I was asked to post a detailed explanation of how an item in my inventory works. I'll try to be more sensible than I usually am.
The ring form of this advanced piece of ancient Thaxarian technology. Developed to be used by heavy infantry in close quarters combat, the ring is based on a simple yet effective method of integrating matter.
Don't take me wrong: the ring doesn't consume other metals permanently or modifies its molecular structure! Instead, it builds its own reserves, for example: clothing, or even a block of iron if possible. Heavy to carry, true, but it's the only way to carry your reserves.
How it actually works:
- the ring itself is several 'wisebots', which are nano-sized supercomputers capable of using metallic materials to construct further nanobots.
- the nanobots move as the wearer of the ring pleases through instinctual mental connection
- the nanobots, when enough have been built, can pick up any shape by moving and connecting to each other in the right order
- energy is maintained with solar power in regular conditions, and by controlled disintegration of obsolete or damaged nanobots and final fission of non-iron atoms. ('Fe' is the most stable of all elements and thus fission is nearly impossible.)
- The tiny size and sheer number of the nanobots can give very reliable offensive or defensive equipment
- for example: a sword with an edge that is less than a 'nanobot-wide' and doesn't get dull, nor is it rendered useless when breaks / body armor that can be modified in hardness and weight, depending on present requirements (you'll probably want light or no armor in a marsh, and tougher armor in the middle of a firefight)
The ring and the derivant items can be transformed into almost anything of metallic nature. Spoons, knives, swords, maces, even bullets and armor. The nanobots can be separated from the main stream and used separately. However, in order to modify the structure of the item, it needs to be connected to the ring and the wisebots that send the necessary information to allow the lesser nanobots to move and arrange their positions properly.
However, the nanobots can only be created from present metals. This means you can't make a golden stream out of lead, but you can create multiple layers of metals (4 main layers in katanas were quite effective. A hard core and edge, two medium sides, holding it like a sandwich, and a light layer on the back. This way the blade was reliable, lighter and more dangerous.)
No special training is required to use the item, but knowledge connected to mechanics and item designs sure helps.
(Whew...)
The ring form of this advanced piece of ancient Thaxarian technology. Developed to be used by heavy infantry in close quarters combat, the ring is based on a simple yet effective method of integrating matter.
Don't take me wrong: the ring doesn't consume other metals permanently or modifies its molecular structure! Instead, it builds its own reserves, for example: clothing, or even a block of iron if possible. Heavy to carry, true, but it's the only way to carry your reserves.
How it actually works:
- the ring itself is several 'wisebots', which are nano-sized supercomputers capable of using metallic materials to construct further nanobots.
- the nanobots move as the wearer of the ring pleases through instinctual mental connection
- the nanobots, when enough have been built, can pick up any shape by moving and connecting to each other in the right order
- energy is maintained with solar power in regular conditions, and by controlled disintegration of obsolete or damaged nanobots and final fission of non-iron atoms. ('Fe' is the most stable of all elements and thus fission is nearly impossible.)
- The tiny size and sheer number of the nanobots can give very reliable offensive or defensive equipment
- for example: a sword with an edge that is less than a 'nanobot-wide' and doesn't get dull, nor is it rendered useless when breaks / body armor that can be modified in hardness and weight, depending on present requirements (you'll probably want light or no armor in a marsh, and tougher armor in the middle of a firefight)
The ring and the derivant items can be transformed into almost anything of metallic nature. Spoons, knives, swords, maces, even bullets and armor. The nanobots can be separated from the main stream and used separately. However, in order to modify the structure of the item, it needs to be connected to the ring and the wisebots that send the necessary information to allow the lesser nanobots to move and arrange their positions properly.
However, the nanobots can only be created from present metals. This means you can't make a golden stream out of lead, but you can create multiple layers of metals (4 main layers in katanas were quite effective. A hard core and edge, two medium sides, holding it like a sandwich, and a light layer on the back. This way the blade was reliable, lighter and more dangerous.)
No special training is required to use the item, but knowledge connected to mechanics and item designs sure helps.
(Whew...)
