Arkentool

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Contents 1 Canon 2 Proposed Canon 3 Speculation 3.1 Associated Discipline 3.1.1 The case for Shockmancy 3.1.2 The case for Carnymancy 3.1.3 The case for Changemancy 4 Real World References

Canon

Arkentools are a group of Artifacts believed to be created by the Titans of Ark. They are sometimes referred to as "the tools of the Titans".^{Erf-b1-p020 Erf-b1-p004}

While useful on their own, their true power is revealed when they are attuned to their user.

Parson's first Stupid Meal says there are four known Arkentools.^Erf-b1-p039

The Arkentools look different from most objects in the world; they resemble three-dimensional computer-generated images.

The Arkentools seen so far are:

• the Arkenhammer
• the Arkenpliers
• the Arkendish

Proposed Canon

Attunement is governed by Fate magic. ^Erf-b1-p022

Speculation

Arkentool	Special Unit	Associated Axis	Associated Discipline
Arkenhammer	Dwagons	Unknown	Disputed
Arkenpliers	Decrypted	Fate	Croakamancy
Arkendish	Probably Archons	Fate	Thinkamancy

It is probable that each Arkentool allows for a special, unique, unit to be made for the side. The Arkenhammer permits the taming of Dwagons, and the Arkenpliers create 'decrypted'. Most readers agree that the Arkendish is probably involved with creating Archons.

Stanley took the title of Tool because he felt that he was destined to collect the Arkentools^Erf-b1-p020; however, recently, his failure to achieve reach Faq has left him in doubt as to his destiny. Wanda's attunement to the Arkenpliers have also cast doubt on his belief system, making him uncharacteristically cautious about demanding anything of those that work for him.

The Erfwiki is also a Tool, but whether it exists within Erfworld in addition to its known Stupidworld-Prime incarnation remains to be seen.

Associated Discipline

Given that the Arkendish provides "unmatched" Thinkamancy and the Arkenpliers provide clearly unequalled Croakamancy, many readers feel that there is an associated Discipline for the other two Arkentools.

Stanley, a Warlord who cannot cast spells, uses an electrical effect to take down a Chief Warlord (Caesar Borgata) and his entire stack, emerging entirely unscathed from the engagement. This effect appears to be powerful enough to compare to the associated Disciplines of the other two Arkentools. The question, then, is which Discipline does this effect belong to?

Since Thinkamancy and Croakamancy are Fate Axis Disciplines, some readers feel that all associated Disciplines should be Fate aligned. Fate magic being the determining factor in attunement reinforces this belief.

The case for Shockmancy

Sizemore unleashes a Shockmancy scroll^Erf-b1-p126 which strike down enemies with yellow bolts. This fits the definition for shock, "a sudden and violent blow or impact".

The first case for Shockmancy compares the electrical effect's results^Erf-b1-p113 to that of the known Shockmancy result^Erf-b1-p126. The two results are remarkably similar, suggesting they come from the same Discipline.

The second case relies on an undefined part of Shockmancy. An electrically shocking effect is Shockmancy.

The case against: Shockmancy is Erf-aligned, not Fate-aligned. Some readers feel that the visual, magic word, & thematic elements of the Scroll spell and the Van Der Graff hammer effect are different enough that they are different Disciplines.

The case for Carnymancy

Carnymancy has not yet been defined, but is probably defined by either the term "Carny" or "Carnival".

The first case suggests that since electrical shows have been included in carnivals, an electrical effect is Carnymancy.

The second case looks at the Arkenhammer itself. The 'hammer has the appearance of a squeeky toy hammer, which can be a prize given by Carny's at a carnival.

If Carnymancy also covers circuses, taming dwagons could be a Carnymancy effect (assuming it's not Thinkamancy) - like 'taming' lions.

The 'flight' attributed to the hammer seems to have only been used to raise straight up -- many trapeze acts will rise into the big top, pulled straight up by ropes. However, the flight effect occurred when the foolamancer Jake generated an illusion of Stanley's dwagon being croaked. The dwagon however was not croaked and so Stanley and Jake were still riding the dwagon. The hammer may have a flight effect, but there is no evidence of it.

The case against: electricity at carnivals are generated by machines; choosing a Discipline based on the appearance of the hammer itself is inconsistent with the association by effect of the 'dish and 'pliers.

The case for Changemancy

Changemency has not yet been defined, but is probably defined by an effect of changing one thing into another.

Since the Arkenhammer changes birds into walnuts and vice versa, it does have an effect that associates with Changemancy.

The case against: the effect is not on par with the 'dish and 'pliers.

Real World References

It was pointed out that several characters have names that alludes to companies around the world that manufacture tools:

• Stanley manufactures hand tools
• Zhejiang Wanda Tools Co. Ltd specializes in making pliers
• Dish Network formed by Charles W. "Charlie" Ergen provides satellite television service in the United States

There is a company named Rockwell that manufactures tools.

It is also worth noting that one of the earliest patents for a shovel design was given to James B. Sizemore.

It was (half) humorously suggested that the fourth Arkentool should be named Arkensaw - just for the fun of it.

The Arkenstone was the name of a large and valuable dwarven gemstone in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit.