Dead Zones

J Roberson (RJR96326@vax1.utulsa.edu)
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MANN-TELLER THEORY OF DEAD ZONES: ORIGIN AND EXISTENCE

There have been many reports of areas referred to as "Dead Zones", where
technology purportedly does not work. Their existence have been theorized
since shortly after the Awakening (Lowe, 2025) and an abundance of
theorists, ranging from respected Mage-scientists to vociferous neo- mages
have contributed to the information, both true and false, collected on these
areas. We have endeavored to field-test all the data used in the support of
our theory, to eliminate ignorance and shed an authoritative light on the
subject.

BACKGROUND

There have been many conflicting reports on just what does and does not work
in a dead zone (DZ). In some cases, no piece of technology invented after c.
1300 would operate: gunpowder, electricity, or cyberware. The "rule of
thumb" was that only nature's rules prevailed; any manipulation thereof
would fail. But these reports contain contradictions in themselves;
electricity is a force of nature, not humanity; and gunpowder, while an
invention of the human race, is a natural reaction between natural
chemicals.

The problem is that almost every theory is based on some arbitrary cut-off
point: nothing invented after 1800, 1200, 2000 would work. This means that
devices used the same or similar natural processes would not work even if
invented within 10 years of each other. Furthermore, all technology is based
on a manipulation of a natural force; even the Matrix is generated on the
manipulation of the flow of photons and electrons; cyberware is simply the
control of electricity and mechanical parts.

We ask that you cast aside the urban myths of "no-cyberware" zones, or
regions where the telegraph will operate but not the trid. Forget the myth
that steam engines are used in the northern NAN because maglev and internal
combustion don't work. We believe we have put together a solid theory on the
origin of Dead Zones and their consequences.

THEORY

Much of today's magic and its effects are echoes of our myths and legends.
Trolls, Orks, Elves, and Dwarves, Halflings, Ogres, and Minotaur all have
neo-historical counterparts in folk tales and popular fiction. Tales of
wizards scouring the countryside, of mystic shamans and priests battling
spirits; all of these modern realities have a basis in the myriad cultures
of the world.

One myth that has not been explored by any but a few dedicated magicians and
theologians is the Atlantis myth and similar tales of a pre-historical
advanced society. These "Ancients" have the following elements in common,
whether mentioned in Homerian epics or legends of the Zuni: Large
populations with a high leisure rate; exotic powers and abilities; the
manipulation of vast amounts of power. Putting these into modern terms, we
can find analogs in:

The Corporate Middle Class
Cybernetic Modification and Mages
Fusion, Fission, and the Energy Infrastructure

This is not to say that this pre-historical society was exactly like ours.
As we have yet to find solid evidence of their existence, we freely admit
this hypothesis could be wrong. But it does fit the facts at hand and help
explain the DZs. For those interested in more details about this
hypothetical society, we suggest Pembroke's EarthDawn: the Fourth World. It
is by far the most scientific of the texts we discovered regarding the
subject.

Another theory which corroborates ours is the Rising Mana theory. The
stipulation is that the Awakening was merely the beginning, and that the
level of magical energy in the world is rising and has yet to peak. Like a
person who awakens, it takes a little while for an alert and aware status to
be attained; it will be some time before Mana reaches its full potential. If
this pre-historical society had existed for some time prior to the emergence
of the 5th world, then it is safe to assume that the Mana level had peaked
and was higher than ours currently is.

If the magical level was higher, then mages would have been capable of
instigating proportionately higher manifestations of magical power.
Completely new and different types of wards, sustained and quickened area
effect spells, and magical effects of a not-yet imagined nature may very
well have been as normal as Heal and Treat are in today's hospitals.

We postulate that the Dead Zones are leftovers of this archaic age, areas
which were affected by ancient wizards with powerful spells that have now
Awakened as the Mana level rises. The Zones may have been so affected to
deny or discourage entry of certain types of people, to prevent the use or
operation of certain device, or as a whim on the part of the mage. The power
of the magic used to create the DZs is strong enough to have survived the
low Mana levels of the 5th world, and is now bringing the effects back into
the existence with the Awakening of magic.

This easily accounts for the variety in type and magnitude of effect found
from zone to zone. Different magicians would have found different needs for
their areas and so would have used different effects to discourage visitors.
It may also account for the rather specific nature of certain zones, as well
as the general nature of others. Depending on the reason for a zone's
existence, a magician could have been as specific or general as desired in
the formation of a Dead Zone.

Dead Zones are likely to appear more often and more frequently as the Mana
level continues to rise. Existing Zones will likely see their effects
increase. We will continue to study them in order to understand them and
make adapting to their existence easier for society.

CASE STUDIES

HERBERT'S GROVE, NOVA SCOTIA

A small zone in the northern part of Nova Scotia, UCAS, this zone is
approximately 5000 square meters on the surface. It is perpetually summer
there; it never snows, nor does the temperature drop below the June mean
temperature for the area. This is apparently the only direct effect of the
DZ.

The indirect effects are numerous. Obviously, the trees can't be in summer
mode all the time, or their annual life cycle would be disrupted. They still
grow new leaves, but at a rate that they quickly assume summer coloration.
Birds flock around the area, their biological clocks apparently not telling
them to fly south, though they do reproduce. Animals that stumble into this
zone find good hunting relative to winter conditions, but they may or may
not stay, depending on the real season outside the Zone.

EDEN FIELD, MONTANA

A large pasture in the NAN, this 50,000 square foot area apparently extends
upwards in a hemisphere centered on the field. Apparently, nothing can fly
here except vehicles using direct thrust. Planes and birds will not fly.
Rockets work because their thrust is applied directly against gravity,
constantly. Birds can fly only if they maintain their thrust by beating
their wings. The result is: no gliding, and no lift is provided by wings, no
matter what speed a vehicle is at.

The focus seems to be air pressure. A balloon rises because the air within
is lighter than the air without. Wings function by lowering the pressure
above, allowing the pressure below to push the plane up. Birds can fly by
constantly beating their wings to provide thrust; they are pushing against
the air, rather than getting the air to push them up. Rockets work because
they push the rocket up, not just as a reaction against the air.

SHAO LA, MONGOLIA

Interesting because this single building does not allow Illusion spells to
work. That is the only effect. We include it as an example that DZs can
alter paranatural laws as well as others.

It is interesting because the temple is said to be a place of truth and
beauty, where one can go to see reality in meditation.

FINAL NOTES

This brief case-studies list is by no means inclusive. There are zones where
no vegetation will grow, where people can walk on walls, and where smokeless
powder will not function (though Black Powder will). Zones are very
complicated and have physicists struggling to discover just which laws are
being broken (the Montana site is one such area, where they are still
deciding which rules are affected). But Zones are not easily defined in the
clear-cut sense that urban myth allows (no cyberware, no guns, etc.)