Technology Guide

The technology of Duurn is inconsistent across cultures, states, and social divisions. Broadly, Duurn is in TL 6, meaning that most "modern" regions are up to the mechanized age (around 1920 of our world). The development of mechanurgy has allowed for the creation of physics-defying machines that are expected to revolutionize technology forever. However, the tech level varies across the world, with many places still broadly in TL 5 and some even lower. As such, the equipment available to characters will depend on a variety of factors.

Examples

Agriculture

Mass agriculture is in full swing. Herbicides and pesticides are widely used in most modern nations, and mechanical harvesters have industrialized the harvesting process. Most mass agriculture is concentrated around major cities, as the truly rural areas are far more dangerous than in our world, due to preternaturally dangerous wildlife and transcendental phenomena (see the Astatoma and the Veil).

Arms and Armor

On the ground, Bolt-action rifles, revolvers, and shotguns are commonplace. Semi-automatic pistols and automatic firearms are widely used within the militaries of Duurn and are becoming more common. Indirect and long-range artillery revolutionized the battlefields of the Last War. During the war, tanks saw their first usage, and while they have yet to hit their stride, they are sure to have a massive impact on future conflicts.   In the air, larger and more heavily-armed aerostats, such as the dreadnought-class vessels, have introduced an aerial arms race, and autogyros are used in conjunction to devastating effect. Some early prototypes are just beginning to appear of aerostats capable of carrying flights of autogyros.   Chemical and transcendental weaponry proved to be excellent tools for area-denial and damaging morale during the Last War and are only expected to get more devastating in the future. The transcendental arts are still widely used in warfare, though modern technology has proved to have an equalizing effect against practitioners. The impossibility of reliably training thaumaturges or other practitioners in large quantities has also been a limiting factor, though almost all militaries utilize practitioners of the arts in some fashion.

Information technology

Across Duurn, the telegraph is being slowly replaced by the telephone, though the difficulty of maintaining wires across long distances has made radio more popular for two-way communication than in our world. For entertainment, radio plays and music are both wildly popular, and moving pictures are spreading across the world. Color photography is just beginning to appear, as well.   The spread of public education and libraries has created a heightened rate of literacy, and as such, books have entered the realm of popular entertainment. In particular, pulp novels showcase larger-than-life heroes and villains battling it out in strange, often transcendental landscapes. The people of the world are more informed than ever, though not always in unpropagandized ways, by newspapers and popular media.

Machinery

In modern times, cities light up even at night through the propagation of electric lights across much of Duurn. Radar became widely used during the Last War and is now seeing civilian applications as well. Finally, the use of modern technology and mechanurgy to create vacuums has wide-ranging applications that are just barely beginning to be uncovered. In particular, aerostat technology is being revolutionized by the development of low-pressure buoyancy.

Material Science

In some ways, material science in Duurn is ahead of the equivalent time in our world. Titanium and aluminum both see wide usage in aerostats, and plastics are beginning to be developed for use across most industries. The creation of synthetic fibers allows clothes to be more widely mass-produced, among other applications.

Medicine and Health

Medicine is rapidly advancing across Duurn, with technological applications like blood transfusions, sterilization, and refrigeration allowing for safer and more effective treatment. Innoculations against many common diseases save countless lives, and early antibiotics such as penicillin and sulfanilamides have made injuries that may have once necessitated amputation treatable. Generally, natural lifespans are increasing across the world, though the widespread political conflict and other, often supernatural dangers of Duurn offset the improvement.

Power

In Duurn, coal power is rapidly being replaced by diesel, making oil an incredibly valuable resource. Diesel-powered steam turbines are used to provide plentiful electric power to most cities. Hydroelectric power is a developing alternative. The internal combustion engine has had wide-ranging impact on transportation technology, from aerostats to automobiles. Finally, electric motors and rechargeable batteries are used in almost every part of life.

Transportation

Long-range transportation is dominated by aerostats, due to their high carrying capacities and fuel efficiency, as well as the dangers of naval travel. However, naval vehicles are sometimes used for short-range travel in shallower waters or near the coast. River travel by boat is also somewhat common. On land, trains are also often used for transportation between cities.   Short-range transportation varies across different regions and terrain. Automobiles are spreading as a good means of transportation, especially outside of major cities. However, within most cities, trolleys, bicycles, and railcars are more frequently used.