Mist tech

Opportunity through chaos

Many of the people alive on Anagaeia this day see the mist as a source of danger, fear and chaos. The monsters spawned from it help reinforce this belief. However, many see the opportunities to harness the mist for the good of society.
One such man was the Dwarven engineer Dirk Ironhand. In 126pm, Dirk invented the means to convert mist into energy; the mist engine.
The invention of the mist engine
Through relevant studies of the mist, it was discovered that the mist contained magical properties. Raw, powerful magic ran through the mist. Dirk knew that magic could be used to generate tremendous amounts of power. However, the challenge came from integrating the untamed magic with engineering. Many previous attempts, including the creation of an external coil to capture the magical essence, ended in short circuiting. The solution seemed far from reality.
The solution, frustratingly to Dirk, was simple. Arcanae crystals, a crystal with magic absorbing properties had been used in previous prototypes. When harvested and used as found in mines, the crystal could absorb a large amount of magic from the mist. However, it would absorb too much, and overloaded the machine. When refined and reduced in size, the refined crystal would absorb a manageable amount and store it.
And so, the mist engine was designed. The engine acts as a filter, allowing mist to pass through it. On the inside of the engine, refined Arcanae crystals are positioned to absorb energy as the mist passes through. The magic is passed through to the main machine in a manageable amount, allowing the machine to function. Because of the slow rate of power loss in standing crystals, machines are able to remain powered for a month after running mist through it before becoming unpowered.
Usage
The main useage for mist engines are in airships, as the magic provides plenty of energy for the ships to travel for long distances. Mist engines are also used for generators, more commonly used in the mountain cities, and rarely the odd surface settlement.