Spark Enhancer

"Father, I swear to you, I will do everything in my power to develop a means that will free us from the yoke and oppression of the Layini."

Talu Isangi - Fire Medicine Doctor 3,283 BEC -

Male Layikani have very few fire marks on their necks and temples. As a result, either the mark does not sparkle after the neurotoxin from the Ngiki alga is injected, or the reaction is less strong, so that the symbiont dies when it tries to penetrate the Layikani's body below the male collarbone.

While the lack of reaction to the fire marks is still the harmless variant and the man only suffers mild and short-lasting symptoms of paralysis on his face, the second variant, if lucky, leads to immediate death. In the worst case, the failed symbiosis leads to degenerative nerve damage and vegetative state.

Over the millennia, there were mostly male doctors, scientists or alchemists who have attempted to develop technologies to enhance the fire mark or spark reaction and mitigate and heal nerve damage, or who have explored other ways to fully utilize fire magic.

Origin of the matriarchy on Layida

On Layida, only women can enter into a successful symbiosis with spark animals. Only this symbiosis enabled access to the full use of fire magic and led to the Layini and women being placed first in the Layidian hierarchy.

Preservation of power?

Conspiracy theorists claim that a body was formed from members of the governments of the five Fire countries to uphold the role of women and govern the entire continent. This may be the reason why no man has ever succeeded in creating a spark symbiosis, although many scientists and men have tried to develop corresponding technologies since the discovery of symbiosis.

Some scientists have died under mysterious circumstances, some have died during self-experiments or fallen into a vegetative state, and some have disappeared forever.

In case you're wondering what happened to their records? Well, maybe they were destroyed. Or perhaps they are kept in the secret archives of Layida's largest library. For this reason, much research today takes place in the strictest secrecy.

In addition, there is the “Law for the Regulation of Fire Magic Research (MResL for short)”, which serves to monitor all developments in this area and through which violations can be punished.

Technologies

The main research field of many Layikani is the development of preparations that stimulate the production of fire pigments in the nevus cells of male skin. This includes all kinds of vaccines, tinctures and pills.

Some researchers are trying to manipulate the genetic makeup of male embryos or fetuses in the womb. However, in most cases this leads to rejection of the unborn child and miscarriages or serious disabilities.

Another field of research is the genetic modification of spark animals and Ngiki algae in order to influence the symbiosis in this way.

Fire Vaccine Pistol by Blue Fairy 74 via Midjourney

Nevus cell by Blue Fairy 74 via Midjourney

Sanatorium of St. Ngalu by Blue Fairy 74 via Midjourney

In addition, many doctors are developing methods to heal or alleviate failed symbioses. These include pain-regulating medications, special therapy methods or the development of special operations to prevent the dead spark animal from being absorbed into the body. Many men are cared for in special sanatoriums, but these are usually in catastrophic conditions, as many Layini see a failed symbiosis as a punishment from the Triune Sun Goddess.

There have also been several attempts to gain the ability to use fire magic in other ways. However, since only women with a future as a Layini have access to the school of fire magic and the largest library on Layida, this path is particularly lengthy and offers the lowest chance of success so far.

Fire alchemist's laboratory by Blue Fairy 74 via Midjourney

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In response to the Collab chapter challenge: Secret prompts Oct 2023

Write about technologies the countries or any organisation(s) try to forbid which could or have potential to threaten the stability of themselves.