Magic and Technology

On Earth, society advances with technology. On Aarde, society advances with Magic and Technology. The term Powers is used for mechanic reasons to explain "unusual" abilities and to keep the rules fairly in sync. If your character can do something unusual, mechanically we call them powers. In character and in the world though, they all have very specific terms and theories.

The list below are just the primary ideas of what sort of powers are out there and vaguely show how people tend to group them in this world. Many of these powers are sub divided and sub divided and sub divided among their users.

Many characters may combine various aspects of the list below. Don't worry about it, worry about your characters story and HOW they combine the below

* A trained ninja assassin might know fighting techniques for the blade and know a spell to fling fire
* A steamgineer armor wearing Knight may carry a magic sword of fire and drink alchemical potions

## Techniques

Many warriors claim to know special fighting techniques that appear to be psychically impossible. They may call it chi, magic or just plain skill.

Some people seem to almost be supernaturally good at their profession. Their food tastes better even though they use the same ingredients. They can repair even the most busted equipment and somehow it works better.

Techniques refer to people who have worked hard to learn to do something that seems beyond normal limitations

* Cold Endurance Training - On the South Pole, only the hardiest survive. Many warriors train all their lives to live and be unaffected by cold temperatures and can walk barefoot in snow.
* The Bakers dozen - Somehow, given the same amount of dough, this baker is able to get one extra roll out of it.

## Magic

Defined by powers and blessings that in no way rely on technology. Wands, staffs, magic swords, spells, flying carpets, communing with beasts or trees.

* The burning blade of the wastes - this normal looking sword glows red hot with a single word
* Shadow Capes - These rare capes are prized among thieves and assassins for their ability to improve stealth

## Technology

Defined by devices and machines that require no magic to function. Crossbows, a printing press, a gun.

Steamtech is the Aarde word incredible machines and technology beyond that are hard to explain. They aren't magic, but they are so far advanced beyond current tech that they can seem that way. It doesn't have to use steam.

* Steamtech Speed Legs - A set of greeves and boots that use steam to power great strides.
* The Repeating Crossbow - A gear powered crossbow that can quickly fire six bolts in a row without reload

## MagicTech

Defined by devices that require magic to function. The magic may be the method of activation or some component internal to the device. MagicTech usually appears to be a machine and only someone studied in engineering would be able to determine that something was different.

* Gunpowderless gun - these rifles fire special bullets. The bullet and the trigger mechanism feature runes that explode on contact.
* Gorric's Distillery - Gorric the famed alchemist has built an intricate distillery that certain programmable arcane switches and triggers to function properly without being monitored

## Alchemy

The mixing of various compounds, mundane and/or magic, to create or change things. Alchemy is one of the best established "magical" professions in this world as even someone with no magical talent can learn to mix reagents.

* Lead to Gold - Sadly, the reagents cost more than the gold you make
* Alchemical grenades - gun powder is dangerous, but by combining a few magic reagents the explosive force can be magnified.