Paradox

A curious effect, likely observed in small ways throughout human history by shamans, witches, and the like, but becoming a major field of study in the early 20th century, largely by scientists of the Arcane. Paradox, originally, was defined as the effect (with unknown causes at first) which inhibited the use of magic in the presence of technology. The more advanced the technology, the more difficult it was to use magic. This bizarre interaction hadn't seemingly occurred in the history of magic, and wizards were at a loss to explain it, with all their knowledge of magic. Thus the name of the phenomenon.

Over time (especially in the 1920s and 30s), it became clear that Paradox was fundamentally caused by human belief. The same baseline magical ability that all people have, the power that creates thresholds, the power that vitalizes gods whose names remain worshipped, it can be focused into any magical effect. And somehow, the minds of billions were being increasingly honed to create this effect, with technology as a focus.

In 1933, Wizard Emeritus Dr. Cornelius Hargrove published the first comprehensive theory of Paradox, which he called "The Paradox of Progress". According to his theory, in the early 20th century, technology had reached an inflection point, whereby the average person could not understand the technology they relied upon every day, and thus they replaced their sure knowledge of intuitive natural laws with a sort of belief system, faith in their devices and the people who made them. This belief, in turn, created a powerful Paradox effect that inhibited magic in the presence of technology, because the common understanding of physics and chemistry precluded most visible magical effects. This explained why Paradox seems to effect subtle or invisible magic minimally, but powerful or flashy magic is nearly impossible to use in the presence of technology. It also explained why Paradox seemed to be getting stronger over time, as technology became more advanced and more ubiquitous, and as people became more reliant on it.

It was an excellent theory for the time, and not entirely inaccurate. It was missing one important piece of the puzzle, however: that Paradox was built knowingly, with intent to suppress and eventually eliiminate wizards, monsters, demihumans, and everything that doesn't fit the vision of its architects: The Technocracy.

In 2030 CE, Paradox has metastasized to the point where it is not only impossible to use magic in a stable manner in most parts of the world, but it is increasingly becoming a reality of its own: The Meta.