Arcanum reactor

An Arcanum Reactor is a MagiTek device that allows technicians to break down hard crystals of element arcanum into pure magical essence. The process works similarly to a nuclear reactor in real life, though the reactions are held inside a closed environment under human-controlled conditions. Used correctly, they can supply vast quantities of power, particularly in places of natural arcanum abundance, such as Grevalon and Faerun. Used incorrectly, they can not only malfunction, leading to expensive repair costs (costlier than the Wiz suite itself) but also a man-made geographical disaster if the reactor melts down and starts releasing unrefined arcana and other pollutants into the surroundings.

A history of failures
The Piltshire Disaster in -4,000 was the first time that an arcanum reactor had failed - due to human error via overloading - and it claimed hundreds of lives. Following this, the kingdom of Anthromor was permanently crippled.

After 1350 BGY when all the former states of Anthromor got independence, Grevalonian magi built another arcanum reactor in Pierpoint despite mass demonstrations, claiming it was safer. Clearly, lessons were not learned; the reactor failed and a great deal of lives were also taken. This gradually resulted in the build-up of a republican sentiment against the ruling Magelord class, which culminated in a secession in 1156 BGY. A civil war between 1155 and 1150 BGY then ensued as a result of the secession.

When Grevalon was reunified in -1,150, the newly-created Aeht Dom put measures in place to stop arcanum reactors from either imploding or exploding. First, they decreased reactor sizes, making them less unwieldy. Then, they started placing them in closed-off units instead of unspoiled countryside land, appeasing the denizens. Then, in -830, the magologist Thoder Rutledge invented the Rutledge Method of breaking down arcanum crystals into smaller sizes, increasing surface area and increasing the speed and yield of reactions without overheating the system. Rutledge, in tandem with his elven partner, later developed a sophisticated cooling system for these reactors.

Trivia

 * Arcanum reactors are the main piece of propaganda used by the Nightstand Guard to attack the use of magic.
 * They are based on real-life nuclear reactors.