The Magitech Economy
The Magitech Economy
- What it is: The rapidly evolving global economy of Altazia, driven by the fusion of magic and technology and increasingly backed by magical resources.
The global economy of Altazia is undergoing a massive transformation, driven by the Technological Revolution. The traditional gold-and-silver standard is rapidly being supplemented — and in major transactions, replaced — by a system backed by magical resources.
While gold, silver, and copper coins are still used for everyday transactions, the true wealth of nations is increasingly measured in Crystalized Mana. High-grade mana crystals are the fuel for modern magitech, powering everything from trains to factory wards to communication networks. National banks hoard mana crystals, and large-scale mercantile transactions are often settled in raw, refined, or crystallized magical energy.
Industrial Hubs
Cities situated over Mana Wells, such as Cyoria, have become economic powerhouses. The density of ambient mana allows for cheaper production of magitech goods and easier refinement of magical materials. This has caused massive urbanization, as both mundane workers and aspiring mages flock to these cities seeking wealth, education, and opportunity.
The Banking System
The rise of magitech required massive capital investment, leading to the creation of powerful centralized banks. These institutions — often backed by the wealthiest Noble Houses or international consortiums — provide the loans necessary for building new academies, laying magitech rail lines, and funding large-scale dungeon expeditions. The banking system is one of the few institutions where Noble Houses and the rising merchant class cooperate, albeit uneasily.