Elduri Fire Piping

"A system both advanced and diverse. What was originally intended for heating could be used for a great many things. Cooking, naturally is an option. What else was there?... Yes, in my time it could be used in warfare. In my stride, that is. Yes, you could set them ablaze or simply confuse the lot of invaders. Good for farmin', too; farmin' animals is what I mean. The stranger ones, the dumber ones, they feel the pipes underground; they won't cross the heat. Of course, there was communication, though they eventually made independent. Somethin' like sign language for the eyes... Well, you know what I mean."

An Upgrade to Civilization

The Elduri fire piping was designed by contractors from Fjordstrond at the request of Eldurgrund's baron. Built sometime after Ettermiddag, the pipes were used to ensure people throughout separate villages could stay warm in the winter, which required small dispatches of Eldur monks to reside in the villages, using their fire magic to fuel the piping. These pipes were an upgrade to civilization, but required regular maintenance, as the endurance of the Eldur flames meant the metal was under constant heat. The main issue, however, came when the monks forgot to heat the pipes. After slowly returning to their winter chill, the sudden contact with flames would warp the pipes. At present, this has been resolved in cities with hardier metals, but the only original pipes to be used are in the Frost Turf Inn, usually considered a tourist landmark.

Method of the Technology

The pipes themselves were rather rudimentary, consisting of any variety of metal allows. They were buried beneath the ground in a pattern that led beneath each individual house in the area, reaching a series of metal prongs within the homes that would radiate the heat outward and keep the homeowners warm. Each system had roughly 4 wide outlets, requiring the monks to release any manner of fire magic into the pipes before sealing its cap shut with clay. It was typical for the monks to do this at the same time, utilizing incantations that would ensure an enduring flame so long as there was access to air at the origin point of the spell.

The Monks

The monks that fueled the pipes were paid a large sum from the barony in Euvurcrest for their assistance in aiding the population. While the finances were nice, most of the money went back to the Monastic Order of the Eldursteries itself, as no good monk has a use for private money. While the pay eventually grew unnecessary beyond their stable pension from the government, the monks abandoned the project, which wasn't helped by the constant maintenance of the pipes (which halted the pay). While monks will often rotate to the city of Euvurcrest to assist in using those pipe systems, they have generally abandoned the notion altogether, regardless of how helpful it may have been. The only exception is the Frost Turf Inn, who they still assist so long as they receive a reasonable payment, as they have designated the inn as a place of cultural significance.

Uses for the Pipes

Heating

As can be expected, the pipes are useful for their intended purpose. During winter months, or in mountainous settlements, the pipes are useful for ensuring the people stay comfortable. This has often been a point of contention in Euvurcrest, as when finances grow difficult, the heat is the first thing to go. This tactic has made tax disagreements a cinch, as the highborn citizens of the city despise discomfort above all else.

Warfare

The pipes were regularly used in warfare, though not in their standard form. If the pipes were filled with combustible material, which was easy enough in liquid form, they could be used as hidden weapons. This was particularly common in fights against large orc-raiding groups throughout history, where the inhabitants would be cleared days in advance. Food and equipment would be left for the orcs to use in order to make them grow comfortable. Then, in the night, the pipes were lit ablaze. This would level the town, but ensure the orcs would not return. Truly, this was a last-ditch effort.

Communication

Certain spells have been quite useful with regard to these pipes. For example, certain spells have been uncovered that can transfer small amounts of heat to the end of a medium, so long as its material composition and proportion stay constant. This has led to wire attachments being added throughout the Eldursteries and Euvurcrest. If enough heat is added to the end of the wire, it can cross to the other end at its full capacity, lighting a wick and allowing rudimentary communication via the light. This has been used to communicate not only within the mountain city, but between lower gates at the bottom and the governer's keep at the highest crest. The methodology is particularly useful if the guard wishes to inform others about a threat without causing a panic, as the bells often may.

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All art made in Midjourney

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Territory With Fire Piping: