~ Matter ~
Specialties: Transmutation, Shaping, Conjuration, Complex Patterns
This Sphere concerns itself with non-living matter; the precise line between this Sphere and the Sphere of Life, like the precise line between the Elements, varies from Tradition to Tradition. In general, assume that a subject that contains living or nearly-living tissue (blood, for instance) falls under Life, whereas dead simple tissue (hair) falls under Matter. Wherever the division lies, students of Matter first learn to analyze their subject, then to transmute one basic substance into another. After this, a mage learns to rework the shapes of items, craft articles of great complexity and finally create items of wonder and the substances of legend.
ˇMatter Perceptions
The Disciple of Matter begins by recognizing the various Patterns of Matter, including the underlying structures that give objects their shapes and physical properties. This allows her to detect things hidden from normal senses. In addition to sensing the composition and properties of Matter, the Disciple can discern structures hidden within structures; material no longer forms a barrier to her senses.
ˇˇ Basic Transmutation
The mage may transmute one substance into another, without changing its shape, temperature or basic state (solid, liquid, gas). Mages of mystick Traditions can change milk into cream or mahogany into oak, while scientists change water to acid or lead into gold. The more radical the transmutation, the more successes the spell requires. It's easier to change water into wine (one success) than into sulfuric acid (three), and more complicated to turn stones into bread (three successes) than sourdough into rye (one).
A mage may also use conjunctional Effects involving other Pattern Spheres to briefly transform items governed by Forces, Life or Prime into basic Patterns of Matter, including changing living beings into stone (Life 4/ Matter 2) or spinning moonlight into thread (Forces 3/ Matter 2). With Prime 2, she may harness the ether to create (or uncreate) any simple, basic thing composed of one common homogeneous substance. A granite boulder shaped vaguely like a woman is possible, but a dainty china shepherdess is not. A bowlful of oatmeal or even blueberry pancakes could be made to appear, but not a baroque wedding cake. The more rare and/or complex a given substance, the more difficult it is to create -it's easier to create glass than diamonds.
ˇˇˇ Alter Form
At the third rank of Matter, the mage can change the shape of inanimate obj ects however she desires, or temporarily alter their state to make solids become liquids or liquids become gas. Permanent changes in state require Rank 5. A mage who understands this rank may sculpt matter into any shape she pleases, limited only by the physical properties of the materials she uses. Broken items may also be repaired seamlessly, if she has the mundane knowledge to do so.
ˇˇˇˇ Complex Transmutation
Adepts of Matter may now perform radical changes to physical materials and craft complex items involving several common substances or one or two rare ones. Any sort of regular matter may be changed into any other-a squirt pistol into a loaded zipgun (three successes) or a trash dumpster into a small tank (five successes). The more radical the transformation, the more difficult the feat.
With conjunctional Effects, the Patterns of Life, Forces or Prime, itself may be transmuted into complex Matter, allowing mages to turn pumpkins into gilded coaches, lightning bolts into swords or the Quintessential ether into master keys. Complex organic creations are also possible, including silk ballgowns, roast chickens and Persian rugs.
ˇˇˇˇˇ Alter Properties
At this pinnacle of understanding, Masters of Matter may create substances which do not exist in nature by taking existing materials and altering their physical properties, or even make one object immaterial to some other substance. All the substances of legends and comic books are possible with this level of magick. Masters build castles with paper-thin walls and wear armor that feels like silk and weigh less than a feather. The rare prizes of Technocratic science, such as the manmade radioactive elements, are also reserved for this level.
