Form Types (Aligned)

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Revision as of 15:34, 17 September 2008

Form Types

Almost all forms fall readily into certain form types which have certain skills and actualization procedures in common. These commonalities make specialization possible, and it is not uncommong to find Aligned who make exclusive use of one or a small number of types of form.

The forms types known to you are artifact, mathematical object, melody, natural structure, organic structure, shape, symbol and verse.

      Artifact:  Artifacts, devices created by an anthropic sentience, are among the most numerous
                      forms.  Typically one visualizes the artifact in question to activate the form, though
                      sometimes an actual instance of the artifact is needed (or helpful).  One's facility with
                      these forms is affected by one's knowledge of artifacts, which employs any number of
                      skills, depending on the artifact.

   Mathematical Object:  Mathematical objects include equations, constants, sets, theorems,
       proofs, and other such things.  The most common object for aligned to use are equations. 
       Equations are mathematical statements of equivalency written in abstract and often
       esoteric symbols.  They are the highest expressions of qualitative nature and symmetry and
       are the basis of many powerful forms.  For these forms one will at least need to know the
       mathematics requires to understand the object, and they are typically actualized by
       bringing the object to mind and concentrating on it.

   Melody:  The nature of music is poorly understood, but that it is a phenomenon rooted in order
       and harmony is beyond doubt.  Typically forms rooted in melodies are actuated by thinking
       them through and hearing them in the "mind's ear", as it were, though some of them require
       one to actually whistle or sing or play the melody.  These forms are acquired by learning
       about and practicing the musical arts.

   Natural Structure:  Naturals structures are the form type containing the most variety: it
       includes any sort of inorganic, naturally occurring physical pattern, from the elemental
       structure of a mineral to the regular cycle of the seasons to stellar arrangements.  Most
       of these structures are studied under the rubric of physics.  Other commonly relevant
       discplines include alchemy, cosmology, and mineral lore.

   Organic Structure:  Even the simplest living creatures manifest an infinitely complex harmony. 
       By studying biological forms, one can learn how to actualize them to various affects. 
       Usually one concentrates on abstract knowledge of a biological form to actualize it, but
       sometimes visualization may be involved.

   Shape:  Shapes are just that: spatial figures, either two or three dimensional.  Shape forms
       are actualized by visualizing them, and are typically dependent on one's ability to
       imagine the shape, which employs one's general faculties of perception and awareness.  For
       more complex three dimensional shapes, knowledge of the art of sculpture becomes relevant.

   Symbol:  There are many types of symbols, such as heiroglyphs, letters, runes, or other kinds
       of abstract figures.  The most common for the Aligned to utilize are kanji.  Kanji are
       figures in Nihonese calligraphy.  Typically kanji forms are actualized by visualizing them
       in their most perfect possible form.  One's skills in calligraphy and Nihonese are thus
       relevant to one's facility with these forms.  Other types of symbols require other skills
       (symbology is often helpful here).

   Verse:  The structure of lyrical poetry is a ripe source of significant structure.  Very
       often, though not always, the poetry in question will come in the form of a haiku, a form
       much revered by Hanomans.  Actualizing a poetic form requires articulate knowledge of
       poetry and, often, a high degree of literacy.  One then holds the full meaning and nuance
       of the verse in mind and concentrates on it.