Schemata

Overview and Physical Description

Schemata are Metascience items previously created by the civilisation of the 0th age, containing a kind of blueprint for magic and technology alike. Even Schemata with the same kind of resulting object may differ in overall power and the benefits it bestows. With the right amount and type of materials, the Schemata is capable of using the components to shape and construct the design contained within. Schemata can be reused an infinite amount of times, even to mass produce a particular item where materials permit. What is also unique is that Schemata can be improved by very specific means to make the resulting product even better or grant it use functionality or effectiveness. Schemata emanate a power that can be detected by magically-sensitive beings or by Metascience devices and often the most powerful or useful Schemata possess the strongest magical power compared to lesser schemata.

A Schemata appears to be an cuboid-shaped tablet made of a metallic material not currently in use in the 3rd Age measuring approximately 8 inches wide, 7 inches tall and 2 inches deep. Apart from the sides being solid, the interior appears to be made translucent crystal with a smooth surface on each side that can be seen through. The pane provides an interior space allowing one to see inside to see a third-dimensional object contained within, allowing the user to discern not only what it can create but also any extra details about it, including what materials are required to create the object. When the necessary materials are within range, the Schemata activates and takes a short amount of time (between seconds and minutes) to construct the item as it levitates on it's own to directly interact with the materials. Objects created by a Schemata can be repaired and modified by other means however the Schemata can only create the object contained within it's pane, it cannot repair nor modify existing objects. (Though a Dismantling Rune may be able to break down an object so its materials may be reused to create a new or different Schemata product).

Schemata Identification and Parameters

Schemata are organised in terms of Signal Strength, Refinement Level, then Integrity Score. While some Schemata may create similar items, these three qualities determine how to compare those of identical functionality. Like comparing two Sword Schematas.

• Signal Strength is a good reference and indicator of a Schemata's potential, ranging from Trace to Faint, Moderate, Strong and Teeming/Brimming. The further along this list a Schemata is determined to be, the stronger the resulting product at base and the more potential it has to gain new functionalities or unlocked benefits from Refinement. A Schemata analysis can determine how many special perks a resulting item can produce, from Trace (1) to Teeming/Brimming (5+).
• Refinement Level refers to the state of which the Schemata has been improved from it's base level of 1. Maximum refinement is determined by it's initial Energy signal. Schemata with a Trace amount of signal can barely reach Refinement Lv2, whereas Schemata with a Signal of Strong or higher can benefit from a maximum Refinement level of 5. The Refinement level of a Schemata also changes what materials are used to create the resulting product, high level Schemata produce the most powerful products but also ask for less common materials to create.
• Integrity Score is often a subject when uncovering new Schemata from various ruins, not all Schemata are 100% functional and require a type of 'repair' to be able to start creating with it. On a scale from 0 to 10, a Schemata is less or more capable of producing a resulting product closer to it's maximum potential. As such, low integrity equates to less powerful and more fragile products than it should. Additionally a Schemata must require an Integrity of 10 in order to be refined to it's next level. Refining a Schemata can end up lowering it's Intergrity score once more, however it never loses more effectiveness or durability than it's lower level, full integrity counterpart.
• Enhancements refer to special modifications that more often than not differentiate products of the same type and signal strength. Anything from dealing more damage or extending it's durability to granting it special properties, powers or functionality. The enhancements are specific to the type of product produced but the stronger the Schemata's signal strength the more enhancements and the more pronounced the enhancements' effects are. Enhancements often require the Schemata has maximum Integrity and a high enough Refinement level in order for these enhancements to become effective, though a preview of the enhancements can be seen even at Integrity 0, Refinement level 1.
  • The odds of a Enhancement from the 1st to the 5th enhancement (and beyond) shown is 100% Lesser, 50% Lesser/Moderate, 100% Moderate, 50% Moderate/Greater, 100% Greater. Multiple of the same type of enhancement can stack though some enhancements may only appear as Moderate or Greater and Better.

Schemata can produce everything from Personal Weapons and Armour, to Consumables and even more elaborate creations which are often unique in classification. A short but unlimited list of Schemata found includes:

• Swords
• Spears
• Axes
• Shields
• Armour (Part and Full)
• Firearms
• Runes (Object-based Spell)
• Construction Rune (Special Building/Construction Rune)
• Fixture (Traps, Functional Objects that rely on surface placement)
• Mundane items
• (All the above, except for Giants)

Cultural Impact of Schemata

• Historically: Schemata were wonderous objects that were theorised to be created in the 0th age. However it was not until the 2nd age that Schemata became sought after for the improvement to quality of life as well as used in Warfare for the War of the Giants that became the predominant concern for the age. By the 3rd age not only were many different Schemata excravated but also Metascience had advanced to the point that the ability to create new Schemata became possible and since then various organisations and groups have tried to make commerical successes with the most useful and powerful Schemata currently available.
• Scientifically: Schemata accelerated the technological evolution of the world by being able to create functional items that would have otherwise been too far advanced for the time. However it also inspired beings of significant intelligence and creativity to study Schemata objects to understand their scientific workings. Resulting in the creation of Metascience, a study into the forces that influence the world, which so happened to cover both real Science as well as magical phenomena.
• Size-wise: Through investigation and modification of various Schemata, it was found that for items relative to the intended could be scaled up and down with little to no effect upon the product's functionality aside from physical terms. While some type of Schemata are limited by law, all items created by Schemata can be created for use for Bigfolk and Giantfolk. Although the required materials to create such products scaled up and down according to the scale set, it was comparative less than a product created by normal means. Some Schemata have enhancements that allow Giant-sized items to be created even more cheaply.
  • Schemata material requirements scale up on a square divided by 2 (1.5x1.5), which means an item designed for a Giantfolk who is 12x larger (6x6) will need 36x more of the desired material to create a Schemata item. Special Enhancements reduce this to a linear scale, in which said product would only cost 12x more material than normal.