Fragmenting

Introduction

Fragmenting refers to the practice of tampering with Arcanacrags, which extends to the creation of arcane-based technologies, the creation of World Magic tools, and the research and cataloging of these mystical stones. The practice is often viewed as controversial for its historically devastating impact on the ecosystem, but also the introduction of Sunderscraps to the world. Most regions will allow a Fragmenter to process in peace with minor regulation, though some smaller communities rebuke its practitioners as destructive polluters and spirit-killers.

A lot like Necromancy, Fragmenting has held back the world on the exploration of traditional sciences, as the convenience of Arcanacrags has historically fulfilled the need to innovate new technologies. That was until the craft withdrew into obscurity as the populations of Mortal races grew, and eventually returned to the world when corrupted Nor-Adac began to appear after the Bleeding of Venedak.

Origin

Arcanacrags are the remains of fallen Spirits, the Noradac leave them behind as a unique crystalline alloy that's composed of hardened divinity and raw ether. They were used as a tool to aid in survival by the earliest Fragmenters, and later found piqued interest by one of the most advanced peoples in all of Atharen's history.

It should come as no surprise to any that know them that the Ald'Norai were the first to unlock the hidden potential in Fragmenting.

Arlain, previously known as Indorin, the homeland of the Ald'Norai, is rich in copper and zinc. Both metals were used in the creation of Brass, a metallic alloy similar to gold in appearance. Though it was largely inexpensive and plentiful, the alloy made the perfect conductor for the magical effects that Arcanacrags could produce. This was the spark that ignited the boom in the Aldnorai's advancement, and domination over their neighbors. Without Brass as a conductor, it's impossible to reshape an Arcanacrag. When they discovered the ability to shape, cut, and Meld Arcanacrags, their advancements only accelerated.

There were only a handful of Fragmenting Forges in the land of Indorin, but they saw immense traffic every day with every corner of the Arcanacrag exploited to suit the needs of the Ashen Elves. It was during this time that Indorin began an inquest for the collection of the finite resource that was Arcanacrags. The almost limitless potential found in those Fragments elevated the Ald'Norai centuries above the rest of Atharen and placed them atop an unreachable throne on the exploited power of fallen Noradac. Their innovations in the field have yet to be replicated to the current day.

When the Ald'Norai fell, their technologies were unrecognized by humanity. Their tools and contraptions were seized upon and dismantled for the valuable Arcanacrags they harnessed. Utterly destroyed in the flames of war, Fragmenting vanished from the world for a time.

Modern Methods

It wasn't until after the bleeding of Venedak that it was discovered that Noradac, the Spirits, became Arcanacrags when they were slain. A series of great hunts were launched over a period of only fifty years, and plentiful Arcanacrags were placed in the hands of ambitious scholars and scientists. With a much higher floor of education than early society, as well as better advances in metallurgy, these scholars discovered alternative uses for the Arcanacrags. The Fragments that were once considered to be indestructible, could be manipulated and altered to bend and shape other Arcanacrags to the will of the crafter through the use of Brass as a conductor.

These Scholars, or Fragmenters as they were named at the time, created specialized tools that could bend and shape Arcanacrags as they saw fit. Anvils and hammers capable of doing so became common in the castles of kings and the palaces of emperors. When Arch Hollows were discovered, and the supply of Arcanacrags only grew as rulers and usurpers sought to claim control of them where they appeared, Fragmenters only innovated more and more with the crystallized essences, and eventually discovered means of refining and purifying the corrupted Fragments collected from the Hollows.

The process of Melding revolutionized the art and gave way to more and more advanced forms of Arcanacrag technology. Through Melding, there appears to be no limit on the potential that an Arcanacrag can achieve.

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