Electric factorium

Back to North dock and factoriums

The electric factorium can be immediately recognised by its tall spire used to capture lightning.

Products
It produces primarily energy and traps. Energy is used exclusively by the mechanical factorium and the chemical factorium. The traps are used by shops and stores all over Fallcrest to offer additional protection against thieves. They are small lightning traps that discourage oncomers and larger, more dangerous, lightning traps which are typically placed behind the smaller ones (they are actually both the same size and appearance but their lethality is either small or large)

Operation
The operation of the electric factorium is based on collecting lightning from thunderstorms (lightning strikes are surprisingly quite frequent), and Fallcrest experiences a considerable number of very light thunderstorms throughout the year. Occasionally these occur without precipitation.

There is also a secret generator is in the basement, a small underground baths that houses a nest of shocker lizards. This does not add to the output power, however. Instead, when a signal from the furnace indicates it requires charge, a conductive dummy is lowered into the nest and the lizards attack it with their lightning. Lowering the dummy disconnects the circuit to the furnace. This means the lightning tower gradually builds charge and increases the electric field's strength. Once the field is strong enough, a lightning strike will occur between the upward streamer and the primary leader. This also reduces branching and unattached streamers, resulting in a more efficient energy conversion.

The massive increase in power flicks the furnace circuit back into place and the lightning's energy is transferred to the molybdenum crucible via the insulated sapphire element.