Technology

The Technology of the world is diverse, and largely based upon water and steam power, although recent advancements have been made in regards to using thunderbugs to charge machinery.

## Water Power

Water power is commonplace throughout the world as a renewable energy source. It can also be used to operate machinery with applied pressure, and be used with irrigation systems to promote cleanliness and clean drinking water, but also in sewage and rubbish disposal. Water power has been the mainstay in the world for several hundreds of years, as it is virtually free and easy to come by, and can apply tremendous force, aiding in machinery such as lifts, cranes and mill equipment.

## Steam Power

Secondplace to water power, and used frequently now but discovered later, steam power uses the force produced to push pistons back and forward inside of a cylinder. While it's uses are not as variable as water power, it has found great use in machinery, and particularly in forges used to craft Hunter weapons and armour. It also has great uses in applications for transport, such as airships.

## **Airship**

An Airship is a flying vehicle commonly used for travel throughout the world, thanks largely to the harnessing of steam power.

### **What groups use airships?**

Certain corporations like the Hunter's Guild, Royal Paleontology Scriveners, Elder Dragon Observation Team, and Wycademy are the only known groups that use these airships commonly. However, airships can, and have been for the last few years increasingly used for commercial transport of civilians.

### **What are airships used for?**

The airships have a variety of uses, though are most commonly used for transportation by the general public and Hunters. Some airships are used for studying the ecosystem of some locations, such as the Coral Highlands, or investigating reports of monster sightings. Some towns are also known to call for airships to bring in needed supplies and other resources.

### **How do airships survive monster attacks?**

The airships are made of strong materials that can survive multiple hits from monsters, such as Flying Wyverns. These airships are strong enough to withstand the fiery breath of Rathalos. Some of them have other forms of protection like the Dragonator, Gongs, and ballista to fight off foes. Though they are durable enough against most foes, airships can easily be taken out by Elder Dragon-Level Monsters and Elder Dragons.

### **What kind of fuel do they use?**

The fuel for an airship can vary. The most common fuel for airships is coal from the volcanic environments, though some use unusual types of fuel like the gas from the inside of certain monsters.

## **Thunderbugs**

Thunderbugs are beetle-like insects that channel natural lightning energy through their bodies. While handling a thunderbug will cause a human little more than a mild shock if the bug is alarmed, their power can be converted and harnessed to amplify it. For years, they were used to create shock traps, favoured by Hunters to trap monsters for capture. However, with groundbreaking research, their energy has been harnessed into powering more and more applications, often in conjuction with water and steam power. For example, thunderbug energy is now used to power the Hunter's clutch claw, as well as the electric fencing around Balam, streetlights, cooking appliances and so on. Researchers are adamant that in time, they will find even more uses for the miraculous insect, and maybe even more along the way.