Of Basic Channeling Techniques

This section contains minor spoilers for the series in the context of magic system.

Two of the most basic external channeling techniques include walking on vertical or non-solid surfaces, and shielding oneself from harm.

Standard method of chitronic walking

The standard method involves activating one's chitrons, then bonding them to the ambient chitrons of whatever surface one wishes to traverse, such as a lake or cliffside.

After bonding, one's own chitrons are funneled through the soles and / or palms to manipulate the surface in a way that facilitates the walk or climb.

In the case of walking across water or clouds, this often involves temporarily freezing water or vapor into a rough path of ice that can be crossed.

In the case of walking up vertical surfaces, this often involves molding earth or stone into tiny ledges or staircases that will assist the climb.

Impact of surface area and thrust on chitronic walking

Typically, chitrons are funneled through the entire surface area of one's body that is touching the object to be traversed; for example, when walking up a mountain, chitrons are funneled through the entirety of both soles, from toe to heel. The larger surface area of chitrons interacting through the bond results in a larger surface area of the mountain rock that can be molded, making the process easier, faster, and more stable.

When walking on vertical or non-solid surfaces, the chitronic bond is usually maintained throughout the entire course of the walk; breaking it could result in the channeler slipping or falling.

Precision method of chitronic walking

The precision method focuses on trying to reduce the interaction between one's own chitrons and the ambient chitrons of, taking the previous example again, a mountain. This is done by reducing both the time and surface area of contact. A precision channeler may thus, instead of funneling chitrons through their entire foot, funnel them only through their toes and walk tiptoe up a mountain.

This smaller surface area of chitrons interacting through the bond results in a smaller surface area of the mountain rock that can be molded, making the process both harder, slower, and less stable. It also requires more physical strength to compensate for reduced chitronic thrust.

When precision walking on vertical or non-solid surfaces, the chitronic bond is broken each time one's foot is lifted from the surface and reformed each time one's foot retouches it; that is, with each step. This results in a higher likelihood of slipping and falling, especially if the channeler fumbles the timing of bond breaking and formation.

On the whole, precision channeling involves fewer chitrons, yet requires a much higher degree of physical strength and mental focus. However if mastered, it leads to slower chitronic exhaustion, since the chitronic energy is being used at a slower rate. A seasoned channeler who can walk across water for five hours before needing to recharge their chitrons may be able to manage fifteen to twenty hours if they use the precision method, although they are likely to need a break due to muscle fatigue and headaches before then.

Standard method of chitronic shielding

The standard method involves activating one's chitrons, then bonding them to the ambient chitrons of whatever element one wishes to use as a shield, such as the air or sand.

After bonding, one's own chitrons are funneled through the palms and other body parts to pack the element into a shield.

The size and thickness of a shield is limited by the channelers' chitronic reserves and channeling ability; which in turn affect the number of ambient chitrons that can be packed into the shield.

More advanced channelers may affect not only shield size, thickness, and density, but also elasticity. Elastic shields are harder to break and thus more effective against physical attacks. Elasticity does not affect chitronic attacks.

In the case of creating a shield out of air or sand, the channeler must pack the particles closely together so that they form a hard barrier that can deflect physical and chitronic attacks. For air shields, an additional step often involves freezing water vapor to ice and layering the shield with it. More advanced channelers can even alter the molecular structure of elements; for example, transmute sand into thick glass to make a sturdier shield.

Impact of shield size

Usually spherical or dome-shaped, shields are typically made to cover the entire body, or multiple bodies. This shape ensures protection from all angles. Most channelers will maintain a shield throughout the duration of an attack.

Larger, thicker, and denser shields require more focus and also drain chitronic energy quicker than smaller, thinner, and less dense shields. This makes them challenging to maintain over long durations.

Unlike several chitronic techniques (e.g., walking) that rely also on a channeler's physical strength and stamina, shielding relies only on mental focus and stamina.

Precision method of chitronic shielding

Like with walking, the precision method focuses on trying to reduce the interaction between one's own chitrons and the ambient chitrons, which is done through reducing both the time and surface area of contact.

A precision channeler may thus, instead of creating a spherical shield that encapsulates their entire body, create multiple small shields at the impact spots of incoming attacks. This is done only for the duration of this attack, after which the shield is released. Successful precision shielding thus requires having a high spatial awareness and being able to predict exactly where and when potential attacks will land. If the channeler miscalculates the impact spot or timing, or misses an attack, they will leave themself susceptible to damage.

Like precision walking, precision channeling involves fewer chitrons, but requires higher spatial awareness, reflexes, and speed in creating successive shields. However if mastered, it too leads to slower chitronic exhaustions, since the chitronic energy is being used at a slower rate. A seasoned channed channeler capable of maintaining a standard full-body shield for an hour in battle before needing to recharge their chitrons may be able to manage ten or more hours if they use the precision method, although prolonged usage will lead to severe headaches.

A brief introduction to the key difference between basic and advanced channeling techniques

Chitronic walking and shielding, the former commonly taught to Paramosi and Mayani children as early as two to three years old, are considered the most basic of techniques for three key reasons:

Granularity: both walking and shielding involve manipulating visible or relatively 'large' forms of matter, i.e., particles of rock and sand, individual water droplets, or gusts of air. More advanced techniques, e.g., healing of organs, involve manipulation at a far smaller level—often cellular or atomic—which requires more precise control.

Transformation versus transmutation: typically, both shielding and walking involve changing either one or multiple of the following properties of an element—temperature, shape, density. Such changes are referred to as transformations, and are simpler to achieve than changes classified as transmutations, Transmutation techniques—e.g., concealment, creating fire from water—involve altering the molecular structure of a substance, changing its appearance and color, or increasing / decreasing it in volume.
- Exception: advanced shielding techniques that involve transmuting sand to glass are considered transmutations
Varieties of chitrons channeled: both shielding and walking typically involve manipulating only one element or substance, e.g., water, rock, sand, or air. More advanced techniques require the channeler to simultaneously manipulate multiple substances. For example, cloudsurfing is an advanced technique that necessitates simultaneous manipulation of not only air and water particles, but also the metal and / or wood particles of whatever object the channeler is surfing on—all of which must be done in a balanced and precise way that takes into account not only the chitronic bonds between the channeler and the elements, but also between the elements themselves (i.e., the channeler must also control how the air molecules are interacting with the metal).
- Exceptions: advanced shielding techniques that involve layering different elements into shields; walking up an ice-covered mountain which involves manipulating both ice and rock.

A brief introduction to other advanced techniques

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