Resonance is the mind's footprint. Waves of mental energy flow out from the minds of all living creatures. This energy is dropped in minuscule amounts by little looks and touches, and absorbed by the objects it touches. The energy diffuses from the object, and the impressions fade quickly, but larger impressions may build up through repetitive interactions or intensely emotional events.

The stronger the emotion involved, the deeper the impression it will leave. A dagger used to murder will have an impression of the hate and fear involved imprinted in it; a simple charm given to a loved one will radiate warmth, love and protective feelings. Resonance is that impression; its source is the mind that caused the feelings, and the intensity of those feelings affect the power of the resonance.

Resonance is always caused by something with a consciousness--person, spirit, animal, whatever--and imprinted onto non-living objects. Some resonances can encompass huge areas as all the objects within it are imprinted and form a sort of 'aura.' As long as the mind source of the resonance remains, it will continue to create more resonance. Resonance lives on without its source, but it gradually dies away if it is not maintained.

While all minds create resonance, only a few mages can can control the resonance they create or manipulate existing resonance. This ability is what we refer to as Transference. Other mentalists may feel the general sense of ambiance around an object. They might even guess at the source or resonance or suspect what kind of resonance is within an object: wood, for instance, was once living, and may resonate a stately, ponderous patience... weapons tend to radiate anger, impatience, or deadly intent. However, most mages cannot "see" the resonance as Transference mentalists can, and can discern no more than these simple feelings. Transference mentalists can discern details such as targets or memories -- things that were imprinted into the object but which require the skill of a mage to unlock.

Effect of Resonance on Mages:

I have observed two main effects of Resonance on magic and mages.

First: if a mentalist spell is cast that is sympathetic to resonance in the area, the effect of the spell is increased; if cast in conflict with resonance in the area, the effects of the spell will be lessened or changed.

Second: a mentalist is particularly susceptible to resonance. This is why we teach mentalists to build "shields" to protect them against mental energies. With practice and use, shielding becomes as natural for the mentalist as breathing. However, sometimes the shield is not enough to protect against resonance. If their shields are breached, the mentalist will experience the resonance exactly as if he were what were causing it... His emotions and intentions will be altered, and his sense of self will be wiped away. The experience can be unsettling at best, and has driven many an unlucky mage mad. If the resonance is caused by a spirit, succumbing to the resonance will also leave the mage open to possession by the spirit if the spirit is so inclined.

Unfortunately, I have found no system for measuring resonance aside from the insights of Transference mages. Even then, I have learned that the interactions of resonance patterns are so complex one can never be certain in predicting its effect on magic. One should always be wary of unforeseeable consequences.

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