Techno-Arcanic Dimensional Architecture

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The technology of Techno-Arcanic Dimensional Architecture (or TADA, for short) is possible because the dimensional membranes in the area of Lemuria are unusually thin. It is uncertain whether Kumari Kandam shares this thinness, but researchers believe this is a property of this plane and not the continent itself. Quintessence Engines function on both continents. See Cosmology for more information about other planes accessed by TADA.

Quintessence Engines
Quintessence is an energy found between planes. It is believed that this is raw energy from which planes emerge. Quintessence Engines (QEs) are able to pull this energy into a plane to generate magical effects.

Early attempts at producing QEs resulted in horrible effects on the researchers, because pulling the energy into our plane results in multiple microscopic dimensional portals being created for a few seconds. Through foci and abjuration they were able to direct these portals beneath the earth, where they could safely emerge through their brief existence.

This worked fine for hundreds of years, but as more QEs were produced there was a side effect that no one noticed until it was too late. When two QEs are too close to one another, rather than doubling, the number of micro-portals increases a hundred-fold. Tiny chunks of the bedrock of Lemuria were scattered across the planes. After many years of QE use, the continent no longer rests on a solid foundation, but a fragile lattice of rock, and has now begun to sink.

So long as the QEs are kept distant from one another it is believed they can be used safely on Kumari Kandam. Some worry that there is no safe level of use, but scientists and politicians agree there is no safe way to migrate the population as quickly as they must without their use. Perhaps once the civilization has been established they could be dismantled... but for now that is a question for the far future.

Setting up a Q.E.
A team setting up a quintessence engine must have a variety of skills. It takes a total of nine successful DC 12 checks to assemble: 3 Strength, 3 Dexterity, and 3 Intelligence. The device is very delicate and complicated: if you have two rounds while assembling it in which there are no successes, the device falls apart and you must start over. Note that successes in excess of the amount needed in one category will help keep the assembly whole–so while a fourth successful Strength check can't take the place of Dexterity or Intelligence, it can prevent the team from having to start over.

Gemstones
QEs focus energy through the use of various gems, which have an affinity for creating portals to different planes and magical effects.

Gemfinders
Because gemstones are so important to the technology and economy of Lemuria, one of the first developments was a gemstone detector. With this device the user can detect any gemstones within the region and know their type and size.

In practical terms, with a scan a scouting party can find how many gems are in the region and how difficult they will be to obtain. The gemfinder can also find good places to set up a quintessence engine.