Scavenger Economy
The Scavenger Economy or Scavenger Industry is a term for the recovery of artifacts and materials, primarily from ruins dating from the Shogunate and the time of the Anathema before it. Because present-day Creation is home to only minimal new production of artifacts, and because expeditions to harvest exotic components are rare, these two undertakings are also placed under the umbrella of the term, though they do not involve scavenging as such.
While various states promulgate mythologies which claim them to be advanced and superior, Creation is littered with evidence that this is not the case: vast powerful manses whose geomancy cannot be replicated, perfect devices whose operation no one understands but which continue century after century to perform vital functions, ruined buildings and roads made from unknown materials superior in every way to modern plaster and stone. Relics recovered from these ruins remain useful to those in the modern day who can overcome the hazards of those ruins: those who make this their profession are equal parts archaeologist, engineer, adventurer, and thaumaturge, and are known by the title of Scavenger Lord. In Creation, the richest places for such undertakings are located in the River Province, known to most as the ‘Scavenger Lands’.
Even those who seek to build new works of artifice are tied directly to the Scavenger Economy, as nonfunctional devices and long-buried storehouses are treasure-troves of exotic components now difficult or impossible to find in Creation and yet vital to the construction of new artifacts. While a few great Factory Cathedrals still churn out weapons of war or tools of power, none exist to push out the lesser building blocks from which such things must be assembled: the magitech might of Lookshy is wholly dependent on an inflow of yellow jade spindles and adamantine circuit sheets from the Scavenger Lords working in the River Province, without which their vaunted engines and assembly manses would fall completely silent.
Within the Realm’s domain upon the Blessed Isle, artifice is both honoured and looked down upon: its creation and use almost exclusive purview of the Exalted. Yet, for a Dynast of the Realm to take up such a craft is for them to set aside their duty to rule and guard Creation. The social pressures so created, combined with the lack of support for those interested in such pursuits, means of the ten thousand Dynastic Dragonblooded only a handful can be considered ‘artificers’. Though long-term adventurism in the Threshold by becoming a Scavenger Lord is frowned upon to some extent, the clearing of dangers and demons from the ruins of the Anathema is widely seen as fitting into a Dragonblood’s duty to defend Creation. That artifacts recovered return to gird other warriors of the Realm is a welcome bonus to that noble undertaking, and thus many young Dynasts spend a time playing at being Scavenger Lords before returning home to fulfill their responsibilities.
Notable Personalities in the Scavenger Economy:
Cathak Adlai – Artificer, known for recreating stable plans for the production of Hearthglow Tajines (a type of Transperfect Domestic Tool), as well as work with magitech repairing and producing essence artillery for the Realm’s Legions. He currently resides in the Scarlet Prefecture, serving with the 1st Imperial Legion.
Cathak Mae – Artificer, considered the most skilled armourer since the time of the Shogunate, though she works primarily in jade and eschews magitech. She currently resides in Arjuf Dominion
Cynis Mond – Artificer, known for his work on developing and recovering wind-based sorceries and works of artifice. He is particularly known for recreating stable plans for the production of Windslave Disks. His current residence is unknown, but thought to be somewhere in the vicinity of Ventus Prefecture.
Ledaal Catala – Scavenger Lord operating in the Scavenger Lands and dominating the Realm’s efforts in that area. A number of her family members serve as scavenger lords alongside her.
Ledaal Dzuchi – Scavenger Lord and artificer, specializing in magitech, currently thought to be operating in the Scavenger Lands alongside agents of the Catala household.
Ledaal Kitsume – Assistant to Ledaal Mercurio and dealer in artifacts in the Imperial City, particularly those magitech in nature.
Ledaal Mercurio – Dynastic elder involved in the shipping and sale of artifacts, particularly influential in the markets of the Legions and Imperial City.
Ledaal Montegnin – Artificer and instructor at the Heptagram, heading up the artifice program there. His particular expertise is in magitech and spirit-binding to supplement artifice.
Ledaal Yanik – Scavenger Lord and historian, who has led numerous expeditions out of Arjuf to destinations in the Southeast and Western Threshold.
Mnemon Ichinara – Dealer in exotic components, specializing in demonic ingredients and bindings.
Mnemon Parth – Scavenger Lord and artificer out of Juche and undertaking expeditions in the South and Southwest, specializing in the restoration and creation of weapons such as daiklaves.
Ragara Isamaetra – Jeweler in the Imperial City, dealing in gemstones including those of rare and powerful nature which can sometimes serve as exotic components. Known to have at least some skill in artifice, particularly crafting hearthstone sockets.
Ragara Koizua – Jeweler and artificer in the Imperial City, known for carving and metalwork. Daughter and apprentice of Ragara Tibarek. Her known works are primarily hearthstone amulets and cleansing collars designed to fit the aesthetic preferences of Dynastic clients.
Ragara Szaya – Scavenger Lord and Gateway champion, wed to a Ledaal bureaucrat who maintains her household in the Imperial City while she spends her time afield on excavations in the North and Northeast.
Ragara Thannak-Tyros – Artificer, specializing in magitech.
Ragara Tibarek – Dynastic elder, and a renowned jeweler & artificer, mostly of decorative rather than military artifacts and eschewing magitech.
Sesus Elec – Artificer, specializing in swift, quick daiklaves, with some knowledge of magitech from fulfilling his Obligation involved with such on behalf of the Empress. Resides in the Southwestern Blessed Isle.
Sesus Ugurnaszir – Senator and archaeologist, formerly a Scavenger Lord operating on the Plain of Rusted Iron and Southern Threshold.
Tepet Kobutsu – Scavenger Lord and artifact dealer out of Lord’s Crossing, specializing in military magitech and operating in the Northern and Western Threshold.
