Size Changing

Changing the size of any person or object can be accomplished through a variety of magical and technological means, each method having its own caveats. Because of its potential and the difficulties involved in it, size-changing abilities are considered some of the most powerful and desired ones.

Contents:
• Overview
• Magic
• Technology

Overview

Generally, shrinking something is considered much easier than making it grow larger, since the latter requires a lot more energy. Making something even smaller or larger requires exponentially more energy, so while there's no theoretical limit to how big or small something or someone can get, there is a practical limit beyond which maintaining them at that size becomes nearly impossible. The current practical limit in terms of size is considered to be about x32 times smaller or larger than the original size.

A shrunken object or person becomes much lighter and much more mobile, resilient and malleable, but at the same time much weaker. A shrunken person can survive any falls or leap much longer distances, but will have difficulty interacting with normal-sized objects. A shrunken object will deform in response to being crushed, with a shrunken person being able to survive being squished.

An enlarged object of person will become much heavier and slower, but at the same time stronger and more durable. Organic matter like skin, hair or fur will also become much softer and much more elastic. An enlarged person will be able to shrug off much stronger damage, but at the same time will find it harder to crush or damage something or someone themselves.

Sound doesn't change pitch depending on size, but it will become quieter or louder. A person's body temperature won't change with size, although they will appear to radiate more or less heat.

Magic

Pamela having a growth spurt
(full image)

Magic-induced size change is generally much more effective and powerful due to magic being able to break laws of physics. A size spell will usually start slow and then rapidly accelerate until it reaches its peak based on the amount of energy given.

For any given amount of energy, a size spell will have to prioritize two out of three things: spell intensity, its longevity, and how quickly the size change occurs. A powerful and long-lasting size spell will typically change the size very slowly, a fast and powerful spell won't last long, and a fast long-lasting spell won't be able to change the size as much.

Shrinking spells are easier to learn, cast and maintain, so they are popular among mages due to their utility, such as saving space or being able to carry more.

Growth spells, on the other hand, are much harder to learn and require a lot more energy to cast and maintain. Because of this, and because they have less everyday utility, they are usually only learned by much more experienced and powerful mages. A unique exception to that is Pamela Jones, who is able to make herself grow to gigantic sizes with relative ease, despite her having no prior knowledge of magic.

Size-changing potions are a much more effective method for both growth and shrinking, although the exact longevity and speed will depend on a specific brew, while the final size will depend on the amount. Mixing such potions with food, like Samantha Martin's specialty bakery, will not affect their potency.

Technology

Hyperborea's prototype growth ray
(full image)

Size changing is much more difficult through non-magic methods, though it is still possible. For any given amount of energy, such method of size change will usually start fast and gradually slow down as it reaches its peak.

The easiest and most effective method of changing the size of living organisms is through special serums, although it is a lot less effective on inorganic matter. This method also has biological limits that are much harder to overcome: so far, the most effective serum is able to shrink a person up to ⅒ (one-tenth) of their original size, but only able to make them grow twice as large maximum.

Abigail Ashley's shrinker allows her to spray such serums at larger distances or to cover multiple targets, although at lowered efficiency compared to a direct injection. Patricia Kennedy's specifically-crafted bodysuit is able to change size along with her at the same rate.

An alternative method is using magic-powered tech, such as Hyperborea's prototype shrink and growth rays. While much more complicated, this option has the advantage of being able to change the size of an object or person permanently, as well as allowing linear and more precise size change if configured properly. While such shrink rays have become relatively compact over the years, growth rays are still often the size of a light machine gun at minimum because of how much more energy they require in comparison.