Editing Rithmatics

{{magic system
|related=[[Church of the Monarch]]
|prereq=[[Inception]]
|earth=Rithmatist
|books=[[The Rithmatist]]
}}{{exemplary|date=2014-01-07}}
'''Rithmatics''' is a magic system that uses chalk.{{book ref|Rithmatist|1}}  It was discovered by King [[Gregory III]], Monarch in Exile of [[Britannia]].{{book ref|Rithmatist|6}}  Accordingly the practice of Rithmatics is heavily associated with the [[Church of the Monarch]], as the [[inception]] ceremony by which ordinary people become Rithmatists take place in Monarchical churches.{{book ref|Rithmatist|12}}.
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== Rithmatic Lines ==
There were four known Rithmatic lines at the start of [[The Rithmatist]]; however, two new lines were discovered over the course of the novel (the Line of Silencing and the Line of Revocation). 

{{image|Line of Warding.svg|side=right|width=150px}}
=== Line of Warding ===
The strength of a Line of Warding is determined by its evenness and its curvature. The steeper the curve, the stronger the line. This is a moot point in circles as their curvature is equal around its entirety. In ellipses however the strength is variable; peaking at its bindpoints and reaching its lowest point on the sides.{{ref|name=linestrengths}}
A larger Line of Warding is weaker, however, it takes more strength for chalklings/Lines of Vigor/Lines of Revocation to destroy 1/6 of a large circle than 1/6 of a smaller one; the strength of all circles is not the same. A typical Line of Warding can take about 6 hits from a Line of Vigor.{{book ref|rithmatist|11}}

=== Line of Forbiddance ===
{{image|Line of Forbiddance.svg|side=right|width=250px}}
A Line of Forbiddance is a defensive line that projects an impenetrable plane perpendicular to the surface it is drawn on.  Not even the Rithmatist who drew it is able to cross it.{{ref|name=linesofforbiddance}} The strength of a Line of Forbiddance is determined by its straightness; the straighter the line is, the stronger it is. The line's thickness determines the height of the invisible plane it produces above it.{{ref|name=linestrengths}} A well-drawn Line of Forbiddance can stop bullets and, in some cases, cannonballs.{{book ref|Rithmatist|15}}

Since Lines of Forbiddance are resistant to being moved by Lines of Vigor, they are useful in anchoring Lines of Warding against being moved. Often a Rithmatist will use a Line of Forbiddance to connect two of a circle's bindpoints.{{ref|name=anchoring}}

It takes about four seconds for a Rithmatist to dismiss a Line of Forbiddance they drew themselves.{{ref|name=linesofforbiddance}}

A "Mark's Cross" is a set of perpendicular Lines of Forbiddance in a four-point circle.  It can be attached to a bindpoint of a larger circle for support.{{ref|name=sumsion}}

A Line of Vigor will bounce off of a Line of Forbiddance. However, a Line of Forbiddance can only sustain about 10 Line of Vigor hits before it is destroyed.{{book ref|rithmatist|11}}

The material that a Line of Forbiddance is drawn on can affect its stability (e.g., more durable surfaces form stronger lines).{{ref|name=linestrengths}}

Lines of Forbiddance are weakest at the corners if they are joined together.{{book ref|Rithmatist|10}}

=== Line of Vigor ===
{{image|Line of Vigor.svg|side=right|width=300px}}
Lines of Vigor are one of the main offensive Rithmatic lines. It is drawn in the shape of a [[Wikipedia:sine wave|sine wave]], from the outside in. As long as it completes two intervals it will shoot out until it reaches an obstacle. Most chalklings are easily destroyed by Lines of Vigor. If it reaches a Line of Warding it will create a pockmark, if enough hit the same point then the line could be breached.{{ref|name=linesofvigorpartone}} Lines of Vigor reflect off of Lines of Forbiddance.{{ref|name=bouncingvigor}} The strength of a Line of Vigor is based on how large the curve of their wave is. A tighter curve, that puts the same amount of lines in a smaller area is harder to draw, but stronger, than one that has a longer wave.{{ref|name=linestrengths}}

Lines of Vigor generally behave like light waves{{wob ref|3155}}: they will reflect off of Lines of Forbiddance and refract upon change of medium. Higher frequency Lines are better at penetrating, while lower frequency Lines are better at energy transfer (i.e. displacing Lines of Warding).
{{image|Line of Making complexity.svg|side=right|width=400px}}

There have been two lines of vigor discovered throughout the history of Rithmatics. The first line of vigor is a basic curved wave length and cannot be attributed to a particular researcher. The second line of vigor is similar to the first, but it's wave pattern is spiked, almost like a mountain range, and one end of the line passes back up through the wave pattern. This style of line of vigor is more powerful than the first, and it's discovery can be accredited to [[Joel Saxon]], a chalk maker's son.

=== Line of Making ===
{{for|chalkling}}

Lines of Making are used to create [[chalkling]]s.{{book ref|Rithmatist|23}} The strength of a Line of Making is determined by the "complexity and aesthetic beauty" of the chalkling it creates.{{ref|name=linestrengths}}

Chalklings made with a Line of Making are unable to affect anything that isn't made of chalk unless the Glyph of Rending is added to their instructions.{{book ref|Rithmatist|8}}

{{image|Line of Silencing.svg|side=right|width=250px}}

=== Line of Silencing ===
The Line of Silencing has the ability to absorb sound waves. The louder a sound is, the more it is dampened, a whisper is essentially immune. It can only absorb a sound if the sound wave is powerful enough to reach it, and it will run out of power after a given time and stop working.{{book ref|Rithmatist|21}}

The shape of this line was discovered by [[Trent Saxon]], a chalkmaker.{{book ref|Rithmatist|18}} The effect was unknown until [[Joel Saxon]] discovered the use from the [[Scribbler]].

{{image|Line of Revocation.svg|side=right|width=250px}}

===Line of Revocation===
The Line of Revocation is described as being a cross between a Line of Forbiddance and a Line of Vigor. It is able to interact with things not made of chalk.{{book ref|Rithmatist|23}} It is slightly more powerful than a Line of Vigor.{{book ref|Rithmatist|25}}

This line was first demonstrated by the [[Scribbler]], but was later used by [[Fitch]], [[Joel]], and [[Melody]].{{book ref|Rithmatist|24}}{{book ref|Rithmatist|25}}

== Teaching Rithmatics ==
=== Rithmatic Schools ===
There were eight schools that taught Rithmatics in the [[United Isles of America]].{{book ref|rithmatist|7}}
*[[Armedius Academy]] in [[Jamestown]] on [[New Britannia]] 
*[[Valendar Academy]] on the [[California Archipelago]]{{book ref|rithmatist|17}}
*[[Calgarius Academy]] on [[Albert]]
*[[Denver Academy]] on [[Denver]]
*[[Maineford Academy]] on [[Maineford]]
*[[Académie de Montréal]] on [[Canadia]]
*[[Our Lady of the Circle Academy]] on [[Kokomo]]
*[[Academia de la Rueda Divina]] on [[New Espania]]

It is mentioned that there was a movement on some of the Isles to open smaller schools on every Isle. The Rithmatic academies felt that this would lead to disunity and widely varied teaching styles, which would be detrimental to unity in [[Tower of Nebrask|Nebrask]].{{book ref|Rithmatist|17}}

=== Rithmatic Professors ===
Professors of Rithmatics wear different color coats depending on their rank.  A professor of lower rank can challenge one of a higher rank to a duel, if the challenger wins then the two professors trade ranks.{{book ref|Rithmatist|1}}
*Tenured Professors wear red.{{book ref|Rithmatist|1}}
*Non-tenured Professors wear blue.{{book ref|Rithmatist|5}}
*Assistant Professors wear green.{{book ref|Rithmatist|5}}
*Tutoring Professors wear grey.{{book ref|Rithmatist|1}}

=== Rithmatic Students ===
Rithmatic students wear grey sweaters.  Boys wear white slacks and girls wear white skirts.{{book ref|Rithmatist|1}} Kneepads are often worn for they need to kneel and draw chalks.{{book ref|Rithmatist|25}}

== Rithmatic Defenses ==

=== Four-Point Circles ===
<gallery widths=250px heights=250px caption= >
File: Four-Point Circle.svg|The four-point circle
</gallery>
{{anchor|Ballintain Defense}}
; Ballintain Defense: A basic and easy to set up defense, that however lacks much internal support.{{book ref|Rithmatist|1}}  This defense features two Lines of Forbiddance, each connecting two adjacent bind points.  There are also two circular Lines of Warding at two of the bindpoints opposite of each other.  Finally there is a defensive chalkling bound to one of the remaining bindpoints.  A popular defense based on the four-point circle, it is ideal for more offensive Rithmatists.{{ref|name=ballintain}}
<gallery widths=250px heights=250px caption= >
File: Ballintain Defense Diagram.svg|The Ballintain Defense
</gallery>
{{anchor|Sumsion Defense}}
; Sumsion Defense: A defense characterized by a long Line of Forbiddance that lies tangent to its front bindpoint.  A circle with a Mark's Cross is also bound to this bindpoint opposite of the main Line of Warding.  Defensive chalklings can be bound to the two bindpoints on either side.  The rear bindpoint has a line running across it, perpendicular to the curve, to help anchor it.{{ref|name=sumsion}}
<gallery widths=250px heights=250px caption= >
File: Sumsion Defense Diagram.svg|The Sumsion Defense
</gallery>

=== Six-Point Circles ===
<gallery widths=250px heights=250px caption= >
File: Six-Point Circle.svg|The six-point circle
</gallery>
The six-point circle has bindpoints based on a regular hexagon whose vertices are equidistant around the circle's circumference.  While it is difficult to determine where the bindpoints are without actually seeing the hexagon, Rithmatists are taught how to intuit their positions.  Six-point circles have a greater inherent versatility and defensibility that two- and four-point circles lack.{{ref|name=6pt}}
{{anchor|Eskridge Defense}}
; Eskridge Defense: One of the most difficult of the defenses taught to Rithmatic students.  It features three internal Lines of Forbiddance, each connecting two adjacent bindpoints, leaving three openings for the Rithmatist to draw.  The top and bottom bindpoints have defensive chalklings bound to them while the remainder have circular Lines of Warding.  Each of the outer circles have an interior Line of Forbiddance that points towards an opponent, to help defend against Lines of Vigor.{{ref|name=eskridge}}
<gallery widths=250px heights=250px caption= >
File: Eskridge Defense Diagram.svg|The Eskridge Defense
</gallery>
{{anchor|Matson Defense}}
; Matson Defense: A defense that relies heavily on defensive chalklings.{{book ref|Rithmatist|9}}  Features two parallel Lines of Forbiddance, each connecting two adjacent bindpoints.  The remaining two bindpoints, opposite of each other, have circular Lines of Warding bound to them each with a Mark's Cross.  Defensive chalklings are bound to every bind point of the three circles, except where the smaller circles are bound to the larger one, making ten in total.{{ref|name=matson}}
<gallery widths=250px heights=250px caption= >
File: Matson Defense Diagram.svg|The Matson Defense
</gallery>

=== Nine-Point Circles ===
<gallery widths=250px heights=250px caption= >
File: Nine-Point Circle Diagram.svg|A nine-point circle
</gallery>
The nine-point circle has bindpoints based on a non-obtuse triangle.  The bindpoints are located at the midpoint of each side and at the points where the triangle's [[Wikipedia: Altitude (triangle)|altitude]] lines intersect the circle.  They require a great deal of practice in order to successfully determine where each of the bindpoints are located.  Due to this difficulty many Rithmatists do not choose to spend the time required to master it.{{ref|name=9pt}}
{{anchor|Easton Defense}}
; Easton Defense: A defense that is suited for multiple opponents.  It has circular Lines of Warding at each of its bindpoints and Lines of Forbiddance that form a nine-sided figure with three lines missing which act as support for the mine circle.  Drawbacks to the defense are the difficulty of nine-point circles and the restriction created by the Lines of Forbiddance.  There are a number of variations on this defense, such as adding defensive chalklings to the outer circles.{{ref|name=eastonbasic}}  A more advanced iteration of this defense adds a Mark's Cross to each of the outer circles and decreases the internal Lines of Forbiddance from six to three. Defensive chalklings are also bound to a number of the outer circles' bindpoints.{{ref|name=eastonadvanced}}
<gallery widths=250px heights=250px caption= >
File: Easton.svg|The Easton Defense
</gallery>
{{anchor|Hill Defense}}
; Hill Defense: A defense that uses Lines of Forbidding, though it can be modified to work without them.{{book ref|Rithmatist|9}}
{{anchor|Shoaff Defense}}
; Shoaff Defense: A defense characterized by its use of elliptical Lines of Warding at each of its bindpoints.  A defensive chalkling is then bound at each of the ellipses opposite bindpoint.  It only uses two, quite short, Lines of Forbiddance as anchors and is so quite susceptible to Lines of Vigor.  It is however ideal against an offense of chalklings.  This defense is best for those who specialize in Lines of Vigor{{ref|name=shoaff}}
<gallery widths=250px heights=250px caption= >
File: Shoaff Defense.svg|The Shoaff Defense
</gallery>
{{anchor|Taylor Defense}}
; Taylor Defense: A defense characterized by a pair of concentric, circular Lines of Warding.{{book ref|Rithmatist|24}}  Lines of Forbiddance radiate outward from the bindpoints of the innermost Line of Warding, though the bindpoints of the larger concentric circle, and then through two smaller circles.  Each of the smaller circles have a Mark's Cross.  There are Lines of Forbiddance that connect two outer circles that are adjacent to each other, lying parallel to one of the Lines radiating out which are used to reflect Lines of Vigor.  Defensive Chalklings are bound to many of the remaining bindpoints.  The Taylor Defense is commonly held to be the strongest Rithmatic Defense though it requires great speed and accuracy from its user.  It's use is somewhat controversial in duels but if the outer concentric circle is breached then it counts as a defeat.{{ref|name=taylor}}
<gallery widths=250px heights=250px caption= >
File: Taylor Defense.svg|The Taylor Defense
</gallery>

=== Ellipses ===
<gallery widths=250px heights=250px caption= >
File: Two-Point Ellipse.svg|The ellipse
</gallery>
Lines of Warding in the shape of an ellipse only have two bindpoints.{{ref|name=osborn}} They are strong at the ends (near the bindpoints) but weak along the sides. 
{{anchor|Jordan Defense}}
; Jordan Defense:
Invented by [[Matthew Jordan]], it is a defense characterized by the large cage of Lines of Forbiddance drawn around it. Large numbers of offensive chalklings are drawn inside the cage and are released in waves by dismissing the front Line of Forbiddance, which is then redrawn after the chalklings have moved forward.{{book ref|Rithmatist|11}}  At each of the two bindpoints have a line running through them to serve as an anchor.  It requires a great deal of skill in making sure the chalklings wait until the Line is dismissed before moving forward.  It is an unconventional defense and some teachers are reluctant to teach it.{{ref|name=jordan}}
<gallery widths=250px heights=250px caption= >
File: Jordan Defense Diagram.svg|The Jordan Defense
</gallery>
{{anchor|Osborn Defense}}
; Osborn Defense:
The only basic defense based off of an ellipse.{{book ref|Rithmatist|9}} A defensive chalkling is bound to the upper bindpoint.  The rear bindpoint has a line running through it to serve as the only anchor for the defense.  On either side the Rithmatist my choose to add two circular Lines of Warding with a Mark's Cross to aid in defense.  It is important though that they do not touch the main ellipse as they would not be touching a bindpoint.{{ref|name=osborn}}
<gallery widths=250px heights=250px caption= >
File: Osborn Defense Diagram.svg|The Osborn Defense
</gallery>

=== Unknown Configuration ===
{{anchor|Blad Defense}}
; Blad Defense: A defense that uses Lines of Warding "non-traditionally"{{book ref|Rithmatist|4}} by combining four ellipsoid segments.  The configuration is strong enough that some believe it should be banned from official competitions such as duels and the [[Melee]].{{book ref|Rithmatist|5}}
{{anchor|Keblin Defense}}
; Keblin Defense: A defense that is weak against the Easton Defense in most cases.{{book ref|Rithmatist|1}}
{{anchor|Miyabi Defense}}
; Miyabi Defense: A defense with a "convoluted history".{{book ref|Rithmatist|4}}

== Trivia ==
* The Miyabi Defense is named after Miyabi, a longstanding member of Brandon's fan community.

== External Link ==
* [[bws:standalones-non-cosmere|''The Rithmatist'' internal art]] on Brandon's website

== Notes ==
<references>
{{file ref|name=linestrengths|Rithmatist - Line Strengths.jpg|Line Strengths Illustration}}
{{file ref|name=linesofforbiddance|Line of Forbiddance.svg|Lines of Forbiddance Illustration}}
{{file ref|name=anchoring|Rithmatist - Anchoring.jpg|Anchoring Defensive Circles Illustration}}
{{file ref|name=sumsion|Sumsion Defense.svg|Sumsion Defense Illustration}}
{{file ref|name=linesofvigorpartone|Line of Vigor.svg|Lines of Vigor Part One: Basic Usage Illustration}}
{{file ref|name=bouncingvigor|Rithmatist - Bouncing Lines.jpg|Bouncing Lines of Vigor Illustration}}
{{file ref|name=ballintain|Ballintain Defense.svg|Ballintain Defense Illustration}}
{{file ref|name=6pt|Six-Point Circle.svg|Six-point Circle Illustration}}
{{file ref|name=eskridge|Eskridge Defense.svg|Eskridge Defense Illustration}}
{{file ref|name=matson|Matson Defense Diagram.svg|Matson Defense Illustration}}
{{file ref|name=9pt|Nine-Point Circle_Diagram.svg|Nine-point Circle Illustration}}
{{file ref|name=eastonbasic|Basic Easton Defense.svg|Basic Easton Defense Illustration}}
{{file ref|name=eastonadvanced|Advanced Easton Defense.svg|Advanced Easton Defense Illustration}}
{{file ref|name=shoaff|Shoaff Defense.svg|Shoaff Defense Illustration}}
{{file ref|name=taylor|Taylor Defense.svg|Taylor Defense Illustration}}
{{file ref|name=osborn|Osborn Defense.svg|Osborn Defense Illustration}}
{{file ref|name=jordan|Jordan Defense Diagram.svg|Jordan Defense Illustration}}
</references>
{{complete|[[User:Chaos2651|Chaos2651]] ([[User talk:Chaos2651|talk]]) 18:13, 10 November 2017 (MST)}}
{{Rithmatist}}
[[Category: Magic]]
[[Category: Rithmatics| ]]