Today I will discuss the third of Wolfgang Baur’s categories of technology from his article Worlds and Technology as found in Kobold Press’s “The Kobold Guide to Worldbuilding”. He titles this category “Technology of Warfare”, and while there certainly are armed conflicts between some of the larger factions in my setting these technologies would be primarily used in war between man and nature rather than that between man and his fellows.

Shields

I have already mentioned a group of magical alloys in previous articles which can repel other materials of a specific composition. This material forms the basis for protective clothing on this world. whether it studded leather that repels dangerous magical energy or armor that repels the metal of a sword or the bone of a claw the material functions in much the same manner by causing the target material to be pushed away, much as the positive ends of two magnets repel reach other. Another alloy acts in the opposite manner and is used on shields (to attract arrows away from the body) and weapons (to attempt to counteract the repulsion of armor or assist the aim of the user). Those with magical ability and training can even imbue these weapons and armor with their own magical energy, causing their effects to be stronger.

Special Enhancements

another class of magical material allows mages and alchemists to create devices and potions which enhance the natural abilities of a user. Elixirs made from plants that grow in areas with a higher proportion of this material can be used to enhance speed of movement, thought, or healing. A bracer might be crafted that acts as a magical exoskeleton, strengthening the bones and muscle of the wearer. Similarly a potion may increase the temperature of the imbiber, allowing them to survive extreme cold.

Battlefield Presence

One of the materials I listed in the first part of this series https://robothermit.games/2021/02/09/technology-the-magic-of-movement/ effects what I termed the user’s ‘presence’. That example would properly be called the user’s ‘physical presence’. A different version of that material can instead be used to effect the wielder’s ‘visual presence’; allowing one to turn invisible. Another alloy allows one to manipulate ’emotional presence’ allowing one to be more visible to enemies to create a distraction.

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That is all for tonight. I hope tomorrow to write about the final category of technology and perhaps even move onto some related topics about my magic system, such as the difference between active and passive effects, constructs, and timed effects.