Physiology

[Sunshine]

That does sound tight, Jennifer. Yeah, I could work with that, too.

[Launa]

Question: Can Celestials read a human's mind? Or just their emotional state? If so to either, is this possible while in morph? Also, is a Celestial's electromagnetic pulse still active while in morph? Like, if a Celestial were in human morph, would they still short out electrical devices?

[EJ]

Nov 2, 2009 6:56:21 GMT -8 Launa said:

Question: Can Celestials read a human's mind? Or just their emotional state? If so to either, is this possible while in morph? Also, is a Celestial's electromagnetic pulse still active while in morph? Like, if a Celestial were in human morph, would they still short out electrical devices?

Good questions. *Some* Celestials can read a Human's mind. It is a trait that some might have. Terrapyres too, for that matter. It is not a given. Most can only read a Human's emotional state... and even that would depend upon the individual Celestial -- some would do it better than others.

The electromagnetic pulse is still there when in any morph. Though it is not as strong. They would have to touch or be within a few inches of the device to kill it.

[Jennifer]

You know, interestingly enough, we talk about Celestials being altruistic where Terrapyres are faith (personal faith) centered. Celestials are of science and logic where Terrapyres are naturalistic and more primal. Yet I happened to be looking up the exact definition of altruistic today (because it's a Disposition in the RPG) and the definition is:

Altruistic
Pronunciation [al-troo-is-tik]
–adjective
1. unselfishly concerned for or devoted to the welfare of others (opposed to egoistic ).
2. Animal Behavior. of or pertaining to behavior by an animal that may be to its disadvantage but that benefits others of its kind, often its close relatives.

Isn't #2 fascinating?

[Admin]

So last night, as I was drifting into sleep, I was thinking about emotional state. And also, how someone's emotional state can affect the other people around them. You've probably heard it said before: "If he was happy, he lit up the entire room. But if he was depressed it was like clouds had rolled in." Or some variation Maybe you're really tuned in to your best friend, or your partner, or your child.

Now, translate that to Celestials. Someone's emotion is more palpable than it is for us (humans) here on Earth. If someone's mood can dramatically affect me, change the rest of my day... Imagine what a typical day on Hom would be like. Take for example:

You live on Hom with your partner. She is a very emotional person. Something--anything--can trigger her. Does this make you more in tune with her? More aware of her needs, her wants? Does her emotional resonance make you a better partner? Or, on the flip side, does this make you more apathetic? Again? you think. Seriously? Do you become the stereotypical parent? "Sarah, can't you cut out the waterworks?" The emotion becomes commonplace. (Just like on Glee "The more times she storms out of rehearsal, the less impact it has.")

Thoughts?

[Launa]

You make a good point, Brianne. On Hom, emotion is pretty much everything. Wild enough emotions can physically impact or change the world around the emotional Celestial. Just touching another Celestial could allow you to dream the same dreams or feel the other's emotion from a distance. Celestials conceive children literally on emotion and intent. Bonds are instant. I think this is why Celestials sometimes come off so extremely controlled, particularly in public. Emotion can be dangerous or outrageous on Hom. A little goes a long way

In a situation like you describe, I think the partner of such an emotional Celestial could go either way. Close friends/relatives/etc would have a very strong bond. The partner would be hyper-sensative to his/her partner's needs and feelings. But at the same time, a truly constant, extreme change of emotions would be, at the very least, incredibly draining and potentially physically dangerous. (All depending on how intense the emotions are, you know?) I don't know if a Celestial could become apathetic to a partner's needs, since their bond is so close and, at the very least, the partner Celestial would feel the other's emotions within themselves, but I could imagine serious problems forming within such a relationship and the overly emotional Celestial would have to learn control.

At least this is what I imagine. I could be wrong on all counts.

[Cris]

Mar 12, 2010 7:41:01 GMT -8 Launa said:

You make a good point, Brianne. On Hom, emotion is pretty much everything. Wild enough emotions can physically impact or change the world around the emotional Celestial. Just touching another Celestial could allow you to dream the same dreams or feel the other's emotion from a distance. Celestials conceive children literally on emotion and intent. Bonds are instant. I think this is why Celestials sometimes come off so extremely controlled, particularly in public. Emotion can be dangerous or outrageous on Hom. A little goes a long way

Well . . . I disagree, in part. I think we need to remember that the fourth dimension is no longer the dimension of "emotion" or resonance. I think that different cultures on Earth place more emphasis on emotion that the Western Culture does, especially American, stressed out culture.

Celestials grow up in an environment where emotion is recognized, valued, and responded to. There are many many cultures on Earth which also have a strong emotional content that is part of the day to day existence--consider the difference between the Latino culture and the WASP culture, for example.

Consider the culture of Afghanistan where, for example, it is not uncommon for soldiers to be constantly changing sides depending on who is winning at the moment (check out the book Forever War for insight into this). They greet their comrades with a smile and a hug. The same man who was shooting at them yesterday is their comrade in arms today. Can you imagine the US Army behaving in this way? No, of course not.

I don't think that "wild" emotions on Hom will change the physical landscape. I think that they are, like in certain white Western cultures, frowned upon. There aren't any "mindstorms" on Hom. It is considered polite to hold yourself in check in public. In private, I don't imagine it's that much different from here. There are Terrapyres who are wild and fiery and Terrapyres who are more restrained.

Does it affect the people around them? Yes, of course it does. but in any fantasy culture where powers of the mind exist the characters learn to block their emotions from others and also to block others emotions from harming them. The "emotional resonance" that exists on Hom exists everywhere. They're just more attuned to it.

In a situation like you describe, I think the partner of such an emotional Celestial could go either way. Close friends/relatives/etc would have a very strong bond. The partner would be hyper-sensative to his/her partner's needs and feelings. But at the same time, a truly constant, extreme change of emotions would be, at the very least, incredibly draining and potentially physically dangerous. (All depending on how intense the emotions are, you know?) I don't know if a Celestial could become apathetic to a partner's needs, since their bond is so close and, at the very least, the partner Celestial would feel the other's emotions within themselves, but I could imagine serious problems forming within such a relationship and the overly emotional Celestial would have to learn control.

If a Celestial hasn't learned control at an early age, then he or she would need serious, immediate training. You can't just go around barreling into other people psychically or emotionally. And the MG3K universe in general and Hom in specific must be grounded in reality. If you read the Camber of Culdi Series by Katherine Kurtz, you'll encounter one of the best examples of a culture that has not only emotional resonance as a key feature, but also individuals who have the ability to do incredible things with their minds--everything from healing a wound to bringing someone back from the edge of death. It also has a very strong spiritual/religious aspect to the series. Another example is Stephen Donaldson's The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant. Brianne, these might give you some additional insight.

Cris

[EJ]

Though we've decided that the fourth dimension is a physical and true mathematically possible dimension, we have also agreed that this dimension reflects or reveals the emotional state of Celestials in some way, yes?

That being the case, I think it is very important to ground ourselves in reality (as you said, Cris, no killer explosions just because daddy is mad that day) but Brianne brings up an interesting point.

In a culture where emotion is more a dance of physical patterns, are Celestials more or less in-tune with it than with Human cultures? Like... let's say I'm angry but hiding my anger... but not hiding it well enough. My sister Celestial sees the patterns of my anger and they are laced with patterns that signal loss as well. Having the extra insight, how does she respond?

I think, in the end, Celestial emotion in the very young would lack some of the mystery that young Human has. I don't think parents would often feel as distanced or lost with their kids. Before a child grew up and learned to control and tamp down their emotions like other adults Celestials, I think their patterns, so to speak, would be easier to read. Once adults however... I think an adult Celestial can hide their emotions as well as a Human adult can.

I always felt that Luz' writing had already illustrated this so beautifully already. Chiron (who is quite young) is very emotional. Not dangerously so, not so that it effects his ability to do his job as a soldier, but still, he is easier to read than, say, Anel.

EJ

[Cris]

EJ,

Yes I agree 100%. Yes, Celestials are beautifully, emotional creatures who are able to gain insight into each other in ways Humans cannot. The Chiron/Anel example is really a good one. Luz has also done incredible work with 6 short sketches for the character sheets that will be part of Blood Trade. She really captures Celestial culture in a few skillfully chosen images and situations. Of all of us, I think she really *gets* Celestials.

I am not suggesting by any means that Celestials are no longer emotional or that the 4th dimension is just that lovely math.

I think that older Celestials might possibly be less patient with younger Celestials in the same way that older Humans (and possibly Terrapyres) have less patience for the histrionics of youth. Or not. It really depends on the individual.

Cris

[Launa]

Thank you very much for your answers everyone and thank you, Brianne, for asking this question. Obviously I needed to be updated!

I have another question about Celestial physiology. In the last version of the sourcebook (which I know is being extensively updated) this line was in the Celestial section "Celestials on Earth “eat” in two ways: By absorbing sunlight and by absorbing the energy that’s expelled from any intense display of emotion." With this new way of seeing the fourth dimension, I would assume this information has changed? If so, I was curious about how Celestials eat. What do they eat? I know they need to absorb water and sunlight but is there anything else?

[Cris]

Mar 15, 2010 21:00:26 GMT -8 Launa said:

Thank you very much for your answers everyone and thank you, Brianne, for asking this question. Obviously I needed to be updated!

I have another question about Celestial physiology. In the last version of the sourcebook (which I know is being extensively updated) this line was in the Celestial section "Celestials on Earth “eat” in two ways: By absorbing sunlight and by absorbing the energy that’s expelled from any intense display of emotion." With this new way of seeing the fourth dimension, I would assume this information has changed? If so, I was curious about how Celestials eat. What do they eat? I know they need to absorb water and sunlight but is there anything else?

The new sourcebook is finished and will be available in April.

Celestials do not eat energy.

Celestials are very much like plants--they need sunlight (light) and water. They eat by absorbing these elements. To refresh, they would lie down in a pool of fresh (not salt) water.

Cris

[Launa]

Thank you!

[Luz]

Oh, Cris. Thank you so much. I feel so far from everyone else and times pass where the makes me disappointed. But then I go walking and I feel I can on Hom and can imagine so clearly the campus of the academy in the jungle and how Chiron would feel growing up just there. I travel now with Estella a little bit, meeting her at ports of call, and so I see these places so exotic and unique and I see them as me and as a soldier like my sister. I think if you mushed me and Estella into one person you would result a Homidin.

I am so happy that you liked my exclusives, Cris. Thank you again.