 Technology as we know it has been replaced in Cornish's world with a sort of blend of mechanical and biological machinery.For example, many boats and ships are driven not by oars or engines but by "gastrines", living, mindless organs and organisms "grown" into the ship itself, which produce the kinetic energy required for the ship's propulsion, and must be "fed" nutrients and kept alive.Other examples include "Leers", individuals whose sensory organs have been specially treated with various alchemical concoctions to allow them to sense monsters or when another person is lying.