[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/uMUkZGk.png[/img][/center]
[color=gray][i]'It is said that magic once was seeped into the very air of this land. That anyone could learn the methods of drawing the magical energies from the land and cast forth both beautiful and terrible spells. Anyone skilled enough was called a wizard, but it was a very difficult task to do, but some were powerful enough to rule nations. Here within these pages details my theories on how this might have been done.' -Arcane Theories Vol I[/i][/color]
[h3][b]Handbook[/b][/h3]
[hider=Introduction]Welcome to the world of Glihirant, where Steampunk meets Magicka. Though they do not meld in the way you might expect, explained later, they both exist in the same world. Though at the beginning of this role-play, no one knows it exists just yet but they will soon. It's world is filled with steamworks and technology, knights, golems and all sorts of other secrets within. So grab a chair, a cup of tea or coffee, and enjoy a setting of trains, airships and magic.[/hider]
[hider=Technology][b][u]Coal Gems[/u][/b]
Small gems that are black in color that act just like coal, however they last up to 16 times as long, making even a sliver of the gems an effective power source within Glihirant. They only require a simple heat source, making them easier to lit and also more dangerous, but they power almost anything from airships to doors to elevators - even the electricity of light bulbs. Though anything more advanced doesn't exist really.

[b][u]Transportation[/u][/b]
The main usage of transport are still [url=https://i.imgur.com/Mo3oyeu.png]Deer Steeds[/url] however airships have been introduced within the last two generations. They are expensive to pay passage with, even more expensive to own and usually reserved for government transport or military operations but some of the more wealthy happen to own their own. They are usually powered by large amounts of coal gems and steam engines. Though trains are also used by the general population as a cheaper source from town to town while the rich ride in clockwork powered wagons.

[color=gray][b][i]Note: Written by Crusader_Lord who may or may not join.[/i][/b][/color]

[u][b]Clockwork[/b][/u]
This seemingly simple technology is on the rise within various nations, though has yet to be used in place of the currently popular and seemingly efficient Coal Gem technology, and as such is struggling to emerge into the currently "modern" world. However, this technology shows great promise in application, ranging from simple toys to powered transportation devices. Clockwork engineers known as "Tinkerers" specialize in this field of emerging technology, though are relatively rare in a world where the Coal Gem industry holds power. 
 
However, ranging from the popular "Kilbred Toy Company" employing this technology to entertain children and hold the attention of the masses, to machines made as generators and general day-to-day alternatives to Coal Gem Technology, to "replacement limbs" or "prosthetics" used for victims or military veterans who lost limbs in wars, to the small, secretive, industrialized, military-state of Grusk being rumored (albeit in reality the rumors are true) to have created a great, powerful, clockwork army of "mechanized soldiers", this technology is powered by a seemingly simple invention: The Magnetic Engine. 

This marvel of modern engineering utilizes an engine created with rows of spinning magnets that generates electricity at a high enough rate to power these machines more "cleanly" and "efficiently" than the average Coal Gem-powered machine. The efficiency of this new technology leaves some industry leaders wary of losing business or having to convert over to the new tech, albeit some nations like Grusk are investing more and more into this new technology emerging into the world.  In fact, Grusk is the leader in world Clockwork Technology, with their rumored "Clockwork Army" (which is actually real) possessing everything from soldiers to talk, supported by trained human soldiers that man the machines or direct them and such similar roles as this. 

[u][b]Steamwork[/b][/u]
Some nations in the middle  grounds of the debate of "Coal Gem Technology vs Clockwork" have created steam-powered clockwork machines that are thought to be the "middle ground" between the two forms of technology at this point in time. Though less efficient than any pure-clockwork machine with the magnetic engine, and less understood than the already known Coal Gem technology, these machines are "cleaner" to use and produce than the general Coal Gem technology, acting as a middle ground for both camps that seems to be increasingly drawn into the debate of the two industries. 

These unique "middle ground" machines function by using a steam engine, designed to minimize coal gem usage, that creates steam put under pressure to spin turbines (or miniature turbines for smaller machines) that generate electricity in a manner similar to a hydroelectric dam through their movement. Though this seems to also involve magnets, it lacks the sophistication and greater efficiency of The Magnetic Engine as a result. Further, the efficiency of Coal Gem usage for these machines varies greatly in each nation that uses this tech, leaving no actual "standard" for this area.

[u][b]Firearms[/b][/u]
Simple firearms that exist in the world are powered by a mixture of "Coal Gem Dust", "Sulfur", and "Imbued Salt", or essentially an equivalent of what is called gunpowder in real life. This mixture, called "Boom Powder" has its potent recipe protected closely by the makers and purveyors of it, who constantly seek to refine this explosive substance more and more as time goes on.

As for the firearms themselves, there are literal "flintlock" weapons in the world that use this powder, usually limiting individuals to single shots at a time before needing to reload. Very few, and experimental at that, "multi-shot" boom powder weapons have ever been made, and usually only for the military. To own one of the very expensive "multi-shot firearms" of the time is a big status symbol, especially among the wealthy elite, the government leaders, and high-ranking military officials. 

[u][b]Steamarms[/b][/u]
Similar to the "Clockwork vs Coal Gem" technology rivalry and debate, firearms have steam variants as well, powered by small steam engines themselves powered by many small coal gems that can be inserted and removed easily from the steam engine once exhausted. The small steam engine uses a chamber of pressurized steam to fire projectiles at great speeds, on the same level as regular firearms. Further, the firearm is noted as being "quieter" than any regular firearm, and has the advantage of being cheaper to power than the process of making boom dust for regular firearms. 

However, the building of these weapons is more expensive than with regular firearms, leading to them not being common in any military save for, perhaps, Grusk who has invested in a lot of the "most advanced" technology of the day and age. However, they are most commonly used among snipers in the armies of only the richest nations, and certain places are beginning to look into how to make them cheaper as well so they could perhaps be adopted in the future. 

Tinkerers have also begun to try to adapt firearms into clockwork variations, which are themselves limited to being possessed by Tinkerers who are still in the process of developing and "perfecting" them. These clockwork variants are being tinkered with having experimental magnetic engines applied to them as a possible power source, or using magnetism to fire a projectiles at great speeds from the barrel of the weapon in some manner with minimal to literally no "powering" needed for the weapon in the first place. 

[u][b]Cannons[/b][/u]
Though cannons are a thing that exists, they are notably expensive to buy due to the still less-refined process of making them. The general "smaller" firearms industry of things like pistols, rifles, and other small arms has advanced beyond that of the cannon industry, which only split off from that industry decades ago due to lagging behind in technological and cannon-making advancements. Even so, the industry has created varying sizes of artillery cannons that make them still valuable even now in combat, in sieges, on ships, and in army vs army conflicts. 

Supposedly, the nation of Grusk own a multitude of "super cannons" created through focusing their resources into the military, though these rumors remains rumors with foreign agents never seeming to return from investigating the matter. 

Coal Gem Industry: The equivalent of the real-life coal industry at its height, these "Robber Barons" of industry are among the richest and most well-funded people in the world. Comparable to "local warlords", these people live the life of high society, usually employ private armies, and are known for at times fighting literally over land with Coal Gem deposits with their armies in clashes dubbed "Coal Conflicts" or things like "Baron Wars" on average by local populaces around the world. Wielding mighty political heft, they are influential when it comes to governments in more economic nations, even ruling the small coastal trading nation of Magna Heiria.

Factories that use Coal Gems tend to be dirty, dangerous places, comparable to the Early Industrial Revolution in various nations in the real world. Workers are easily replaceable, machines not the safest, though as of recent years certain nations have been pushing to improve these conditions, make machines more efficient and safer, and also refine the use of Coal Gems. However, this industry has also paved the way for technological advancement in the world, powering flying machines, airships, rough land vehicles made for the rich and wealthy, and the like. 

[u][b]Bows, Arrows, and Ye Olde Weaponry[/b][/u]
Older weapons such as bows, swords, armor, and the like are not as popular as they once were in the world, though they still have some uses and employment in the world. Bows and generations of trained bowmen still outclass firearms in terms of precision and general accuracy, as well as cheapness to be fielded in battle and trained or combat, but by far lack the power of firearms as well as the fullest extent of range as compared to the few steam or tinker-style firearms in the world. The most underdeveloped nations still see the use of these weapons along limited amounts of firearms and such, mainly for sneaky, ambushing, and otherwise generally useful tactics in the wilderness and anywhere that is not the middle of a city or an open plain. 

Infantry are still equipped with swords for close combat, though have much less training than they used to get. Elite swordsmen/swordswomen and those trained before firearms boomed in popularity still find use in the military, though more so now as spies and agents, as well as being saboteurs and assassins. There are also still armed cavalry that bear swords or spears for charging attacks, cavalry not having been fully updated to current technology as it were. 

While armor is not useful against firearms of any kind, some places are attempting to develop "bullet proof armor" to fight against firearms, though this in particular is not very prevalent among developed nations whilst underdeveloped or more primitive areas put a lot more focus on this matter and more research into it. 
[/hider]
[hider=Nations][b][u]Eagrose[/u][/b]
The nation of the west, often seen as the kingdom of knights. Though they are more ceremonial than anything in the current era, it is still ruled by a king or queen. The knights it employs still practice swordsmanship though more out of tradition then seeing any actual combat. Still deploying archers as much as riflemen for their military, they hold the most power in the region. This can be contributed to their cavalry who have received special training with their deer steeds for agility, better able to avoid gunfire. Though they may be slowly falling behind due to their stubbornness to hold to the past, there are rumors that they are building specialized airships. The current ruler is Empress Alicia.

[color=gray][b][i]Note: Written by Crusader_Lord who may or may not join.[/i][/b][/color]
[u][b]Grusk[/b][/u]
This small, militarized nation sits in the far west of the world, surrounded by large, treacherous mountains that have always acted as a defensive wall for them naturally and left the nation with a very cold climate and few fertile places to grow crops. Further, only one land entrance into the nation exists in the form of the "Halachean Pass, and easily defend point in military battles.

Formerly the butt of many wars in the ancient past, occupied by major nations in recent centuries before gaining independence finally 100 years ago, this nation is the most industrialized and advanced nation in the world. They employ and research the latest technology, and maintain a solid pride in their independence and their might. Rumors of their growing advancement in weapons have been spreading, but have not been confirmed at all.

Leading to their past, the nation has always been a strategic resource goldmine, possessing coal gems and other valuable things hidden under the earth. This is why other nations would take them over once in a while, to gain these resources to fund wars and build up their military. As an independent nation, however, Grusk rejected the latest attempt to annex them 90 years ago in the infamous "Battle of Arawan Plains" where they defeated a greater-in-numbers force of troops from Stovetha of 500,000 with their more advanced army of 5,500 troops during the winter. This battle took place on the plains that lie right in front of the Halachean Pass that leads into the nation.

Led by King Reinhart the Third, third in his family line to rule the nation, Grusk is a nation that is both militarized yet happy, humbled from years of servitude and yet stubborn in nature. They possess many freedoms, yet the king and government also have great powers when it comes to the military, the weapons and military industries, and the people as well. Some assume the nation is a desolate, cruel dictatorship, which is the sort of news that is spread around most of the nations to discredit the small nation. While this is a lie in many ways, to a certain extent it is also true when it comes to the King and his government's power. So overall, Grusk is a mixed bag who is dangerous to fight militarily. 

The nation also possesses the greatest variety of inhabitants from various nations and areas of the world, stemming from being taken over many times in the past, as well as many immigrants having moved there or been moved there by the conquering enemies. Society is not judgemental about where one comes from or the like, being willing to take in all sorts of people so long as they do not seek to harm the nation or her people. And indeed, such "traitors" who seek to harm, riot, or the like are treated badly by the military and the people. They, who have endured so much and continue to face threats to their freedom and otherwise, will never allow their people to fall again. Trade is allowable, kindly cooperation outside of their nation is welcome, but they will never surrender their lands, their rights, their nation to anyone...ever again.
[/hider]
[hider=Magic]There are several Crystals in the world that have shattered, releasing magic into the world once more. The Crystals are focused on a singular idea or concept - such as fire for example - that will provide one person around it with an affinity for it. This person will have a mark ([url=https://www.pinterest.pt/luizpedro/suikoden-runes/?lp=true]refer here for markings[/url]) given by the Crystal relating to their concept. Otherwise anyone else will have access to magic normally (i.e. have to learn it like wizards - there are studies or theories from times past that people thought were myths, but realize they are instructions). Magic is used in more traditionally offensive or defensive ways and therefore there is no magical construction of objects or imbuing items with magical energy - it is either used or not.

However magical objects do exist. Though not many people know this, they are metaphysical, meaning they both exist on the physical and spiritual plane of existence. They are granted by powerful spirits or the divine beings. They are the only ones able to grant these legendary and magical items. Anyone wishing to acquire one, please PM with your idea.

[b][u]Concepts[/u] (You may ask for your own to be added here)[/b]
• Sword (Claimed by Lyla/Sofia)
• Water (Claimed by Evil Snowman/Cassandra)
• Ice
• Fire
• Earth
• Wind
• Lightning
• Shield
• Nature
• Healing
• Travel
• War
• Peace[/hider]
[hider=Divine Beings & Spirits]As of the moment, just know they exist - like the queen Sofia met in the second post. I'll also list the Divine Beings here.

[b][u]Divine Beings[/u][/b]
• Undine, Water
• Salamander, Fire
• Sylph, Wind
• Gnome, Earth
• Wisp, Light
• Shade, Darkness
• Luna, Moon/Celestial
• Dryad, Wood/Planet[/hider]