Protean engine

Protean engine

(Magic item)

Aura (1E)

Transmutation

Type

Magical engine

Origin

Arthox Sandlespit

Affiliation

Aspis Consortium

Source: River into Darkness, pg(s). 5, 7-8

Protean engines are rare magical devices that power the wheelboats of the Aspis Consortium. They draw upon the transmutation abilities of the arcophage, a magical fungus found only in the Mwangi Expanse, which is then transferred via a flywheel to the vessel's paddlewheel. One arcophage can power an engine for about a month.

The protean engine was invented by the Chelaxian inventor Arthox Sandlespit on behalf of the Consortium. He was able to build only a handful of engines before he died in a mysterious fire which also consumed all of his notes. So far, no one has been able to duplicate his work, and the Consortium carefully guards the remaining engines.