Excerpt from “Denizens of the Underlands, Chapter 3: Shu’Toma” by Anerassi of Thorenald. Translated from its original Skylean. The Lohrkes of clan Shu’Toma, commonly referred to as “Lake Lohrkes” due to the environment they tend to dwell, are, perhaps, best known for their invention of a device they call a “Battery”. Pioneers in the field technomancy based around “electricity,” which is a type of energy very similar to lightning, as far as I understand it. While, living under ground, the Lohrkes of Shu’Toma, obviously, have never encountered lightning, the discovery of “electricity” originates with the humble Shocker Crab, a crustacean native to the underground rivers and lakes beneath the continent of Toet. These, normally, diminutive little fellas have the ability to build up energy in their bodies and then discharge this energy through the spines on their back, or through their claws a short distance. The Lohrkes of Shu’Toma noticed this and figured out a way to harness this energy by storing it in large, cylindrical devices they call “Batteries.” Now, little crabs certainly wouldn’t be an efficient means to power a civilization, now would it? The technomancers of Shu’Toma developed specially designed dams at strategic locations through the underground rivers that generate large quantities of “electricity” which is then stored in large power houses for distribution. The soldiers of Shu’Toma clad themselves in composite armor made up of metal, rubber, and carapace harvested from Shocker Crabs. The rubber and the Shocker Crab parts help to conduct and disperse the “electricity” and protect the wearer from their own weapons. The Technomancy weapons of Shu’Toma all harness the energy of “electricity” though in different ways. The Shock Maul, for instance, is a two-handed (for the diminutive Lohrkes anyway) melee weapon, that plugs into the port on one of their backpack harnesses. Shock Mauls, when activated by squeezing the lever located at the base of the handle, becomes a heavy, blunt object that delivers a powerful shock to its victims in addition to the blunt force trauma, ouch! The Shock Lance, is perhaps, their most impressive and terrifying weapon. A large, two-handed weapon designed to strike at long range. A device they call an “Air Compressor” is hooked up to the backpack harness. The “compressor” builds up and stores pressurized air, which is then released through the weapon, via a long tube hooked into the back. Using this air, the Shock Lance launches long metal spikes called “Guide Rods.” Upon becoming embedded in an object, or victim, a button located near the firer’s thumb can be pressed to unleash a blast of “electricity” that is drawn to the “Guide Rod,” much like lightning to a lightning rod. As if being impaled by a large metal rod wasn’t bad enough! The handle on top of the device, used to brace and aim, is also a lever. When pulled up, the claw-like barrel of the Shock Lance opens, and the power for the device is cut off. This allows a team mate, or if necessary, the gunner, to load a new Guide Rod into the barrel for the next shot.