The Octia Scroll - The proliferation of Puretech (Setting)

While mostly forgotten at this point in history, at its height the Technocracy of Gleys initiated a policy that would have numerous lasting effects on Outer World - both intended and not. 

Gleys is famous today for the variety of techno relics that survived its destruction and can be found all over the world. The other two great kingdoms each had their own forms of potent technology: the fearsomely aberrant bio-sorcery of Calian and the oppressively glorious magitech of Akenia, but neither of these can be found in as many places or in the same quantity as the Technocracy’s efforts. There are two reasons that this discipline (which came to be known as Puretech) became widespread and relatively common. The first is that Puretech lacked the arcane flourishes of either of its sister technologies, meaning that sorcerous proficiency was generally not required in its use or creation. The second reason is a bit more insidious, having a great deal to do with the Technocracy’s policies abroad.

While certainly no slouch in terms of military might, Gleys lacked the raw potency of either other member of the triumvirate. Attempting to mimic the more direct encroachment of their peers would have ultimately ended in disaster for them, so instead they hatched a more indirect means of spreading influence. Teams of ambassadors and gadgeteers ventured out into the smaller settlements and nations around the technocracy, bringing with them materials and plans for grand puretech facilities. For a meager compensation, they would install these wonders in the places they traveled to, bringing the conveniences and amenities that they felt helped define Gleys itself. These efforts were quite popular, and puretech spread throughout the region now known as the Twilight Meridian.

What did not spread was the knowledge required to build, or even maintain these structures. Settlements found themselves regularly needing to reach out to the Technocracy for repairs or troubleshooting, obligating themselves to the larger nation in ways they could not have initially foreseen. Gleys eventually used this situation as a way of exerting a bit of soft power over their home region, becoming an empire in everything but name and equal to Akenia and Calian in their own right. This did them no good during the 3rd Catalcysm however - Gleys found little assistance from any supposed allies when the Sun Machine rained destruction down on them. As the artificial islands that were the seat of their power sank into the depths of the shining sea, so did the outstanding debt of many of their neighbors.

Working knowledge of puretech waned with the fall of Gleys. At the start of the 4th Aeon the factories and other wonders they had spread throughout the Twilight Meridian fell into disrepair, which led to another unforeseen consequence. The various filtration and safety systems around the power sources in these structures failed, one by one, and the remaining fuel and congealed mana flooded the areas around them, creating dangerous magical pollution. While no great disasters have occurred as a result of these things yet, the situation grows more perilous with each and every year that passes. Groups like the Helical Archive are doing their best to better understand puretech and avert disaster and one can only hope they are successful in this endeavor.