The Collision of Continents / The First Cataclysm
The Collision of Continents (The First Cataclysm)
The First Cataclysm remains one of the most profound and enduring mysteries of The MagiCore Era. This apocalyptic magical event reshaped the world, merging the once-separate Verdant Realm and Frostfell Peaks into a single landmass, divided by the towering Frostfell Mountains.
Whether the collision was an accidental consequence of unstable experimental MagiCore war machines or a deliberate act by desperate greenskin shamans remains unknown. What is clear, however, is that the cataclysm was no mere historical moment—it is a living phenomenon, its effects still felt to this day.
The Living Cataclysm: A Source of MagiCore Power
Deep within the Frostfell Mountains, the raw components essential to MagiCore technology continue to emerge, shaped by the lingering energies of the First Cataclysm. This unceasing magical upheaval is the sole source of the raw crystals required to craft MagiCores, and it has become the foundation of modern industry.
The Dwarven Kingdoms
The Frostfell Mountains are under the dominion of three powerful dwarven kingdoms, whose control over the crystal mines grants them immense influence. These kingdoms manage the extraction, refinement, and distribution of the precious raw materials, and their wealth and power are unmatched in the region.
- Raw Crystal Extraction:
The cataclysmic energies imbue the mountains with veins of crystalline material, brimming with potential. These crystals are harvested through dwarven ingenuity, tempered by centuries of mastery over mining and stonecraft. - Enchantment in Core Chambers:
Once extracted, the raw crystals are transported to Core Chambers, where skilled artificers enchant and refine them into functioning MagiCores. This process determines the final size and capacity of the core.
Small and Large MagiCores
Modern MagiCore technology relies on two primary sizes of cores:
- Small MagiCores:
- Compact, efficient, and versatile, these are the backbone of modern agriculture, industry, and household utilities.
- Example Use: A single small core powers the moving blades of a harvester, increasing its efficiency dramatically. Where a man could harvest 1,5-2 acres of crops in a day, a MagiCore-powered harvester can process 12–15 acres with ease.
- The integration of small MagiCores into daily life has transformed entire industries, from farming to milling to construction.
- Large MagiCores:
- Far more powerful but costly, these cores are reserved for significant industrial or military applications.
- Examples include powering locomotives, ships, and heavy machinery.
The Engineering Marvel of Harvesters
The harvester, a symbol of MagiCore-powered ingenuity, is one of the most celebrated achievements of modern engineering. The MagiCore within operates the beveled cutting blades, driving mechanisms that once required advancements in traditional engineering to even conceptualize.
Before the introduction of MagiCores, such feats would have required painstaking mechanical innovations—similar to how bevel gears in our real-world history revolutionized engineering in the 1800s. With MagiCore power, however, these constructs move beyond the limits of mere machinery, blending arcane and mechanical efficiency into a seamless whole.
The Lasting Impact of the Cataclysm
The First Cataclysm was a disaster of unprecedented scale, but its unintended legacy has become the foundation for progress. The raw crystals of the Frostfell Mountains drive the MagiCore technology that powers agriculture, transportation, and even warfare. Yet, the lingering magic of the cataclysm ensures that these resources come at a cost:
- The dwarven kingdoms guard their territory fiercely, their control over the crystal mines a point of both pride and contention.
- The still-active magic within the mountains occasionally creates dangerous surges, resulting in unpredictable phenomena and unstable crystals.
Despite these challenges, the power of the MagiCore remains a defining element of the world, transforming the lives of its people while keeping the legacy of the First Cataclysm alive in every construct it powers.
Comments