Nodes of Power: Where The Field Bleeds Through

Places Where Reality Thins

Nodes of Power are specific locations or artifacts where The Field's barrier to physical reality is thin—creating invisible auras of leaked cognitive energy that can be harvested as fuel.

What They Are

Not human-made (mostly). These are:

• Ancient cosmic impact sites (Sepehr-e-Nohom debris)
• Natural Field distortions (ley line intersections)
• Structures from previous cycles (unknowingly built on leakage points)
• Artifacts that create local reality warping

Appearance to Varyan: Shimmering aura, colors more vivid, reality "thinning"

Feeling to Non-Varyan: Dizziness, emotional intensity, sense of "presence"

To Animals: Instinctive avoidance or attraction (species-dependent)

Node Classifications

Major Natural Nodes (30-50 worldwide)

• Mount Demavand: Peak contains massive node (Simurgh guards it)
• Taftan's Eternal Flame: Perpetual fire is node manifestation
• Sacred Springs: Anahita's wells across Persia
• Zagros Cave Network: Ancient caves with strong auras
• Caspian Depths: Underwater node (difficult to access)

Output: 10,000-50,000 SU/day extractable

Control: Guilds, temples, governments (heavily guarded)

Minor Natural Nodes (500+ worldwide)

• Sacred trees (centuries old)
• Hot springs and waterfalls
• Specific rock formations
• Desert oases
• Ancient battlefields (emotion-soaked ground)

Output: 1,000-5,000 SU/day

Control: Mixed (some guild, some independent, some contested)

Artifact Nodes (Rare)

• Pyramids: Secondary function creates node effect
• Ziggurats: Ancient amplification structures
• Crown Jewels: Some develop node properties over centuries
• Legendary Weapons: Masterworks that warp reality locally
• Found Objects: Crystallized Field energy from previous eras

Output: Varies wildly (100-10,000 SU/day)

Control: Whoever possesses the artifact

Hidden Nodes (Unknown Number)

Discovered accidentally, kept secret. Resistance relies on these. Constantly hunted by Zahhak's forces.

The Extraction Process

To harvest Field energy at a node:

Requirements

1. The Node: Must physically travel there
2. Operator: Varyan who ignites the link
3. Channeler: Worker whose consciousness conducts energy
4. Ore Arrays: Crystals to capture/store extracted fuel

The Process

Step 1 - Ignition: Operator burns 500-2,000 SU of personal memories. The node's invisible aura intensifies, becomes active.

Step 2 - Channeling: Worker positioned in focal point. Field energy flows THROUGH their mind like lightning made of thought. Excruciating mental strain.

Step 3 - Capture: Ore crystals absorb the energy as it passes through channeler. Crystallizes into usable SU.

Step 4 - Harvest: Crystals removed, transported. Can be absorbed later through meditation.

Typical Yield

• Major node (4 hours): 10,000-20,000 SU captured
• Minor node (4 hours): 1,000-5,000 SU captured
• Hidden node (4 hours): 100-1,000 SU captured

Net Gain: Operator loses 1,000 SU (ignition), gains 5,000-20,000 SU (stored in crystals). Profitable—but requires destroying a channeler's mind.

Guild Control

Major nodes are controlled by:

• Harmonics Guild: Largest node controller (30% of major nodes)
• Fire Temples: Religious control (25% of nodes)
• Military: Government seizure (20% of nodes)
• Zahhak's Forces: Conquered nodes (50+ major nodes seized)
• Independent: Local communities, families (minor nodes only)

Market Price: 1 SU = 1 silver (guild-certified)

Black Market: 1 SU = 0.5 silver (uncertified, risky)

The Human Cost

See: The Channelers: Soul-Labor Class

Extracting The Field's infinite energy requires human minds as conduits. These workers are damaged, depleted, and eventually destroyed.

Your power may come from The Field—but it is paid for with channelers' minds.