Distance Communication Device

Also known as DCD.

Invention

DCD as a device was created by the salvaging and re-invention of Pre-Collapse Arcane Machina. Objects that were used to submit and receive signals and messages across extreme distances were commonplace during that era, and overtime became favoured over using magic to directly speak to individuals due to their ability to repeat and store information long term. These devices were used both privately and publicly - Public use devices could attune themselves to specific wavelengths of Arcana and receive long range transmissions of news broadcasts and live music events, for example. Several bands notably only performed over Arcane transmission without ever being seen in person.
After The Collapse, the concept remained dormant for the next few centuries as focus was put on re-establishing traditional means of communication inside of settlements, but most notably a lack of unity in the surviving nations, in particular Urushee's self governance of its major populations, meant there was also no demand for frequently available long distance messaging anymore. It would take until 1127 that the idea was revisited due to experimentations in Electric technology, most notably the stability of bursts of electromagnetic radiation sent between devices.
Using these findings, the Dwarven inventor Kraldran Dimmane retrofitted a small number of older Arcane devices and was able to send live messages between them over limited distances, though he was unable to restore the capacity to store messages. By scaling up the transmitter used, he was able to effectively communicate across several settlements, and eventually between multiple devices at once, and named his creation the Long Distance Communication Device, though the "Long" portion of the name was dropped soon after as he expressed frustration at having to use four syllables every time he referred to his creation.

In Society

Initially, Kraldran was hesitant to make the specifications of the DCD publicly available, seeking to profit from his invention. Limited numbers of DCDs were made at first, being sold as a complete set with upscaled Transmitter devices to wealthy clients as a luxury item, allowing them to connect with relatives and business partners across the country without the need for traditional mail services. Eventually however, the technology was reverse engineered by Dyffros Demolitions, who acquired a DCD set through unknown means and used them to communicate between their cells across the lands before ultimately releasing the schematics to the public as a publicity stunt in 1153.
DCDs have become significantly more available since 1160 due to advancements in production efficiency and the materials required for the technology, and has swiftly grown to be a large source of entertainment an music in larger population centres and public venues. While still fairly expensive, individuals with significant capital are able to afford even personal DCD devices.
With the increase in popularity and usage of DCDs, several companies established themselves as large-scale transmitters using significantly larger DCD Transmitter devices, including some large enough to occupy the space of a small tower. These broadcast groups will operate throughout the daytime in Urushee, playing music, recorded messages and live newscasts to the population, with some of the stations receiving sponsorships by businesses and wealthy patrons in return for favourable reporting, whereas others operate with no incoming revenue to cover their expenses.