Aetheric Engine

An aetheric engine is a rediscovered piece of technology that allows fast airship travel.

History

Aetheric technology was lost during the Moonfall, but has slowly been rediscovered over time.

One of the most notable groups to rediscover it was the Princes of the Curshka Magocracy, but they were limited in what they could do and understand about it. Using the aetheric engines solely to levitate and move their giant, upside down, pyramid shaped necropolis.

In 1192 CE, an airship captain of the Cloud Sea by the name of Cassian Torquil led a heist into one of the necropolis structures and stole the aetheric engine used to power it. It had the added benefit of killing one of the Princes as the pyramid fell from the sky.

Using his skills, Torquil was able to identify the full properties of the engine and access its potential, allowing his airship, the Cloudburst to move at much faster speeds than any other airship on the planet. It also allowed the ship to bypass the restriction terrestrial airships had by being trapped within ten miles of the Cloud Sea.

Aetheric Engine Speed Comparison

• Maximum speed of a train: 15-20 mph
• Maximum speed of an airship (terrestrial and planar): 15-20 mph.
• Maximum speed of a Nautalid: 20-25mph (30 when pushed).
• Maximum speed of the Cloudburst: 40mph
• Maximum speed of a Necropolis: 5mph.

When Torquil was killed in 1216 CE the Cloudburst and the aetheric engine within it went missing. It was not until 1230 CE when his daughter, the famed adventurer Sylvie Torquil, managed to locate the Cloudburst and turn over its repairs to Gault Felder Bristol the former first mate of the ship and whom the young Torquil freed from unjust imprisonment. It was later that same year when she was able to use a Wish spell to resurrect her father.

Cassian Torquil has now implemented plans to create more vessels as part of his desire to leave a legacy for his daughter. Such vessels will revolutionize trade and communication when they start to be rolled out.

Function

An aetheric engine draws upon the natural aether within the area it moves, allowing it to self fuel through passive means. Extensive usage or damage may require the engine to pull in a higher quantity of aether or need more time to replenish the reserves. Adding aether collecting wings or fins to a craft will allow a more efficient generation and long term supply.

Using the aether that the engine draws in, it uses it as a bubble to effectively contain the airship within its own sphere of space allowing for greater movement.

With the abundance of aether the engine draws upon, it can also be utilized to Plane Shift the entirety of the ship it is installed in with passengers and cargo.