Homebrew technology
Arcana & Thaumic Energy
Thaumions ( Θ ) are a rare kind of scalar elementary particle that mediate the Arcana and the resulting Background Arcanic Field. The Field exists across the Universe, has near-infinite range, and is everywhere. It is responsible for magic, and also for the existence of Hyperspace/Voidspace. Arcana does not normally interact with normal matter, and thus any arcanic manipulation requires a source of Thaumions.
Thaumions are formed in small quantities in the liminal space where realspace and voidspace collide - usually areas of high gravity such as neutron stars, from which the particles scatter and blend into the stellar background radiation. When nudged into a higher excitation state, thaumions break and decay, releasing arcane (or thaumic) energy and allowing for direct manipulation of the Arcanic Field. Because of their exotic and poorly understood properties - as well as their valuable applications in FTL, spellcasting and beyond - the study of thaumions form the backbone of the discipline of thaumatics. Metamagic is a subschool of spells focused on the raw manipulation of thaumic radiation itself, rather than inducing thaumic decay for further effects. |
Thaumaturgic Crystals (Thaumium)
Thaumions are not an "element" and thus do not normally form tangible matter of their own. Nonetheless, certain crystalline structures, particularly certain kinds of quartz (including amethysts, etc) drastically slow and "trap" thaumions within their lattice, allowing reasonable long-term storage of large amount of potential thaumic energy. Over time and given enough thaumic radiation, many kinds of crystals will become "imbued" with arcana at faster or slower rates. This process is known as arcanic infusion. The trademark teal or violet hues of what are collectively called thaumaturgic crystals or (somewhat erroneously) thaumium are a direct result of the slow escape of thaumions "leaking out" of the crystal lattice, as well as poorly understood ionization processes occuring within the imbued crystal. In nature, amethysts make for the perfect arcanic containers : they discharge very slowly and possess considerable thaumic capacity.
On these rare few inhabited worlds with high levels of thaumic radiation, thaumaturgic crystals have historically shaped cultural, historical and technological developments. Boshari and Mewei, in particular, knew of the Arcanic Field far before they left their homeworld for the stars, and used it for spellcasting, industry, and general scientific advancement. In the modern era, Stream voidspace drives make use of the piezothaumic properties of arcanic quartz (Boshari : silima ; Mewei : tvrdi; Hiderid Common: magicite) to achieve causality-friendly FTL travel, and Mewei technology routinely augments silicon-based technology using thaumaturgy.
Thaumions are extremely rare in the background medium. In the Stream, most arcanic material is mined from a mere handful of worlds exposed to abnormally high thaumic radiation, which must then be refined into useful crystals, gemstones, and minerals. Thus, most arcanic quartz is artificially produced and crafted into FTL drives. In the Stream, the Coalition is the sole reliable provider of imbued thaumathurgic crystals, which gives it immense leverage over sector politics. Risky but potentially lucrative and novel ways to capture thaumions from the rim of black holes or neutron stars into specially-crafted crystal lattices are being investigated by the Mewei Domain, as well as the joint Kalimshari-Hhrot Rust Cloud venture.
Thaumions are not an "element" and thus do not normally form tangible matter of their own. Nonetheless, certain crystalline structures, particularly certain kinds of quartz (including amethysts, etc) drastically slow and "trap" thaumions within their lattice, allowing reasonable long-term storage of large amount of potential thaumic energy. Over time and given enough thaumic radiation, many kinds of crystals will become "imbued" with arcana at faster or slower rates. This process is known as arcanic infusion. The trademark teal or violet hues of what are collectively called thaumaturgic crystals or (somewhat erroneously) thaumium are a direct result of the slow escape of thaumions "leaking out" of the crystal lattice, as well as poorly understood ionization processes occuring within the imbued crystal. In nature, amethysts make for the perfect arcanic containers : they discharge very slowly and possess considerable thaumic capacity.
On these rare few inhabited worlds with high levels of thaumic radiation, thaumaturgic crystals have historically shaped cultural, historical and technological developments. Boshari and Mewei, in particular, knew of the Arcanic Field far before they left their homeworld for the stars, and used it for spellcasting, industry, and general scientific advancement. In the modern era, Stream voidspace drives make use of the piezothaumic properties of arcanic quartz (Boshari : silima ; Mewei : tvrdi; Hiderid Common: magicite) to achieve causality-friendly FTL travel, and Mewei technology routinely augments silicon-based technology using thaumaturgy.
Thaumions are extremely rare in the background medium. In the Stream, most arcanic material is mined from a mere handful of worlds exposed to abnormally high thaumic radiation, which must then be refined into useful crystals, gemstones, and minerals. Thus, most arcanic quartz is artificially produced and crafted into FTL drives. In the Stream, the Coalition is the sole reliable provider of imbued thaumathurgic crystals, which gives it immense leverage over sector politics. Risky but potentially lucrative and novel ways to capture thaumions from the rim of black holes or neutron stars into specially-crafted crystal lattices are being investigated by the Mewei Domain, as well as the joint Kalimshari-Hhrot Rust Cloud venture.
Arcanic Spellweaving
All spellcasting and technomancy requires drawing upon and breaking ambient thaumions to interact with the Arcanic Field and create a variety of spell effects. As most places do not provide enough thaumic radiation for free spellcasting, a variety of tools including wands, staves, and biothaumic amplifiers are used to provide arcane energy as well as to focus spell effects. In the Stream, New Fanow and Zindra receive enough thaumic radiation from their parent sun for weak leylines to form across their surface, despite the fact that neither star is predicted to do so by current models. Nonetheless, free spellweaving on either world remains difficult and usually impossible without advanced and lengthy training. |