Terminus

Overview

Sensecraft hotspots where the energy breaks through the earth's crust and erupts in a form humanity can make use of. Termini take the form of massive hemispherical domes of shifting energy, typically several stories tall. While the size fluctuates a few inches back and forth over a span of years, the shape stays constant, though the exact reason behind either of these facts is currently unknown.

Termini always only contain a single type of Craft each, and bear the color associated with it. Some compare their appearance to a dome of simmering colored water, or perhaps churning magma.

In order for a person to gain any type of Sensecraft, they must travel to a Terminus that contains it. Upon making physical contact with the energy, some of it will rush into the person's body and merge with them. It is generally recommended to only use one hand, to avoid sensory overload from the process.

General estimates say that a single visit to a Terminus will grant enough Craft energy for about four weeks of average use. Those who depend on Sensecraft for their job may work on a rotation with others to avoid excessive Sensecraft Mutation, though they often need to find other work in the meantime.

Infrastructure

Sensecraft may not be routed from a Terminus elsewhere, so most larger cities sit close to one and may even surround it completely. As a result, these cities typically specialize in a handful of industries that make heavy use of the nearby Craft type. Other types are often considered luxuries, especially those only found on other continents.

The use of Termini to grant Sensecraft to the masses is heavily regulated. Physical lines are preferred over proxy systems like reservation tickets so that guards can observe every step of the process. This ensures that problem cases like those pushing their mutation level too high or switching Craft types can be caught early and dealt with effectively. Some cities have run trials on different types of automatic surveillance in place of physical monitoring, but there was too much backlash over privacy concerns, technological ineffectiveness, and even religious implications.

Most countries have laws forbidding construction within a certain radius of a Terminus, except where necessary to support organized absorption. This ensures that the process is not disrupted, and protects the safety of anyone who might live or work too close in case the Terminus's behavior changes in the future.

Religious Influences

There are several different religious practices surrounding how Sensecraft should be absorbed, mostly centered around how doing so brings you closer to the observed god. To respect these long-standing traditions, most Termini have closed booths available for individuals to perform their absorption rituals in peace. It is also considered offensive for guards or waiting bystanders to rush anyone using one of these booths.

Midjourney