Hard Light Generator

HLG, the most flashy tool in all of Earm. A short hand for solidified photon generators or "Hard Light Generators". It is efficient, versatile and hard enough to scrape diamonds. But fragile like tempered glass, and bright enough to steer a charging Bloathorn off course. The generators themselves are worth a small fortune and only capable of materializing a small selection of forms, but can fit in the palm of your hand and have a myriad of uses. Truly, a pinnacle of human ingenuity

Utility

The term "HLG" is more in line with "cast iron" or "damascus" rather than "cell phone" or "computer". You will never find a "hard light computer" or a "hard light television" any time soon, it's too complex. A Hard Light Generator is merely another tool in the handyman's toolbox. It can be used as a wrench, a screwdriver or even a surgical saw. But just as a hammer can be used to hit a nail, it can also be used to crack a skull.
There are models of highly illegal "unlicensed HLGs". These generators usually have a sinister purpose behind them and have no safety measurements to speak of for the purpose of being "discreet". A long and sharp blade hidden within a compact and subtle generator is the perfect hit weapon, even with the blinding glare. These weapons are highly unstable in nature, and the cheap materials used to develop these weapons will often lead to compromises much earlier.
Whenever a HLG is damaged it will do one of two things. Warn the user of it's damaged state and not turn on whatsoever or it WILL activate and cause the presumable compromised Kiln Lens to activate and damage the chassis and then deactivate entirely, but no further.
Unlicensed HLGs on the other hand will not give any indication as to a warning. No buzz, no alarm, not even a light. Whenever a Kiln Lens is compromised the HLG will shatter and turn into a glowing ball of needles, often destroying the hand carrying it or even causing death.

Manufacturing

With every HLG model, there is an "Optic Mill" behind it, bootlegged or otherwise. Optic Mills are milling machines used to carve and shape Kiln Quartz into Kiln Lenses. First, a 3D model of the desired HLG is made. Using a precise mathematical program, the computer will then display the necessary amount of lenses required as well as what order and position to put them in. If it's impossible, then it's back to the drawing board. The rest of the development will be left to the engineers, who painstakingly work day and night to produce a precise and accurate chassis to hold the lenses in place. As mentioned before, lenses must be precise down to the micrometer. This applies to the positioning as well.
Once the desired measurements are made, the Optic Mill will begin carving an accurate and intricate pattern onto a small slab of Kiln Quartz. It's important that an Optic Mill uses a drill rather than a laser, as a laser will result in an unwanted Hard Light during production, possibly even damaging the machine.
Once that's done, another machine will laser cut and assemble the chassis in preparation for the Kiln Lenses. And then, it's up to the Councilmen to decide whether the HLG is fit for public use. If a HLG does not meet all of the requirements necessary, than the model is denied. But should it meet these requirements, then the HLG will receive an official licensed seal of approval, ready to be shipped off to the masses.

Access & Availability

With the stunning progress of optic research (a now viable job), the prices of licensed HLGs are at an all time low with quality at an all time high. HLGs are still considered a luxury. However, a HLG can be found in almost every construction site, workshop and laboratory. If you would like to purchase a HLG of your own, please register at your nearest Council House. In order to receive a license to carry a licensed HLG, applicants must be "clinically sane", "17 or older" (depending on state)

and "have no major or violent criminal history". Failure to meet these requirements will result in form rejection.
However, please note that possession of an unlicensed HLG will result in immediate incarceration. We do not take kindly to dangerous weapons in our streets.

Complexity

HLGs use an intricate chassis to hold and project Kiln Lenses, though complexity varies from model and make. The inner machinations of a chassis can easily be compared to a wristwatch. In fact, most HLG manufacturers produce wristwatches to advertise their precision and complexity, often going at prices well above the average house bid.
While the chassis is complex, the Kiln Lenses are precise, having extremely intricate and seemingly erratic patterns that are mathematically generated. Kiln Lenses must be accurate to their intended pattern down to the micrometer, it is impossible to forge Kiln Lenses by hand.

Discovery

During the rediscovery of the Periargo in the Corteal Highlands, a strange crystal was discovered within its eco-dome. The unique Aether that surrounded the Corteal Highlands had mixed together with liquid quartz from a still active piece of lab equipment, it seemed to be a kiln of some sort. The Quartz, (dubbed, Kiln Quartz) had displayed strange properties. Lemurs that had been living in the eco-dome were using the rays of light emanating from the crystals as walk ways. When a flash light was shined through the Quartz, the rays did not appear to become more solid, they still remained rather fragile. But when a high powered laser was tested, the rays had immediately gained stronger structural integrity, with the adverse side effect of accidentally blinding the cartographer.