Sciences
From ThornsWiki
Please note that most of these scientific discussions are based on a galdor point of view. Wicks and humans in the Six Kingdoms are largely kept from rigorous academic study, with a few exceptions in places like Anaxas and Bastia when those lower race individuals have writs and work closely with galdori under their employ or in Kingdoms such as Hox and Mugroba where some educational access is available in very limited ways.
Many of these sciences are in a constant state of upheaval—new discoveries, competing research, and financial motivation drive galdorkind to explore and push the boundaries in different directions. Coupled with the added benefit of magic such as Quantitative Conversation, the sciences of Vita cannot at all entirely be compared with much firmness to earth.
Contents
How to Use this Information
When in doubt about something, please discuss with a moderator. The information below is purposefully vague and if your character concept involves exploring these areas of study, please make sure you track your direction with the staff to keep it within the desired limitations of our lore!
Medicine
Health and medicine among galdori involve a level of humanoid physiology that understands anatomical function to a rather advanced degree. There is little understanding of biochemistry or endocrinology, and while there is a large focus on hematology and the nervous system, there has been considerable movement away from the theory of "ancient humors" that was once popular in the past.
Germ theory is a relatively new development, and still mostly confined to galdorkind in terms of acceptance. Disease transmission is still largely believed to be a matter of inherited susceptibility (genetics), individual lifestyle choices, and climate and location. The knowledge of microorganisms has allowed for water- and air-borne infection to be of growing importance in modern research.
There is very little stigma against vivisection of both animals and the corpses of lower races, and so many of the most recent advancements in health and disease, pathology and microbiology, as well as anatomy and physiology are still being explored and documented. Because of the access to magic as a way of exploring the unseen, Quantitative and Living Conversation has been an important part of medical advancement in galdori society. Technological advancements have also been helpful with microscopes, kymographs, and stethoscopes some examples of what's available to medical practitioners within the hospital systems of the Six Kingdoms.
Antiseptics, pasteurization, and some experimentation with x-rays have also worked their way into galdor medicine.
Midwifery is the mainstay of childbirth in all levels of society.
The lower races have both less access to education as well as a much more wholistic or naturalistic approach to medicine. Their anatomical knowledge isn't necessarily inferior so much as hampered by a lack of proper facilities and equipment in comparison.
Biology
The Biological sciences in Vita are currently on par with the late 19th century: the study of the living world is considered a serious academic and scientific endeavor among galdorkind. Physiology and the classification of the diversity of life is a thriving research opportunity. Microscopes have allowed for the visualization of microorganisms and the foundation of cell theory is being laid. Botany and Zoology are professional fields of study, and the connection between animate and inanimate worlds has been made not only through galdori magical conversation and monic theory, but also through observation and scientific research.
There is an understanding of genetics, which has led to a new, controversial view of passivity and magical ability in the races (though it is still quite misguided and often wrought with spiritual prejudice). Ley lines have only just been theorized in the bodies of magical races, but they have yet to be definitively documented by medical examination.
- » Fauna & Flora
- » Magical Biology
Chemistry & Physics
Perhaps because of the knowledge of mona as sentient particles, chemistry in current Vitan understanding is not based on alchemy or transformation but on atomic theory, though this debate is still very much a hot topic among galdori academic circles and between sorcerers and scientists alike.
There is an understanding that the world is made up of particles that are unseen and that some of those particles are not sentient magical existences but atoms of various compositions. Chemistry is, of course, intertwined with thermodynamics and Physics.
While electricity and the understanding of electromagnetism, light, and the thermodynamic exchange of energy in the workings of the universe are still very much in development in the world of Vita, perhaps even slightly behind what we know of as late 19th-century earth discoveries, there is a growing interest in these things and a rich, exciting community of galdori in various stages of experimenting and documenting their discoveries.
World Sciences
Astronomy and geology are more or less on par with Victorian understanding of the world in earth equivalence, with quite a bit of lag when it comes to a full understanding of how large Vita is or what lese lies beyond the Ten Kingdoms. The stars and heavenly bodies, their regular courses, astrological events such as comets and meteor showers, and the moons are well-studied and documented, though astrophysics and the understanding of the universe itself is still very much in its infancy.
Because Vita is a world full of magic and touched by the gods, there is also a beginning understanding of what is known as leyfabric, or magical channels of energy that run through the geography of all of the planet.
Unlike earth at this time, the Ten Kingdoms and outlying islands are all that is currently known of the planet. Whether or not the planet is small and all that's known is what is there to explore or whether there are other civilizations across the sea that haven't bothered to travel yet, either, has yet to be discovered and is not currently a focus of the game at this time.
Perhaps as the plot advances, this may change.
Technology
Please see the Technology section for more information on the various advancements of note made in the Ten Kingdoms.
| |||||||||||||||||