Arcane Engines

These thaumatech engines utilize a crystalline core made of living gems that allow them to store up magical energy. They come in different sizes and configurations but, generally speaking they all have similar traits.

Magical Repository

The arcane engine is capable of storing the energies from a caster’s spell slots. To charge an engine, a caster must expend a spell slot. The number of charges stored in the engine is equal to the level of spell slot that the user expended.

Magical Withdrawal

As a bonus action, a user may withdraw stored magic from the engine. They can pull as many charges as the engine has and each charge is equivalent to a leveled spell slot. For example three charges equals a 3rd-level spell slot or three, 1st-level spell slots. These charges can either be used immediately, allowing the caster to cast a spell without expending their own spell slots or can be used to recharge a user’s expended spells slots. If not used immediately, however, they cannot be used to give the user more spell slots than they would normally have.

If the arcane engine ever drops to zero charges, there is a 10% chance that it will deactivate and never hold a charge again. Roll a D20. On a 1 or a 2, the engine discharges its residual magical energies, dealing 1d10 force damage to any creature within 5 feet of it. It then loses its ability to retain magical energies and falls apart into pieces as the arcane forces holding it together dissipate.

Magical Overcharge

An experienced spellcaster can use the stored energies in the arcane engine to overcharge a spell beyond their normal abilities. As a bonus action, the user can upcast a spell they already know by a number of levels equal the charges they expend even if that level exceeds the highest level spell slot they have. For example, a 1st-level sorcerer only has access to 1st-level spell slots. However, using the stored energy from an arcane engine, they would be able to use 4 charges to upcast Magic Missile at 5th level, shooting 7 darts for a total of 7d4+7 damage.

Small Arcane Engine

Arcane Engine Sizes

Type Physical Size and Appearance Capacity
Pocket Approximately the size and shape of a chicken egg, coated in a single color of shiny enamel with golden lines of arcane markings that show through when the engine is activated. 2 Charges
Small Larger, about the size and shape of an ostrich egg (about 6 inches long and 5 inches wide), and made of polished brass or steel with panels of dark enamel and criss-crossed beautiful, intricate silver filagree. When activated, the engine expands slightly along the filigree lines and emits a small amount of glowing blue smoke that quickly dissipates in the air. 5 Charges
Standard Spherical and about 12 inches across with a built-in stand, the standard arcane engine is designed to be a stationary part of an arcanist’s workshop and comes in a variety of colors and designs sure to match any arcanist’s aesthetic. Once activated, the sphere separates along both the vertical and horizontal axes, emitting a strong golden glow and a cool, glowing smoke that tends to sink to the floor and cling to the ground. 10 Charges
Industrial Intended for industrial applications, these arcane engines are genuinely large and tend to be built into structures. Shaped like large, domed saucers, 15 feet across and around 6 feet tall in the middle, they are generally relatively plain and unadorned, typically sporting a matte, single-color coating of enamel with maybe a logo of the manufacturer or the owner added to the design. When activated, these engines light up with a series of magical lines that pulse with energy. Unlike their smaller counterparts, industrial engines rarely emit any smoke or vapor. 25 Charges
Bespoke Bespoke-built, one-off engines. Their shapes and designs are each 100% unique to the builder and the client they were built for. Their charge capacity also varies and many of them have unique additional capabilites. Varies
Pocket Arcane Engine
Large Arcane Engine
Industrial Arcane Engine