The Idiari Postal Network

Because the number of properly-trained mages entering the workforce each year number in the double digits, magitech, while possible, is largely limited to large-scale government construction projects. The one with the greatest impact on the day-to-day lives of the citizens is the Idiari postal network. The network consists of a great many long pipes (cannula) treated on the inside with a magical conduit, allowing letters to be transported from one side of the cannula to the other almost instantaneously. The conduit material is surrounded by a casing of nulletite. The nulletite is protected by an arrangement of steel plates shaped like interlocking scales. These scales interlock in a way which makes them very difficult to remove by force, the sequence to remove them is learned by most mages. Cannula run underground. Closer to the capital city, they can come in dense networks; part of the system's original construction was for, at minimum, a cannula to each of the three nearest towns as well as one leading directly to the capital. However, with Idiair's colonial expansion, this protocol was abandoned, and remote colonial towns usually have only one cannula, frequently connected in series with other small towns, eventually leading to nearest major node. Only one proper "node" with a direct line to the capital exists outside of Idiari's original territory. Letters at a postal office are collected throughout the working day and sorted based on destination. At the end of each working day, the cannula are opened and the letters are sent. The destination determines the series of offices to which a letter must be sent before arriving at its eventual destination, a network which all post carriers eventually learn by heart. Leaving the cannula open constantly would waste an enormous amount of energy, and the crystal batteries would need to be replaced frequently. By only opening them for roughly an hour a day, they only need to be replaced once every 1-2 years, depending on traffic. Priority messages can be sent immediately, but only certified healers and high-level government officials have the authority to do so. Learning the basic workings of the cannula is standard to the mage academy curriculum, and graduate mages are the only ones considered qualify to service and repair the cannula. Rupturing a cannula is extremely hazardous, and doing so to an enemy nation is thus considered a war crime. While a properly-functioning cannula is shut off most of the time, a rupture spews magical radiation uncontrollably. Despite this, since it is technically possible to intercept a cannula, other means are usually used to send highly classified information. Cannula can only be used to transport small, lightweight objects and materials and are therefore largely limited to sending letters, not parcels. It is also impossible to send metal (and by extension coinage) through a cannula (or at least, very dangerous, as they are launched out of the receiving end like a railgun). While it is possible to send certain foodstuffs, doing so is strongly discouraged.

Patrons wishing to send currency are not completely out of luck. They have two similar options. (1) For large amounts, they can acquire a verified certificate from their bank for the amount they wish to send. This can then be sent like a normal letter. The recipient can then take the certificate to their own bank (if there is a local bank) or cash it out at the post office (in more rural areas). (2) For smaller amounts, the sender can purchase such a certificate directly from the post office, which the recipient can then cash at their own post office. This method is preferred for small gifts or among those who lack bank holdings. Because these methods require the post office to keep cash on hand, they are popular targets for bandits and thieves.

Type

Governmental, Department

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