A Planar Tension Region (PTR) is a bounded volume of space where the local Planar Tension has been altered, allowing the properties of an intersecting plane to manifest within the Matera plane.
Formation
Planar Tension Regions form through two distinct mechanisms:
Natural Formation
As planes and dimensions drift through the Monada, their relative positions continuously change. This movement creates natural friction and shifts at planar boundaries. When ambient Planar Tension naturally dips or spikes, a spontaneous, passive intersection can occur. T
Artificial Formation
Aperture
An Aperture is an artificially enforced Planar Tension Region generated through the deliberate expenditure of Tenax via a Planar Tension Catalyst.
Formation and Mechanics
The creation of an Aperture requires a practitioner to calculate a specific geometric pattern and discharge stored Tenax into the local planar boundary. The Catalyst shapes this discharge, forcing the planes into a precise, maintained intersection.
The Aperture persists only as long as the geometric pattern remains coherent and the Tenax supply is continuously replenished or drawn from a sufficient reserve. The practitioner must actively regulate the flow of charge to prevent the enforced geometry from fracturing under the ambient pressure of the surrounding planes.
Structural Characteristics
A Planar Tension Region in the AIR notation is defined by 9 measurable parameters. Some parts of it could be used in the lowly developed dimensions but in a different manner. The practitioner must calculate and maintain these variables during the catalysis process to ensure the intersection remains stable. The true nature of Catalyst's interpretation of Eidos resonance lies beyond AIR understanding, see the Cognitive Scaffold Hypothesis.
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Characteristic |
AIR Designation |
Effect |
|---|---|---|
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Connected Plane |
Determines the specific type of energy or cognitive effect manifesting within the region (e.g., Therme for thermal, Kinet for kinetic, Eidos for cognitive). Also sometimes is called sigil or rune as commoners would see it, though in fact they represent a pattern that allows the Catalyst to understand what kind of energy the user wants. Different cultures may have different Subplane Key symbols, but as was established by AIR they generate close one to another noematic signatures. This is the main part, without it catalysis would be impossible. AIR explains this signature needed as way to authenticate user and explain to the catalyst what plane the user wants to reach. |
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Spatial Boundary |
Coordinates |
The physical location and fixed volume within the Matera plane where the intersection is enforced. |
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Geometric Envelope |
Shape and Volume |
The physical boundaries of the region, defined by the practitioner's geometric pattern. Larger volumes require exponentially more Tenax to maintain. |
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Flow Orientation |
Vector |
Defines the directional flow of energy across the planar boundary. |
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Exchange Polarity |
Emit / Absorb |
Dictates whether the region acts as a source (emitting energy into the Matera plane) or a sink (absorbing energy from the Matera plane, such as a Therme rift draining ambient heat). In many cases and cultures would be part of the Subplane Index. In lowly developed dimensions people often create two distinct Subplane Indexes that create the needed Eidos signature to be recognized by the catalyst, therefore mages can see emit/absorb variations as access to different "magic pools", though in fact it would be wrong. |
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Intersection Depth |
Tension Delta |
Defines the strength of the planar overlap. A shallow connection produces minor environmental effects, while a deep connection produces catastrophic energy transfer or full materialization. |
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Temporal Decay Rate |
The rate at which the Geometry collapses once active enforcement ceases. Higher Tension Deltas decay faster. |
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Boundary Gradient |
The transition profile at the edge of the Geometric Envelope. A hard boundary (sharp cutoff) requires exponentially more Tenax than a soft boundary (gradual taper). |
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Stability Margin |
The maximum external perturbation the Geometry can absorb before suffering a Cascade Fracture. Functions as a structural safety factor. |
Parameter Interactions
The combination of these characteristics allows for highly specialized applications. For example, a region connected to Therme with an *Absorb* polarity and a high Tension Delta will act as a massive thermal sink, rapidly freezing the environment within its Geometric Envelope. Conversely, an Emit polarity with a Kinet connection will project localized kinetic force outward along the specified Vector.
Most standard Planar Tension Catalysts are limited in their Subplane Index and maximum Tension Delta. Only general-purpose or Mega Catalysts can sustain deep intersections across multiple subplanes simultaneously.
Scale Classifications
The volume and complexity of an Aperture are bounded by the Tenax capacity of the Catalyst and the cognitive throughput of the practitioner.
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Classification |
Infrastructure Requirement |
Typical Application |
|---|---|---|
|
Micro-Aperture |
Single handheld Planar Tension Catalyst |
Personal thermal regulation, localized kinetic deflection, short-range Eidos transmission. |
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Standard Aperture |
High-capacity Catalyst or Binary Array |
Room-scale environmental control, squad-level shielding, sustained structural reinforcement. |
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Macro-Aperture |
City-wide climate manipulation, continental psychic broadcasting, large-scale siege geometry. |
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Planetary Aperture |
Global weather regulation, dimensional anchoring, tectonic stabilization. |
Stability and Collapse
Maintaining an Aperture generates continuous friction at the planar boundary. If the practitioner loses cognitive focus, or if the Catalyst's Tenax reserve is depleted, the enforced geometry fractures.
Controlled Dissolution
The practitioner deliberately unravels the geometric pattern, allowing the stored Tenax to vent safely into the ambient planar drift. The Aperture closes cleanly, leaving no residual planar scarring.
Uncontrolled Collapse
A sudden fracture in the geometric pattern or a catastrophic drop in Tenax pressure causes the intersecting planes to violently decouple. The stored energy discharges without containment, shearing the local planar boundary. This violent decoupling tears a permanent or semi-permanent wound in the local reality, classified as a wild Rift.
See also
Properties
A Planar Tension Region possesses measurable boundaries. Inside the region, physical or cognitive effects from the connected plane manifest. Outside the region, the ambient plane behaves according to its standard laws.
The internal behavior and limits of the region are determined by three fixed variables:
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Connected Plane: The specific plane or subplane linked to the region (e.g., Therme for thermal effects, Kinet for kinetic distortion, Eidos for cognitive phenomena).
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Geometric Pattern: The structural framework used to enforce the intersection. In natural regions, this is irregular and dictated by local geography. In artificial Apertures, it is a precise, calculated shape.
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Energy Source: Natural regions are sustained by ambient planar drift. Artificial Apertures are sustained by the continuous discharge of Tenax from a Planar Tension Catalyst.
Stability
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Natural Regions: Generally stable over long periods, fluctuating only with the slow, macroscopic drift of the planes. They rarely collapse violently; instead, they gradually fade as the ambient tension equalizes.
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Artificial Apertures: Inherently unstable without continuous maintenance. Stability requires a consistent Tenax supply, maintained geometric coherence by the operator, and the absence of external planar disruption.
Collapse
Collapse occurs when the maintaining conditions fail. The connected planes decouple, and the altered volume rapidly returns to its ambient Planar Tension state.
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Natural Fade: The ambient tension equalizes, and the region gently dissipates without residual environmental effects.
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Uncontrolled Collapse: Occurs when an artificial Aperture's geometric pattern fractures or its Tenax supply is depleted. The connected planes violently decouple, frequently shearing the local planar boundary and producing a wild Rift.