Technomancy
Encyclopedia
The term technomancy refers to an imaginary or fictional category of magical
abilities that affect technology
, or to magical powers that are gained through the use of technology.
It is a portmanteau of technology
and -mancy, a suffix used in magical sciences to refer to specific types of fortune telling known as divination
(-mancy is derived from the Greek manteia, meaning divination
).
An early appearance of the term can be found in Steve Martindale's 1990 short story "Technomancy" in the magazine Aboriginal Science Fiction.
and modern-day fantasy fiction, particularly fiction that crosses the sci-fi and fantasy genres, as well as role playing games that take place in similar settings. Strictly speaking, though, it belongs fully to the realm of fantasy
since it can be magic that is used on technology that presently exists. It most commonly appears in science fantasy
. The term technomancy has been gaining usage on webcomics on the internet, although it is used in a vague sense
It is also distinct from what is sometimes called "magitech" (technology that uses magic, as used by D.O.L.L.Y in the comic the Wotch.) Alchemy considers magic and science to be two parts of one force. Technomancy has magic affecting science, but not working in the same process.
In the Urban Arcana
campaign setting of the d20 Modern
role-playing game, there are two character class
es that use technomancy, Techno Mage and Shadowjack.
In the Dragonstar
campaign setting, compatible with the d20 system
, there are many examples of technomancy spells, items, as well as character classes.
In the TV series Angel
, a character used magic symbols on himself that caused him to be undetected by magic or physical security measures. In the episode, Supersymetry, a villain attempts to trap Fred
in a hell dimension by sending her a text message. When she views it on her phone, a portal opens next to her to suck her in.
In the TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the character Willow
sees magic as a way of hacking the universe, and an extension of her computer hacking skills. She is also seen to use magic on computers to help her access information more quickly, or view the information (including pictures) inside her mind. Also another character, Jenny Calender is a techno-pagan who uses the Internet as a place to gather with her circle and from which they cast their spells.
Kelly McCullough's popular books, Webmage, Cybermancy and Codespell deal with ancient Greek deities and their descendants who have moved magic into the modern world through the creation of the so-called "mWeb"
In the browser-based role playing game, DragonFable, Dr. Voltabolt is a mad scientist/dentist that is also a technomancer. The Race of Gnomes in the town of Popsprocket are all very familiar with Technomancy. Players can even learn Technomancy and obtain the Technomancer
class armor once they're at least level 30.
In the book series Worldweavers, by Alma Alexander
, technomancy is a critical element to the story.
of prediction:
Examples of users of this type of technomancy are the Technomage
s of the Babylon 5
universe,; and in Ilium/Olympos
, where the supernatural powers of wizards and gods come from an advanced technology.
In the successful video game title Mass Effect
many characters gain magic-like powers through technology.
The 4th Edition of the Shadowrun
role-playing game has characters who can interact with the Matrix (the Internet of that setting) without using technology and are referred to as "Technomancers", but their abilities stem from a mutation rather than magic. Shadowrun Technomancers are specifically unable to use magic.
The Harry Potter
setting has owl familiars serving as a postal system, animated newspapers and fireplace embers serving as video screens, phantom quills and parchments as speech-recognition software, even flying brooms and orbs as athletic equipment, and so on. The Eberron
setting of Dungeons and Dragons has bound elemental spirits powering transportation vehicles. In Atlantis: The Lost Empire
for example, the crystal is a supernatural being, but his power was used like a computer program. and in Dave the Barbarian
, crystal balls and magic cauldrons were used like telephones, televisions and computers. In Adam Sandler's film Click, the protagonist received a control that could change the reality around himself.
Magic (fantasy)
Magic in fiction is the endowing of fictional characters or objects with magical powers.Such magic often serves as a plot device, the source of magical artifacts and their quests...
abilities that affect technology
Technology
Technology is the making, usage, and knowledge of tools, machines, techniques, crafts, systems or methods of organization in order to solve a problem or perform a specific function. It can also refer to the collection of such tools, machinery, and procedures. The word technology comes ;...
, or to magical powers that are gained through the use of technology.
It is a portmanteau of technology
Technology
Technology is the making, usage, and knowledge of tools, machines, techniques, crafts, systems or methods of organization in order to solve a problem or perform a specific function. It can also refer to the collection of such tools, machinery, and procedures. The word technology comes ;...
and -mancy, a suffix used in magical sciences to refer to specific types of fortune telling known as divination
Divination
Divination is the attempt to gain insight into a question or situation by way of an occultic standardized process or ritual...
(-mancy is derived from the Greek manteia, meaning divination
Divination
Divination is the attempt to gain insight into a question or situation by way of an occultic standardized process or ritual...
).
An early appearance of the term can be found in Steve Martindale's 1990 short story "Technomancy" in the magazine Aboriginal Science Fiction.
Theme
Technomancy is a common theme in certain subgenres of both science fictionScience fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
and modern-day fantasy fiction, particularly fiction that crosses the sci-fi and fantasy genres, as well as role playing games that take place in similar settings. Strictly speaking, though, it belongs fully to the realm of fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
since it can be magic that is used on technology that presently exists. It most commonly appears in science fantasy
Science fantasy
Science fantasy is a mixed genre within speculative fiction drawing elements from both science fiction and fantasy. Although in some terms of its portrayal in recent media products it can be defined as instead of being a mixed genre of science fiction and fantasy it is instead a mixing of the...
. The term technomancy has been gaining usage on webcomics on the internet, although it is used in a vague sense
It is also distinct from what is sometimes called "magitech" (technology that uses magic, as used by D.O.L.L.Y in the comic the Wotch.) Alchemy considers magic and science to be two parts of one force. Technomancy has magic affecting science, but not working in the same process.
Examples
In the role-playing game Revelation, technomancy is a power that is available to characters. Specific uses of this power include causing devices to malfunction and travelling to a cyber world.In the Urban Arcana
Urban Arcana
Urban Arcana is a campaign setting for the d20 Modern roleplaying game that builds on a small campaign model included in the original rulebook. It adds much in the way of magic and monsters to the game, and contains rules for things such as playing Shadowkind characters.In the world of Urban...
campaign setting of the d20 Modern
D20 Modern
d20 Modern is a roleplaying game designed by Bill Slavicsek, Jeff Grubb, Rich Redman, and Charles Ryan. It was published by Wizards of the Coast in November 2002, and uses the d20 System...
role-playing game, there are two character class
Character class
In role-playing games, a common method of arbitrating the capabilities of different game characters is to assign each one to a character class. A character class aggregates several abilities and aptitudes, and may also sometimes detail aspects of background and social standing or impose behaviour...
es that use technomancy, Techno Mage and Shadowjack.
In the Dragonstar
Dragonstar
Dragonstar is a futuristic magic-meets-machine campaign setting created by Fantasy Flight Games for Wizards of the Coast's D20 role-playing game system. The setting describes a galaxy under the dominion of the Dragon Empire...
campaign setting, compatible with the d20 system
D20 System
The d20 System is a role-playing game system published in 2000 by Wizards of the Coast originally developed for the third edition of Dungeons & Dragons...
, there are many examples of technomancy spells, items, as well as character classes.
In the TV series Angel
Angel (TV series)
Angel is an American television series, a spin-off of the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The series was created by Buffys creator, Joss Whedon, in collaboration with David Greenwalt, and first aired on October 5, 1999...
, a character used magic symbols on himself that caused him to be undetected by magic or physical security measures. In the episode, Supersymetry, a villain attempts to trap Fred
Winifred Burkle
Winifred "Fred" Burkle is a fictional character created by Joss Whedon and introduced by Shawn Ryan and Mere Smith on the television series Angel. The character is portrayed by Amy Acker.-Character history:...
in a hell dimension by sending her a text message. When she views it on her phone, a portal opens next to her to suck her in.
In the TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the character Willow
Willow Rosenberg
Willow Rosenberg is a fictional character created for the fantasy television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer . She was developed by Joss Whedon and portrayed throughout the TV series by Alyson Hannigan...
sees magic as a way of hacking the universe, and an extension of her computer hacking skills. She is also seen to use magic on computers to help her access information more quickly, or view the information (including pictures) inside her mind. Also another character, Jenny Calender is a techno-pagan who uses the Internet as a place to gather with her circle and from which they cast their spells.
Kelly McCullough's popular books, Webmage, Cybermancy and Codespell deal with ancient Greek deities and their descendants who have moved magic into the modern world through the creation of the so-called "mWeb"
In the browser-based role playing game, DragonFable, Dr. Voltabolt is a mad scientist/dentist that is also a technomancer. The Race of Gnomes in the town of Popsprocket are all very familiar with Technomancy. Players can even learn Technomancy and obtain the Technomancer
Technomancer
Technomancer may refer to:*GURPS Technomancer, a role-playing game setting published by Steve Jackson Games*Technomancer, someone who performs Technomancy*Technomancer, a type of mage in White Wolf's role-playing game Mage: The Ascension-See also:...
class armor once they're at least level 30.
In the book series Worldweavers, by Alma Alexander
Alma Alexander
Alma Alexander is the pen name of Alma A. Hromic , a fantasy writer whose novels include the "Worldweavers" young adult series, The Secrets of Jin-Shei and its sequel The Embers of Heaven, The Hidden Queen, and Changer of Days. She is a native of Yugoslavia and grew up in various African countries,...
, technomancy is a critical element to the story.
Non mystical Technomancy
In some settings technomancy may be totally scientific in nature in accordance with Arthur C Clarke's third lawClarke's three laws
Clarke's Three Laws are three "laws" of prediction formulated by the British writer and scientist Arthur C. Clarke. They are:# When a distinguished but elderly scientist states that something is possible, he is almost certainly right...
of prediction:
Examples of users of this type of technomancy are the Technomage
Technomage
The Technomages are a group of sentient beings from the fictional Babylon 5 universe. The technomages shown in the television series are primarily human, but in the "Technomage Trilogy" books, apprentices and mages of other races including Centauri are named. They are described as using "science to...
s of the Babylon 5
Babylon 5
Babylon 5 is an American science fiction television series created, produced and largely written by J. Michael Straczynski. The show centers on a space station named Babylon 5: a focal point for politics, diplomacy, and conflict during the years 2257–2262...
universe,; and in Ilium/Olympos
Ilium/Olympos
Ilium/Olympos is a science fiction duology by Dan Simmons. These events are set in motion by beings who have taken on the roles of the Greek gods...
, where the supernatural powers of wizards and gods come from an advanced technology.
In the successful video game title Mass Effect
Mass Effect
Mass Effect is an action role-playing game developed by BioWare for the Xbox 360 and Microsoft Windows by Demiurge Studios. The Xbox 360 version was released worldwide in November 2007 published by Microsoft Game Studios...
many characters gain magic-like powers through technology.
The 4th Edition of the Shadowrun
Shadowrun
Shadowrun is a role-playing game set in a near-future fictional universe in which cybernetics, magic and fantasy creatures co-exist. It combines genres of cyberpunk, urban fantasy and crime, with occasional elements of conspiracy fiction, horror, and detective fiction.The original game has spawned...
role-playing game has characters who can interact with the Matrix (the Internet of that setting) without using technology and are referred to as "Technomancers", but their abilities stem from a mutation rather than magic. Shadowrun Technomancers are specifically unable to use magic.
Non Scientific Technology
Another form of technomancy, sometimes called 'industrial magic', has magical devices operating similarly to technological devices.The Harry Potter
Harry Potter
Harry Potter is a series of seven fantasy novels written by the British author J. K. Rowling. The books chronicle the adventures of the adolescent wizard Harry Potter and his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, all of whom are students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry...
setting has owl familiars serving as a postal system, animated newspapers and fireplace embers serving as video screens, phantom quills and parchments as speech-recognition software, even flying brooms and orbs as athletic equipment, and so on. The Eberron
Eberron
Eberron is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, set in a period after a vast destructive war on the continent of Khorvaire...
setting of Dungeons and Dragons has bound elemental spirits powering transportation vehicles. In Atlantis: The Lost Empire
Atlantis: The Lost Empire
Atlantis: The Lost Empire is a 2001 American animated film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation. Written by Tab Murphy, directed by Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise, and produced by Don Hahn, it is the first science fiction film in the Disney animated features canon and the 41st overall. The film...
for example, the crystal is a supernatural being, but his power was used like a computer program. and in Dave the Barbarian
Dave the Barbarian
Dave the Barbarian is an American animated television series created by Doug Langdale, creator of The Weekenders, that premiered on January 23, 2004 on Disney Channel and ended on January 22, 2005. Continuing to air in other countries after the show ended, the show follows a barbarian named Dave,...
, crystal balls and magic cauldrons were used like telephones, televisions and computers. In Adam Sandler's film Click, the protagonist received a control that could change the reality around himself.