Aetherdynamo

Aetherdynamos are complex engines that can generate a steady, and reliable source of Aether. These engines are used to power various machinery, as well as landcraft, seacraft, and aircraft. At the center of each dynamo is the Mastershard, a large and uniquely powerful Aethershard that holds within it a powerful elemental. This elemental can generate a constant stream of Aether, which is funneled through a circuit of runic sygaldry into an array of Aethershards that store the power. The Aether is then channeled out of the Aethershard arrays, and used to power any manner of invention. The power an Aetherdynamo can produce is reliant upon all these systems working together, and can be limited by poor sygladry, low quality (or quantity) of Aethershard arrays, or limited by the strength of the elemental within the Mastershard. The Aethershard arrays are always being passively charged by the Mastershard whenever the dynamo isn't operating at Drain or Surge output.
This system gives Aetherdynamos three modes to their power output.

• Sustain: When operating at Sustain Output, the power output is low enough that the Aethershard array is receiving as much (or more) Aether from the Mastershard than what it is outputting. At this power level and below, the power output can be sustained indefinitely. Vehicles and machines requiring steady, yet constant, power operate at this threshold. Airfloats and most industrial machinery operate at this output mode. Dynamos designed with this output mode in mind emphasize having the most powerful Mastershard possible. The more powerful the Elemental within the Mastershard, the higher the threshold of this output mode can be.
• Drain: Drain Power is a range of power output that is greater than what the Mastershard can regenerate. This causes the Aethershard arrays to slowly (or rapidly) drain. Once the arrays are drained, the elemental within the Mastershard begins to fatigue. If overtaxed, the Mastershard could permanently weaken as the elemental within it is weakened. In some cases the elemental within can perish and the whole dynamo is rendered dead. Lightning Rail, Skylance, and other high-power machinery operate at this range of power. Dynamos designed to operate at this output mode contain large Aethershard arrays. The size of the arrays, and quality of the Aethershard within, determines how long the dynamo can operate at Drain Power.
• Surge: Surge Power is the maximum rate of power output the dynamo can handle. This is used to generate extreme amounts of power in a short time, and is the most difficult power output to manage. First it must be ensured that the machine being powered is designed to handle Surge Power. If Surge Power is being used, there is usually a specifically designed intent for it. Skylances briefly operate at Surge Power during takeoff and landing. Surge Power is often used to power inventions that use teleport effects, or to catalyze destructive effects such as bombs and cannons. Surge dynamos primarily benefit from a high number of runic output pathways to channel the Aether through. More pathways means greater quantities of Aether can be moved. Higher quality Aethershards also increase Surge capacity, the more perfect the cut the more cleanly Aether escapes (and thus more of it can escape at once). Naturally, a powerful Mastershard and large amount of Aethershard arrays also contribute towards increasing Surge Power capabilities.