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Skills, Professions & Magic

Class	Description	Key Skills
Steam-Smith	Forge operators who shape metal using steam-powered hammers and precision lathes.	Metallurgy, heat management, alloy blending.
Crystal-Engraver	Artisans who carve resonance runes into Aether Crystals for enchantment.	Micro-engraving, arcane theory, crystal geology.
Chronomancer	Mages specializing in time-based magic, including Chrono-Lock operation.	Temporal mathematics, Aether channeling, paradox prevention.
Automaton Wright	Engineers who design, build, and program automatons.	Mechanical engineering, logic scripting, arcane animation.
Gear-Biologist	Scientists studying the intersection of fauna and machinery.	Biology, ecology, prosthetic design.
Eco-Artificer	Designers of sustainable, kinetic-energy-harvesting devices.	Environmental science, gear design, wind/water mechanics.
Lore-Gear	Historians, archivists, and oral tradition keepers.	Memorization, Gear-Script calligraphy, archival science.
Gear-Medic	Healers who combine herbal medicine with mechanical prosthetics.	Anatomy, pharmacology, prosthetic fitting.
Puppet-Artificer	Performers who operate automaton theatre productions.	Dramatic arts, fine motor control, gear-console operation.

Aspect	Details
Source	All Gnomish magic derives from Aether - ambient arcane energy stored in Aether Crystals and channeled through mechanical devices. Raw spell-casting (without a device) is possible but rare and considered dangerous.
Schools	Arcane Gearing (enchanting mechanisms), Chronomancy (time manipulation), Resonance Magic (sound/vibration-based effects), Crystal-Weaving (holographic illusions).
Restrictions	The Balance Codex limits Mana-to-Metal Ratio to 1:10,000. Exceeding this risks Arcane Overload. Chronomancy is restricted to 12-second intervals; longer durations require Assembly authorization.
Training	Magical training begins at Artificer Academies (age 30+). Full Chronomancer certification requires 20 years of study and a Temporal Ethics Exam.
Artifacts	Whispering Orbs, Chrono-Lenses, Mithril-Alloy Clock-Blades, Chrono-Locks, Familiar Automatons.

Temporal Duplication: Creating copies of objects or beings through time loops is forbidden - destabilizes local Aether fields.
Soul-Gearing: Binding a living soul into a mechanical device is considered the gravest crime. Punishable by permanent Cog-Shackling and exile.
Unregulated Overclocking: Pushing devices beyond their Mana-to-Metal Ratio without Ministry approval. Penalties range from fines to workshop confiscation.