Vaike Swiftwater

Overview

Vaike Swiftwater (259–333 AC) was an engineer who developed kelonic energy technology, enabling conversion of Kelon crystals into usable power. Her work catalyzed the Industrial Revolution and the unification of Asgartha’s technical Guilds under the Axiom banner. She persists as an Oneiros, with her Eidolon still manifesting to those in need.

Background

Born 259 AC in the Sadracca shipyards, the same year Asgartha became a republic. Her parents Wauna Swiftwater and Janek Janno owned workshop JSW Mehaanika, hosting engineers and inventors who stayed for weeks or months developing ideas. Young Vaike helped at the workshop and salvaged scrap parts for her own use.

Timeline

266 AC - Discovery of Kelon

At age seven, Vaike saw a Kelon nugget belonging to inventor Anuar Binbasaki, who hoped to use the mineral for a new lightbulb type. After experiments failed and Binbasaki abandoned the project, he gave Vaike the crystal as a gift. She wore it as a pendant throughout childhood and began experimenting with its properties, discovering that vibrations made it flicker and music caused it to pulse.

266–292 AC - Research Development

Vaike created a laboratory in a garage annex where she bombarded crystals with sound waves. One experiment triggered an energy surge that nearly destroyed the lab, confirming the crystal’s potential. The Three Factions War (288 AC) disrupted supply lines, but she continued sourcing Kelon on the black market.

292 AC - Breakthrough

Vaike contacted Anuar Binbasaki to assist her research. Together they built a casing strong enough to contain Kelon’s power and convert it into usable energy using tanks, cylinders, and pressure vessels.

293 AC - Ordis Occupation

When Ordis forces invaded Sadracca, Vaike continued her work in secret, keeping her discoveries hidden from soldiers who routinely visited her parents’ workshop.

293–305 AC - Advocacy Period

After the war, Vaike revealed her findings but gained little traction. For over a decade she traveled the Peninsula visiting Guilds and showcasing her work at invention fairs. Industry leaders remained unconvinced by the cost and difficulty of switching energy sources.

305 AC - Arkaster Invitation

The 305 AC tsunami reshaped the economic landscape. Edire Niski, who had seen Vaike’s demonstration at an energy conference in Avesta, was tasked with rebuilding Arkaster alongside sister Nanha Niski. He invited Vaike to the Guilds’ headquarters to lead the infrastructure transition—trams, lighting, and more—to kelonic energy.

305–333 AC - Industrial Revolution

Vaike’s work set the Guilds on the path to becoming the Axiom Faction. The Transasgarthan railway and other heavy transports converted to kelonic power. The cylinders and batteries she designed still power everything from Axiom’s smallest tools to airships and household kelo-appliances.

Post-333 AC - Oneiros Status

Sixty years after death (as of 393 AC), Vaike’s Eidolon still manifests to those in need.

~393 AC - Storvhit Expedition

Vaike’s Eidolon led a party through a snowy pass at Storvhit, using a heat cannon to melt thick snow and helping Treyst convert a kelonic heater into a heat gun for the expedition.

Future Concerns

With Kelon supplies running low, the energy infrastructure dependent on kelonic power faces potential scarcity. Suspira mining operations represent a critical supply source, but deposits are becoming increasingly rare.

Relationships

• Wauna Swiftwater: Mother, mechanic, co-owner of JSW Mehaanika
• Janek Janno: Father, mechanic, co-owner of JSW Mehaanika
• Anuar Binbasaki: Inventor who introduced Vaike to Kelon (266 AC) and later collaborated on research (292 AC)
• Edire Niski: Artificers’ Guild member who invited Vaike to lead infrastructure transition (305 AC)
• Nanha Niski: Architect tasked with capital rebuilding (305 AC)
• Treyst: Axiom Exalt whom Vaike’s Eidolon assisted at Storvhit (~393 AC)
• Sadracca: Birthplace in the shipyards
• Arkaster: City where she led kelonic infrastructure transition
• Avesta: Location of energy conference
• Axiom: Faction unified through her technological contributions
• Kelon: Mineral whose energy potential she unlocked