Grathmeld

Lyner Grathmelding

Grathmeld (グラスメルク, gurasumeruku^?, lit. "Glassmerk") is a system that was developed by Shurelia after she banned the direct use of Sound Science to the humans in which Grathnodes can grant their power to the items as "Granted Magic", and they are minerals containing supernatural powers. Depending on the differences between their special characteristics, the crystals have one of these four colors: Red, Blue, Green and Purple, and these are the groups in which they are divided.

Setting Information

Grathmeld is the process in which the characteristic wave frequencies (Spectrums) of the Grathnode Crystals are scanned by the Silver Horn, and then, it runs a program depending on that frequency and the pathway the Symphonic Power takes through the crystal, granting the Symphonic Power and effects carried in the crystal to the item. The people of the Wings of Horus developed this technique even further, to the extent of even being able to make airships with it. The people that practice this technique are known as Grathmelders, or by the shortened form, Melder.

History

This technique was initially developed by Shurelia after reconfiguring the Silver Horn to serve as its processing center and power source, as a way of replacing the Wave Science technologies and knowledge that were banned by the Covenant of Elemia following the quelling of Mir's Rebellion. However, it didn't come to be known until it was spread at the start of the Third Era by a man and a woman called Gasaki and Leila, who had come to Airport City Nemo in search of sponsors to spread the knowledge of Grathmelding. Who they were, from where they came, and what happened to them is still a mystery. It is known however that the landlord of Nemo, Houmei was impressed enough by the tools they showed him as well as by the Grathmelding techniques, and decided to finance their venture.

Structure

Grathmelded items have their frequencies read by the Silver Horn, which then analyses their structures, compares them to a library of magic it has stored within itself in the form of a database, and then it invokes magical power based on which profile the structure fits best the entries in the magic library.

Shurelia normally takes a hands-off approach to this execution of magic because Grathmelding is designed to only allow the execution of simplistic magic effects, and thus cannot bring about anything as dangerous as the events that provoked any of the catastrophes that previously devastated the world. The other reason is that Shurelia herself is unable to process the countless number of Grathmelded items, and thus leaves the task to the Silver Horn, although she can exert control over the Silver Horn's functions should the need arise. The current inhabitants of Sol Ciel are unaware of this and believe instead that the magic they invoke through Grathmeld is done through their own inventiveness.

Usage

Grathmeld has so many applications and uses that anyone that masters it will be able to make any kind of item, ranging from the simplest medicine and healing potions, to high-class food, powerful weapons and armors, weird accessories, and even airships. Needless to say, this technique is unique to the region of Sol Ciel because the Silver Horn's area only covers the broadcast range of the First Tower of Ar tonelico, and because it was developed after Mir's Rebellion, long after the Towers had become isolated from each other, there was no way in which it could be spread to the other regions at the time Ar tonelico: Melody of Elemia takes place.

The most recognized Grathmelder in the current times is Professor Pochoma, who lives in Frontier Village Karulu with his granddaughter, Noelle, and gladly teaches Grathmelding to anyone who wishes to learn about it. One such disciple is Lyner Barsett, who comes to Karulu to learn Grathmelding after being advised to do so by Jack Hamilton, and after learning it in a short time, it would become a valuable asset through his adventures.

As a Gameplay System

Main Grathmeld window.

Not enough ingredients.

Ready to synthesize.

Synthesis Complete!

Item renaming.

The player obtains access to this system after the events related to Professor Pochoma near the start of the game, and it can be used at any of the Camp Circles found in the fields and dungeons, or in the inns located in each town. Grathmelding first requires a recipe card to determine the item crafted, and afterwards it requires the items listed on the recipe card. While in some cases it is possible to substitute one ingredient for another, the majority of recipes allow no substitute ingredients, so all the ingredients listed will be required to craft the item. The player is also allowed to chain-craft the ingredients if one of these is a Grathmelded item itself.

Some recipes also require the usage of a Grathnode Crystal as an ingredient, which has the advantage of allowing the player to determine the quality of the result by using Grathnodes of a higher rarity and quality. If the player has previously crafted an item but change the quality later on due to employing different Grathnodes or different quality ingredients, the game will prompt the player to see which result they want to keep, which will also change the quality of that item in all stores where it is stocked, which will significantly simplify the process of Recrystallizing higher quality Grathnodes from the items.

Once the synthesis is complete and the item has been crafted, a conversation will take place where the Reyvateil in the currently active will talk with Lyner about the item and its pecularities, and in some cases, she will offer an alternative name for the item. Not all items will allow alternative names, and even in the case some of them allow it, not all Reyvateils will propose these names. Additionally, once an item's name has been decided, it cannot be changed unless another Reyvateil proposes a different name for it. Similarly, no conversations will take place if no Reyvateil is currently in the party.