Terrible Ingenuity (Technology)

[Tyrant]

Technology

Quacia was once the epitome of technological refinement and advancement, and was renowned for their melding of magic and technology together into the creation of some of the most formidable inventions seen in the modern age. What was devised by once bright minds has long since faded into relative obscurity, and whilst some of these ancient machines are still actively used, they are in a constant state of dwindling, their numbers limited to only those which were created pre-Cataclysm

• Purifier
  
• Puppet
  
• The Caller
  
• Steelskin

[Tyrant]

Purifier

Quantity - Uncommon
Usage - Dragoons

There is little doubt that the Purifier devices were built for the purpose of war. Some question whether or not their creation and subsequent stockpiling was an attempt by the Quacian government to prepare themselves for a conquest across the seas, or whether the devices were meant to be used in a purely defensive manner. Nevertheless, the violence inherently possible from a Purifier cannot be disregarded.

The Purifier is a simple device in design. It takes the appearance of a nozzle, a pair of handles for gripping, one located at the base of the weapon, and the other directly below and behind the nozzle, and an empty space where a Well can be loaded. Through unknown means, the Purifier extracts the energy of an inserted Well, and begins to drain from it, using it as a sort of magical power source. Activation of a trigger located upon the grip at the base of the weapon opens the nozzle, and begins the draining process.

A wave of fire is promptly shot through the nozzle at one's enemy, turning them into little more than an unrecognizable crisp of burnt meat and cloth. The relative heat and range of a wave appears to derive directly from the power of the inserted Well. The device appears to have been designed with usage of relatively weaker Wells in mind, as frequent use of stronger Wells has a tendency to melt the nozzle, or to out-right detonate the device in a blazing inferno of accidental malfunction.

[Tyrant]

Puppet

Quantity - Six
Usage - The King, Theocratum, Dragoons, Cult of Puppets

Easily one of the most, if not the most advanced creation of the Quacian people. Even the most simplistic functions of the Puppets have long since been forgotten in the annals of history, and it is a well-known fact that absolutely no one has a clue how they even manage to function, especially after not receiving any sort of charge or repair after centuries of use.

Puppets take on the form of humanoid beings, though they tend to tower over them, rising upwards to roughly ten foot in height, and weighing nearly seven-hundred pounds. There are minor differences between each of the six remaining Puppets, though their physical dimensions tend to be quite similar, likely indicating that they were all created by the same enigmatic individual or organization. Perhaps the most adept comparison with any other creation is that a Puppet is quite similar to a golem, such as the ones created by Necromancers. They lack any proper flesh, and instead appear to be hewn of either stone or metal, though it is uncertain which constitutes the majority of their physicality.

Attempts by the Quacian Government to enact control over Puppets using necromantic means have led, without fail, in the immediate extermination of whichever mage was assigned to the project by the Puppet. In fact, it is surmised that Puppets have an anti-magical property about them which dispels any Spark-based ability which comes into contact with them. Despite their apparent inability to be controlled, however, Puppets seem to follow the orders of the King of Quacia as though it is inherent within whatever constitutes as their directive. There are currently five known Puppets, as well as one which was considered to be lost within the confines of the Underway when it collapsed, likely trapped within the dirt alongside the remainder of the Arkenstone family when they attempted to flee.

Two Puppets keep a constant watch over the King of Quacia, preventing any attempts of assassination with an uncanny strength and speed for their massive size. One Puppet is assigned to protect the Voice of the Theocratum, and simultaneously keeps watch over The Caller. One Puppet has been granted to the Dragoons for use in their operations and in ensuring the security of Quacia, though it is rarely called into action for fear that it will annihilate dozens at a time. The final known Puppet was secreted away by the Cult of Puppets, known heretics who worship their captive entity as a portion of the divine Wounded God.

Indeed, whilst it borders on the heretical, it is not uncommon to find those who sympathize with the idea that the Puppets are at the least the servants of their God, incapable of being corrupted, always in service to Quacia and its people.

Servant

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Designation: King’s Protector
Appearance:


Standard bodily dimensions for a Puppet in terms of height and weight. At a glance, it possesses standard physiological dimensions which would be found on an exceptionally tall human. Servant possesses a whitened plate upon its left forearm which is kept bent inwards when in a resting stance. This is evidently a mimicry of the way that a castle’s custodians and waiters would allow for handkerchiefs to be placed upon their arms when dealing with persons of noble lineage.

In actuality, this handkerchief may be detached from Servant’s left forearm, and thrown through the air in a manner not unlike a boomerang. Servant possesses an innate accuracy and understanding of geometry which allows it to retrieve the thrown plate with relatively minor effort, and is capable of throwing with enough force to shatter bones even when encased inside of plate armor. To this trial, this process has yet to even scratch the surface of the weaponized plate.

Function:
Servant acts as one of the two bodyguard’s of King Arkenstone, ensuring that he is entirely safe from any sort of harm. It does this both by protecting him directly, and with its ability to intercept inbound projectiles with the handkerchief weapon it utilizes.

Servant also performs its role as a waiter. It is utilized at times to retrieve food and drinks for distinguished guests, or to provide for the needs of those gathered, though its priority is clearly the protection of the King at all times. When serving food, it has a habit of raising it near its face so that it may distinguish whether or not there are poisons active in its composition. While its behavior is clearly that of a trained person, it is incapable of speech.

Knight

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Designation: King’s Protector
Appearance:

Knight is appropriately named. While weighing no more than the other Puppets, it appears far bulkier and weightier than its companions. This is due in part to its design, which mimics that of a knight in shining armor. Its head has also been shaped in such a way so as to appear in the fashion of a helmet, though there are no additional pieces hidden within, and the helmet cannot be removed.

Knight was clearly meant to serve a martial purpose. It possesses a long sword at its side which out-stretches nearly three feet, and which it wields with terrible purpose. While such a blade would typically be far too heavy for a mortal to wield effectively, Knight suffers from no such disability. Upon its back may also be found a large shield, likely composed of the same material as Servant’s “handkerchief”, and thus typically impervious to physical blows.

When not occupied, Knight may be found kneeling at the side of the King’s throne, his blade held before him as if in prayer or paying obeisance to a feudal lord.

Function:
Knight serves as a protector of King Arkenstone alongside of Servant. While Servant is possessed of primarily ranged abilities, Knight is a closer and more brutal combatant. The strongest of any of the known Puppets, Knight is capable of cleaving enemy combatants in twain, and is frightful to observe in battle, unflinching before blows in the fashion only an automaton can manage.

Knight will occasionally be sent to patrol the hallways of Fortress, and has been known to ensure the safety of all nobles to whatever extent is possible, unless directly ordered to refrain by Arkenstone. This has granted a measure of safety to the Fortress that would not be present if it were only protected by the Dragoon Garrison.

Inquisitor

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Designation: Torturer and Information-Gatherer of the Theocratum
Appearance:

Inquisitor carries the appearance of a far more arachnid entity than its compatriots. While its core is shaped like that of a man, it possesses eight distinct limbs. Its primary limbs are humanoid in appearance, though its secondary limbs are far more spindly and end in small grasping claws which allow it to wield a variety of items at once.

These spindly limbs are capable of lifting Inquisitor upwards off of the ground so that its primary feet do not touch, but are undoubtedly somewhat more fragile than its humanoid limbs, as shown by the way that it will lose balance if stricken particularly harshly, though, its additional limbs allow it to catch itself with ease when this occurs.

Instead of possessing a vast multitude of eyes, Inquisitor possesses only a trio which are placed centrally upon its head. It is completely lacking in other facial features, giving it a far more inhumane appearance that its fellows. Despite the lack of a mouth, Inquisitor is capable of synthesizing speech and questions, its voice mechanical and cold in quality with little inflection. While it was not part of its original package, it is not uncommon to find Inquisitor with a variety of cutting implements, poisons, and tools of its trade attached to its back, within easy grasping range of its secondary appendages.

Function:
At times, it becomes necessary to perform inhumane and dreadful activities in order to ensure the security of both Quacia, and its denizen’s souls. When such needs arise, the Theocratum calls upon Inquisitor to perform its terrible activity. Whereas a mortal may flinch when inflicting atrocious pain upon its fellows, Inquisitor suffers no such moral qualms.

Inquisitor is an expert in inciting assorted forms of pain and terror, and is quite capable of tearing away secrets and hidden falsehoods from those in its dreadful care. Most persons never have an opportunity to perceive the terrorizer of the Theocratum, but its presence is known in the gentle clicking and clacking of inhuman steps below the Cathedral floors.

Architect

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Designation: Cult Designer

Appearance:

Architect is unique among the Puppets in that it possesses four wheels like those of a cart as opposed to any form of legs. While it possesses multiple arms in a fashion not dissimilar to that of Inquisitor, these are equipped for the purpose of construction, design, and the integration of mechanical devices into varying formats. Architect also uses these arms to maneuver itself, though, for the most part it is relatively stationary, and remains in its concealed position, awaiting the arrival of others so that it may examine their work.

It is quite likely that Architect also possesses more visual abilities than its brethren as well, given that it has the tendency to change eye-color while regarding assorted devices. In a way, this makes it much like the Biqaj race, though it would be a stretch to ascertain that the curiosity of the machine was any form of ‘emotion’.

Function:

Long ago, before the Cataclysm, Architect served as a designer and adapter of the many technological advancements of the Quacian people and their scientists. It was with the assistance of this innovative machine that several of the constructions around Quacia were made possible, including such fascinating devices as the Purifiers.

Incidentally, due to the relatively slow and non-combative nature of this Puppet, it proved to be an easy target for the Cult of Puppets whose fanatical disposition led them to kidnap and conceal the machine where it could not be easily found. Architect has been hidden for several dozen arcs at this point, and is unfamiliar with the social order of the world above. Instead, it merely sits within the dark confines of the Cult forge, assisting in the creation of devices whose purpose it cannot ascertain.

Hound

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Designation: Dragoon Warfighter
Appearance:

Whereas Knight is designed to impose a sense of brutish power, Hound has been made to demonstrate dexterity and to generate a sense of primal fear. One of the most dangerous of the Puppets, Hound possesses a monocular red eye in the center of its head with which is observes the world around it. It has been known to spot even the most hidden of persons with this eye, proving its effectiveness as a spotter, and earning it its moniker.

It possesses a long and thin blade composed of a similar material to itself which it is typically kept attached to its back until needed. It also possesses a set of claw-like protrusions which it may display at any time, and which are more than capable of rending apart flesh and construction alike. Hound is the only of the Puppets who is known to use weapons other than its primary, and it is not uncommon to observe it using any object in its proximity as a tool.

Hound is notably far lighter than its comrades, and as such is capable of utilizing its relatively airiness and deployable claws to crawl upon the sides of structures. No obstacle is too much for the vicious Hound, and once it has laid eyes upon its target, few are able to escape its wrath.

Function:
Given the violent nature of Hound’s construction, it is unsurprising that it has been assigned to the Dragoon Garrison. That being said, it has a tendency to demonstrate a level of violence that is often seen only in wild beasts and Creepborne, and thus the measure of collateral damage which it is liable to inflict is quite high. It is for this reason that Hound remains within the confines of the Garrison until needed.

The value of the Puppet means that it is only rarely deployed to external battles, though it is an exceptionally useful combatant in this regard. Instead, Hound is usually kept within the bounds of the city, and its mere presence is a reminder that the Heap’s Rebellion, while successful, could easily have been broken if only the leash of the Hound had been loosed.

[Tyrant]

The Caller

Quantity - One
Usage - Theocratum - The Voice

Located atop the Citadel of Truth, The Caller is a massive connection of pipes, horns, and amplifiers which allow for the Voice of the Theocratum to make grand announcements to the entirety of the city. The Caller itself is typically reserved only for emergency usage due to the potential for disruption, though, in times of distress it has been used to broadcast the sermons of the Voice across the city, and at least once to denote the presence of a large band of heretics for the faithful to hunt down.

The only distinction from this rule of emergency-only announcements is the daily reminder to worship, and the once a season iteration of the laws of the Theocratum. The vast and booming voice of The Caller is known to catch the attention of a great many persons, and whilst it is likely able to be replicated due to its rather simplistic nature, it is a project that would require significant manpower and resources in order to prepare, and subsequent presence of enforcers to ensure that it was not abused in order to cast venomous heresies to the city.

[Tyrant]

Steelskin

Quantity - Two
Usage - No one

Once the possession of the Quacian Navy, these two vessels have long since become little more than dormant points of interest. Driven upon sandbars found near Majesty Dockyards, and stripped of nearly all of their military equipment, the two vessels have since been abandoned, and it has been discovered by intrepid explorers that they are far too much effort to re-equip without the support of the local government. Nevertheless, the vessels are of an intricate and uncanny design.

Both of the vessels were clearly designed for war in mind, and have assorted slots built into their vessel for the placement of what can only be assumed to be gunpowder based weaponry such as cannons. The most prominent feature of the ships, however, is the thick layer of iron which has been cast across their wooden interior, providing a significant protection against both fire, and also weaker variants of cannon. It is assumed that these mere two vessels, dubbed Steelskins, were more than enough to combat any number of piratical vessels making their home in Quacia's water.

Given recent events... they may yet see action anew.