Henderson Reflection

Such power contained in such a small item. Imagine if we could overcome its limitations...mother nature herself would bow before us!

— Erwin Tornheimer, Teutan Physicist

The sciences are an everchanging world of ideas, theories and knowledge, constantly advancing as Humanity seeks to explore the nature of Aeteria itself. Most remain ideas or are relegated to simple sentences in dusty tomes, but some can change the world.

Light in a Bottle

Henderson's Reflection is a process by which light, coming from a contained source, is reflected in endless circles using special mirrors, leading to an energy build-up. Small crystals, known as Litin, originally served this purpose due to their natural capacity to produce light. They proved too weak for more than a few experiments, and were soon replaced by batteries made from magnesium, iron and a mixture of various chemicals. These batteries, named after their inventor Alec Itznikov, proved far more effective and have since become the standard tool used to create light. Put into a complex array of fine mirrors, they produce a frightening amount of energy. How the reaction plays out depends on one of two things:

Constant Release

If the energy is released on a constant low level then the battery is suitable for civilian use. This flow of energy, while not especially powerful, is stable enough to allow a number of systems to work. Such batteries have found viability in a number of fields, such as powering medical equipment, small lamps that provide light in more modern homes and cities, or flashlights.

Sudden Release

If the energy build up is allowed to continue unabated it will eventually reach a breaking point and cause a violent explosion. Said event can be controlled in its own way, although directed would be the better term. Such is the military solution, which sees the explosion rush out in form of a bolt of energy or even lance of light in more advanced weapons.

In the two centuries since its official "invention", although Henderson technically did not invent this process and merely perfected it, Henderson's Reflection has led to variety of advances in military, medical and communications technology.

Be glad you live in the modern age, boy. In the past, you'd have to use freaking bullets to kill them Ruthies.

— Albian Commander

Discovery: ca. 1575 IE

Inventor: Emil Henderson

Related Technologies:

• Light Musket

• Flash Grenade

• Thompson's Medical Array

• Fisher Lamps

• Trans-Atmospheric-Telegraph

Limitations

As amazing as the Henderson Process sounds, it comes with severe limitations. Building larger batteries is simply impossible, as the forces unleashed by energy accumulation will simply tear any known metal apart. This is the reason why muskets and pistols fire light bolts, but artillery is still using gunpowder and metal projectiles.
Another limitation is that this energy cannot be stored once produced. Once the energy build-up is iniatiated, it will have to be released either in a controlled manner or via an explosion.

by Upsurge Studios