Etherrail (Ee-thur-ale)

A weapon technology invented by the Griff. It involves a specific alchemical process that distills a variant of the Magic Stone spell as well as the Catapult spell into kinetically reactive powders. These powders are compressed onto small metal rods and loaded into crossbow-like aiming mechanisms. When struck with a mechanical hammer, the rods flare the Magic Stone ability, energizing the rods with an arcane, greenish-teal electricity (dubbed "ether" by the Griff) and then triggering the Catapult effect, sending the rod along the aiming stock's track ("rail").

Manufacturing

The manufacturing process is quite delicate, particularly in creating the rods. The alchemical formula is a closely-guarded secret and the resulting powder is quite volatile and deadly. The process of compressing the powder onto the rods has a razor thin margin of error: if the compression is too fast it will trigger the kinetic reaction, but if it's too slow or not strong enough to bond with the rod, the efficacy of the reaction can be impacted causing unpredictable results when triggered.

Social Impact

The existence of etherrail weapons in Tsura-Tsura is a source of heated debate among the Tower Council and the Tower Congress. Many Tower purists believe their mere existence is a threat at best and an act of open rebellion at worst. Griff representatives argue the weapons are necessary for their way of life (several native species of Tsura-Tsura, including traditional game species) seem immune to most conventional weaponry other than rail weapons or their traditional precursors.

Discovery

Growing out of traditional Griffish etherdarts (Magic Stone-imbued sharpened sticks hurled with difficult-to-master hook-like tools called cidhu) technology developed to hunt several native game species, Griff engineers perfected the early etherrail prototypes roughly 50 years ago and have been steadily improving them since.