Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- technology_baltia [2023/04/14 10:21] – shto
+++ technology_baltia [2024/01/31 17:01] (current) – [Dimium (Orichalcum)] shto
@@ Line 14: / Line 14: @@
 After the Cataclysm, a new substance was discovered - potensium. With a texture and consistency similar to tree sap, a natural luminescence that caused it to softly glow, and a metallic silver coloration that made it appear very similar to pure mercury at first glance, potensium was first noticed in small quantities in the years following the Cataclysm. Accumulating naturally on underground rock in a manner remarkably similar to condensation, this substance initially found little use beyond the ornamental. Its most common use for nearly a thousand years was decorative, being used as accenting on decorative pieces and jewelry once steps were taken to increase its durability for those purposes.
-However, with the rediscovery of the Dryanni Chamber, the importance of potensium changed. Some enterprising artificers engineered modified Dryanni Chambers that accepted potensium as a fuel source. Much to their dismay, however, potensium proved to be similar to coal in terms of energy content, and thus subject to many of the same constraints initially.
+However, with the rediscovery of the Dryanni Chamber, the importance of potensium changed. Some enterprising artificers modified Dryanni Chambers to accept potensium as a fuel source. Much to their dismay, however, potensium proved to be similar to coal in terms of energy content, and thus subject to many of the same constraints initially.
-It was only when one of the descendants of Arthur Dryanni himself, an artificer by the name of Lindsay ver Dryanni, decided to pursue potensium further did it become a viable fuel source. In a process that took several years to perfect, Linsay pioneered the steps to refining potensium into a more energy-dense substance. The end result was a far more solid fuel, resembling a sealed glass container of glittering mercury. Further improvements to the process would also standardize the shapes and size of refined potensium , with the substance typically taking on the form of cylindrical rods of varying (but standardized) sizes.
+It was only when one of the descendants of Arthur Dryanni himself, an artificer by the name of Lindsay ver Dryanni, decided to pursue potensium further did it become a viable fuel source. In a process that took several years to perfect, Lindsay pioneered the steps to refining potensium into a more energy-dense substance. The end result was a far more solid fuel, resembling a sealed glass container of glittering mercury. Further improvements to the process would also standardize the shapes and size of refined potensium, with the substance typically taking on the form of cylindrical rods of varying (but standardized) sizes. The efficiency of these fuel rods would allow the Dryanni Chamber to be used in far more applications than could previously be imagined.
-The efficiency of these fuel rods would allow the Dryanni Chamber to be used in far more applications than could previously be imagined.
+By convention, most people refer to potensium fuel simply as "potensium" in their day-to-day lives, with those who need to refer to its unrefined version electing to call it "raw potensium" for ease of understanding.
 ==== Industial Transportation ====
@@ Line 30: / Line 30: @@
 Another major application of the Dryanni Chamber was in the creation of a new weapon: firearms. The force generated by a Dryanni Chamber could be used to propel objects, and it did not take long for the more military-minded inventors of the world to see how that function could be utilized. This quickly led to the development of cannons, which were further miniaturized into handheld weapons. While Solaria would pioneer the technology, the lack of external threats meant the empire had little reason to adopt it. The nations of the Belt would be far quicker to use the technology in practical ways, with Umbria advancing the technology even further.
-===== Perlcium, Gravidium, and Sorbium =====
+===== The Potensium Products =====
-As refined potensium grew exponentially in importance, some enterprising artificers began to consider what other properties this wonderous substance had, and began to experiment.
+As fuel potensium grew exponentially in importance, some enterprising artificers began to consider what other properties this wonderous substance had, and began to experiment.
 ==== Perlcium (Warglass/Mithril) ====
@@ Line 46: / Line 46: @@
 Typically, gravidium is used in situations where durability is a priority and weight is of minor concern. This typically means it's used in heavy machinery, replacing parts that would typically be worn down with time. It is also used in combat, as its durability makes it an excellent armor, though it is typically too heavy for anything more than a thin layer to be applied to something worn or carried.
+==== Dimium (Orichalcum) ====
+While initial experiments focused on the physical properties of potensium, later ones would begin to further explore its energetic properties as well. Considering potensium's ability to be refined into a more energy-dense form, an obvious next step was to identify what the limit of this refinement actually was. As a result, artificers often experimented with fuel-grade potensium and attempted continued refinement of it, with the goal of maximizing the energy contained in the minimum amount.
+The process eventually resulted in Dimium, also known as Orichalcum or simply as Refined Potensium. This gold-colored, liquid substance achieved extremely high energy density, while remaining stable enough for transport without fear. It also had a natural tendency to absorb ambient magical energy in order to achieve a natural equilibrium, achieving an ability to charge itself over time. Unfortunately, this self-charging ability was comparatively slow.
+The slowness of dimium's ability to charge itself, as well as the very high cost associated with making just a small amount of it, meant that fuel-grade potensium would be preferable in the majority of situations, such as for airship travel. Further, its extremely high energy content also led to fears that it could be utilized as a form of explosive in the wrong hands, and thus its production was strictly controlled.
+In the modern day, dimium's main value is in the creation and improvement of magical items, where it can act as a battery to store energy that the item will use to power its abilities. It is also often used in small constructs, where the power needed to operate the construct is approximately the same as the energy accumulated by the battery each day.
 ==== Sorbium (Cold Steel) ====
@@ Line 56: / Line 65: @@
 It was then that attempts to create an alloy with sorbium began, with it being found that most materials would also change the properties of the sorbium itself. For example, mixing the sorbium with small quantities of platinum would cause it to no longer accept energy through heat, instead only absorbing magical energy. The only material that appeared not to cause changes to the properties of the sorbium was steel, which became the preferred addition simply for durability.
-Sorbium is used primarily for refrigeration, dramatically increasing the shelf life of perishable goods. However, platinum-steel alloys of sorbium find great use in combat, specifically as a solution for dealing with opposing spellcasters.
+Sorbium is used primarily for refrigeration, typically through the form of a steel-alloy plate resting at the bottom of an insulated box, which dramatically increased the shelf life of perishable goods store there. However, platinum-steel alloys of sorbium find great use in combat, specifically as a solution for dealing with opposing spellcasters. For this reason, large amounts of sorbium are also the primary ingredient of anti-magic fields, as a large enough quantity of it can absorb and dissipate all ambient magic in a limited area.