I wasn't aware the printing press was set down by the gods and not 'technology'.
[Because Zel is a bit sensitive in equating technology with 'all the tools you haven't developed']
But, think about it. Mages capable of casting flare arrow are common. Magic works in rain and doesn't go off accidentally, and doesn't require any preparation. Even if scholars note that gunpowder exists, most nations would rather pay sorcerers to improve fire magic than natural philosophers or alchemists or whatever to improve gunpowder.
We have gunpowder, by the way, but it was developed in a part of the world where magic wasn't as common. But, again, look at the printing press; it exists because no one's figured out a quick way to print things with magic. Dye spells exist, but they aren't as precise as a printer.
no subject
[Because Zel is a bit sensitive in equating technology with 'all the tools you haven't developed']
But, think about it. Mages capable of casting flare arrow are common. Magic works in rain and doesn't go off accidentally, and doesn't require any preparation. Even if scholars note that gunpowder exists, most nations would rather pay sorcerers to improve fire magic than natural philosophers or alchemists or whatever to improve gunpowder.
We have gunpowder, by the way, but it was developed in a part of the world where magic wasn't as common. But, again, look at the printing press; it exists because no one's figured out a quick way to print things with magic. Dye spells exist, but they aren't as precise as a printer.