Magic
This section is dedicated to the Magic and Technology of Vivarium.
Subsections:
Effects
Elixers
Technology
Homunculi
Overview
An asteriod crashed onto Salore years ago, bringing forth what could only be described as magical radiation that affected the soil within the crater's walls.
The magic got brought into the plants, and stored in ores. Small plant-eating insects could also carry large traces of this magic.
Through these 3 different sources, magic can be harvested from the world and distilled through the process of alchemy to get the purest form of it- which is
often a dye solution.
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This solution can either be used to make potions, or go on to be made into glass paint to power technology.
Note: Solutions are unfinished elixirs or discs. Elixirs are potions, while discs are used in technology.
Magical Effects
What you see before you is a chart of different colors listing the category fo magic associated with it. This is due to the plants, insect, or rock solution producing a color that corresponds to the magic stored inside of them.
- For example: Dahlias may produce an orange dye, which leads to the solution being able to summon or conduct electricty based on other materials in the solution. Other materials which produce an orange dye also produce similar effects.
- For example: A solution in the Life category can be tailored to heal paper cuts.
Unearthly magic pretains to any magic from time-bending, teleporting, mind-reading, or anything inbetween. These hardly exist in public expect for protection magic, and solely reserched/used by the Alchemist guild.
The effects of black solutions are highly volitile and often times release a wild magic explosion that harms anyone caught in the blast. They are often accidentally created by putting too many ingredients in the solution without taking necessary steps to make sure the ingredients don't combine.
No magic solutions do contain magic in them! However the effect often cancels out any other effects in the area.
Note: This is extremely useful for making regular dyes! Regular dyes can be made by not distilling the materials down all the way, however, it is safe practicing adding a magic canceling plant just encase.
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Different materials outside of dyes can affect the effect of the solution. Here is a list of the nine most common materials found in solutions.
- Glass: Directs and magnifies the effect.
- Copper: Makes the soution's effect ignites only by electricty.
- Tin: Increases the range of the effect.
- Iron: Increases the strength of the effect.
- Silver: Shortens the range of the effect
- Lead: Shortens the strength of the effect
- Gold: Better version of Iron and Tin, only used for large important machines.
- Mercury: Changes the effect into something related but different, and usually stronger. (Ex: Healing Elixer -> Necromancy/Homunculi Elixer)
Elixirs
This is one of the main uses of magic. This form is used when you want to cause an effect onto yourself (primarily). However, due to the toxicity of potiential substances in the elixer, they are usually aren't favored unless as a last resort; however, some alchemist found ways to use all plant, or insect dye to produce smaller effects that are safe for digestion. These elixirs are found in households all across Vivarium, from small prank elixiers that turn your hair rainbow for a few minutes to paper cut elixirs that heal small wounds instantly.
Technology
The world of Vivarium takes place in 1800s-1900s technology. Telephones are just being invented, as well as steam-powdered machines run the world.
However, the world had branched out into green technology long ago, windmills, solar panels, etc, etc are all abundant throughout the landscape. Magic also had a huge hand in shaping
the technology of the place, sending people into the skies with airships and gliders(a sort of "jetpack" using air magic through it's "wings").
Pictured below as a sketch is a common piece of technology in Vivarium:
This is a heavily insulated leather glove with a projector and a couple of discs. Discs are glass discs that are painted with a solution turned glass paint to create stained glass. These discs are attached to the front of a battery and when a switch is flicked on the side of it, releases jolts of electricity through the glass, igniting the effect and sending it outwards in a cone. This is the basis for all magical technology in Vivarium, from great airship flight generators, to an "electric" stovetop. Even building shops are supplied with these stained glass windows using protection magic from the Unearthly category(More information in Society).
Homunculi
Since large vehicles are not allowed in the main city, and to aid in day to day life. Homunculi were created as specialized animals to aid the population of Vivarium.
Homunculi are magic-made creatures made out of the blood of animals, milk, and a specalized healing elixir with mercury in it. These ingredients are placed in a circular glass jar, which is stored in a warm, moist, place for 40 days. Over the 40 days, the carer must pour milk over the jar
without removing it from it's spot. Flesh will grow over the jar until it forms into a breathing infant creature at the end of the 40 days. The jar is formed into the creature's heart.
The apperance of the homunculi largely revolves around the blood given to it. Blood of a fox, goat, and rabbit would lead a homunculi to look like a hybrid of all three creatures.
The ammount of blood will also influence what traits of animals show up more prominently. It's good practice to choose a main animal then several side animals to get the effect wished.
However, there is a game of chance at play, mutations occur frequently in Homunculi- some as simple as making them blue, to as serious as unable to form lungs and becoming stillborn.
To add on, it is hard to replicate the same animal twice, the same blood ratio and species may yield similar but different looks. Also, adding different elixers, such as an elixir of levitation(Useful for homunculi with wings but normally can't fly due to weight) or fire-breathing, allows the homunculi
to harness that power, however more complications could arise leading to more stillborn or early deaths.
This didn't stop Vivarium homunculi makers from making trademarked "breeds" to sell to the public. Certain breeds are also used by the city guards as mounts.
Homunculi are often very expensive, and are seen as exotic pets or powerful equipment.
Note: Homunculi are sterile and cannot reproduce.
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Blood from sapient species (humans, elves, etc) can be used to make homunculi. However this is heavily frowned upon, and upright illegal.
Some couples try to sneak behind the govenment's back to make one using their own blood if they want a child but cannot bear one, nor adopt.
When a sapient-based homunculi is caught, it is taken into the Citadel for research and eventual termination. The makers will face up to 30 years in prison.
Philospher's Stone
Meteorite, gold, healing elixir, and a perfect manmade heart......
Immortality.