Iron Light

Iron Light is a unique and efficient methodology used to simplify the usage of Arcana in the application of Enchantment. Named after the tell tale violet glow the application gives off, Iron Light was discovered by the great Arcanist and Academic, Maalvern. Its conception was what began the Second Age.

An artificer carving complex Ferric Alphabet runes into an iron slab, its design hidden amongst artistic additions to obfuscate its method of function. A process known as Ferrication

Iron Light revolutionized Zol by putting power in the hands of many who would be otherwise be at the whim of the world. Unfortunately, the technique has also introduced new dangers like new weapons of war, and the Magic ailment known as Materiation.

In its most simple form, Iron Light devices (also known as Apparatum) are created via engraving special runes from the Ferric Alphabet into plates of Iron. This engraving is often called Ferrication. These symbols channel Arcana similarly to how one uses their Vizir, with the main difference being the user does not need to know the techniques required to harness Magic. They can achieve the very specific result allowed by the runes by lending their Vizir to it.

Some devices made with Iron Light are quite simple. Blades that dull very slowly, stoves that heat without fire, lamps that glow without fuel, or even simple refrigeration.

Others are quite complex and powerful. Allowing for things like usage at range, multi-device cooperation, prosthesis, and mathematical estimation. Examples of this are long distance communication devices, flying machines, Warforged, Automail, weather and navigational systems, and even the Trains of The Iron Tracks.

The difficulty in creation of Apparatum is proportional to skill, quality of materials, and complexity of the design. Some designs take hours, while other take days, months, and even years. Individuals who create Apparatum are known as Artificers.

Since it takes much training to complete even a simple Apparatum, they are costly. Those of the lowest economic status would be lucky to own even a single Apparatum, while those of common wealth will typically own one to three. For nobility, Apparatum are common place items. Their lavish homes are usually full of devices to increase their general quality of life.

In most civilized cities, there are common Apparatum that exist for use in business, or pubic benefit. These may be lamps that light the streets at night, or things like the Rift Smog filters in Tenzentak. Some civilizations have very particular views on Iron Light. The people of The Ward outlaw the usage of Apparatum based in spiritual belief.

Iron light was originally limited to a small set of Ferric Alphabet runes, and slow production via iron engraving. Soon after the name was widely adopted, more symbols and compatible materials, and techniques were discovered.

The mediums to support Iron light spread to carpentry, glass working, alchemy, leathercraft, weaving, painting, smiting, and various others. Each with their own pros and cons. However some materials like obsidian and silver are inert. All mediums must be imbued with a great deal of pure iron to function. Apparatum created using materials other than pure iron are rare. All techniques require some iron to be present to work. Be it metal inlay, infused materials. Usually requiring special tools.

A very popular and reliable technique was discovered for short term Iron Light solutions. A special material called Chalkstone was found to be very compatible with iron and allows for quick, and relatively accurate creation of Apparatum that last a small number of months. This is commonly used in novice work, prototyping, mass production, and education. Unfortunately devices made with chalkstone are easily destroyed by things like water damage, or other environmental hazards.

Oxidization is a huge problem for Iron Light. Iron, when exposed to the elements, begins to rust. Oxidization occurs 33% faster when the iron bears even a single rune from the Ferric Alphabet. To combat this, regular maintenance is required. Many Artificers pay their bills by upkeeping the Apparatum of their customers. If rust is allowed to develop for too long, it will permanently damage the runes.

The Arcanist Maalvern discovered Iron Light at the end of the First Age. He observed common patterns in the damage created by Magical Backfire. By intentionally increasing the damage of Magical Backfire, he was able to spot runes amongst the damage.

One of these runes was found to appear elsewhere. In Necromancy, a phenomenon called a Death Scar matched exactly to Maalvern’s findings. This led to many other successive discoveries of similar nature. These found runes would later be called the Ferric Alphabet.

After much experimentation with the runes, their interaction with iron was discovered. A decade of experimentation led to a single working lamp, and a basic theory of Iron Light.

Little is known about why Iron Light actually works. It is widely accepted that there lies something within the properties of iron that mimics a living body, allowing it to share the powers of one’s Vizir.

The Ferric Alphabet is assumed to be some product of The First Tongue. Since there is very little known about the origin of both subjects, the practice largely operates on assumption in this area.

The Ferric Alphabet is a wide set of runes that represent the aspect of Zol like Space, Matter, and Energy as well as the complex relationships between them. These runes can be organized in an infinite amount of configurations to accomplish Enchantment.

The alphabet is thought to be incomplete, and many academics spend their lives searching for more runes. Missing runes are made up for by the combination of known runes, this is referred to as Imperfect Representation. For example, glass is represented with light and stone, along with a complex nexus of supporting runes to ensure the representation is stable. Nearly all Apparatum require the use of Imperfect Representation, but the key to good artificery is mitigating the usage and complexity of Imperfect Representation. Too much imperfect representation within a given Apparatum causes an electric sensation during usage.

Iron Light is revolutionary due to how accessible it makes Magic, but it is not nearly as powerful as Enchantment made from Imbuement Perpetuum.

Iron Light also demands the usage of one’s Vizir, and in turn can be very exhausting if overused. Long term usage of complex Apparatum causes a rare magical disease called Materiation. This is only seen when the Apparatum in question requires an abundance of Imperfect Representation.

Materiation causes the afflicted’s body to slowly change to a different material state. It is most often seen amongst artificers and those who operate complex Apparatum as a part of their career.

This could manifest as holes in the body that slowly pour out smoke, appendages that become plantlike, or famously like the conductors of The Iron Tracks who turn to iron. Though gruesome, the condition is painless and described by the victims as euphoric.

Iron Light Enchantment is limited due to the fact it depends on the Vizir of an individual. Its more powerful counterpart, Imbuement Perpetuum, is not limited in this way. Objects of this nature are much more rare and powerful.