Drekh Organic Technology
Their weapons live and breath. They are not master craftsmen but also enslavers who whip and flay efficiency from not just their tools but from those who wield them. We are intrigued...
Tairos is home to many strange and astounding forms of technology, both arcane and scientific, however one of the most chilling forms of ingenuity that can be found here comes from the stars. The Drekh are a conquered people who live under the illusions of freedom given to them by the Xikhani. One of the false freedoms these aliens give to the exiled elves is that of Organic Technology. To the Xikhani, the crafting of flesh and fresh DNA into new, useful, shapes has become something of an art form. So much so that it is one of the foundations of their technocratic corporatocracy.
Like all of the organic technology used by the Xikhani and shared with their vassal organizations the "product" is loyal to the company, not the "employee". The Xikhani Corporation builds into their devices a form of telepathic override that can be issued by mental command, forcing the item to shut down. Some items can actually self-destruct with catastrophic results while others could be forced to turn on the wielder. Psychic commands that unlock the override are generally reserved for high-ranking Xikhani only.
The variant given to the Drekh is no different. It makes uses of many elements native to Tairos' Bitter Depths as well as proprietary stocks owned by Black Mark Acquisitions. It looks and operates in a very similar fashion all other Xikhani Organic Technology while being ideally suited for the environment and employees that will be using it.
This technology has become a defining characteristic of the Drekh people. The insectoid-like appearance of their armor, weapons, and equipment all combine to create an aura of cruelty and fear that has served them well in their efforts to expand. Explorers from the surface tell haunting tales of the carapace-clad hunters that roam the dark tunnels under the earth using weapons that look to be part of their bodies. These stories are enough to keep travelers from every daring to venture here let alone to actually confront the Drekh. The Drekh also dream of the day they can turn these bizarre weapons on their hated brethren in Melanthris and exact their revenge. They know what the surface Elves are capable of and how their dwindling reserves of magic would falter in the face of these horrific inventions.
To the Xikhani, it's all just inventory on the shelf.
Utility
So far there is no need that this technology has not filled. This, again, is part of how the Xikhani make their vassal nations dependent upon them
Manufacturing
The creation of Drekh Organic Technology requires specialized gestation vats, amniotic cocktails, growth hormones, and continuous supply of heat. The Xikhani often supply their vassals and buyers with specially calibrated equipment to maintain the delicate balance needed for growth. This equipment is also subject to override commands by the seller, of course.
Parent Technologies
Access & Availability
This tech is widely used to create both every day objects as well as arms, armor, and munitions. Price is the only factor that prevents certain Drekh from accessing certain items.
The Drekh are currently the only citizens of Tairos to have access to this technology. Only rumors of its existence can be found outside of the Bitter Depths but those rumors are enticing many. Certain great clans among the Dwarves
of Ghal Ankhar could easily be tempted into adopting this technology. Stormlanders would have no compunctions about taking up these arms and using them against the communities they raid. The Tengu and their Conclave would spare no expense in mastering this science like they have that of Reaping (Artificial Manacite Creation).
Thus far the Drekh have chosen not to share nor to reveal the existence of their Xikhani "gifts" to the surface world. In fact, they go to great lengths to prevent their secrets from getting out. With the help of the Xikhani they've bred very certain nutritional dependencies into their equipment that if not met will quickly lead to decay and death. This helps to preserve their secret advantage for as long as possible.
Complexity
Extreme. The training and science required to breed items is far and above the complexity of simple stone work or black smithing. This complexity helps the Xikhani control access
Discovery
The organic tech used by the Drekh was gifted to them by alien Xikhani. The Drekh have been taught to breed more of the devices they need and how to tweak the designs as needed, however, all of the products they produce still possess Xikhani physic coding allowing their masters to override these creations at any time.
Comments