The Caster (technically a Spell-Casting Engine) was what brought magic from a hobby to an industrial revolution. As any teacher can tell you, sorcery--the bending of telluric energy from the ethereal realms--is a natural component of the universe, and like heat or light or electricity, is a force that can be measured, tested, and utilized. However, eldritch is harnessed not by material properties but spiritual ones--specifically, the interaction of a human soul via symbols we know as Angelic Runes. To bring a person into the right mindset naturally, however, required long and complex rituals that were expensive both in time and material, and due to the stress involved, unreliable and hazardous to the magician.
It was Jarvis of Bishara that first invented the Caster in the 13th Century (using, it must be noted, the works of Lakri the Red’s “enclosed universe” theory as inspiration). The machine was simple--a basis of the old efreet lanterns. He summoned an air elemental and encapsualted it in a box the size of an elephant according to the ancient records. Inside the box was a simple ritualistic circle--in this case, a musical number played by phantom instruments. The song was played backwards and much too slowly, but the results were undeniable--instead of taking days, it had taken hours, and it worked.
The theory of the caster is straightforward--take a summoned elemental and place them within a warded container. Give them a stead supply of eldritch energy via the glowing blue concoction known as manite to keep them ‘fed’ and ‘happy’, and then use a 'riteware', a ritual carved on a disc of gold, mithrill, or other appropriate mineral to “shape” the elemental into the spell. The elemental does all of the work of casting the spell, and it is then channeled through the user (that is, the person using the caster) and the spell is cast. Instead of hours or days, it takes seconds.
Casters require an ifreet, eldritch energy to cast the spell itself, and a living soul to act as the conduit between the virtual universe and the real world. They range in size from massive room-sized industrial casters to the popular personal caster. The larger the caster, the larger the elemental that can be summoned and the more complex ritual that can be programmed. It was this technology that allowed the Tower to be built in the first place, and it is this technology that allows a modern gentlemage to keep him (or her)self warm, safe, and stylish.
Personal Casters can (with the proper riteware) protect a wearer from the elements (and Elements), create simple illusions, modify the senses (such as superior night vision), improve health and well-being, and perhaps most popularly protect the wearer from physical or metaphysical damage. The biggest difficulty is normally not having enough mana to run all of ones rites simultaneously.
The creation of the Personal caster changed everything, especially in relation to war. First, troops could survive getting to the combat easier. Secondly, a trooper with the simplest caster and a warding circle became effectively invincible against physical damage. Some praised this would end war forever, but they underestimated mankind’s capacities for problem-solving and violence...
No comments:
Post a Comment