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Message: <blockquote data-quote="fusangite" data-source="post: 530016" data-attributes="member: 7240">Medieval Europe, upon which the D&D universe is supposed to be weakly based, believed in Aristotelian science. This is the system of natural philosophy (the term for science from when the word 'science' meant knowledge) that was based on Aristotle's works and elaborated by the alchemical theories from the Arab world by Jabir which were also based on Aristotelian physics and the astronomy of Ptolemy. In the Aristotelian worldview, there are four elements, each based on a combination of two of four qualities:Fire: heat + dryEarth: dry + coldWater: cold + wetAir: wet + hotThere is also a fifth element (quintessence), ether. Nothing in the terrestrial world is made out of ether; ether is the substance from which the celestial spheres are made. In some theories of alchemy, it was believed that the philosopher's stone was made of ether. Overlaid onto this was the later development of the sulphur-mercury theory which stated that all metals were made from these two primary components. Salt was added to this system in the 17th century as the third constituent of metals. As you can see, the Aristotelian natural philosophy system bears some resemblance to the D&D system but not a precise one. Therefore, the intricate scientific and philosophical worldview which rested upon these ideas cannot quite fit into D&D. In particular, I find it noteworthy that the only cultures that have accepted Aristotelian physics have been monotheistic ones -- medieval Islam and Christianity. I think the idea of how deities might interact with the physical world in D&D might also further destabilize the system. Because I think the Aristotelian system is a very beautiful one, I have kind of the same reaction to D&D and elements as I do to D&D and LOTR -- I'd rather have D&D avoid trying to represent something it will ultimately just end up butchering. I'm of two minds therefore about the elements; on one hand, I'd like to fix elements & D&D so that we can actually run the game with Aristotelian physics; on the other, I'd like to replace the D&D element system with one that is unique, rationally done and compatible with the letter and spirit of the rules. Also, I have to ask what do people think about falling damage? The way I read it, in the D&D universe, you don't accelerate through space as you fall. What are the implications of this and what conclusions can we draw about D&D physics?</blockquote>

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