Article Written: 23 May 1493
Definitions
Lightfire-crafting is defined, in basic terms, as the use of "soft scripts," with or without non-standard talismans, to achieve a simple or complex task.
Lightfire-crafting is more flexible than traditional spellfire-crafting, the latter of which uses "hard scripts." Lightfire is also cheaper than traditional spellfire, and more profitable in some instances. The primary drawbacks of lightfire center primarily around higher risks. With lightfire, more experimentation is required; and more inconsistencies emerge, both within a given lightfire platform and between platforms. This is all due to the practice of lightfire being based more on individualism.
Structure
Like their traditional spellfire counterparts, lightfire scripts follow one or more of the twenty-two Standard CSSC Alphabets. Licensure requirements are also the same for lightfire-crafting. However, the differences start with the type of scripts used. Unlike traditional spellfire-crafting, which uses "hard scripts," lightfire-crafting uses "soft scripts." "Soft scripts" are scripts imprinted on talisman surfaces by special spellfire fields. These contrast from "hard scripts," which are imprinted and stored as physical inscriptions on talisman surfaces. "Soft scripts" are changeable, but must be re-generated once spent. "Soft scripts" are also produced through unconventional methods, most popularly through the playing of musical instruments.
Whereas traditional spellfire-crafting uses standard talismans, which must be produced with specified materials and have standard dimensions with designated surface areas; lightfire-crafting uses non-standard talismans, which can be any object of any material and parameter so long as the object of choice is capable of holding "soft scripts."
Lightfire-crafting is carried out mostly by private businesses. And most employees are commissioned for high-paying projects, and therefore assigned to one of the following: Project Lead, Script Contributors, Talisman Contributors, and Casters.
Function
A typical lightfire project begins with the drafting of its agenda, followed by allocations of the scripts and talismans to be used, as well as resources needed for the scripts to act upon. Then comes the production of scripts and talismans, the obtainment of resources, and finally the casting and construction. Such lightfire-crafting projects have accomplished the building of furniture and appliances, the extraction of critical resources such as fresh water, significant achievements in agriculture and harvesting, and even the construction of structures and aircraft. To note, the lattermost has been seen as controversial.
Brief History
The practice of lightfire-crafting, despite being associated with modern society, is actually one of the oldest practices in the world. It existed long before the establishment of Congress of Circlaria; and evidence shows it was practiced as early as 7000 years ago.
Throughout the majority of the past and in most societies, lightfire-crafting was a common and informal practice. Despite such commonality, the use of lightfire was sporadic, experimental, and inconsistent. The Linbraean Kingdom, in the 900s, became the first entity to standardize the practice.
It was West Horizon Incorporated, however, who modernized and standardized lightfire-crafting on a global scale. This company was founded on 2 September 1264 and had headquarters located in Three Points, Ereautea, as well as financial headquarters located in North Kempton (present-day Maxima), Nintel. The company was formed from the merger of five lightfire trade businesses. To note, West Horizon received a mass-commission from House Maderon in 1281. And the fiscal year of West Horizon ran on the calendar year.
From 1264 to 1309, West Horizon was under the leadership of its CEO: the Head Founder, Jon Pegotta. During his tenure, West Horizon modernized and standardized lightfire-crafting by producing cars, ships, aircraft, and household appliances. West Horizon would expand to own venues as far to the East as the Meredythian Isle of Vantacula, and as far to the West as the Ancondrian port of Ramport, the latter of which West Horizon helped to establish. West Horizon, during this time, began engaging in wartime business initiatives, as it contracted with the Retunian military during ongoing maritime confrontations with the Vandalians. West Horizon would also take part in the Acrean and Lykian Wars.
Between 1290 and 1308, economic decline prompted multiple rounds of layoffs; though West Horizon would hire more employees afterward.
Following the 1309 Revolution came requirements by the federal government to have all businesses allow their employees to elect business leaders as well as elected councils to vote on business policies. Initially, independent parties would preside over such businesses until they could organize for such leaders to be voted in. West Horizon was no exception to this but was rather quick in organizing such elections, which would propel to the CEO position Clara Needham, popular among West Horizon employees for her promises to cut wartime business initiatives. However, Needham would break such promises and, in 1314, initiated the business apparatus that helped to initiate, and then enabled West Horizon beneficiaries to profit off of, the Great Ancondrian War. It was during this time that West Horizon established a great number of "clone companies," or indirect subsidiaries, who did business with both sides of the ongoing conflict. This, and propaganda falsely claiming that West Horizon was promoting peace and environmental cleanliness, helped the company to keep its wartime business apparatus to a low profile until the late 1360s. With weak leadership on behalf of Needham and a great deal of company electoral infiltration from the Pegotta family, Marcella Pegotta won Leadership in 1321.
Thus passed the second era of the Pegottas, which started with Marcella Pegotta in 1322 and ended with Zachary Pegotta in 1370. During this era, the Pegotta family worked the West Horizon electoral structure in order to keep themselves in leadership positions. They would expand West Horizon's wartime business as well as its clone companies. Most notoriously, West Horizon did business with both sides of the Esurchian War. However, it would all came to an end when a multitude of whistleblowers exposed all the deeds of West Horizon, from its role in the Great Ancondrian War to its business with the Esurchians. As a result, bad publicity triggered the abandonment of and resentment from West Horizon's clientele. Thus, on 12 March 1370, West Horizon filed for bankruptcy and closed its doors for good.
West Horizon would be divided into thirteen companies, one for each Retunian Province, Territory, and Domain. All of these companies would be dedicated to the vocation of complimenting traditional spellfire-crafting and the manufacture of spellcrafter crosses. One of those firms, located in former Kronoston, would sell its assets to a foreign lightfire-crafting firm based in the Ancondrian city of Silba.
As of the year 1493, there exist hundreds of lightfire-crafter companies outside of the Retunian Commonwealth. Most of these engage in numerous civil and wartime business initiatives. Minlon, the Gyrosakian Kingdom, the Linbraean Regiondom, and the Ancondrian Confederation are among the nations leading the lightfire industry. The Retunian Commonwealth and Sayleronian Maritime State mutually established a rehabilitated lightfire industry in the late 1470s. However, this apparatus stands apart from the global market and serves only to print spellfire scripts for traditional talismans.