Gemstone Capacitors can put the massive electrical power of a submarine, or the intense heat output from an industrial furnace, in the palm of the hand. Add to this the ability to create complex remote-controlled robotic devices and the possibilities are incredible. By 1950 we are still at the genesis of a (Dieselpunk) technology revolution… the race is on to recruit appropriately Talented Meta Engineers and to secure carbonado wherever it may be found. But just what are the “nuts and bolts” of what Meta Engineers can do?
Gemstone Capacitor → Psytomaton → Enhanced Psytomaton
Gemstone Capacitor (Tier 1) takes a round cut carbonado (“black diamond”), the toughest form of diamond, and manipulates its molecular structure to support the storage of various forms of Energy. The newly created Gemstone Capacitor is unattuned and can be simply considered a “battery” that can be charged by Energize. It is in this form that it finds use as a power source for various non-Psytomaton devices, such as the UV-A Pulse Rifle.
The once controversial extraterrestrial origin theory for the formation of carbonado is given credence with the discovery of its abundance Otherside.
Concentration: Intense, Interruptible
Life Energy cost: Rank maximum, i.e. 50 at Rank 1, 100 at Rank 10.
Effect: Time required 2 hours per Rank. Creates an unattuned Gemstone Capacitor with a maximum energy storage level based on gem size and Rank.
Rank Carat Wt. Size (mm) Energy Max. Equivalence
1 1 6.5 10 Car Battery
2 2 7.5 20 Truck Battery
3 3 9.4 50
4 6 11.9 100
5 10 13.6 150
6 15 16.1 300
7 25 17.7 600 Submarine Battery Bank
8 40 19.1 1250
9 60 20.5 2500
10 100 30.3 5000
Psytomaton (Tier 2) allows you to create an automaton, that uses no more than 12 cubic inches of material parts and is powered and controlled through a single embedded Gemstone Capacitor. This personally attuned machine is limited to its own physical capabilities. Although the most common Psytomaton is stand-alone this is not necessarily the case, instead becoming a personal attachment, such as an artificial hand.
The size limitation is a factor of how far your thoughts can be pushed out from the controlling Gemstone Capacitor.
Concentration: Active
Life Energy cost: 40 to attune the Gemstone Capacitor to your own mind + 50 per day of construction.
Effect: Construction time, cost, power usage, etc. as determined by the GM. Operation is dependent on Control Link and Extra Sensory Link.
Enhanced Psytomaton (Tier 3) allows the construction of larger and potentially more complex automaton by allowing multiple Gemstone Capacitors to be daisy-chained. So, with 2 Gemstone Capacitors 24 cubic inches of material parts can be used, and with 3 Gemstone Capacitors 36 cubic inches of material parts can be used. Again, this personally attuned machine is limited to its own physical capabilities.
Concentration: Active
Life Energy cost: 30 to attune each Gemstone Capacitor to your own mind; limit 2 at Rank 7 and 3 at Rank 10 + 40 per day of construction.
Effect: Construction time, cost, power usage, etc. as determined by the GM. Operation is dependent on Control Link and Extra Sensory Link.
Energize → Control Link → Extra Sensory Link
Energize (Tier 1) absorbs energy from another source and then channels that energy into a Gemstone Capacitor for storage, with the Meta Engineer acting as a psychically-protected conduit. This means that grabbing a high-voltage cable, or being engulfed in flame, is possible for as long as the Meta Engineer is holding the Gemstone Capacitor AND it can hold the energy flooding into it. Disaster could result if the energy is too much for the Gemstone Capacitor to store. This energy reservoir can be used later at will. Either in a Psytomaton if the Gemstone Capacitor is attuned or in some other device if not. In the special case of Life Energy, drawn from the Meta Engineers own, there is no need for inclusion in a “device” it simply needs to be touching the skin to tap the contained energy and regain lost Life Energy. Consequently, the gemstone is usually fashioned into jewelry or weapon hilt, handle, or strap. However, the Gemstone Capacitor is attuned to the Meta Engineer during the process and hence only useable by that same Meta Engineer. Other forms of energy storage, however, such as electricity do need some method of engineered access. An area of continual government and commercial research.
Concentration: Intense
Life Energy cost: Life Energy Energize – total available. Other Energy Energize – 1 for 1, i.e. 1 Life Energy protects against the transfer of 1 point of some other form of energy.
Effect: Energy storage limited by Gemstone Capacitor Energy Max.
Control Link (Tier 2) allows you to extend your mind out and connect with the Gemstone Capacitor in a Psytomaton to “see and hear” through it and remote control its physical operation. Essential, for example, to effectively deploy a Spy Bug for illicit surveillance.
Concentration: Active, Interruptible. Becomes Passive at Rank 4.
Life Energy cost: 20 to establish link + (20 – Rank) per hour to use.
Effect: Psytomaton remote operation at a range of 1 mile per Rank.
Extra Sensory Link (Tier 3) allows you to form a complete psychic link with a Gemstone Capacitor such that with concentration you can now use your Talents as if you were there.
Concentration: Passive (Special), Interruptible
Life Energy cost: 30 to establish link + (20 – Rank) per hour to use.
Effect: Psytomaton remote Talent use at a range of 1 mile per Rank. Although Passive the Meta Engineer cannot use other Talents except through the linked Psytomaton.
