AF Bunzon
Curious Workings of Arcana and Machine
This book seems to detail the life study of AF Bunzon, a scientist and mechanist who lived on this land several hundred years ago. Each page has meticulously detailed illustrations of machines; some of which appear similar to the massive metal wings piloting this city. A few even show the mechanics of the great dragon, with instruction on how the combustibility of the breath is maintained, as well as how the crystal inside is harnessed to keep it functional long past normal working order.
"...Most traditional flamethrowers use flammable liquid, or old arcana used oil-based spell components. But over time, this has been found to stick to a target and prolong burning, and make extinguishing the fire difficult. We have modernized ours to use higher pressure natural gases, which is considerably safer. Inert propellant gas is stored in a tank extending the length of the chest cavity, and a thickener is stored in tubing throughout the neck joints. In the roof of the mouth is found a small reservoir, a spring-loaded valve, and an ignition system made of a heated wire coil. Should sensors locate a threat, the opening of the jaw depresses the valves and expels the pressurized flammable liquid to flow and pass over the igniter and out of the mouth."
"...the creatures wings. Specifically designed for flight in high altitude, each "feather" as it were, is made in a particular shape as to allow air to move faster over the top of the wing. When air moves faster, the pressure of the air decreases. So the pressure on the top of the wing is less than the pressure on the bottom of the wing. The difference in pressure creates a force on the wing that lifts the wing up into the air, along with the body of the creature. Riders must take caution to avoid injury along the joints of each wing, and if descending to low altitude, perform regular maintenance on the unit."