Steam-powered technology

A steam-powered clockwork dragon.

See also: Technology

Steam-powered technology is a form of technology developed on Golarion that produces power from water heated to form steam. While less common than clockwork technology, it is more widespread and likely to employ magic than the more alien Stasian and Androffan forms of technology.

History

While a relatively accessible form of technology, steam power's most relevant competitors have been the many other sources of power on Golarion, particularly the direct application of magic. For example, magical sources of heat can (and do) power steam engines but can also easily power inventions directly. Non-magical applications of steam power are more recent, though still niche within its field.

Prominent attempts to harness steam power have included some spectacular failures. Innovators of steam-powered mechanisms include the goblin Shackles pirate and inventor Volmurk, who was also responsible for reverse-engineering Alkenstari black powder and firearms on Motaku Isle. The Motaku Isle Iron Works use volcanic heat to generate steam that powers its mechanical assemblies, and before his work with black powder Volmurk attempted and explosively failed to create a steam-powered flying machine.

Mechanisms

Steam power is frequently paired with alchemy and clockwork technology to propel several types of vehicles; a few also use steam to conceal a vehicle's true form. Steam power is also employed in trapsmithing and certain powered prostheses.

In constructs

Clockwork constructs can be propelled by a steam engine instead of a key-winding mechanism, which enhances the construct's strength, speed, and abilities.

As vehicles

Mobile inns are carriages propelled by alchemically powered steam engines.

Steam carts and trolleys are propelled by steam engines powered by alchemical cauldrons.

Speedsters are horse-shaped hybrid vehicles of alchemy and both clockwork and steam technologies. The wind-up vehicle can briefly increase its speed by releasing pressurized steam from its engine.

A backpack-sized steamflight pack uses steam pressure to propel its pilot into the sky, with adjustable nozzles to control its pilot's direction.

As assistive devices

Some Alkenstari and Ustalavic pantograph gauntlets use small steam engines to power their movements.

A steam winch can pull or haul heavy objects connected to its steam engine via a steel cable.

With magic

A Mendevian holy steam ball boils holy water and emits it with incense smoke to protect its user from the mind-influencing abilities of evil creatures, such as the demons who infested the Worldwound when the ball was first introduced in the 4670s AR.

External links

• Steam engine (real-world device) on Wikipedia