Excerpts from “An Understanding of the Various Phenomena of Radio-Arcanum” Written by Prof. Full-Bloom-Comes-Singing, Peer of Arcana & Prof. Henrietta Holberg-Whitmore, Mentor of the Mundane
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We are left where we began, with the fundamental question; how does a supercritical mass of magic behave? Rather, more precisely, how do we describe the phenomena of accelerated entropic decay as magic is forced into such a state? This is the phenomenon we call “radio-arcanum”, “arcaneradiation”, or similar terms. It should be noted that this terminology is not wholly accurate, and was instead coined shortly after the first dropping of tactical ‘dirty’ arcano-bombs on the battlefields during the Communication Wars. What is called “radio-arcanum” (et. al) is in fact not radioactive at all, or at the very least not inherently so. More accurately, magic when undirected (or directed to equivalent ends) causes extreme entropic decay beyond the scope of a previous material conception of the world. It can ‘denature’ the cells of living beings, it can cause atoms to split and erupt, but it can also create spontaneous magical effects. A common joke among the peers and students that study the topic with us is that exposure can turn your liver into a live dove. Though this specific example has not been verified, other transformations have been documented, and such an occurrence would not be out of the question.
[[TABLE 7: CASES OF FALLOUT MUTATION AND EXPECTED CAUSES]]
[[FIGURE 21: ENTROPIC DECAY OF ATOMS UNDER ARCANE FALLOUT]]
Clearly there are some similarities to radioactive fallout, which we discuss shortly, but firstly we should consider a more accurate term for the process of magical entropic decay. I propose, and will henceforth refer to it as metadecay, to better represent the precise nature of the loss of order, the metaphysical component, and so on, without confusing a method of transmission or forms of harmless energy.
Definition 3.02
Metadecay is the process of random, entropic decay caused by the undirected output of materialised raw or undirected magic. Measured in Müllers (Hw).
Lemma 3.03
The Müller (Hw) is a unit of present atmospheric metadecay equivalent to the decay caused to create four clicks on a Holberg-Whitmore tube composed of 50% lensed domia-turquoise.
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14 – Risks
As discussed in the previous chapter, we can identify a number of – seemingly! – discrete risks associated with both cloud metadecay (areas and objects that have become under metadecay, and continue to produce it) and diminishing metadecay (metadecay originating directly from a ritual or decomposing object). We also discussed various filters, both magical and material, that can disrupt the flow of metadecay. In this chapter we will discuss and prove various generalised forms of risk associated with metadecay;
- Reproduction of ionising radiation: forced fissure or fusion of atoms reproduces radioactive
decay at a rate of 1Bq of atomic decay per 1Hw of metadecay, with the equivalent strength
of 0.25Hw = 1Bq when considered as equivalent stores of energy. - Extreme change in atmospheric pressure and makeup, ozone loss• Increase in ultraviolet wavelengths, decrease in infrared, when passing through areas of
metadecay. - Transformation of humans into Warlocks.
- Transformation (non-conservative) or mutation of living cells and beings into other living
cells and beings. - Visions, ‘madness’.
- Novel diseases.
- Ritual disruption.
- Halting of all electricity (including bioelectricity).
As a note, it must be noted that extreme protective measures are required under interaction with any source, or potential external contact. Though this chapter will show that there are probabilistic factors regarding the scope of the outcome of contact with various forms of metadecay, there are still direct threats to life with all probably outcomes. Inert mundane materials, as well as physical filters in the case of cloud metadecay and light-emitted metadecay (lead, gas masks, polarised glass, et cetera) are encouraged. See Appendix IV for further precautionary information for future researchers, and expeditionary forces.