Magic and Technology

Every New Washingtonian grows up being exposed to technology and magic. All primary school students are taught the basics of magical theory, and are expected to gain basic proficiency in some simple magics during secondary school. Engineering classes are also a staple of secondary school. Most New Washingtonians attend either University, Vocational school, or an apprenticeship, earning them magical, martial and vocational certification. Most employers require all three, so certification in vocational aptitude and defensive skills are crucial for citizens.

The High-Density Plastics family of polymers, a New Washingtonian innovation, has cheaply replaced most materials that were used pre-Snowfall. New Washingtonians enjoy such conveniences as rempower -- a field-based power source that provides energy to most devices -- and the Ether, the city-wide network that serves as a combination of internet, telephone service and video broadcast medium.

Combinations of technology and magic are seen not only in weaponry but also in everyday life. Traffic is directed by illusion-magic generators, which display large signal images over intersections. New Washington's electricity is provided by power plants that draw elemental node energy from the Earth. New Washington's digitally-encoded currency is encrypted using technomantic magic.

Both technology and magic can still do extraordinary things, but their mere existence is a casual fact of life to the average New Washingtonian; your average office worker could not fathom a life without both.