Ether Technology
Origins and Development
Nearly two hundred years ago a mining company stumbled upon a cavern filled with strange glowing crystals. These would eventually become known as Ether Crystals. A crystal that can store large amounts of magical energy based on its size and clarity.
This cavern was discovered deep within the Wulfetier Circlet, a series of mountains surrounding the Crown City of Elric in the Empire of Aldelgis. These mountains had been mined for countless generations by the miners of Aldelgis.
Yet somehow this was the first time they had seen this strange material. The company would mark the location and bring home a selection of the crystals for study upon their return. The mages and engineers of Elric loved to study new things like this and would jump on the chance to do so.
What these miners did not realize these Ether Crystals is that they would forever change Aldelgis and how they are viewed in the world.
When the mages and engineers finally got their hands on the crystals they were mystified. They discovered quite quickly there ability to store magical energies. Though they could not figure out how to infuse energy into them, nor how to harness them afterwards. Whatever magic that currently laid within them was naturally collected, slowly, as they sat deep underground. Only being released when the crystal was cracked open. This was particularly problematic during research as the volatile material regularly exploded if damaged.
It would take nearly a decade for a breakthrough to arrive and for the crystals full potential to be realized and harnessed. The individual that finally made this breakthrough was Ortwin Helferich, an experienced mage and accomplished engineer. Helferich and their team would develop the first Ether Channeller, a device used to imbue Ether Crystals with additional magical energies.
They discovered that the crystals could hold far more energy than initially imagined. Eventually, Helferich’s team would begin developing new technologies that we're able to harness the energies of the crystals. The first invention was the humble Ether Lanterns that illuminate the streets of the capital. A simple tool, but one that awed the citizens and royals of The Crown City of Elric.
When the Emperor heard word of these developments he instructed the formation of more research teams. Each told to develop new technologies and weaponry that would give the Aldelgis armies advantage in combat. The Emperor sought to better defend his borders and send a message to the world. If you come with your armies, we will strike you down with a snap of our fingers.
Over the next two centuries, and under the watchful eye of the Emperor and his successors, these research teams would grow into a huge force of intellectuals, mages, military personnel, and more. All tasked with the development, training, use, and protection of Ether Technologies. An entire level of Elric is now overrun with facilities, research centers, and a huge school dedicated to Ether education, called Ayer College. All specializing in Ether related studies and research.
To this day new Ether Technologies are being developed in order to further increase the military might of the Empire of Aldelgis. Unfortunately, very few technologies have been developed to help the common citizen with their daily lives. This is not a secret to the population and many have begun to speak louder about their displeasure over this.
Accessibility
Most common folk do not have access to Ether Technologies, especially outside of the larger cities. Though the cities like The Crown City of Elric and Leonhard have Ether Lanterns hanging across city streets. If a family were to possess any Ether Technologies it would be considered their prized possession and closely guarded.
Part of this is due to the extreme expense and complexity of the technology. Each piece is highly complicated and takes several highly educated people to construct. Even the simple Ether Lantern can take up a week to build, and this is after many years of development and honing of the process. Owning even a single Ether Lantern can cost as much as or more than a single common families yearly income.
Between this and the nations focus on military development most Ether Technologies are in the hands of the military. Even still, only those of higher rank are trusted with this weaponry. As if it is placed in the hands of someone inexperienced they could potentially cause great harm to themselves and to others. Or worse, lose an important piece of weaponry to an enemy.
Combat and military-related technologies are strictly for the use of the army and those outside the army must have express written permission in order to own and use Ether Technologies.
Trespassers from nations outside of Aldelgis are strictly prohibited from using any Ether Technology. If anyone is found in possession of one of these items they will be arrested and all Ether related items will be confiscated immediately.
Examples of Ether Technologies
Ether Lantern - a lantern, of varying size, that is illuminated from within using the powered energies of an Ether Crystal. The lanterns seem to burn brightly almost indefinitely.
Volthammer Rifle - An advanced projectile weapon currently going through field testing in the Aldelgis military. This weapon uses specially developed Ether Crystal rods to fire concentrated beams of energy at unfortunate targets. It is a devastating weapon but is incredibly volatile and prone to backfiring
Ether Guard - a small clasp with a tiny slot where an Ether Crystal can be inserted. This guard is placed upon any item it will fit around, granting it one of many magical imbuements. It is a high sign of nobility and status if one is seen with an Ether Guard on their weapon of choice.
Vanguard Armour - Large sets of armour, roughly twice the size of a normal set of full plate. Highly trained pilots sit in customized control chassis from within the cramped armour. They are huge hulking brutes and have the ability to cause severe damage in combat.
Manufacturing and Education
Due to its complexity, most Ether Technologies are expensive and very time-consuming to craft. Even a single Ether Lantern takes up to a week's worth of work by an expert engineer in order to create. Most military items take far longer, with the average armour taking months or years to develop and finish.
On average anyone who is involved in the development or manufacturing of these items and weapons spend years being educated before they are allowed to ever touch an Ether Crystal. All workers and researchers are trained and educated within the walls of Ayer College, an ancient foundation of the Crown City of Elric.
However, once they are educated enough to begin their work, they are placed within large teams of developers and workers that spend huge amounts of time and resources creating new and improving upon old Ether Technologies.
This goes the same for using or piloting any Ether related weapons or tools. Those that use these weapons are strictly a part of the Aldelgis military forces, no one outside of this group may use this technology. Most soldiers spend years in the army before they are trusted enough to wield these items.
For an item such as the Ether Armour, extensive training must be conducted before a pilot is allowed to use one outside of the training facilities. The armours are only able to be piloted by those who understand their inner workings and mechanisms. As such, many of the pilots learn how to build a set of Ether Armour by the time their training is done. This is an advantage in case anything goes wrong on the battlefield and the pilot must conduct emergency repairs.
Impact
Ether Technology has changed Aldelgis tremendously, both internally and with how it is viewed by outsiders. Internally, the growth of this technology has changed the path of the country. Going from a country struggling to find a way to protect its borders to a military juggernaut armed with advanced weaponry. Citizens of Aldelgis are widely unaffected by this technology other than a few small comforts. This is because the technology is not easily accessible to them, and what items are available are incredibly expensive. The governments focus on military weaponry has not been lost on the common citizen, with many beginning to become displeased with countries direction. Some have even begun to form groups that speak negatively about the government, calling for heavy reform within the palace in Elric.
As well, there has been a huge focus on citizens entering higher education, in the attempts to find work related to Ether Technology. These jobs are highly paid and respected. As such thousands of people attempt to gain enrolment into Ayer College, which aims to train new professionals in Ether Technology. While the number of needed technicians, pilots, and researchers has increased the number of applications to the college far exceed its capacity.
As well, since the military is the primary holders of this technology their might has increased a thousandfold. With even a single soldier equipped with Ether weaponry being far more powerful than the average soldiers of the nearest neighbouring nations. Select knights and soldiers have access to weaponry that can cause huge damage with little effort, though it takes many months and years of training in order to use any of these tools efficiently. And if the weapons are mishandled they can easily backfire and harm the wielder seriously.
Because of this huge increase in power, other nations now view The Empire of Aldelgis as a superpower and dare not oppose it. As such they haven’t been attacked by another nation in many years. Any small skirmish by independent and naive parties have been snuffed out with extreme force and little effort. Other nations pray that Aldelgis continues its hermit ways and does not decide to take over any new territories as they would likely spend little effort or time in taking whatever they wanted.
Though this has also had the unfortunate effect of potential allies wanting nothing to do with the empire and they have no current allies. Many nations are, in fact, scrambling to find ways to counteract this powerful technology. In the fears that any potential attack from Aldelgis, would lead to absolute destruction. And even though this potential attack is just a hypothetical, many nations continue to distrust and fear Aldelgis.
This is a work in progress. More to come!
Summary
Ether Technology is a broad range of items and weaponry being developed in the Empire of Aldelgis. These incredible tools are magically powered using the mysterious Ether Crystals that are mined in the Wulfetier Circlet mountains.
Many wondrous and often deadly creations have been developed by this powerhouse nation. From the undying light of the Ether Lantern to the sickening crackling of Volkhammer Rifles ripping apart anything they are aimed at.
Ether Technology has pushed the Empire of Aldelgis into a powerful and feared position in the world. And they have no intention of stopping any time soon.
Related Articles
Comments