Souseiki Tech
Introduction
Souseiki Tech is the inscribing of magic sigils to apply magical effects and modifiers onto machines and devices. Either augmenting the original purpose, or adding additional abilities. They are powered either directly by a mage or through Seikitan which has Enrai naturally.
Souseiki Tech and Magic
Souseiki sigils use aspects of fire, water, earth, wind, ice, lightning, metal, wood, light, and Shadow Magic. Each apply different specialties and strengths. The amount of different types used in single machine or device is limited. Specifically machines double in cost, but smaller devices increase by a factor of ten due the complexity of fitting sigils into a smaller space. The exact abilities and power of Souseiki tech vary based on the creator's skill in magic, meaning truly high end Souseiki tech is extremely rare.
- Fire Magic for burning and explosives
- Water Magic for water control and cooling
- Earth Magic for structure reinforcement
- Wind Magic for reducing friction of machines, and flight
- Ice Magic for preservation of perishables
- Lighting Magic for advanced machines and devices
- Metal Magic for refining and forging of metals
- Wood Magic for medical uses and supporting agriculture
- Light Magic for illumination, and precision
- Shadow magic for stealth and obscurement.
Souseiki Kousaku Artisans
At the heart of Souseiki Tech are Kousaku Artisans which create and repair Souseiki machines, devices, as well as mage conduits. Kousaku Artisans were originally mage craftsmen who created mage conduits under the Third Izumo Empire where the system of sigils was created. Since the Industrial Revolution two hundred years ago, Kousaku Artisans have deviated from their traditional role, and began to experiment with applying magical effects and abilities. Compared to their predecessors have extensive additional knowledge in carpentry, blacksmithing, engineering, machining, etc for the complex inventions of today.
Most Kousaku Artisans fall under various guilds, corporations, clans, governments, or Yamatai Zaibatsu. Kousaku Artisans will share knowledge with each other, historically through apprenticeships, but more recently through academies and universities as its expanded.
Kousaku Artisans are well famed for taking great pride in their craft, and are usually dismissive of others attempting to mimic or steal their designs. They are generally insular group, keeping more secrets then most mages, with the specifics of their craft rarely known outside of their group.
Souseiki Sigils
Souseiki Sigils have the appearance of Izumo symbols which represent each type of magic. As well as additional sigils for controlling the activation, power level, duration, and specific abilities. They are made usually from a special ink made from Seikitan which has light blue appearance by itself.
Central to the empowering Souseiki sigils is a ritualized creation process by Kousaku Artisans which imbues a machine or device with magic. Usually in the form of prayer to the Kami, ritual and magic purification of themselves, tools, and materials. The process solidifies the Enrai in the sigil, giving orders how to conduct its magic within.
Souseiki Resources
Souseiki Tech is most effective when made from materials which can amplify magic to its intended effect. Souseiki Resources are used to hold, conduit, activate and transmit magic as needed. Most of the common Souseiki Resources can be found within the underground region of the Meikei. This is due in part to the region having the larger amount of Enrai compared to the surface. Currently the largest sources of Souseiki Materials are from Fukuyama and Yamatai portions of the Meikei along with occasional surface deposits.
Seikitan (Enrai Gemstones, Fuel for Mage Conduits and Souseiki Tech)
Seikitan is the most important resource for magic tech, and is required for non mage use. It's so important that the Seiki in its name forms a part of the overall name for magic tech, Souseiki. Seikitan is an inorganic material which forms when coal and other carbon based materials within the Meikei, are exposed to Enrai the energy which powers magic, for likely thousands or tens of thousands of years. Seikitan appears as a light blueish ore, and is remarkably shiny, sharing the appearance of gemstones, and is largely only ever found within the Meikei.Because Seikitan has absorbed large amounts of Enrai, it is able to be used by the sigils in Souseiki to activate and power magic. Seikitan is able to replace mages powering machines and devices, enabling faster machines and devices used by non mages. Seikitan can be toxic due its relation to coal if ingested by Humans or Yokai or from its smoke should it catch fire.Seikitan is almost entirely found within the Meikei exclusively, with very little deposits on the surface.-
Kurogane (Extremely Strong and Durable)
Kurogane is a metal which forms from unknown ores deep within the magma chambers of volcanoes which are rich in Enrai, although some deposits can be found in Meikei near veins of lava. Named for its blackened appearance, Kurogane as metal appears as dark black. Kurogane is a naturally extremely strong and durable material which is stronger than steel but slightly heavier.Kurogane can take a great deal of punishment making it ideal for armor and fortifications, as well as to reinforce structures. Kurogane is used extensively in Souseiki machines and devices, making for strong material which magic can be applied to, although typically used for non moving parts. Kurogane is ideal for a base material to build machines and devices with when weight or friction isn’t a factor.Kurogane is primarily found near volcanic regions, with more active volcanoes having higher amounts, but harder to acquire deposits of Kurogane ore. In order to use Kurogane only Fire Magic or Fire magic powered forges are able to properly smelt and purify Kurogane ore into usable materials. -
Sorakon (strong but Extremely Light)
Sorakon is a metal formed by unknown means on the tops of mountains. The connection of mountains has given Sorakon an association with the sky, and is usually believed to be connected to various sky Kami giving it its common name sky steel. Sorakon appears as a light grey color.Sorakon itself is fairly strong compared to steel, but nearly as light as tin. Making it suitable in uses where weight is more important than durability or strength. Sorakon weight to strength makes it ideal for use in airships where heavy metals would make flight unfeasible. It is also used in more traditional sea based ships to form a light and faster hull. Sorokan sees extensive use in machines where light materials are excellent for moving parts which need to be able to flex and form. Also used in secondary parts of various Souseiki devices which are handheld to reduce weight.Deposit locations are possibly linked to ancient Kami due to the overlap with mountains considered holy sites and Sorakon Deposits. Sorakon mining is thus often controversial and destructive, limiting acceptable sources of Sorakon, though mining continues. Sorakon has also been found within the Meikei, possibly former parts of mountains buried from geological movements. -
Raiko (Tough, Sharp, and Conductive )
Raiko is a metal which has remarkably toughness against deformation or breaking, but is brittle against sustained stress impact. In turn making Raiko suitable for weapons, but poor for long lasting armor. Common uses include ammunition, arrow heads, blade edges, machine blades, etc. Raiko is also highly conductive, making it an ideal component to conduct magic between Enrai Engines and machines. Raiko is good at resisting heat, making it ideal for protecting against heat from forges.Raiko is a metal originally believed to be from outer space, brought to Ashihara in ancient times through meteor impacts. Raiko is thus found in a few dozen semi random localized deposits, usually in low lying areas where a crater would’ve been. -
Alloys
There are dozens of alloys which attempt to combine the properties of Seikitan, Kurogane, Sorakon, Raiko to make a material which combines the strengths and weaknesses to varying degrees of success. Alternatively they can be combined with non Souseiki materials to create cheaper alternatives with decreased effectiveness of the sigils, and Enrai usage efficiency.
Souseiki Tech makes Magic for ‘Everyone’
Many in Ashihara have championed Souseiki tech as equalizing noble only magic for the common people. The calls more so after the Koshu Republic overthrow of their mage nobility and monarchy. Though as mages are required to make Souseiki tech, debates rage how exactly to make magic for everyone a reality. Ideas ranging from state controlled, regulated, or banning magic outright.
More cynically, Souseiki tech has also allowed nations to mass mobilize non mages for war, equipped with Souseiki weapons and armor. Something the Koshu Republic has rapidly embraced to combat its mage drain and hostile neabors. Overall a role non mages were not expected to service prevously leading to many more deaths in war.
Souseiki Tech and Enrai Corruption
While not generally well known to the general public, though not an secret either, Souseiki Tech will produce Enrai Corruption like normal magic. A small amount of corruption is generally not a major issue, causing minor bad luck for the user. Repeated use, and larger scale will typically produce Enrai Corruption to dangerous levels, causing sickness and creating hostile Yokai. Both of which are generally solved by local priests purifying corruption, while larger scales have dedicated mages to ensure safety. Although recklessness and negligence frequently cause issues, which are dealt with by Omyoji mages.
This has unfortanally lead to the occasional cases of a workers Souseiki tech device or machine, suddenly becoming a monster. Its a signficant problem with poorly qaulty and inefficent Souseiki Tech attempts by weaker mages. This has been taken advantage by varous smugglers and crimnal organzations to supply usally poor people with fancy magic which often ends of killing them. A problem later dealt with the anti-magic specialist, the Omyoji.
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