Steamtech

Steamtech
Technology
Invented by	Who created it?
Used by	Who uses it?
Common uses	Insert summary of its uses

Overview and Early History

Steamtech is the term used for technology powered by steam engines, which consist of coal being burnt to heat up water and create steam that powers pistons. Aesthetics include large ugly pipes for transporting the steam about, alongside ornate, grand machines with shiny, polished metalwork. This technology was created later than clockwork but has quickly become commonplace for most engineering because of the extent it can power machinery.

Most steam engines tend to work by burning coal in a firebox, which is transported through pipes to heat up water and create steam. This steam is then piped to the cylinders to work pistons and power the machinery. The size of the steam boiler and engine can vary but needs to be large enough to contain all the necessary parts. This affects the size and design of any machinery that requires a moving power source, often seeming clunky and large.

The metalwork required for steamtech means that the engines can be very heavy and intricate, depending on the machine. This can include pipes, boilers, tubes, pistons, and framework, which can vary between engineers. They are also affected by the type of metal used for the construction because of the heat involved, not to mention the quality of the coal being burnt.

Steamtech is capable of powering larger machines than clockwork could, which has resulted in the development of airships, automatons, and other technological advancements. The materials required to make the engines are largely commonplace and their designs can vary in size depending on their purpose. However, steamtech requires regular maintenance to ensure their effectiveness, needs a big supply of coal to maintain, and can be less reliable.

A Galudonian water boiler. These coal powered machines are found in most buildings within Galudon.

The science of steamtech is one that has been developed throughout Galudon’s history. Indeed, the scientific research and progressive development of advanced machinery is what sets Galudon apart from other world powers and solidifies its place amongst its leaders. Merchants began requiring finery to match the wealthy within large metropolitan centers. Urban development was expanding, and those with the foresight of investment and knowledge began requiring workers to help fulfill the orders of the growing middle-class. The industrial complex within Galudon first arose in 1697 in response to the country’s ever-increasing demand for leather. Leather shoes, boots, belts, and bodices were exceptionally stylish at the time, and tanners, cobblers, and girdlers found themselves raised from the working poor to the comfortably middle-class.

To meet the demand in leather goods, a clever tanner by the name of Harold Bennett, devised an idea for a leather stamping machine that would imprint the design of the required pattern into the piece of leather, only for a leatherworker to then cut out. Saving them time and measuring skills that many new transplants to the city would not necessarily learn quickly enough. Taking his idea to a clockmaker by the name of Jacques Moreau, the man devised a mechanical stamper, using gears, to depress a pattern by a hand-wielded machine. It is considered the first in a long-line of machinery that would drastically improve the quality of living for all Galudonians.

Automatons

Innovations in technology combined with the brilliant minds across Galudon have resulted in many new inventions in recent years, such as the creation of automatons. These machines are designed to follow a sequence of pre-determined operations or respond to predetermined instructions, which means they can be used to complete a variety of tasks. They can come in all shapes and sizes depending on their function, mostly defined as servitude automatons.

Automatons are mainly made of clockwork mechanisms, due to the intricate inner workings necessary to function. Their power sources can vary from being manually wound up, magically controlled, or having steam engines embedded into them, with outputs for anything being released. This is all covered up by a metal chassis to contain everything inside whilst serving as protection and completing their signature looks. Some servitude automatons can be large enough to resemble the humanoid races whilst others are far smaller but suited for speed and maneuverability.

The purpose of a servitude automaton is entirely dependent on what was intended by its creator, whether they are a single engineer in a small workshop or a large steamtech company. Many are created to complete manual labour or household tasks, such as cleaning, organising, writing, recording and fetching items. Others are made to fulfill a single monotonous task and may be kept in a factory as part of an assembly line or workforce.

Servitude automatons excel at completing the tasks they were programmed for, without much deviation. They are capable and efficient workers and the materials needed to create them are available all over Galudon. However, these machines need skilled engineers to create them and their lack of sentience means direct commands are necessary to be able to function. They can also require repairs like any machine and are vulnerable to the elements.

Upon realising the capabilities of automatons, many manufacturers quickly started to experiment with models suitable for combat. This involved programming the automatons to be able to kill and harm, whilst equipping them with various weaponry. Depending on their purpose, there are many different types of combat automatons but most of them are humanoid sized or larger to compensate for all of their internal machinery and weapons.

Steamtech is essential for the creation of combat automatons due to the amount of time they need to be able to function and their complex mechanisms. This is all combined within metal plating, which can resemble armour, and visibly makes the automaton very large and clunky compared to their servitude counterparts. They are also afforded more sentience to be able to operate in battle without being continuously commanded, which is either implemented through expensive engineering or with the underhanded assistance of magic.

The function of a combat automaton can vary from being a bodyguard, scouting, stationary guards, or being sent out to fight. Considering how dangerous they are, every combat automaton must be registered and is subjected to routine inspections. Some of them are equipped to deal bludgeoning damage with their limbs whilst others are directly outfitted to be able to kill, such as by adding hidden blades and firearms. It is impossible to hide the combat capabilities of an automaton at this stage, meaning they can be spotted and avoided by anyone passing by.

The advantages of combat automatons over their servitude counterparts are how they can operate by themselves and be used to protect their creators. They are extremely tanky and can be difficult to take down without special equipment or magic. However, this means they are extremely expensive to make and intensely monitored by the authorities, therefore anyone having an unregistered automaton can be arrested. Their programming means they are also prone to being hacked, breaking down, or even turning against their creators, which makes them very dangerous when equipped with so much weaponry to harm others.

Airships

As steamtech became more prominent, airship designs were altered to accommodate them to increase efficiency. Whilst looking similar to hot airships, the balloons are usually larger and more rigid whilst the vessels incorporate steam engines for levitation and propulsion. Steamtech airships have now become the standard in Galudon and are utilised by the majority of engineers to ensure their ships can match against competitors.

A common misconception about steam airships is the belief that steam is used to lift the vessel, which is untrue due to the amount of water that would need to be carried. Instead, they utilised a closed-cycle steam engine for propulsion, using the exhaust from the engine to heat the air in the balloon with a condenser in the air stream. Whilst similar to hot airship designs, this ensured control of both levitation and propulsion by the crew.

Steamtech airships are now seen all over Galudon, utilised by the majority of companies and maintained by steam engines. Their purposes can vary from carrying passengers and cargo on long voyages to being upgraded as warships or racing ships. They can afford to have larger vessels than the hot airships, largely necessary due to the steam engines that need to be onboard, but the rest of the space can be used for whatever is required.

The main advantages of steamtech airships is how reliable they are compared to relying solely on the wind with hot airships. The larger balloons and propulsion system means they can carry more weight with the ability to control their speed. However, the balloon cannot be deflated as easily so parking a steamtech airship requires a dedicated docking bay. They also require the usual fuel associated with steam engines and are at risk of breaking down.

Because of the intricate technology required to keep an airship afloat, a steady crew of at least eight must man one. A registered captain, a first mate, a navigator, two engineers, two colliers, and a shipwright at minimum. Most commercial airships function with much higher staffing than that, however for smaller runs, this complement suits most companies very well. Passenger airships run an even higher amount of staff, but only those with the wealth to afford such luxury travel upon them unless they are very lucky. Many from far flung countries seek work on Galudonian airships as a way to travel the world, or make their way to one of the gleaming urban centers that are dotted along all of Galudon’s shores.

Common Uses

Because steamtech is a market that requires continued innovation and value, it has infiltrated most of Galudonian daily life. Some companies hire engineers to invent solutions for common problems such as beer taps or slicing vegetables. Others maintain a certain traditional dignity about their craft and solely focus on mechanical parts for larger factories, food preservation, or medical enhancements. Still others regard themselves solely as military wartechs, focusing on combat automatons, military grade weapons, and airship cannon capabilities.

Research is often funded by the government or the university. Traditionally, new innovations in either process or mechanism are first assessed by the university, then certified by the appointed government. First-time hopefuls usually apprentice under a master engineer, or go to work for one of the larger firms in order to gain the skill and knowledge needed to devise cost-effective steamtech for consumption by either factories or the public.

In recent years, law enforcement has been utilizing steamtech to help assist in arrests and the subduing of criminal elements within urban centers.

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Writers BillyTheScruffy Artists Farkwhad Processors Lore Staff	Last Editor UmbraNight on 04/21/2024.

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