Fiction:Tenet/Technology

Tenet technology violates the laws of physics. To be specific, Tenet technology operates according to a set of physical laws separate from the conventional. Tenet uses a comprehensive knowledge of applied Essence in order to achieve paracausal effects that defy scientific understanding, in accordance with Criterion 2. Paracausal effects can be defined as abnormal physical characteristics or effects that have no identifiable physical basis or cause. As a result, active Tenet technology [hereafter referred to as "thaumaturgy"] is virtually impossible to detect through conventional means, as it emits almost no conventional radiation.

While based on Essence usage, thaumaturgy represents a distinct class of entity [c.f. electrical conduction vs. circuit board]. Two laws of the alternate physics of thaumaturgy have been identified. These regard so-called "thaumaturgic energy", or "thaums", the derived unit of thaumaturgy.
 * 1) Energy can be created and subsequently consumed to affect reality. Energy is drawn primarily from practitioners' internal reserves. This is a basic principle of Essence-based action.
 * 2) Energy can be stored in and transferred from physical objects. Objects with a highly ordered microscopic structure, such as crystals, have been noted to store commensurately greater amounts of energy.

Tenet magi maintain their social predominance partially through their strict control of thaumaturgy.

Thaumaturgy takes three forms. Ritual

The first form of thaumaturgy, ritual, consists of invocations, incantations, and ceremonies with inexplicable causal effects on reality. Practitioners are able to use magical thinking [particularly laws of contagion and sympathy] to generate, manipulate, or alter natural phenomena. Rituals are practiced scientifically; that is, they are practiced according to objective lines of theory and evidence. Furthermore, rituals are divided into disciplines based on the phenomenon they interact with, such as weather, biology, or probability. Tenet magi may specialize in one or more disciplines. Examples include:


 * Perception alteration. Key to Tenet's continuing secrecy is the ability to alter the perceptions of observers. In its most basic form, this ritual may be used to render Tenet assets difficult to notice or outright invisible. Advanced forms of perception alteration disguise the true appearance of assets both visually and to many forms of instrumentation. For example: Tenet spacecraft may appear as unrelated pirate vessels, and its planets may appear both uninhabited and uninhabitable.
 * Remote viewing. The ability to covertly and indefinitely observe targets represents an important part of Tenet's intelligence operations. Multiple methods of performing remote viewing exist, each with their own costs and benefits. Sympathetic magic, for example, allows magi to see directly out of discreetly planted symbols or effigies, but such objects are generally non-mobile and the link between object and practitioner is easily disrupted. Scrying, another method, has an adjustable field of view and may be used to track moving targets, but is commensurately more difficult to perform with any clarity.

Similarities to recorded Prime Criterion theurgic rituals have been noted. It has been suggested that Tenet magi are able to boost the range and potency of ritual through the sacrifice of sapient organisms.

Enchantment

The second and most commonly encountered form of thaumaturgy, enchantment, consists of physical objects metaphysically altered through ritual to have paracausal capabilities. Enchantments may be simple or highly layered and complex, providing functionality indistinguishable from technology. Simple examples include:


 * Object A is a breastplate from a suit of plate armor. A is composed of carbon steel that demonstrates anomalous hardness and tensile strength. No irregularity in molecular structure can be identified.
 * Object B is a glass sphere 8cm in diameter. When the ambient light level around B falls to < 30 lux, B begins to emit a steady white light at ~90 lux. B is hollow and constructed entirely of inert glass.
 * Object C is a hardwood crossbow bolt with a steel point engraved with a "starburst" symbol. When fired from a Tenet-made crossbow, if the point fully penetrates the target, the entire bolt will detonate with 600 kJ of energy after 1.2 seconds. C contains no explosive components.

Enchanted objects drain thaumaturgic energy in order to maintain their effects. Several methods for recharging these artifacts have been identified. Many draw power from a replaceable "battery" unit. Some can be infused with power from a suitably empowered individual. A minority must be powered continuously by a thaumaturgical circuit or Tenet magus. Servitors

The third form of thaumaturgy consists of the construction of biological or artificial servitors. As thaumaturgy is an analogue for scientific and industrial methods, servitors may be considered an analogue for robotics and other advanced machinery. Servitors are distinguished from heavily enchanted objects by their autonomy. Servitors have limited agency and are capable of making and acting on decisions, but require an attending magus in order to handle complex tasks. Examples include:


 * Servitor type A-15 is an industrial servitor, artificial-type, constructed primarily of steel. A-28 is a kinematic chain consisting of four independently jointed segments mounted on a a gimbal and terminating in a replaceable manipulator device. Manipulators used by A-28 servitors include hands, torch welders, and screwdrivers.
 * Servitor type B-19 is a small domestic servitor, biological-type, cephalopodic in shape and locomotion. B-19 is capable of excreting and absorbing large amounts of water, and uses cilia on its tentacles to funnel particles caught in the flow into its mouth. B-19 is believed to be used to clean floors.
 * Servitor type A-22 is a servitor, artificial-type, consisting of a hollow copper sphere 12cm in diameter covered in thin 16cm-long brass rods and filled with unidentified seeds. When A-22 rolls, it produces a rattling sound. A-22 is mobile and actively evades attempts at pursuit, avoiding obstacles and enclosed spaces. The purpose of A-22 is unknown.

As with enchantments, artificial servitors are powered by thaumaturgic energy. In contrast, biological servitors require only food and water.

Thaumaturgy is generally vulnerable to Essence interdiction and countermeasures. As a rule, this cannot always be relied on, as Tenet forces frequently employ counter-countermeasures in anticipation of interdiction.