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In the world that we inhabit, physicists recognize the existence of four forces in the universe, four forces that define the behaviors of all matter and energy in existence. These forces are: gravitational, electromagnetic, strong nuclear, and weak nuclear. In the universe chronicled in the "Personality Conflicts" series, two more forces exist in addition to these. The two new forces are magical and psychic.
Magical and psychic forces are what are known as "Power-derived forces," forces which owe their existence and function to the mysterious principle known as "the Power." No one, scientist or mage, is quite sure what the Power is, or how it operates. Even the legendary Morphin Masters of Eltare can do little more than guess. What is known about the Power is that it is some type of extra-dimensional construct, something that exists outside our plane of existence and understanding. Its energies seep into our plane via places known as "hardpoints." Hardpoints can be either psychic or magical in nature. There is some speculation that The Power is in fact, an energy-based sentience, a hypothesis that has led many galactic religions to identify the Power with their vision of the Supreme Being. No concrete evidence for this has been offered, however.
Where the Power enters our dimension, it becomes classified as psychic or magical force. These forces have many general behavioral characteristics in common, as well as some that are unique to each one. Power-derived forces follow many of the rules that electromagnetic force adheres to. As energy, these forces can travel along conductors, and be dispersed by insulators. If unshielded, a field will form around concentrations of these energies, detectable usually from the scent of ionized gases, not to mention the formation of ozone. Also, the energy of these forces can be converted into other types of energy, such as kinetic or electrical- hence telekinesis and telepathy. These forces differ from electromagnetism, however, in that they can be converted into a sort of plasmatic matter, a glowing energy that is capable of being projected in the absence of appropriate conductors. However, it can do no work or damage unless converted back to energy, something that usually happens upon contact with a surface.
Magical force is a subset of the Power-derived forces, one that arises from the Morphin Grid. The Grid is a metaphysical construct that runs through the entire universe, just below normal space. For this reason, magic is sometimes referred to as Morphin energy or Morphin power, although these terms are not always interchangeable. From the Grid, magic wells up into all sentient beings whose physiologies are not completely iron-based. (Hence, the Machine Empire is completely cut off from the Grid, being constructed solely of ferrous materials.) A race does not have to be organic to draw from the Grid, simply non-iron in composition. An illustration of this can be found in the silicon-based residents of the planet Kouseki. As long as a race is not completely iron-based, magic will affect them at least in part.
As most Rangers and galactic inhabitants know, the Morphin Grid is divided into shades, levels, and color lines. The shades are the broadest categories, composed of Dark, Shadow, and Light. The Dark Side of the Grid powers those practitioners who have turned to evil and hatred. Shadow is the level for those who walk the line between, loyal only to their own hearts and whatever code may be therein. The Light Side powers those who strive to uphold the principles of love, justice, and friendship. Each shade of the Grid is then further stratified, in a manner that gives the construct its name. A "grid" is formed by the three levels, Body, Mind, and Spirit, which cross with the eight colors. The eight colors of the Grid represent the eight personality types in Morphin philosophy. Reds are warriors and commanders, while Blues are intelligent and creative and Yellows are healers of mind and body. Blacks are artists and bards, Pinks are the nurturers, and Greens are the noble heroes. Whites are spiritual and often psychic, while Purples are unorthodox and adhere to their own code of honor. The levels of the Grid, on the other hand, determine the aspects of the personality that are ascendant. Body level, also known as Dino, is the level of the straightforward. What these types lack in finesse, they make up for in endurance and power. With a Dino type, what you see is usually what you get- but not always. Thunder, meanwhile, is the level of the Mind. Intelligent and active, Mind level people are always changing tacks. This gives them an excellent view of the situation, but they don't always have the patience to see a course through. Last of all is the Spirit level, the level of Ninja. Spirit types have great patience, but sometimes lack the drive or confidence to see a plan to its end. These three types balance each other, which is one of the reasons that Rangers work in teams.
When a being is chosen to be a Ranger, he or she is presented with a Morpher, a tool that focuses an incredible amount of Morphin energy into his or her body. The most famous type of these devices is the Power Coin, but there are many other varieties as well. The Ranger's body then becomes a sort of capacitor, storing and directing the energy of the Grid into any and all pieces of equipment needed, from pulse cannons to Power Weapons, and even to Zords. Ranger morphing devices allow them to draw upon an incredible amount of power, an amount that would normally overwhelm and consume a wielder. The Morpher keeps this surplus in check, and much of it is directed into forming the costume. The UMF (Unstable Molecular Fabric) of a Ranger suit is bolstered by an aura of energy, absorbing the impact of blows that would normally be fatal.
Morphin energy has strange effects on beings that channel it for a long time. It often sharpens the senses, increases strength and agility, and turbo-charges the healing factors. Even if the Ranger connection is later lost, enough residual energy remains to allow the body to perform such duties, running mainly on "background radiation." If the power is strong enough, and has been held for a long enough time, the residual energy may actually reach out and form a connection to the particular Grid section the ex-Ranger identifies with. This may be a level that he or she has never actually drawn from. However, only a few Rangers have ever held powers that are outside their personal color line. Such displacement can cause grave mental conditions if the personality markers are not at least close.
Besides pure Grid energy, magic can also be classified as "peripheral" or "aural energy." This is power drawn, not from one line of the Grid, but from the general aura surrounding it. This is where most "natural" magic comes from, and also what powers magic-based creatures. Unlike Grid-line power, this energy conforms to no specific personality traits, nor will it create Grid connections. It can, however, cause changes in the psycho-nervous system, often leading to enhanced senses or abilities, such as psychic powers, enhanced speed and agility, or unusual strength. As all Rangers and many civilians know, each level of the Morphin Grid is under the protection of a Grid Spirit. This spirit symbolizes the characteristics unique to that particular level and color, and is often used as a form of identification. Grid Spirits are manifestations of the Power, and it is unknown whether they possess sentience in and of themselves.
For the most part, magic behaves like any and all other Power-derived energies. However, there are some properties unique to it alone. Magical energy can be colored, or it can give off a white light. Psychic energy never has color to it. In addition, magic can cause physical systems to change, causing mutations and transmutations, rather than simply dealing with pre-programmed subroutines. Lastly, magical energy is self-sustaining. A spell can be cast and let to run, while psychics must concentrate on a job until the problem has actually been solved.
The other subset of Power-derived forces is psychic force. Little is known about this force in galactic circles, because it so rarely appears. Psychic energy and magical energy are quite competitive, and usually magical energy wins out. That means that only where magical energy is low or non-existent can psychic energy manifest. Usually, this is in the presence of large quantities of iron. And to date, the only planet with large enough deposits of iron to evoke psychic energy in measurable quantities is Earth, which is not in the most convenient state to be studied by galactic scientists.
What IS known is that psychic energy tends to behave similarly to magic. However, it cannot cause mutation of tissue, and other than in application of kinetic energy, tends to be largely ineffective on inanimate objects in general. So, telekinesis and healing are doable, but turning someone into a frog is "right out." Also, it is incapable of sustaining itself. Therefore, unless a psychic maintains his or her focus, his project will more than likely come crashing down. And of course, psychic energy is unaffected by the presence or absence of cold iron.
Also, psychic energy, like its magical counterpart, seems to manifest as a type of animal guide. Where the Grid Spirits are determined by color and level, though, Animal Guides are far more personal, based solely on the personality of the person concerned. Also, they are not restricted to only those who have drawn from the Morphin Grid.
Psychic talents observed in humans range from telepathy and telekinesis to the projection of "levin bolts," bioelectric discharges capable of stunning a large man or frying delicate equipment. According to scans run by Zordon of Eltare, psychic energy causes changes in the nervous tissue of humans, altering the impulses therein. Beyond this, little is known about it.
Because of the unusual nature of the planet Earth, it is the one place in the galaxy where psychic and magical forces intertwine. As a result, most of the human population, while being fairly resistant to magical force, is unusual conductors of psychic energy. This is also due in part to the high iron concentration present even in human physiology. Earth's ley line system is quite basically a system of interconnected geysers of psychic or magical force. Which type of energy comes out of a nexus depends on the geometric construction of the nexus. The places where five lines come together are places of psychic upwelling, and are the most common of the planet's energy points. Six-pointed ley stars, on the other hand, send out magical energy, and are fare less common. Think of the distribution as being similar to the patches on a soccer ball. And the keystone nexus of the planet, a six-pointed star with six smaller six-pointed stars on its arms, is located directly in the middle of Angel Grove Park. This nexus controls every other nexus on the planet, by means of direct conduction.
Psychic and magical energies are still largely mysterious to scientists. However, it is hoped that this general discussion will clarify the basic workings of the Power, and how its forces interact with the universe. May the Power protect and enlighten you all.
