Category: Technology

LORE24 ENTRY #20 – Seal-Tech

Category – Technology

Amongst the most controversial and feared arca-tech (arcane technology) in the known galaxy is Seal-Tech, unique to the dark elves, its secrets fiercely protected behind walls of secrecy.  Used primarily in the dark elf-controlled prison system (a lucrative business in its own right given their successful business model), on its surface, Seal-Tech is used as a means of controlling the prisoner population.  At first glance, one could assume that Seal-Tech was simply an advanced form of latex, typically seen in the form of a skin-tight bodysuit prisoners are placed within, sometimes with attached restraints, and able to be recolored at a signal from a controller to indicate various statuses of the wearer, even report back on their general state of health.  It is known to be much more durable than standard latex, and generally is reasoned to be used because nothing could be hidden on a person wearing it.

Below the surface, however, Seal-Tech is much more advanced and insidious.  Having gone through multiple advances over the centuries, Seal-Tech, while indeed latex at its core, is far more than a simple rubber compound.  The reason behind the name is primarily from the most powerful of the material’s abilities, namely the ability to seal away the magic of those wearing it, completely blocking the ability of arcanists and even divine or druidic casters from casting their spells.  The ability of the material to reshape itself on command also makes it perfect for immobilizing hostile prisoners and limiting their ability to cause trouble or even use basic implements, able to form a variety of restraint devices (straps, cuffs, mittens, gags, an inescapable sack to immobilize the wearer, and more).  In the most recent iterations of the technology, the dark elves have managed to incorporate a life-sustaining magic into the mix, which serves to keep a prisoner wearing the suit nourished without the need for actual food (though once their sentence is complete and the suits removed, they are ravenously hungry and must eat immediately), as well as self-cleaning functions so that the suits never have to be removed.

The truly nefarious nature of Seal-Tech is tied to its near-indestructability; once a person has been placed within a suit of Seal-Tech, they cannot remove it.  If the suit is damaged, even with cold, fire, or other means, to the point of being completely burned away, somehow, the Seal-Tech will regrow and reform itself in a matter of minutes (older iterations of the technology took much longer to reform itself, hours or days).  Though outwardly able to affected by magic, it is highly resistant to magical analysis, and the nature of its legendary resilience has yet to be determined, though many arcanists surmise that it is tied to a very advanced form of curse magic.  Others have theorized that Seal-Tech is somehow related to the dark elves’ patron goddess Yurisaya, as her faithful followers often make use of the material for their own purposes, and are known to work closely with the prison system to provide care, discipline, and spiritual guidance to prisoners.

 

LORE24 ENTRY #15 – Cybernetics

Category – Technology

Though true cybernetics are a modern develop, there are many recorded instances, and surviving artifacts, from the ancient times where limbs had been replaced with magical, artificial replacements, assuming limbs couldn’t be magically regenerated.  However, in the modern era, with most lacking the power, or faith, for such a feat, cybernetics have been developed as a viable and safe option to replace lost limbs and organs.  In most cases, the replacement functions exactly as the original, having been built to the exact specifications to suit the user.  Generally such replacements only require occasional tune-ups and recharging of their power cells.

In recent years, however, there has been a growing evolution of cybernetics, as information has slowly leaked from within the well-protected walls of various companies who have dedicated themselves to advancing the technology with a mind to increasing effectiveness and lifespans of soldiers.  These advanced cybernetics can enhance their users, increasing physical ability, awareness, and ability to interface with technology through varying degrees.  There have even been a few instances that have leaked involving cybernetic weaponry, such as blades or even projectile weapons, hidden within artificial limbs that have led to a growing fear of “cyborg assassins” coming after a corporate rival.

There is a growing subculture outside the corporate-controlled territories, stemming mostly from Sentinel Prime, where cybernetics are being installed when no replacements are needed, simply to enhance the individual.  These are not always as subtle or as refined in nature as those from a corporate source, and not with nearly as high of a safety record, but the fact that such things are now possible is a potential game-changer as the technology is further refined and improved, though there are plenty who have spoken quite vocally against such “abominations” and “defilement” of the natural form.

However, cybernetics have yet to become a cure-all for everyone.  Certain genetic factors, severe damage due to radiation, or other anomalous issues with a person can prevent the use of cybernetics as their body simply rejects the implants.  Further damage to the body can result from such situations unless the implants are removed in a timely manner.  In these cases, only magical means may fix the person, though these are usually even more expensive, and much more difficult to source, than cybernetic replacements.  There are early-phase trials in place regarding specialized replacements based upon individually bioengineered cybernetics tailored to a recipient’s DNA, but currently there is little to show for it. 

 

Lore24 Entry #1 – TK Drives

Category – Technology

The TK Drive is the standard use method by which starships traverse the galaxy, in use for over two thousand years.  Though some of the history of the development of this technology is in doubt due to conflicting sources, the most commonly accepted version is that the original concept for the drives was developed by a kerryn scientist by the name of Tonzura Koite, upon the world of Arcavarlon, during a time of great global upheaval following a long period of waning magic and rising tensions over limited resources.  

The TK drives would eventually lead to a wave of expansion into the depths of the galaxy, allowing the people of the Arcavarlon system to move beyond their own solar system for the first time in a way that wouldn’t require generation ships or lost spells to travel to other planes of existence.  The early days of travel were wrought with danger as the navigation systems for hyperspace travel were further refined, but after the first few decades, the galaxy was well and truly open…aside from the massive area known as the “Demon Sector”, which could not be entered via realspace or hyperspace.

The current iteration of the TK drive manipulates space, allowing the ship it is mounted upon to enter an area of hyperspace between two points in known space, traversing the corridor, and coming out on the other end in a fraction of the time it would take using regular propulsion.  There are different speed ratings for the drives, the higher the number, the less time it takes to reach your destination (for example:  to travel between two particular systems, a TK-1 Drive could take about 170 hours, whereas a TK-3 TK Drive would take about 57 hours).  Generally the larger the ship, the slower the drive, though this isn’t always the case, especially where military and corporate interests are concerned.  

The TK Drives create their own gravity fields when they are active, and thanks to advances in the technology, this feature has been fine-tuned to allow for artificial gravity aboard ships equipped with the drives.  As a consequence of this factor of the drives’ function, however, they cannot function to open a hyperspace tunnel inside strong gravity wells, such as those produced by a planet.  This means that ships will need to depart the gravity of a planet before engaging the drive to enter hyperspace, and conversely, a ship can be brought out of hyperspace by the unexpected appearance of a strong gravity well in realspace in the area of the hyperspace tunnel they’re traversing.