Mistborn Era 3/Era 4 Tech: How the Metallic Arts Might Influence Scientific Development

[Quadrophenia]

One of the many, many, many things I've loved about the Mistborn series? Sanderson took care to see how Allomancy or Feruchemy could affect societal development. In a world where, what? 10% of the total population at the least can derive superpowers from so and so alloys, it's no wonder we quickly went from a medieval society to a thriving steampunk civilization with guns, airships and all that other junk.

Imagine how things might look a century or so after? According to Sanderson, Era 4 will ostensibly be set as a space opera series, where combining Allomancy and Feruchemy will somehow uncover the means for FTL spaceflight technology. If so... what else can we look forward to? Era 3 is supposed to have computers and "80's era technology," so we're talking early spaceflight tech, robotics, missiles... 

... I guess what I'm saying is, if Brandon includes mecha in either forthcoming Era, I would die happy. Especially if it's Era 3; it'd be like Mistborn meets Patlabor, that'd be awesome. In general, just imagine an Allomancer or Feruchemist going up against a giant robot (be it a bipedal mech, a spider tank in the same vein as Ghost in the Shell, etc); how is that not all kinds of kick-chull? 

What're you hoping to see in the future technology of Scadrial?

Edited October 5, 2016 by Quadrophenia

[Shadeshadow227]

Spoiler

In BoM, there is an object which can extend Allomancy away from the allomancer and around itself. I believe it was called a "primer cube." Could that be used for Feruchemy? If so, then, combining that with medallion technology...

Motorbikes using Speed Feruchemy. I mean, it'd burn through your reserves quite quickly, but imagine how fast you'd go...

Also, personal airships.

And maybe Rioting and Soothing machines for use in law enforcement. Like a non-lethal weapon. Just point and pull the trigger, suddenly suspects are more willing to talk, and it'd be easier to capture criminals. Of course, Rioters and Soothers wouldn't need them.

[Quadrophenia]

41 minutes ago, Shadeshadow227 said:

  Hide contents

In BoM, there is an object which can extend Allomancy away from the allomancer and around itself. I believe it was called a "primer cube." Could that be used for Feruchemy? If so, then, combining that with medallion technology...

Motorbikes using Speed Feruchemy. I mean, it'd burn through your reserves quite quickly, but imagine how fast you'd go...

Also, personal airships.

And maybe Rioting and Soothing machines for use in law enforcement. Like a non-lethal weapon. Just point and pull the trigger, suddenly suspects are more willing to talk, and it'd be easier to capture criminals. Of course, Rioters and Soothers wouldn't need them.

That last one brings up all sorts of morally grey quandaries and potential abuse... 

[kenod]

Maybe Allomantic railguns? Use Allomantic steel and perhaps Allomantic duraluminum to fire the projectile, and use Feruchemical tin to provide a scope.

Edited October 5, 2016 by kenod

[Quadrophenia]

1 hour ago, kenod said:

Maybe Allomantic railguns? Use Allomantic steel and perhaps Allomantic duraluminum to fire the projectile, and use Feruchemical tin to provide a scope.

Now that would be sick.

[Shadeshadow227]

1 hour ago, kenod said:

Maybe Allomantic railguns? Use Allomantic steel and perhaps Allomantic duraluminum to fire the projectile, and use Feruchemical tin to provide a scope.

AMAZING. Free upvote for you, man.

Although, nicrosil would have to be used instead of Duralumin. No more Mistborn, remember?

Edited October 5, 2016 by Shadeshadow227

[Shadeshadow227]

I just had an idea. A suit, for Skimmers, which has threads of iron woven in. Kinda like one of those gliding suits, but less gliding, and more being completely weightless. Instead of having heavy bracers, you could just wear one of these and be able to better take advantage of your weight manipulation. I can just imagine having one of these...I go to the top of a building, swan dive off, store all my weight into the suit, and just float there, in midair. I think that'd be kinda fun.

[Quadrophenia]

I wonder if cyborgs will be a thing in Scadrial.

... And depending on what kind, they'd be horribly and monstrously strong, wouldn't they? We already know how strong a master of the Metallic Arts can be when their bodies are pierced with metal, imagine what it would be like if they were intwined with that metal, married flesh to steel in a way not even an Inquisitor could possibly comprehend?

In other words, OP as fuuuuuu...

Suddenly, an Inquisitor or Koloss doesn't seem that tough when a Terminator can do a better job.

Edited October 5, 2016 by Quadrophenia

[Shadeshadow227]

Just now, Quadrophenia said:

I wonder if cyborgs will be a thing in Scadrial.

... And depending on what kind, they'd be horribly overpowered, wouldn't they? We already know how strong a master of the Metallic Arts can be when they're bodies are pierced with metal, imagine what it would be like if they were intwined with that metal, married flesh to steel in a way not even an Inquisitor could possibly fathom.

I want to see Cyborgs in Mistborn now.

This isn't related to technology, but, couldn't a Bloodmaker with enough Health make a living out of organ donation? They remove, as an example, a kidney or the liver, for transplant, and a Bloodmaker just grows it back afterwards, getting paid for the organ. They could do this with things like blood for transfusions too.

Also, cadmiummind oxygen units for divers and swimmers.

 

[Quadrophenia]

13 minutes ago, Shadeshadow227 said:

I want to see Cyborgs in Mistborn now.

This isn't related to technology, but, couldn't a Bloodmaker with enough Health make a living out of organ donation? They remove, as an example, a kidney or the liver, for transplant, and a Bloodmaker just grows it back afterwards, getting paid for the organ. They could do this with things like blood for transfusions too.

Also, cadmiummind oxygen units for divers and swimmers.

 

Technology or any kind of scientific development in this world, either or is ripe for speculation by my book. 

And I like that idea for Bloodmakers... though I would imagine that no matter how altruistic the Bloodmaker, not every body would accept any organ or blood transfusion if they weren't compatible. Blood types and all that. 

I'd imagine there would be professional doctors who could determine donor/patient compatibility before any surgery is implemented. At least, ideally. 

Also, cadmummind oxygen units? Perfect. Simple, practical, completely bypasses any need for cumbersome oxygen tanks-

And if the series is heading towards a space opera finale, you can bet these would be a boon for space travel.

[Darkness Ascendant]

I always imagined bullet trains run by lurchers and coinshots at the start and end. 

[Quadrophenia]

1 minute ago, Darkness Ascendant said:

I always imagined bullet trains run by lurchers and coinshots at the start and end. 

Sort of reminds me of the Earthbending-powered Ba Sing Seh public transport in Avatar: The Last Airbender.

[JUQ]

Me being me, of course, I immediately thought of the possibilities for sport. Cricket would be much more interesting with 230 km/h deliveries coming from Steelrunners.

Of course, the Metallic Arts would probably be banned from sport, which could lead to interesting doping scandals.

[Darkness Ascendant]

Just now, Quadrophenia said:

Sort of reminds me of the Earthbending-powered Ba Sing Seh public transport in Avatar: The Last Airbender.

Exactly!!

And just thought of this. Koloss-blooded people, who are pewter-arms and can store Speed. They can run boats by using speed to push the boats. A bit primitive  No

 Instead, it will be a coppermind filled with songs, 

What about gaming? How would that change? Perhaps VR technology will be in development by then, to allow non-allomantic-feruchemical people to enhance themselves.

What about TVs? CDs? Cassette recorders? Phones? Camcorders?  All of these will have Feruchemical boosts, and specialised versions for Tineyes.

[Quadrophenia]

36 minutes ago, The True Survivor said:

Me being me, of course, I immediately thought of the possibilities for sport. Cricket would be much more interesting with 230 km/h deliveries coming from Steelrunners.

Of course, the Metallic Arts would probably be banned from sport, which could lead to interesting doping scandals.

"This just in, promising Nicklehead Kellan Jarrington is suspected of using performance-enhancing pewter. At this time, he could not be reached for comment."

[JUQ]

2 minutes ago, Quadrophenia said:

"This just in, promising Nicklehead Kellan Jarrington is suspected of using performance-enhancing pewter. At this time, he could not be reached for comment."

"BREAKING NEWS! It is revealed he bribed officials with Atium. The MACO (Metallic Arts Control Organization) is calling for an independent investigation of the BCSS (Board for Control of Sport in Scadrial)"

[Quadrophenia]

48 minutes ago, Darkness Ascendant said:

Exactly!!

And just thought of this. Koloss-blooded people, who are pewter-arms and can store Speed. They can run boats by using speed to push the boats. A bit primitive  No

 Instead, it will be a coppermind filled with songs, 

What about gaming? How would that change? Perhaps VR technology will be in development by then, to allow non-allomantic-feruchemical people to enhance themselves.

What about TVs? CDs? Cassette recorders? Phones? Camcorders?  All of these will have Feruchemical boosts, and specialised versions for Tineyes.

I feel CD's have been foreshadowed. We know copper can record visual and auditory information, but currently that only works when someone is holding a necrosil token. One option is that everyone in the future will be sitting on the couch holding coins while a movie plays before their mind's eye... 

But somehow, that seems unlikely. 

Still, it's on its way, I think.

[Turbonator]

4 hours ago, Quadrophenia said:

Suddenly, an Inquisitor or Koloss doesn't seem that tough when a Terminator can do a better job.

I can attest to that. 

Look at the caption under my name (for lazy people, it says "Aluminum Cyborg"). That would strike fear into the heart of any Metalborn, shortly followed by a spike.

Edited October 6, 2016 by Turbonator

[Quadrophenia]

3 minutes ago, Turbonator said:

I can attest to that. 

Look at the caption under my name (for lazy people, it says "Aluminum Cyborg"). That would strike fear into the heart of any Metalborn, shortly followed by a spike.

Brandon Sanderson, I hope you're paying attention... because you just got a pitch for an elite mook or top bad guy in either Era 3 or Era 4 Mistborn.

[Quadrophenia]

Here's a thought. 

How would computer technology develop in Scadrial? Conversely, how about AI technology? In a world where memories, where the soul, can be derived from metals and alloys, would any AI immediately take on sentience? Would it be something Harmony would approve of? If an AI dies, does Harmony greet its soul before it goes on the great Afterlife Express?

Edited October 6, 2016 by Quadrophenia

[kenod]

9 hours ago, Shadeshadow227 said:

I want to see Cyborgs in Mistborn now.

This isn't related to technology, but, couldn't a Bloodmaker with enough Health make a living out of organ donation? They remove, as an example, a kidney or the liver, for transplant, and a Bloodmaker just grows it back afterwards, getting paid for the organ. They could do this with things like blood for transfusions too.

Also, cadmiummind oxygen units for divers and swimmers.

 

I think Kandra would be better suited for organ transplants, seeing that (BoM spoilers)

MeLaan was able to create grafts of donor flesh for Marasi that didn't get rejected, something that IIRC we need careful selection and medicine for to do, this would seem pretty cool

[Darkness Ascendant]

13 minutes ago, kenod said:

I think Kandra would be better suited for organ transplants, seeing that (BoM spoilers)

 

  Reveal hidden contents

MeLaan was able to create grafts of donor flesh for Marasi that didn't get rejected, something that IIRC we need careful selection and medicine for to do, this would seem pretty cool

 

Well done. I completely forgot about that.

[JUQ]

@Quadrophenia

Spoiler

Some of that's a M:SH spoiler

 

[Quadrophenia]

4 hours ago, kenod said:

I think Kandra would be better suited for organ transplants, seeing that (BoM spoilers)

 

  Reveal hidden contents

MeLaan was able to create grafts of donor flesh for Marasi that didn't get rejected, something that IIRC we need careful selection and medicine for to do, this would seem pretty cool

 

 

4 hours ago, Darkness Ascendant said:

Well done. I completely forgot about that.

 

Yeah, but Kandra are

Spoiler

currently limited in number and they're supposed to be, you know, Harmony's agents in the shadows and all that. Not to mention, Harmony refuses to make any more kandra out of fairly obvious ethical concerns. 

I don't see them volunteering for the Scadrial equivalent of the Red Cross and donating for every single human being on the planet, is all I'm saying.

Edited October 6, 2016 by Quadrophenia

[kenod]

2 hours ago, Quadrophenia said:

 

 

Yeah, but Kandra are

  Hide contents

currently limited in number and they're supposed to be, you know, Harmony's agents in the shadows and all that. Not to mention, Harmony refuses to make any more kandra out of fairly obvious ethical concerns. 

I don't see them volunteering for the Scadrial equivalent of the Red Cross and donating for every single human being on the planet, is all I'm saying.

Maybe they can do some funky stuff with Mistwraiths, or enact Spook's plan to create Hemalurgic Spikes.