Chainer Orb
The Chainer is a mass-produced, floating crystal ball designed for practical and affordable video and audio communication. It is a staple of Carandorian society, bringing magical connectivity to the masses despite the region's otherwise medieval traditions. Created by the Divination Department of Spellhold, the sole institution in Carandor where arcane magic is legally taught, Chainers are a fascinating blend of arcane ingenuity and widespread utility.
Chainers operate on a simple yet sometimes unreliable network. Each Chainer can connect to others within a 1-mile radius, forming a chain network. If multiple Chainers are within range, the signal can hop from one to the next, extending the effective range by an additional mile for each link in the chain. This allows users to make video calls, transmitting either visual, audio, or both aspects simultaneously. However, the network's functionality depends entirely on the availability and positioning of other Chainers, leading to moments where connections fail or drop unexpectedly. The GM (Game Master) determines whether a connection exists based on the context, adding an element of unpredictability to its use.
Unlike the more prestigious Streaming Orbs, Chainers are priced affordably at 100 GP, making them accessible to commoners, adventurers, and merchants alike. Beyond the initial cost, there are no additional fees, which has made Chainers a ubiquitous tool for communication. However, their limitations—such as inconsistent network coverage and the inability to float or record—have given them a reputation as a practical but flawed solution.
Chainers have become an iconic symbol of Spellhold’s influence over Carandorian life. Despite the Church of the Pantheon’s disapproval of these arcane devices as tools of potential "moral decay," the widespread use of Chainers highlights a paradox: Carandorian society's deep reliance on the magic they simultaneously fear and regulate. For those willing to embrace their quirks, Chainers offer an affordable and magical means of communication, opening doors to new interactions in an otherwise traditional world.
Common
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