Explorer's Mechanica

"All exploration of the outer planes should begin first, and foremost under the advisory of the Magisterium's Divination Crucible to ascertain the nature of the plane, and its environments. If a plane is considered to be hostile, an order to Notham's Mechanica Guilds should be placed, with a confirmation of the contract delivered to the Magisterium Archives at Xathrus* (signed in triplicate by the engineer, the Guild proper, and Dragonspeaker of the Crucible)." The archmage sighs and releases his wizened hand from the scroll, allowing the paper to roll back into its cylinder. "You willfully ignored the exploration edict of the Circle, and now..." The archmage pinches the bridge of his nose. "We have three dead conjuration apprentices. How do you plead?"

— Trial notes from the sentencing of Archmage Azenroth.

The world of Orr, and its multiverse of planes is a dangerous landscape even for the intrepid explorer. From the deepest trenches of the Sea of Mithris, to the flying skyclaves of the Ourriclaire Isles, there are untold dangers that lurk in the unknown regions of the earth; Let alone the myriad of obstacles and hazards that one can encounter beyond the prime material plane where the laws of the universe are often bent, or casually broken without rhyme or reason.
Thus, the inhabitants of Orr must tread carefully, and with precision as they attempt to explore the greater reaches of the planet, and its many dimensions.
The first of the Explorer's Mechanica were created by Drin. They were simple, somewhat crude (in comparison to the versions that would be developed later) hazard suits given to the Mithril Officers of his Iron Legions to explore deeper reaches of the earth. These first Mechanica were used to dive into the dangerous pits of the Underdark in search of rare minerals, and material. Overtime, the Mechanica became extremely specialized for certain terrains and ventures, the most noteable being the subnautical diving bells which Drin's Navy used to begin exploring the vast Sea of Mithris. They transformed from simple envionrmental suits, into full fledged vehicles, and miniature research laboratories capable of autonomous exploration.
While the Iron Legions due still produce their own Mechanica, the tinkerers and artificer guilds of Drin's city of Notham have almost exclusively taken over the production of E-Mechs upon the continent, and work in close circles with both individual researchers, and much more elaborate expeditions planned by organizations such as the Magisterium, and it's Circle of Nine.
The Mechanica are extremely specialized research crafts, created to delve into the world's most dangerous, and inescessible locations. They often take decades to build and require the knowledge and expertise of entire guilds of artificers. A mechanica will go through a number of designs before they are ever deployed, and are rigorously tested to ensure optimal results from those that contract their construction. The cost of such a Mechanica varies upon the mission in question, but even the most tried, and true models cost over ten-thousand Orrens. A steep price, for certain, but when attempting to cross into an unknown plane one hopes to have as many assurances of returning as possible. However, this excessive cost means that Mechanica are rarer than perhaps the world's explorer's would like. Many regions of the world still (and perhaps will always remain) unexplored due to the lack of funding to procure such an elaborate tool.

Explorer's Gear & Equipment

In addition to the Mechanica itself, there is a great variety of equipment which the aspiring explorer may need to bring along with them on their journey. Autonomous Construct Engine Researchers (ACERs) may accompany a Mechanica in order to perform tasks outside the shielded walls of the E-Mech (for completing tasks such as gathering samples, or mining minerals in locations where a mortal would certaintly die).
Similarly an explorer interested in hands on research may require a Vital Augmented Mechanized Personal Apiture (VAMPA) suit. Such harnesses vary in design, but often include a breathing appiratus for toxic locations, deep sea diving, or even making repairs to the outside of a Spelljammer. VAMPA suits typically include an a skin-tight endolayer of materials that may be insulated to protect against frigid cold, or sewn with flame retardant materials to prevent immolation.

Power Generation

The Mechanica is powered by harmonized foci crystals infused with the power of the weave of magic. Such crystals are formed only during the conjunctions of the elemental planes under extremely precise circumstances. As of yet, there is no method to recreating such a phenomenon on the prime material plane, and thus the power source for some Mechanica can be temporarily extinguished. The artificer guilds of Notham have begun experimenting with Dragonpowder batteries for the Mechanica, but it may be many more centuries before a reliable version of such an engine comes to fruition.

"Each of the Mechana are specifically designed for their tasks and the environment in which researchers might require their assistance. Extremely specialized tools, and instruments are also created for the Mechanica to serve their function. This in turn, often means that the engineers and tinkerers of a Mechanica sign generational repair contracts to see to the the Mechanica's upkeep. Such contracts are passed down from heir to heir of a engineers line (or amongst their collegues if the line burns out) along with schematics, and research materials. Some Mechanica, such as the Subnautical E-Mechs of the Drin Navy, are so old that fifty generations of engineers have maintained them.

Nickname

E-Mechs

Owning Organization

The Iron Legions