Hedron Network
The Hedron Network is a communications network that we use here in the Kirinal Concordance Zone. Every resident of the Zone must "Bear the ident-a-hedron" and our artificers have discovered that the density of them has created a hex crystal network. The resulting network is a perfect medium for transmitting magical messages and sendings with very little arcane energy. In recent years, an enterprising alliance of dwarves and goblins has discovered a way to transmit music and simple images across the hedron network.
Instructor of Recruits
When I first got to the Zone you'd get the Surveyor's Call in the morning and you could use your hedron once a day to send a message. Now we get announcements and music and you can watch little plays on them! I like to watch "As the Orrery Spins" every night after supper while I smoke my pipe!
Sgt. Kill Flayer
In the Kirinal Concordance Zone every sophont in the Zone is required to "Bear the Ident-a-hedron" as long as they are within its borders. The volume and proximity of hex crystals has inadvertently created a magical network of mortal souls that the artificers of the Zone have learned to broadcast on.
The most obvious use has been the extension of the range of the simple message cantrip. Anyone with a hedron can message anyone else that they know within the network. The critical mass of hedrons in the Zone means that the network naturally covers everything inside of the Outer Ring of the KCZ.
Networks Outside the Zone
The artificers have discovered that outside of the Zone, a critical mass of 1,000 ident-a-hedrons will make a small network among them. This means that smaller networks have begun to spontaneously appear in areas outside of the Zone. This is mostly occuring in the Sovranty of Lozar and other member nations of the Concordance for Survival. The wealthy, the politically motivated, and adventurers are the most likely to have visited the Zone or have citizenship there. Citizenship in the Concordance is a goal for many and possession of a hedron is seen as a sign of prestige outside of the Zone.
To connect these far-flung networks, the artificers have developed Hedron Towers along the rail lines that extend the range of messaging and entertainment.
Thunder Prisms
The use of magic crystal to store and send sounds and images is as old as magic itself. Advances in Maharlitech has made it cheaper and easier. The development of the hedron network has allowed the people of Erathia to send audio and visual images anywhere the Towers reach.
The dwarf and goblin artificer duo of Cumvel Coyilen and Of the Forge the Spark has specialized in converting thunder prisms from weapons of war to delicate devices of audiovisual delight. They use them to store music and serve as speakers for music and karaoke.
I love the idea that technology used for warfare is now used for like, music and revelry. :) Bet this was a good article to get done if people use it all the time!
Explore Etrea
Thanks! This is definitely stuff that comes up in-game all the time that I haven't detailed! It's definitely "elven shoes" type of stuff, so I'm trying to avoid getting too in the weeds. In the meantime I have one of my players looking at it right now to tell me if I missed anything from our games!
Take a look at my Institutions of Learning challenge article.
Learn about the World of Wizard's Peak and check out my award winning article about the Ghost Boy of Kirinal!