Goblin Technology
Had an interesting epiphany concerning Goblin technology. What if the reason why their steampunk technology works is that it uses magical theorems based on non-Euclidean geometry?
If effect, their devices are elaborate hypercubes--tesseracts folding space back upon itself. The devices are much bigger inside than outside, allowing them to have far greater effect than a normal device of equivalent size. Of course, looking inside such a device while a Goblin is tinkering with it might have adverse effects on your sanity: not only is space bent, twisted, and folded in impossible ways, but it looks like you're staring through the wrong end of a pair of binoculars into an impossible space filled with complex gears, wheels, pistons, crystal prisms, rays of multi-hued light, metallic chimes, and other components. The dangerous thing about Goblin technology is what happens when a Human attempts to disassemble it.
Without their innate understanding of non-Euclidean geometry, the effects can range from comical (device falls apart with an assortment of cartoon sound effects) to the catastrophic (device explodes like a claymore mine--with very messy, deadly, and destructive side effects).
Leave maintenance to the experts!
For an example of how Goblins perceive non-Euclidean geometry, read the classic "Mimsy were the Borogoves" by Henry Kuttner and C.L. Moore.
All material herein copyright 2013, 2015 by Kurt Miller.
If effect, their devices are elaborate hypercubes--tesseracts folding space back upon itself. The devices are much bigger inside than outside, allowing them to have far greater effect than a normal device of equivalent size. Of course, looking inside such a device while a Goblin is tinkering with it might have adverse effects on your sanity: not only is space bent, twisted, and folded in impossible ways, but it looks like you're staring through the wrong end of a pair of binoculars into an impossible space filled with complex gears, wheels, pistons, crystal prisms, rays of multi-hued light, metallic chimes, and other components. The dangerous thing about Goblin technology is what happens when a Human attempts to disassemble it.
Without their innate understanding of non-Euclidean geometry, the effects can range from comical (device falls apart with an assortment of cartoon sound effects) to the catastrophic (device explodes like a claymore mine--with very messy, deadly, and destructive side effects).
Leave maintenance to the experts!
For an example of how Goblins perceive non-Euclidean geometry, read the classic "Mimsy were the Borogoves" by Henry Kuttner and C.L. Moore.
All material herein copyright 2013, 2015 by Kurt Miller.