Ward Detectors

A piece of technology originally designed to hopefully prevent the development of Ward Delirium, they have fallen out of favour since the Scourge's infestation of other universes has grown.

Design

Most Ward Detectors are built as a small independent unit with a screen that displays the level of detected ward effects, the inner components, and an alarm or other signal for when critical levels are reached. More elaborate models include the ability to connect the device to another so that ward levels can be determined remotely.

Function

While placed on a person, a Gold chip within the device reacts to the same inter-universal forces that cause Ward Delirium. The increased forced on the chip attempting to change it essentially works as the canary in the coal mine, as these forces will affect the internal chip, and its related components first. This allows time for the person wearing the detector to return to Origin before any transformation occurs, or for those with them to remove them before the transformation caused by Ward Delirium sets in fully.  

History

Prior to the Devastation Pandemic, Ward Detectors were common place among those that could afford the Enigma Crystals to travel to other universes. The dangers of the Ward Delirium causing transformations were well known. While there was nothing one could do to prevent the transformation from occurring if enough time was spent exposed to the forces in another universe, the exposure could be limited if given proper warning. Hence, anyone that wished to bring a child to visit another universe was equipped with one for an easy way to see when the exposure, and the risk, was too high.

Modern Times

In current times, where the dangers of other universes has become far worse due to the Ravager threat, Ward Detectors are rare to see. The ban on bringing youth into other universes has had the devices stripped from shelves for a long time. Most devices are black market and varying widely in quality, making trusting them blindly incredibly dangerous for those that dare to break the law. While proper Ward Detectors do still have emergency purposes, their casual use is limited to those that are brazen enough to ignore all the warnings. Buying one is akin to bringing a first aid kit to a beach flying two red flags that you intend to swim at, it simply is not going to do anything against the true hazards.

The devices and technology derived from them are still used by the Elemental Academy to identify those transformed by Ward Delirium in other universes. By either bringing a device close to or using eyewear filters, the effects of Ward Delirium can still be seen, even in someone that has been fully transformed for years.