss, and would return to full power in moments. But Beryl was unable to gain the Ginzuishou, and so continued to feed Metallia on human life energy. This was a much slower way to return Metallia to power, but just as certain. With enough energy within her, Metallia would be able to restore her link to the Abyss, with the same results. As she gained more and more energy, Metallia started to flex her muscles, creating various disasters around the world, and massive sunspots. But when the Sailor Senshi attacked D-Point, it was still too early. Metallia would still not be able to survive for any length of time outside her cocoon. Sailor Moon survived to engage Beryl, and managed to free Endymion from Beryl's thrall. Then Endymion's rose struck Beryl, and began to destroy her. Beryl retreated to Metallia's cocoon. Metallia realized that if Beryl died, she would be helpless before the Senshi, so she executed a desperate plan. She emerged from the cocoon early, and at once entered Beryl, joining with her. Metallia was able to repair the damage Endymion had done, and being merged allowed her to survive outside of the cocoon. Had Beryl/Metallia survived, it would have been only a matter of time before she managed to reforge the link to the Abyss. But Sailor Moon destroyed her, and that was the end... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------