Mankind has figured out how to remotely build imaginary computers from psychic energy, residing in The Dreamspace. These are psionic engines, and they can direct the flow of psions into dreamgates in a certain way, performing impossible feats in realspace. They are the means by which sorcery is practiced. Psionic engines are divided into the following categories:
- Simple psionic engines exist in the form of programmed spells, burn-scrolls and runes. The psionic output of these engines is fixed and typically weaker, but requires no oversight. They "float" in the Dreamspace, anchored only to physical objects.
- Natural psionic engines are instinctually created by the brains of certain living creatures through the micro-gate that a Psychic is born with. They are anchored to the individual's soul.
- Complex psionic engines are created and manifested by sorcery, then anchored to an individual's soul. They are far more difficult to create, modify and maintain, and require artificial dreamgates to operate, but anyone with sufficient knowledge can do so. A person who anchors a complex psionic engines to their soul can be considered a Sorcerer.
Each psionic engine consists of the following components:
- Micro-gate, also known as a conduit, micro-dreamgate or micro-warpgate. It draws psionic energy from the Dreamspace to realspace. Psychics possess a natural micro-gate with practically limitless drawing potential in their brains, though they are limited by their physiological NEURAL LIMIT. Regular sorcerers use artificial micro-gates, normally attached to an object, with a staff being the classic option. Each micro-gate connected to a psionic engine gives it an additional 3 RADIANCE.
- Processor, which delivers programmed instructions to outgoing streams of psionic energy. The learning of Sorcery Aspects induces small upgrades to the processor, each of which gives the engine 1 RADIANCE.
- Memory, where the spells that a sorcerer knows are stored as detailed instructions and sent to the processor. Any amateur psychic or sorcerer can store some 3 spells by default in their psionic engine’s memory, though this capacity can be endlessly improved. For each additional spell stored in a psionic engine’s memory, it gains 1 RADIANCE.
- Ward, a layer of seals and countermeasures which protect the sorcerer from the perils of the dreamspace. Each ward modifies a psionic engine by -3 RADIANCE.
Additionally, some psionic engines may feature the following components:
- Manipulator, which is used by a Sorcerer to modify their own psionic engine. Its construction and use require deep meditation to access the engine in the first place. Because any Psychic can innately manipulate their own psionic engine, for them, a manipulator is unnecessary.
- Radiators, employed by a Psychic to disperse their accumulated NEURAL LIMIT heat by about 10 PSY per Round, per radiator. Each radiator grants the psionic engine 3 RADIANCE.