Article Written: 21 March 1493
Definition and Structure
Spellcrafter crosses are compound talismans capable of holding and casting scripts, primarily in the form of script-chains, in order to achieve complex tasks.
A typical spellcrafter cross looks like a large coin with an embossed cross or plus sign in its center. The legs of the said plus sign, known as Axles, are the parts that hold the spellfire scripts. The parts between the Axles, known as the Spans, hold the "cast energy" used to activate said scripts. And the edge spanning the circumference, known as the Rim, serves as a sort of filter to contain and regulate the resulting spellfire output. To note, the Rim is a feature embedded in every spellcrafter cross, in compliance with the regulations set forth by Congress of Circlaria.
As of the present-day, by Charter from Congress of Circlaria, there are four Production Venues, or Venues authorized to produce spellcrafter crosses, in the Circlarian Realm. The Central Venue, known as The Vaults, is located in Budlapeyay, Tandeiyah. The second Venue is located in Cales, Kingdom of the Great North; the third Venue is located in Silba, Ancondrian Confederation; and the fourth Venue is located in Givenna, Notulfa/Krylandia. To each of these Production Venues is imported metal, the only material used, which is then tested for impurities. Metal passing such tests is then melted down to a soft, uniform, molten material that is impressionable and not runny, before being poured into the spellcaster cross molds. It is at this stage that the scripts are pressed into the material. In the past, diamond-metal script presses were used. In the present-day, however, special lightfire scripts are used in such a process so as to create microscopic script imprints. Afterward, the newly-molded and printed spellfire cross is allowed to cool and dry in a regulated, consistent fashion, then subject to further tests for inconsistencies. Such spellcrafter crosses are tested at this stage in batches, where those not passing are discarded and its relevant commissions made to start over. The good-quality spellcrafter crosses then proceed onto the Refinement Stage, during which each spellcrafter cross is set into thin casing material to prevent depreciation. After the casing dries, the spellcrafter crosses are each sent to a Distribution Venue.
Also of the present-day, by Charter from Congress of Circlaria, there are Distribution Venues, which are more numerous. Alongside the Production Venues of Budlapeyay, Cales, Silba, and Givenna are each a Distribution Venue. However, there is also one Distribution Venue each located in Jestopole (Combria), Remoh (Locin/Pharonde), Kindol (Furthing), Token (Chok), Floport (Vasilca), Konstar (Munnicale), Akceji (Timemora), Helesca (Vakriloc), Ralyn (Yarol), Weston (Meredythian Isles), Akropole (Meredythian Isles), Kieran (Lachrea), Aldonya (Ostar/Nabukah region), Aeris (Nayde), Qorodae (Ancondria), Fort Bluff (Rim Isles), Southwall (Recastelaren), and Point Fort (Carricon Isles).
It is only at these Distribution Venues that per authorization by Congress of Circlaria, spellcrafter cross transactions are allowed to take place; though businesses are allowed to use them, no business is allowed to sell them for profit. The average price of a spellcrafter cross is 3000.00 credits; and any Client wishing to obtain one must have Spellcrafter Licensure status. A Client obtains a spellcrafter cross by commissioning both a Production Venue to make one and a Distribution Venue to provide the finished product for transaction. Per Congress of Circlaria law, the Client must arrive in person at the Distribution Venue, where they must sign statements of terms and conditions as well as verbally swear standard vows to do no harm against Congress of Circlaria or its constituent entities.
There are also numerous standards and regulations for the usage and storage of such spellcrafter crosses. Most notably, each one is required to be kept in a designated Purpose Room on the premise of the Client's business or residence when being actively used. The Client is allowed to co-sign other Trusted Persons to use the spellcrafter cross after the initial transaction. However, neither the Client nor said Trusted Person can carry the spellcrafter cross on their person when traveling, or going to public places unless doing so is absolutely necessary; in which case, a designated Protector must be present.
Lightfire achieves potentially the same ends as a typical spellcrafter cross; however, there are notable differences. Lightfire can use any designated object to store script-chains, which are stored in "soft" format and are spent once cast. In contrast, spellcrafter crosses are made strictly of quality metal, per Congress of Circlaria regulations, and store scripts in "hard" format, meaning physical inscriptions made on the surface. Such scripts are there permanently, meaning that they can be recast but cannot be changed. In the modern day, such scripts are microscopic in size.
Many industries opt for lightfire, since that practice is cheaper and more flexible. However, spellcrafter crosses still serve such industries as healthcare and aircraft engineering, where consistency and accuracy are paramount.
Purposes
As with all other practices of spellfire, spellcrafter crosses serve four basic functions: to create things, to obtain things, to change things, and to de-construct things. Furthermore, the user is accountable for all resources and venues involved when cast a spellcrafter cross script-chain.
The primary use for spellcrafter crosses is in the construction of large-scale buildings. However, spellcrafter crosses are also used for the manufacture of machines and tools, food production, medicine production, and, most controversially, oathcrafting.
Brief History
The making of spellcrafter crosses began within a century after the formation of the Congress of Circlaria, who intended for such tools to facilitate the distribution and regulation of spellfire power in a way to prevent the re-emergence of conjurers.
Until the end of the 900s, spellcrafter crosses were made by hand. During the 1000s, modeling themselves after the emerging industrial factory standards of the Great North, Production Venues produced spellcrafter crosses by machine and metal presses, leading to increased precision. This model was relatively akin to mass production, though each spellcrafter cross was still customized by commission as is today.
Throughout the 1200s emerged modernizations in the metal presses to increase accuracy and precision. Also during this century arose popularity in the use of lightfire, achieving the same ends as spellcrafter crosses through cheaper and more flexible means. From this industry arose the global company: West Horizon, who modernized the practice of lightfire. Though West Horizon no longer exists, its impact is still felt in the vibrant lightfire market of today. However, privatization and lack of regulations means more experiments and inconsistencies, two pitfalls in the lightfire industry; whereas spellcrafter crosses practice tried and true methods, leading to consistency and quality.
Thus, it was not long before the two industries began complimenting each other. Most notably came, in the early 1200s, the practice of using lightfire to print microscopic inscriptions on spellcrafter crosses.
Some important accomplishments involving the use of spellcrafter crosses was the construction of Ultima Porta, which facilitated the initial exploration of Planet Nephina in the 1350s; the resolution of the farmland crisis in the Canticulan nation of Yarol in the 1350s and 1360s; and the making of the Matriarchal Bloodstone of the House of Masons in Combria. However, as is the case with all spellfire and non-spellfire tools, spellcrafter crosses have also been used to achieve ends morally questionable. Notably, spellcrafter crosses were employed by the Esurchian State in the use of oathcrafting, leading to the success of the Coup of 1360 as well as the duration of the Esurchian Occupation in Middle Remikra. There is also debate on whether spellcrafter crosses were used in oathcrafting behind the Coup of 1187 in Ereautea; though a Monarin Stylus, a much more powerful tool, may have been used in that incident.
In the end, spellcrafter cross production is an industry that will continue to persevere. Though they are banned from actively using spellfire while holding office, public officials still have government employees use spellcrafter crosses to carry out public services and produce public goods. Spellcrafter crosses have even been used on the scientific settlements of Planet Nephina.