Technomancy

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The term technomancy refers to magical abilities that affect technology, or to magical powers that are gained through the use of technology. It is a portmanteau of technology and -mancy, a "suffix" that (although etymologically dubious) is often used in fantasy fiction to refer to specific types of magic (-mancy is derived by analogy from necromancy). Technomancy is a common theme in certain subgenres of both science fiction and modern day fantasy fiction, particularly fiction that crosses the sci-fi and fantasy genres, as well as role playing games that take place in similar settings. Strictly speaking, though, it belongs fully to the realm of Fantasy since it can be magic used on technology that presently exists. It most commonly appaers in Science Fantasy.

It must also be held seperate from Alchemy and what is sometimes called Magitech (technology that uses magic, as used by D.O.L.L.Y in the comic the Wotch.)

Alchemy considers magic and science to be two parts of the one force. Magitech considers magic and science to be seperate forces that can work together in the one thing. Technomancy has magic affecting science, but not working in the same thing.

[edit] Examples

In the role playing game Revelation, technomancy is a power that is available to characters. Specific uses of this power include causing devices to malfunction and traveling to a cyber world.

In the Urban Arcana campaign setting of the d20 Modern role playing game, there are two character classes that use technomancy, Techno Mage and Shadowjack.

In the TV series Angel, in one episode a character used magic symbols on himself that caused him to not be able to be detected by magic or security measures.