The PNP-Theory: Drug Abuse in Gensokyo

[Dead Princess Sakana]

I'm sorry Sanaka, but this new contribution to our theories contains some holes.
*CAUTION! WALL OF TEXT APPROACHING! CAUTION!*
This highly possible. But there is one minor error in this: PNP didn't exist back then. We have already concluded that PNP came into existence with the creation of Gensokyo and the decline of magic.

Ah, you're right. Thanks for correcting that. I already feared there might be some inconsistencies, but it was too late at night for me to think clearly about it  :V
I agree with your conclusions on that matter.
Just correct me whenever I make mistakes, as long as it nurtures the theory in the end, it's fine  :V

Yes, Hourai Elixir might then rather be an unvoluntary predecessor to PNP, or another substance with similar effects, but it is something different to the modern form of the drug.
Though I might still want to specualte that Eirin might be working on creating another Elixir, using PNP this time, but that is just how I see her character.

As for the matter of gods, I see we still have some discussion to do, so let's cover that next. They're indeed difficult to put into the theory.
But I don't think we should put them as a theory on their own yet, or at least we should always keep PNP in the back of our minds as a crucial part of the world. Or rather, it seems like we have to look which other factors besides PNP cause evolution.

I'm gonna throw in some more points to argue about.

Naito, just for the record, could you state once again how exactly you see the evolution line of gods? From which point on are they gods, or are they born as one, like Mew said?
And do we make a fundamental difference between gods evolved from humans and gods evolved from youkai, or is Shinki just an ultra special case?
And if we make that difference, how would animal gods (Kanako, Suwako) come into existance? Were they once humans?
You said that the titles tell about the strength, but 'frog godess' doesn't really sound too strong, while 'curse godess' does. Thought on the other hand, it might just be the thousands of years of experience that have made Suwako strong.

I could agree with both theories, though I like the thought of evolution more.
Another way would be the following, though it's far from perfect:
We could combine both parts, and maybe even parts of my theory, I think, if we assume that it is normally impossible to become a god in one life, but that it is only possible by reincarnation after dieing with a large amount of accumulated PNP.
That would mean that a youkai bishoujo (which has already overdoses on PNP) that dies has the chance to be reborn a weak god. That way it would cover both the 'evolution' aspect, and the 'being created as a god'.
Naito already implied that Reimu might go for god route 'after death', so death seems to play a role there.

Which would by the way also mean that we have to cover after-life sooner or later.

Leaving alone the evolution/creation aspect, let me look more into the nature of faith.
I can't shake the feeling that we could link it to PNP if we try to.

The reason: Even the gods drop PNP in battle, so they do have it in their body. That might either be because they take it before battle to enhance their powers, or because faith has similar effects to PNP and becomes PNP in their bodies.
The second possibilitie would mean that gods have not become independent from PNP, they just developed another way to get it. It is said that when many people hope for something, then miracles can happen. That is the effect of faith. But then, wouldn't faith be something like weak, diffused magic? A kind of magic that everyone has in them, just like there is weak magic in Gensokyo's air, but that nobody can use as it is? If that were the case, then obviously gathering a lot of faith woudl be the same as gathering a smaller amount of magic, or PNP. By concentrating in the gods body, the otherwise weak faith turns into PNP to strengthen the god.
Does that contradict any of our other points up to now?

[OkashiiKisei]

Alright, for everyone's ease I'm going to put the evolutionary processes in a row here. Correct me if you think something isn't correct.

Youkai route: Animal/Object --> Sentient Animal/Object (Genji) --> Loli (Kogasa) --> Mature (Ran) --> Monster (Namazu?) --> Supreme (Yukari?) --> True Divine/Perfection (Shinki).

God route: Human --> Ghost --> (when man is in need for a god) Lesser God (Aki sisters) -->  Intermediate God (Suwako) --> Greater God (Kanako) --> True Divine/Perfection (Hebrew God?) (removed Eldtrich stage. Didn't quite fit, and a god's form probably depends on it's believers)

Celestial route: Human --> (either through spiritual enlightment or enough re?ncarnations) Celestial (aka: True Divine) (Tenshi is weakened version of this because she didn't reach enlightment by herself)

Magician route: Human --> Lesser Magician (Marisa) --> Intermidiate Magician (Alice) --> Greater Magician (Byakuren/Lunarians) --> Immortal (Kaguya/Mokou) --> True Divine/Perfection (it's possible to go monstrous between any of these stages)

And Sakana, you're theory about that faith could be an alternative way of obtaining PNP (with faith being less powerful magic that can be turned into PNP) seems quite possible. They, like plants, produce their own nourishment inside their bodies. But if cut off from faith, like cutting off a flower from sunlight, they aren't able to produce PNP/nourishment, and then wither, possibly returning to the re?ncarnation cycle. They are basically more powerful fairies, able to create their own PNP. Also, fairies dissapear if their nature counterpart disappears, and gods disappear when no one believes in them anymore. Otherwise they just regenerate. Gods may be closer related to fairies than we think. Gods aren't hunted as much as them though since gods pose bigger threats to youkai.

I based the 'death is required for godhood' notion on various other stories (not Touhou ones), in which, if someone had many followers and believers in life, they would turn divine upon death, and live of the faith it receives.

Also Sakana, Suwako isn't really a frog goddess, nor is Kanako a snake goddess. They just picked up those traits along the way, and don't have much to do with their actual powers. They just use it as a symbol. Sun God Ra of Egypt had a bird motive, but he wasn't a bird god. Kanako's and Suwako's true 'titles' are respectively 'Goddess of the Wind' and 'Goddess of the Earth'. Those sound far more powerful than 'Curse Goddess'.

[Tengukami]

I love threads like these.

[Toasty]

Adding in something, sanae called the PnP items flying treasure in UFO, amulets with power and point written on them, so maybe, instead of being a consumable drug, they're more like magical nicotine patches? This means there are other methods of getting some PnP than consumption, maybe wearing them, and the dropping is your WORN pnp, while what you don't lose you've compeltely absorbed, leaving the amulets powerless pieces of (fairy flesh maybe?).

[OkashiiKisei]

Adding in something, sanae called the PnP items flying treasure in UFO, amulets with power and point written on them, so maybe, instead of being a consumable drug, they're more like magical nicotine patches? This means there are other methods of getting some PnP than consumption, maybe wearing them, and the dropping is your WORN pnp, while what you don't lose you've compeltely absorbed, leaving the amulets powerless pieces of (fairy flesh maybe?).

A very good assumption, Toast. But shouldn't the PnP be visible on the character then? Patches on the arms, or amulets on a necklace? Mokou and Suika do sport amulets on their clothing tough. Perhaps they dissapear quickly. But then it wouldn't be much different from absorbtion. But the clothing of certain characters is pretty obstructing, making it hard to apply the PnP easily. Also, the player character clearly loses power when hit, with the released amount of PnP being a part of the total PnP lost that can still be collected. When you recollect the released PnP, it is indeed a smaller percentage than what is completely lost. What is completely lost could indeed have been discarded, since it doen't contain anymore power, like you described. This power may have been sacrificed to take the blow of the attack. On the other hand, it is possible to lose all power when hit enough, so the PnP isn't completely absorbed.
I still think the PnP is absorbed directly into the body, since it would be hard to quickly equip fifty of said patches. In the games themselves, the PnP flies directly to the character at certain times. Either they apply themselves automatically to the skin, or they are absorbed into ones being.

But overall, an interesting notion that can be further looked into upon.

[Dead Princess Sakana]

Okay, I printed it and read through all of the thread again today. I realized I was already starting to forget some points we discussed at the start, as we have already gotten a good bit of theory down  :V

Thanks for the evolution lines, Naito, I really needed those. I was under the false impression that bishoujo state came after monster, now I see it's the other way round. That clears up a lot of things.
Also nice job clearing up the requirements for becoming a god.

Glad you like the faith part. Actually you implied it yourself already when you stated the history of PNP. You said that the world before the barrier was filled with more magic because people were more 'faithful', so we had the connection there already.
I noticed that when reading through again today  :V

Also Sakana, Suwako isn't really a frog goddess, nor is Kanako a snake goddess. They just picked up those traits along the way, and don't have much to do with their actual powers. They just use it as a symbol. Sun God Ra of Egypt had a bird motive, but he wasn't a bird god. Kanako's and Suwako's true 'titles' are respectively 'Goddess of the Wind' and 'Goddess of the Earth'. Those sound far more powerful than 'Curse Goddess'.

Accepted. I'll rely on you to correct me on such things if they happen again, because it seems you have memorized more of the details about the characters and also seem to have read the mangas. And I will try to use the wiki when in doubt  :V

Adding in something, sanae called the PnP items flying treasure in UFO, amulets with power and point written on them, so maybe, instead of being a consumable drug, they're more like magical nicotine patches? This means there are other methods of getting some PnP than consumption, maybe wearing them, and the dropping is your WORN pnp, while what you don't lose you've compeltely absorbed, leaving the amulets powerless pieces of (fairy flesh maybe?).

Thanks for bringing that to our attention.
Now that is interesting, we should look into that. So there might be other forms of PNP, only recently developed (if they appeared only in UFO). But as we have seen, the UFOs itself are also a new development in the creation/gathering of PNP, so other inventions shouldn't come as a surprise.

Accepting that every PNP item even before UFO is a charm will not work for all of our theory I think, but we can't ignore Sanae's words.
My guess would be that the charms are the form in which PNP is given out by the UFOs. So when a UFO absorbs PNP in its role as an artificial fairy, it compresses it and spreads the drug on a paper charm. That might actually also make the drugs effects stronger, as that was the whole reason UFOs were created: to gather PNP more efficiently.
Those charms can then be worn, but we can't completely dismiss the theory that those might be consumed as well!
There are drugs in the real world that are 'printed' on little paper pieces and then consumed together with the paper (or at least dissovled in the mouth), PNP-charms could work the same way.

[OkashiiKisei]

Thanks for the evolution lines, Naito, I really needed those. I was under the false impression that bishoujo state came after monster, now I see it's the other way round. That clears up a lot of things.
Also nice job clearing up the requirements for becoming a god.

Glad you like the faith part. Actually you implied it yourself already when you stated the history of PNP. You said that the world before the barrier was filled with more magic because people were more 'faithful', so we had the connection there already.
I noticed that when reading through again today  :V

Accepted. I'll rely on you to correct me on such things if they happen again, because it seems you have memorized more of the details about the characters and also seem to have read the mangas. And I will try to use the wiki when in doubt  :V

Well, I did make some slight changes to perfect it a bit more, but nothing too different. These are pretty much the established evolution lines. Perhaps the evolution lines are more likely than we thought. Though a doujin game, the Touhous in Touhoumon do indeed evolve from chibi to bishoujo with enough experience (which could be PNP). I'm glad you appreciate the lines

Guess I slightly forgot about the connection I made with faith and magic earlier Thanks to this, the connection between youkai and gods is slightly greater. It also keeps the gods within the PNP subject.

Well, I haven't read the official manga's yet, but I know most of Touhou Wiki by heart (I have a flawless memory regarding such nerdy things :V). I have also read and watched some fan works, plus quite some of the Perfect Memento entries. What also helped is the large character bio page on TV Tropes, seen here: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Characters/Touhou This might help you to easily study on the characters

Thanks for bringing that to our attention.
Now that is interesting, we should look into that. So there might be other forms of PNP, only recently developed (if they appeared only in UFO). But as we have seen, the UFOs itself are also a new development in the creation/gathering of PNP, so other inventions shouldn't come as a surprise.

Accepting that every PNP item even before UFO is a charm will not work for all of our theory I think, but we can't ignore Sanae's words.
My guess would be that the charms are the form in which PNP is given out by the UFOs. So when a UFO absorbs PNP in its role as an artificial fairy, it compresses it and spreads the drug on a paper charm. That might actually also make the drugs effects stronger, as that was the whole reason UFOs were created: to gather PNP more efficiently.
Those charms can then be worn, but we can't completely dismiss the theory that those might be consumed as well!
There are drugs in the real world that are 'printed' on little paper pieces and then consumed together with the paper (or at least dissovled in the mouth), PNP-charms could work the same way.

I actually assumed PNP took the form of amulets all the time As far as I know, ever since the PC-98 games the PNP look like either red or blue blocks with either a P or a kanji on them (probably meaning 'point'). Sanae just put a lampshade on them for some fourth wall breaking humor. From her point of view, the blocks can be described as amulets. After leaving the fairies or UFO's bodies, the PNP materializes as these amulets, and are then open for absorption. I imagine the 'consumption' of PNP is performed by letting them be diractly absorbed into the body. No eating, no applying to skin. Juust collecting to the magic user and return to energy form before they enter the magic users body through the skin and collecting in the hit box. The only exception was in TH10, but that was faith, which obviously comes in smaller amounts, as we've described earlier.

[OkashiiKisei]

Alright, who put the giant 'WALL OF TEXT' sign on the first post?

[AlexX Unlimited]

Alright, who put the giant 'WALL OF TEXT' sign on the first post?

Judge Yamaxanadredd, according to the edit note. =V

[Alfred F. Jones]

Judge Yamaxanadredd

Sorry, I couldn't resist. :S Carry on.

[mew77]

I actually assumed PNP took the form of amulets all the time As far as I know, ever since the PC-98 games the PNP look like either red or blue blocks with either a P or a kanji on them (probably meaning 'point'). Sanae just put a lampshade on them for some fourth wall breaking humor. From her point of view, the blocks can be described as amulets. After leaving the fairies or UFO's bodies, the PNP materializes as these amulets, and are then open for absorption. I imagine the 'consumption' of PNP is performed by letting them be diractly absorbed into the body. No eating, no applying to skin. Juust collecting to the magic user and return to energy form before they enter the magic users body through the skin and collecting in the hit box. The only exception was in TH10, but that was faith, which obviously comes in smaller amounts, as we've described earlier.

I always assumed as you've said that PNP was absorbed via something similar to osmosis. As for why they are amulets. I just assume that as this is Gensokyo, PNP could be any form that would make no sense in our world, hence little red squares with P written on them. Of course Sanae would have seen it as little squares, because that is what it is. Logically everyone in that world would see PNP as little colored squares that are then magically absorbed.

I think the only thing left to finilize is the role of UFO's. However the artificial fairies idea seems most likely.

My contribution to the UFO theory
http://touhou.wikia.com/wiki/Undefined_Fantastic_Object:_Extra_Story
According to this, only the heroines saw the fragments of the vault as UFO's, everyone else saw the fragments as just flying pieces of wood.
http://touhou.wikia.com/wiki/Undefined_Fantastic_Object:_Marisa_B's_Scenario

The soaring vault it seems was launched up by the geysers in SA, the structure seemingly containing magic that could break the seal around byakuren's prison.

This contradicts the artificial faeries theory that was proposed earlier.

We should find an alternative explanation and complete the PNP theory soon.

[Toasty]

They're flying objects the fairies carry around sometimes.

Bye osmosis theory, bye artificial fairy theory.

[mew77]

So the osmosis theory is out the window as well as the artificial faerie theory...

Any other suggestions?

[Dead Princess Sakana]

I actually assumed PNP took the form of amulets all the time

Oh, ok. I was under the impression we were talking about pills or something, as that was what I used when I started the drug-theory.
I don't have a problem with assuming that PNP takes the form of amulets when it's freed, it makes about as much sense as it turning into pills  :V

Bye osmosis theory, bye artificial fairy theory.

Damnit, it was such a nice theory.
Hm, it is undeniable that the UFOs collect and concentrate PNP from their surrounding. But as they're parts of the soaring vault, they are from a time when PNP didn't exist. We could work our way around this if we assume that the vault had the ability to absorb magic energy (we can guess that because, as Mew stated, it contains large amounts of magical energy) and that ability is also existant in its parts. The question would be why it had that ability, but let's continue:
As PNP is processed magical energy, then it would make sense that the UFOs would still collect it. Btw, we also forgot that the UFOs not only collect PNP, they also give out life and bomb pieces when they get enough PNP! That reinforces our early theory about how extra lifes and bombs stem from PNP as well!

Also we missed some other parts in the UFO-theory, that might be of importance: There are three small UFOs needed to make a big one, that collects PNP and processes it, appear. The small UFOs don't have the same abilities as the big ones. But when a big UFO is destroyed, as we know, it gives out one or two small UFOs again.

As for why small UFOs are carried around by fairies, maybe that isn't too difficult. Small UFOs don't have any other abilities than flying around looking pretty, they have no PNP-collecting or fighting abilities. So even a fairy can catch them. Now when a fairy carries one of those, the little UFO flies around her head, as we know. As fairies are simple beings, maybe they just find the small UFOs around their head pretty, and that's why they carry them around. (Why do I find that image incredibly cute? XD)
Which leads me to another point closely linked to the original point of the thread: While a fairy has a UFO, it appears very small on her, but when it's freed then it gets about as big as a generic fairy itself. We should assume that upon the death of the carrier fairy the UFO absorbs a small part of the fairy's PNP to make itself grow in size (which would mean it does have some small collecting-ability, contrary to what I stated earlier  :V)

Then maybe the other way around, when a fairy catches the UFO, it absorbs that small amount of PNP to make it shrink, which would mean there was some PNP or magic in them from the start (magic would make more sense, as they are parts of the vault). But we could ignore that point because we have never seen a UFO before it was caught by a fairy or a boss, so we don't know what their original size is.

[OkashiiKisei]

Bye osmosis theory, bye artificial fairy theory.

Hey, wait a minute now. Yes, the artificial fairy theory is deader than dead, but the osmosis theory isn't completely dismissed. Just the osmosis that UFO's perform is dismissed. Fairies and magic users could still use absorbtion/osmosis to collect PNP. How do you imagine that fairies and bosses (and obviously the player character) could possibly hold a dozen or more of those things in their hands? They have to be contained in the body. Just because the fairies carry the UFO's/Vault fragments with them doesn't mean they carry the PNP in their hands too. Unless you mean something else with 'osmosis theory'....

Hm, it is undeniable that the UFOs collect and concentrate PNP from their surrounding. But as they're parts of the soaring vault, they are from a time when PNP didn't exist. We could work our way around this if we assume that the vault had the ability to absorb magic energy (we can guess that because, as Mew stated, it contains large amounts of magical energy) and that ability is also existant in its parts. The question would be why it had that ability, but let's continue:
As PNP is processed magical energy, then it would make sense that the UFOs would still collect it. Btw, we also forgot that the UFOs not only collect PNP, they also give out life and bomb pieces when they get enough PNP! That reinforces our early theory about how extra lifes and bombs stem from PNP as well!

Also we missed some other parts in the UFO-theory, that might be of importance: There are three small UFOs needed to make a big one, that collects PNP and processes it, appear. The small UFOs don't have the same abilities as the big ones. But when a big UFO is destroyed, as we know, it gives out one or two small UFOs again.

As for why small UFOs are carried around by fairies, maybe that isn't too difficult. Small UFOs don't have any other abilities than flying around looking pretty, they have no PNP-collecting or fighting abilities. So even a fairy can catch them. Now when a fairy carries one of those, the little UFO flies around her head, as we know. As fairies are simple beings, maybe they just find the small UFOs around their head pretty, and that's why they carry them around. (Why do I find that image incredibly cute? XD)
Which leads me to another point closely linked to the original point of the thread: While a fairy has a UFO, it appears very small on her, but when it's freed then it gets about as big as a generic fairy itself. We should assume that upon the death of the carrier fairy the UFO absorbs a small part of the fairy's PNP to make itself grow in size (which would mean it does have some small collecting-ability, contrary to what I stated earlier  :V)

Then maybe the other way around, when a fairy catches the UFO, it absorbs that small amount of PNP to make it shrink, which would mean there was some PNP or magic in them from the start (magic would make more sense, as they are parts of the vault). But we could ignore that point because we have never seen a UFO before it was caught by a fairy or a boss, so we don't know what their original size is.

I think the Soaring Vault (and thus the fragments/UFO's) needs to absorb magic to sustain it's flying ability. Other vehicles need fuel too, right? Also, on the PNP/bombs/lives in UFO's thing, I think the actual atmospere in Gensokyo automatically solidifies large concentrations of magic into PNP. The magic in the fragments are upon release processed into PNP and other items.

Regarding the big UFO's, I think the big UFO's are just clusters of vault fragments. Nue's illusion then makes it look like one big UFO. Perhaps the fragments all possess a certain gravitational effect, in hope of reassembling itself back to it's complete state. This also explains why they cling to fairies: they are orbiting around the fairies, since they possess similiar abilities as them. The fairies, being Gensokyo's batteries, automatically start absorbing magic from the orbiting fragments, making them shrink. Upon defeat of the fairy, the magic she absorbed from the UFO's is released and returned into the fragments, making the UFO's grow again.
About the question why 'three UFO's go in, two come out', I think when Big UFO's/Fragment Clusters are destroyed, a part of the fragments is completely obliterated, while the rest is scattered. Nue's illusion makes it appear like two UFO's are spawned from a big UFO that was originally comprised of three UFO's.

[Dead Princess Sakana]

I think the Soaring Vault (and thus the fragments/UFO's) needs to absorb magic to sustain it's flying ability. Other vehicles need fuel too, right?

You're right. That is the most logical and easiest explanation.

Also, on the PNP/bombs/lives in UFO's thing, I think the actual atmospere in Gensokyo automatically solidifies large concentrations of magic into PNP. The magic in the fragments are upon release processed into PNP and other items.

Could you explain that a bit more and make some examples please? I'm not sure wether I understand it completely yet.

[OkashiiKisei]

Could you explain that a bit more and make some examples please? I'm not sure wether I understand it completely yet.

Well, like I said, magic is currently in very small amounts, and can only be processed into usable amounts by fairies and F.O.E.'s. When they collect magic, it builds up in their bodies, creating amounts of magic that can be absorbed by magic users, the PNP. But when in the body of a being, it's pure magic. Yet, once released, the magic power solidifies into the PNP amulets. Thus, I assume that once released, concentrations of magic (the PNP) solidify into amulets thanks to the very aura, or atmosphere, of Gensokyo. These solidified forms keep the magic contained within in one place, without it dispercing again. Youkai can then absorb the PNP amulets again, turning it back into magic energy. Youkai are only able to get energy from these larger amounts of magic, unable to process the very thin layer of magic within Gensokyo themselves. It would be quite uncomfortable for fairies if the PNP took solid form inside they're bodies. It would be like an extreme case of constipation.....
This might be the same for the UFO's/fragments. They also absorb magic into large amounts. Once destroyed, these large concentrations of magic also solidify into PNP amulets, just like the fairies.
What I am trying to say is that a force in Gensokyo's air or atmosphere is making these concentrations solidify into PNP for use by larger youkai.

Example: Here we have a fairy. She's happily playing around, while absorbing magic from her surroundings. The magic builds up in her body, making her grow a bit. Along comes a big mean ol' youkai. She sees the fairy is 'ripe' judging from the size of the fairy. The youkai pops the fairy, to collect the PNP inside the it. The concentrated magic within the fairy is released, and because of the mysterious force in Gensokyo, it takes solid form into an PNP amulet. The youkai then arbsorbs the amulet within her body, increasing her strength. The amulet flies foward the youkai's body, and disperses into magic again just before hitting the skin. Said magic then enters the skin and joins the PNP inside the youkai's hit box.
Then the youkai notices a UFO/Vault Fragment.The youkai senses that the fragment is absorbing magic too to fuel itself, even more than the fairy! The youkai takes her chance and wrecks the fragment, releasing the built up magic inside. And once again, the 'Force of Gensokyo' makes the magic solidify into PNP, and once again the youkai throws it down the hatch.
This solidifying of PNP can be compared to certain kinds of molecules. Small amounts are 'gaseous', large amounts are 'solid' outside of bodies. The solid pieces are disolved inside the bodies of youkai, like putting certain kinds of solid substances in water.
I hope this clears it up a bit. If you still can't follow it, I will try to make a clearer example. Perhaps this example is a bit to chaotic....

[Dead Princess Sakana]

Alright, now I get it. I was confused about the atmosphere part before, but now it's all clear.

Also, your example is rather nice. I like the idea of youkai judging wether a fairy is 'ripe' by their size.
Though I start to feel pity for the fairies, as so many of them are killed just to satisfy other beings need for drugs. I never cared for those little critters much before, shooting them down one after another, but after discussing their tragic fate so much...... (;_;)

[OkashiiKisei]

Also, your example is rather nice. I like the idea of youkai judging wether a fairy is 'ripe' by their size.
Though I start to feel pity for the fairies, as so many of them are killed just to satisfy other beings need for drugs. I never cared for those little critters much before, shooting them down one after another, but after discussing their tragic fate so much...... (;_;)

There, there, Sakana. They regenerate every time. You don't need to worry about them. They'll be frolicking around again in no time. (Perhaps using the term 'pop' to describe defeating them was a bit too harsh)

[Dead Princess Sakana]

There, there, Sakana. They regenerate every time. You don't need to worry about them. They'll be frolicking around again in no time.

Eeehhh.... they regenerate? Well, in that case..... GAHAHAHAHA *goes back to shooting helpless fairies*  :V


On Topic: It seems we've gotten to the point where our theory covers pretty much all the important aspects. As for me I don't have any more ideas concerning PNP, and I don't see any open questions left (some details could maybe be flexed out, but no major points).
How do you see it, Naito, Mew?

If we agree that we're good for the moment, I'd happily volunteer to try and write all of the theory up into one article.

[Seian Verian]

Didn't part of this theory say that the player characters become more resistant to PNP's power increasing effects over time, to explain the low power increase you get in UFO for each item? But how does that fit with the fact that in EoSD, PCB, and IN, you need 128 power items to reach full power, while in MoF, you need 100, and in SA, you need 80? :V Or that large power items in later games are worth an entire power level, while in early games, they were merely worth ten items? Also, how do you explain the little "options" that appear when you have more power? 

Just to give you more to discuss

[Dead Princess Sakana]

Okay, more points to go. Thanks Drake.

I'll take an easy one for now:The options
It's funny we didn't think about those before, because they actually fit in pretty well. We wondered why the player character didn't grow when taking in PNP and exerting power like the bosses do, and we agreed that it could be because they use power to get through the stages and concentrate so they don't grow.
But with the options, we can make it even easier: Once the player has taken in enough PNP they concentrate the power they have gained from it and manifest it outside of their bodies in the form of options. That way the players keep themselves both from growing, and from gathering too much PNP directly in their bodies, which might lead to overdosing and mutation or death. That would also explain why most bosses don't have options (I don't count IN familiars as options): Because they keep all of the power within themselves.

Also, I just realized another thing in PNP: A large concentration of PNP has the ability to attract other PNP. That is why Max Power allows the player to collect all PNP on the screen by crossing the POC.
There are differences between games as we know, but if I'm not mistaken there is a clear trend: First you could only use POC on Max Power, in IN you could use the POC when focused, and in MoF you could use it even without focusing.
There are two ways to interprete this:

1) With their growing experience with the drug, the characters have learned how to concentrate it in their body so that the collection effect is activated even with less taken PNP. But that's boring, so how about...

2) PNP doesn't completely disappear from the body after the fights. Also the characters continue to take it even when there're no incidents because of addiction. That means that after every game, the amount of PNP left in the main characters bodies grows a bit. In IN it had grown enough so that a little concentrating (read: focusing) could activate POC. When the MoF incidents started the characters already had a high enough concentration of PNP in their bodies to activate POC from the start.

That would mean that by the time MoF started the basic amount of PNP that is always in the main characters bodies equals the amount they had when on Max Power in EoSD! Shocking!!!

As for why ReimuB in SA can collect PNP even below the POC, that fits in as well: She uses the power of one who is drugged all the time anyway, namely Suika, and thus amplifies the colecting power of her own PNP.
You can also explain the IN Magic Team's collecting no-focus-collecting ability that way: Marisa is double drugged with shrooms and PNP from the start.

As for the questions of why different amounts of PNP are needed in different games just one thought for now: Do we have to assume that a single PNP always carries the same amount of magic power in every game, or could it not just be different levels of concentration in the PNP in the different games?

[mew77]

You know when I suggested we create this guidebook I did not expect such enthusiasm from you guys.

Anyway, just as the PNP theory seemed solid, you guys came up with ways to make it rock solid.

All that's stated seems logical

Okay, more points to go. Thanks Drake.

Also, I just realized another thing in PNP: A large concentration of PNP has the ability to attract other PNP. That is why Max Power allows the player to collect all PNP on the screen by crossing the POC.
There are differences between games as we know, but if I'm not mistaken there is a clear trend: First you could only use POC on Max Power, in IN you could use the POC when focused, and in MoF you could use it even without focusing.
There are two ways to interprete this:

1) With their growing experience with the drug, the characters have learned how to concentrate it in their body so that the collection effect is activated even with less taken PNP. But that's boring, so how about...

2) PNP doesn't completely disappear from the body after the fights. Also the characters continue to take it even when there're no incidents because of addiction. That means that after every game, the amount of PNP left in the main characters bodies grows a bit. In IN it had grown enough so that a little concentrating (read: focusing) could activate POC. When the MoF incidents started the characters already had a high enough concentration of PNP in their bodies to activate POC from the start.

That would mean that by the time MoF started the basic amount of PNP that is always in the main characters bodies equals the amount they had when on Max Power in EoSD! Shocking!!!

As for why ReimuB in SA can collect PNP even below the POC, that fits in as well: She uses the power of one who is drugged all the time anyway, namely Suika, and thus amplifies the colecting power of her own PNP.
You can also explain the IN Magic Team's collecting no-focus-collecting ability that way: Marisa is double drugged with shrooms and PNP from the start.

As for the questions of why different amounts of PNP are needed in different games just one thought for now: Do we have to assume that a single PNP always carries the same amount of magic power in every game, or could it not just be different levels of concentration in the PNP in the different games?

Although I feel that the second theory about POCing really elevates the drug addiction problem through the roof, or in this case the sky. I find it scary that in UFO and SA, the characters are all junkies and constantly high on the stuff. For that reason I support the first theory. Although it is an interesting idea.

Then one last thing...does PNP have any ill effects on the users...I really can't call it a drug addiction anymore because it seems that it doesn't cause dependency or withdrawal symptoms.

Your explanation of ReimuB is good though.

On your last point, Power items seem variable in the games. Point items as well. Just look at the game mechanics, point items can increase in value over the course of a game. I'm too lazy to find out the formulas right now. Power items are consistent within games ,but between games is just as mutable.

[Dead Princess Sakana]

You know when I suggested we create this guidebook I did not expect such enthusiasm from you guys.

I can show surprising enthusiasm when I find something fun, and that here is such a case.
Now if only I could get the same amount of motivation in real life all the time :V

Then one last thing...does PNP have any ill effects on the users...I really can't call it a drug addiction anymore because it seems that it doesn't cause dependency or withdrawal symptoms.

Good question. We never really thought about withdrawal effects, even though we defined the drug as addictive. Regarding the evolution lines I would say that for beings that evolve on PNP withdrawal would result in returning to their lesser forms. But as to what would happen to humans (or magicians) that is yet open. i would have taken the symptoms of withdrawal that appear in real life too as a basis, but if you have any other ideas, everything is welcome.

[mew77]

Perhaps it is not as addictive as we once thought?

Perhaps it gives a magical high, so characters enjoy it ,but it does not cause a true chemical addiction. Think of it like how touhou addiction starts...

You try it then you enjoy it and finally you enjoy it that you send all of your time on it. It is not a true chemical dependency.

PNP addiction is the same.

[Dead Princess Sakana]

Hm, possible. I would like to wait for Naito's opinion on this and then we can try to make a judgement on the intensity and effects of the addiction.

[mew77]

Sure why not...

But keep what I've said in mind

[Dead Princess Sakana]

Sure why not...

But keep what I've said in mind

I do. And I think we will probably agree on light addiction/ a feeling of being high, as you described it, in the end. As funny as I would find a hard additcion theory, it hardly seems possible. Many characters seem to 'normal' (for the standards of a fantasy world) to be massive drug addicts. I doubt Reimu would go into a spasm if she were not able to fight for a few days (and get PNP in the process), and I also can hardly imagine her hunting fairies like mad because she needs PNP (though the image is amusing).
But I can imagine her being the first to jump into every incident involving youkai or other PNP-consuming beings with the expectation of getting a nice high on all the drugs she's gonna collect.

[OkashiiKisei]

Wow, you guys have been busy while I was gone. All of it is great work tough!
Sakana, your recent contribution is genius. It explains so much! Wonderful answers!
Sorry, Mew77, but I'm with Sakana on notion 2 regarding the POC factor. It also explains how Reimu and Marisa are steadily growing stronger: more PNP is being contained in their bodies. Reimu has recently obtained the power to call upon the gods, and even before that she learned to turn invincible and to fly on her own! They also have more abilities and powers with each following fighting game.
But most importantly, they are able to take on greater adversaries every game! Not counting the PC-98 games, the girls faced a pair of vampires, followed by a ghost, and then a powerful demon. After that they've beaten two immortals, the local equivalents of Charon and Osiris, and FIVE Gods. And recently they've beaten an angel, a walking, talking nuke and a 4000 year old messianic sorceress! As you can clearly see, the girls are being faced with greater threats every time, and yet they act like their current enemies aren't really that much more dangerous than the Big Bads before that. The girls are getting stronger and stronger!

Regarding the effects of the drug and it's addictiveness, I think they aren't really like normal drugs. They don't cause a real high, just slight delusions of grandeur. They resemble steroids more than anything, since they both function to power the person up, not to give them a pleasurable feeling (atleast not directly). Not sure if the PNP itself is biologically addictive, but I can sure bet the power that comes with it defiantly is!(mentally then, not biologically) Especially Marisa shows traits of thirst for power.
Like Sakana stated, youkai return to lesser forms when they withdrawal. But the games have clearly shown signs of withdrawal in the human girls:

Sign One: Reimu's sickenly yellow skin color she has in MoF. Tough seen as a coloring failure by ZUN, it might have more meaning to it. According to the Gensokyo timeline on Touhou Wiki, there is a two year gap between PoFV and MoF. In between this time, without any incidents, Reimu hardly had any possibilities to hunt youkai, and thus gather PNP. In that time, she had a extreme shortage of PNP. Because her body has become addicted to PNP, it started to attain an unhealthy skin color from lack of PNP, resembling going cold turkey in real life.

Sign Two: Sakuya's bust size. Like we have concluded, gathering alot of PNP in a short amount of time let's the body grow. Youkai even go from childlike to mature with enough PNP. Meanwhile Sakuya's cup size differs vastly between games, being flat in 6, 7, 8 and 9, but sporting cleavage in the fighting games. Tough the fans have explained this with the notion that she wears pads, maybe the body growth resulting from PNP consumption is the true culprit. Sakuya may be human, but the PNP could still have some youkai like side effects on humans. Think about it. Before 7.5 came along, she had enough time in 6 and 7 to collect large amounts of PNP, and she uses knifes, not magic bullets, so she doesn't use up even near as much energy as Reimu and Marisa. The PNP started to build up in her body, and as a rather comical side effect, it mainly collected in her breasts. This resulted in her noticeable bust in the fighting games. During the fighting games she got beaten up so hard she lost her PNP making her lose her cup size. During 8, 9 and 10 she had more than enough time again to collect more PNP to build up her bust for 10.5 and 12.3.

Sign Three: Character ageing. Though many years have passed in between the games, ZUN himself stated that Reimu and Marisa are still 16 years old. They should be twenty according to the timeline, yet they are still mid-teens. Perhaps the PNP is having youkai side effects on them too, and it is starting to slow or even stop their ageing?

I can show surprising enthusiasm when I find something fun, and that here is such a case.
Now if only I could get the same amount of motivation in real life all the time :V

Same problem here :V

[Dead Princess Sakana]

Wow, you guys have been busy while I was gone. All of it is great work tough!
Sakana, your recent contribution is genius. It explains so much! Wonderful answers!
Sorry, Mew77, but I'm with Sakana on notion 2 regarding the POC factor.

Gahahahaha! Thank you, thank you! I'm having a lot of fun with this  :V
And looking at all we got until now, we're all working together really nicely.

Nice to see you could even fit the PC-98 games into that, that strengthens our theory a lot. Also good job on figuring out the development of strength in the bosses, I didn't notice that.

As to the drug, thirst for power is what we should go with as a mental effect. It fits well.

And as for the withdrawal effects: 
You are a genius!
I never would have thought they were to be found in the games themselves. It all makes sense now! And it was thrown right into our faces all the time!