Energytronics
From SteelStorm
An Introduction to Magical Energy
Magical energy both is, and is not, like electricity. In fact, magical energy is most like electricity in the fact that it is used for many similar purposes in Steel Storm. However, magical energy is much more versatile than electricity, albeit harder to get at. However, due to its existence, only the most hardcore of scientists have bothered to even begin doing crude experiments with it - for all intents and purposes, magical energy is a far superiour product, and quite a bit more stable (at least on the surface).
Magical energy is, essentially, elemental energy divined from various environmental sources, and then refined into its purest form. Magical energy is created in one of two ways: either by taking energy from the four main elemental forces (water, fire, air, earth/nature) and merging them together into a form of energy that goes beyond mere elemental force; or, by drawing magical energy from beings that innately generate it (humans, precip, some types of monsters). Generally, the second method is easier, but most people tend to get ticked off when you walk up to them and suck their energy out - ticked off enough, in fact, to often transfer kinetic energy to your skull via projectiles or blunt objects. So, the most likely scenario for generating the energy is to either harness elemental forces and purify magic, or to draw upon your own MP to generate magical energy. Magical energy is normally expended by the use of spells, but it can also be harnessed by someone with the right expertise and specialized equipment. The other method usually involves a complex process of burning wood and percolating air through a vat of water, accompanied by some incantations and a dash of something akin to alchemy (the precise process is part of what you learn when acquiring the energytronics skill class). Additionally, certain classes of druids can attempt to collect magical energy via communing with elemental spirits, but this is a specialized process, and does not usually yield bulk amounts of energy.
Once the energy has been refined, it can then be used in a variety of areas, including the construction of pre-made spells, power systems, energy-based circuitry, and the like. Additionally, blasts of pure elemental energy can be fired from highly specialized weapons.
Generally speaking, magical energy is the main type of energy used in Legend - aside from that, the only other major sources of power or energy are wood-fired steam or water generation, usually used to drive mechanical assemblies, and various chemical compositions and explosives, which are used in chemical-propellant weapons.
