Power supply

From PathfinderWiki

Most technology encountered on Golarion requires a power source.

Generators

Generators continually produce some form of mundane power or energy, either by consuming fuel or converting other forms of ambient power. Such power conversion makes generators dependent on being near a fuel source or too cumbersome to be easily moved. While a generator with sufficient fuel does not run out of power when used, it does have a maximum output capacity, its yield, that can cause other connected technology to fail if exceeded.12

Some generators, such as smoke furnaces3 and the furnaces or boilers of certain steam engines,4 employ magic as a power source. Steam engines also often employ alchemically generated heat as power,5 and the Motaku Isle Iron Works uses volcanic heat to power its steamwork assembly mechanisms.6

Elusive Stasian coils power Stasian technology. However, the only known sources of them are smugglers who extract them from Irrisen, where they are a rare and closely kept secret.789

Most power supplies compatible with Androffan technology have been destroyed, expended, or dormant since the Rain of Stars. Such sources include Androffan batteries and sunlight-powered solar generators.12

Batteries

Batteries are specially crafted cells, often portable, that store power over extended periods of time in a stable physical form and allow it to be expended as needed. Batteries have limited capacities and must be recharged once spent.1

Androffan batteries are not available in markets outside of Numeria,10 though some Stasian technology users in Ustalav have developed chemical batteries capable of storing electrical power.11 Some Stasian items can also be powered by bottled lightning.12

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 James Jacobs & Russ Taylor. “Technological Equipment” in Technology Guide, 19. Paizo Inc., 2014
  2. 2.0 2.1 James Jacobs & Russ Taylor. “Technological Hazards and Artifacts” in Technology Guide, 62–63. Paizo Inc., 2014
  3. Ron Lundeen. “Iron Gods Treasures” in The Choking Tower, 61. Paizo Inc., 2014
  4. Michael Sayre, et al. “2: Gears Equipment” in Guns & Gears, 61. Paizo Inc., 2021
  5. Michael Sayre, et al. “2: Gears Equipment” in Guns & Gears, 92–96. Paizo Inc., 2021
  6. Michael Sayre, et al. “5: The Rotating Gear” in Guns & Gears, 218. Paizo Inc., 2021
  7. Michael Sayre, et al. “2: Gears Equipment” in Guns & Gears, 60–61. Paizo Inc., 2021
  8. Michael Sayre, et al. “2: Gears Equipment” in Guns & Gears, 82–83. Paizo Inc., 2021
  9. Michael Sayre, et al. “5: The Rotating Gear” in Guns & Gears, 225. Paizo Inc., 2021
  10. Steven Helt, et al. “Appendices” in Kingmaker Adventure Path, 586. Paizo Inc., 2022
  11. Letterio Mammoliti. Signal from the Electric Laboratory, 9. Paizo Inc., 2022
  12. Michael Sayre, et al. Alchemy Unleashed” in Treasure Vault, 64–65. Paizo Inc., 2023