Magitech

From SteelStorm

The ongoing debate between magic and technology

Magic and Technology exist as uneasy partners in the lands of Legend. Over the years, there have been criticisms of each in turn: science, for the slow, methodical approach that can't possibly advance as quickly as magic's ability to conjure things out of thin air; on the other hand, scientists criticise magic as being something outside of full human understanding, and therefore out of full human control. Magicians scoff at scientists toiling away to no end, while scientists honestly wonder when some mage is going to lose control of the magic energy they were manipulating and blow up the entire continent.

Despite these arguments, magical pursuits have made far greater advancements than science alone, pushing forward advanced technologies, such as electronic components and self-drive machines, that the scientists could not possibly have achieved using their steam-era technology. And, in fact, many scientists have given in, accepting magical energy as a basis upon which to build new and innovative technologies.

Four Types

Generally speaking, people tend to fall into four different categories in the debate over magic and science:

• The Traditionalist. The traditionalist eschews both magic and technology, preferring to rely on his own wits and capabilities rather than trust his life to either magic or machinery. These people tend to fall into the mold of the traditional adventurer or explorer, living off the land, and using their traditional skills to make the best of a simple life. They will almost always choose traditional weapons for battle and animal mounts for travel, and many even carry around heavy sacks of gold coinage, refusing to trade it in for the "fake-looking" TCs that are the backbone of modern currency.

• The Scientist. The scientist believes, first and foremost, in technology alone. While he may occasionally deign to use magical energy in some of his projects, he will tend to eschew magic, and resents those who do for taking what they consider to be unconscionable shortcuts. True progress, the scientist believes, is based upon human achievement and progress - creations that humans both understand and control. Generally, science types will use steam- or mechanical-powered transport, and chemically-powered projectile weapons, as well as whatever else they can create.

• The Mage. The mage sees magic as a power that is present in all things, and upon which many of the current advances are based. He scoffs at the notion of plodding along through a scientific process, especially when he can do incredible things with magic and magical energy, while laughing at science-minded types poking at gears, boilers and waterwheels. The mage sees the incredible progress that magic has created, and is little concerned by the risks - after all, magic has so far held them in good stead. The mage type will often use magic-typed or magic-projectile weapons, and will often use armors or mechs powered off of magical energy.

• The Technomancer. The technomancer does not see magic and technology as mutually exclusive. Rather, they see that by combining the best aspects of both camps, while minimizing the downsides, incredible technologies can be created through the fusion of the two disciplines. Technomancers are generally the group that is the least afraid of innovation on any front, and as such, it has been technomancers that have arrived at some of the greatest recent technological advances. Technomancer types will use a variety of equipment, usually combining magic and science - powerful mechs with a variety of weapons systems, and magically enhanced projectile weapons.