"Takhib's lifeforce was sweeter than honey, your's will be even sweeter." - "Let's see how you drink without a head!"

-- Exchange between Joseta and Wargin before their last battle

Keywords:

Category: Skills

Engineering is the science of creating mechanical constructs. In a world of magic engineering is not always an exact science.

There is risk to every mechanical construct.  The amount of risk is based on the skill of the engineer in comparison to the complexity of the construct.  The higher the ability of the engineer the lower the risk of a failure.

Failure is divided into 4 levels. 

1. Mild failure.

Mild failure is a temporary malfunction.  A weapon doesnÆt discharge when it is expected too, a machine stop working etc.  This type of failure does not leave damage to machine and requires no repair.  The next time the machine is used it will probably work just fine.  A mild failure could also have the construct operating in unexpected ways.  A repeating crossbow may fire slower than expected or fire all its bolts at once. 

2. Functional failure

A functional failure is the engineered item has broken and is in need of repair.  This type of failure to be repaired usually requires time and resources to remedy

3. Destructive failure

Destructive failure is when the engineered item breaks and is beyond repaired and must be rebuilt from the beginning.  Usually this type of failure leaves some salvageable material from the broken machine. This type of failure could have grave consequences depending on the location and status of the machine when it failed. For example a destructive failure on a dirigible may leave its occupants falling to their death.

4. Catastrophic failure

A catastrophic failure is a failure of the most destructive kind.  With this type of failure something has gone seriously wrong.  It always ends with total destruction of the engineered item and depending on the item destruction of the operator and anyone standing near by or riding in the machine. Luckily this type of failure is very rare and occurs in about 1% of all failures.