Enchanted Tools

Enchanted tools are, as the name might imply, instruments imbued with magical effects typically trhough the use of mana crystals.

Utility

Enchanted tools and the crystals that power them are as useful as they are varied. From apparati using stone and fire crystals to heat a room to ore crystals used to make a sword keep its edge, the technology is quite versatile. Larger, more industrial uses of the technology, however, are uncommon and difficult to maintain due to the shear quantity of crystals that such machinery would need.

Social Impact

Enchanted tools present a opportunites to merchants and artificers alike. Given the rather finite supply of the tools and the prices buyers are often willing to pay for them, a merchant who manages to secure a steady source of the technology would have a considerable revenue stream. Many skilled artificers have taken to offering their services in repairing damaged tools if not going so far as to endeavor to invent new variations of the technology.

Inventor(s)

It is believed that Dwarven society may hve been the first users of enchanted tools and, if surviving artifacts are any indication, they held a deep understanding of the practice. Ancient tools reportedly dating back to the time of the Dwarven kingdom have been shown to work without any visible mana crystal being attached or activated without a user passing their own mana through.

Access & Availability

On average, enchanted tools and mechanisms are relatively high-end items. This is largely due to mana crystals being a vital piece and, with trade of them being so highly regulated, a considerable added expense to production.

Complexity

An enchanted tool works by using a mana crystal's energy and element and channeling them through the tool. In order for this to be successful, the smith must not only ensure that the materials for the tool are conducive to its end purpose, but also can adequately conduct the magic from the crystals. The crystals in and of themselves are a massive consideration as the effects they generate can vary significantly based on factors such as element, size, cut, quality, or if there are multiple in a single tool, how close those crystals are to each other, elemental interfence, etc. A tool is then activated by either using elemental interference from the crystals to generate a passive flow of mana or the user themselves channeling mana through the tool. Both designs have advantages and drawbacks such as the latter potnentially being well suited for quick active use and typically less costly to manufacture, but poorly for constant use given the strain it would put on the user's magical reserves. Also, such tool would be practially useless for manaless individuals as they wouldn't be able to activate them at all.

Discovery

It is uncertain who created the first enchanted tools, but it is believed that Dwarves may have been at least amongst the earliest users of the technology as surviving artifacts are comparable, if not surpassing modern tools.

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