[✓] [World Lore] - Quietus Crystals

[Quavinir_Twiceborn 1041]

Category: Material (Noded, Rare (T3)

Material Name and Description

A Quietus crystal is a non naturally formed hollow biconical red crystal, which contains in its center a glowing red ‘core’ suspended in a murky red fluid.Created by some past intelligent denizens of Almaris, Quietus crystals can be found buried or implanted into the earth in piles, clusters, and even hidden in caches in ruins, and bear many bizarre properties. First and foremost, if a quietus crystal is punctured or broken open, its ‘core’ shall spring out and dissipate into nothingness, while the rest of the crystal evaporates into a foul acidic smelling red mist. However, whilst whole, the core of the crystal shall emit a soft red light, and if moved, leave a trail of red light, streaking through the air and than dissipating after a few second’s time. Likewise, it bears a bizarre sensitivity to blood, and will magically react if ever exposed to such.
 

Quietus crystals are standardly no smaller than 8 centimeters long, yet will not be found any larger than 15 centimeters long, and bear a maroonish-red color. The crystals are standardly very smooth, with no angled edges or corners, save through its center, where a vague ‘seam’ is marked around its middle, joining 2 curved conical halves. The crystals are always hollow, with 3-5 millimeter thick walls, and contain a spherical core in its center measuring 2-3 centimeters in diameter, suspended in a red murky fluid. The core glows a dim pinkish red, and sheds light equal to that of a ingame redstone torch.

 

When one of these crystals is moved, the red light the core sheds will ‘hang’ in the air, so to speak, before dissipating. This makes so if one were to wave it in the air, or simply move it around, it would leave a trail of light wherever its been, even within bags or containers, these streaks of light will faze through their vessels and trail though the the air. Unlike the stone itself, these ‘trails’ do not emit any light on their surroundings, and after 5 seconds, disappear into nothingness.

 

The most hindering aspect of working with one of these crystals is its bizarre dependance on its core to maintain form. The core of the crystal is relatively unmoving inside the crystal, however, should the crystal be punctured, shattered, melted, or in any way shaped as to have the internal liquid of the crystal unsealed- the core shall fly out immediately, it itself being incorporeal and unable to cause any harm, and dissipate into the air in but a second, and the rest of the crystal, fluid included, shall immediately evaporate into a puff of acidic smelling red mist. This mist is harmless, and itself will fade away after roughly 30 seconds. 

 

Quietus crystals are not fragile, and can be dropped or thrown about with little effect, however, a firm strike with a hammer at its center will shatter, and destroy it. The crystals are eerily very smooth, with attempts to sand, or file them being entirely ineffective, being completely immune to shearing force, and for all intents and purposes, are unable to be cut apart.

 

Quietus crystals are somewhat heat resistant, up to 1300 degrees celsius, in which case it will soften, and is able to be molded, or pressed into shape akin to glass, so long as its internal volume is kept consistent and the crystal is not punctured, in which case it will be entirely destroyed if its hollow section is unsealed. At at 1,600 degrees celsius, the crystal shall melt, releasing its core, and promptly be destroyed. In this same way, if someone were to attempt to meld two crystals together, they will need to still keep the internal fluid of each crystal sealed to itself, for it matters not if the only place a core can escape to is another crystal’s fluid, if a core leaves its crystal- the core and the crystal shall be destroyed. Likewise, if the crystal was made malleable, and a piece of the crystal is separated from the portion with the core yet somehow keep the core sealed- the separated piece shall dissipate into a red mist, just as if the core had escaped.

 

Finally, if a quietus crystal comes into contact with a drop or more of descendant blood, the crystal will evaporate the blood immediately, and its core will begin glowing brighter (akin to an ingame normal torch) and begin very quietly hissing for the next narrative hour. The hissing is inconsistent, and almost vocal in tone, as if attempting to whisper something, yet with the only sounds of it pronouncing syllables with ‘Ss’ able to escape from its core. These hissings are untranslatable, and the core itself will not respond to anything said or done to the crystal in this state (aside from the crystal being unsealed, in which case it will still be destroyed.)

 

Applications 

Quietus crystals are notably receptive to most enchantments, and may be used as a focus crystal, however, any summoning voidal spell either powered through one of these crystals, or cast through them as a focus, will be a reddish hue. The specific hue could range from a dark maroon, to a light pinkish red, to a deep crimson, however, it applies to almost any spell. Cast illusions will be ruddy in hue, fireballs or bolts of ice will appear as if put through a red filter, and conjured creatures or beasts will appear eternally bathed in red light, as if a red spotlight was constantly pointed at them from above. This summoning effect is inconsistent with other magics, for some it way work, yet for others it wont. Persay, one may be able to cast a Yeu-wispal-servant red through the crystal, yet persay, a cleric may not be able to cast through such.

(Let lore-holders choose if they want quietus crystals to have the color changey ability)

 

Aside from magic, Quietus crystals are useful for dim lightning, decoration, or even blood powered lamps, should one wish for such.

 

Red Lines 

-If a quietus crystal is broken open, or its internal liquid unsealed, the crystal shall be entirely destroyed.

 

-The glowing and hissing effect from blood can be proc'd via the blood of any playable creature, both descendants, tainted descendants (siliti, Frost witches, etc), or animal people (such as Kha, Musin). If it is playable, and it bleeds, the blood will work on the crystal. Animal blood, or from non-playable creatures does not.

 

-Filing or ‘cutting’ the gem as a means to shape it is entirely ineffective, the gem requiring to be heated to being malleable, and carefully pressed or molded into shape.

 

-Despite being immune to being cut apart, they can still be shattered with significant compression force, such as the strike of a hammer or blunt weapon.

-The items of Quietus crystals themselves, alongside items made with the crystals do not require ST signatures.

 

-Any spell cast with a quietus crystal will be notably reddish. This does not mean the spells are any more powerful or dangerous, simply colored red.

 

Harvesting Method

 

Due to the variance of where Quietus crystals may be found, the environmental factors for harvesting them is nebulous. However, the one consistent issue with harvesting these crystals is their susceptibility to be destroyed by compression force. Were someone to errantly strike the crystal with a pickaxe or chisel, the crystal would shatter, its core would fling out, and the crystal would be destroyed. Likewise, one bears the risk of accidentally causing a cave-in should they break more than one crystal, given it may start a domino effect of crystals breaking, disappearing, and than leaving the walls they’re embedded into without support, which will cause them to fall over- potentially shattering more crystals- et-cetera, et-cetera. 

 

As such, the wisest move is to attempt to cut around the crystal, and remove the entire chunk of stone it is embedded into, or if the crystal has a large visible surface area- simply pry it out from the stone itself.

 

Harvesting Red Lines

 

-Quietus crystals are liable to be shattered if struck directly, which may cause other problems.

 

-Quietus crystals are usually intentionally embedded into caves, stone walls, or buried.

[squakhawk 7866]

This Lore has been accepted. Moved to Implemented Lore, it will be sorted to it's appropriate category soon. Please note that if this is playable lore, such as a magic or CA, you will need to write a guide for this piece. You will be contacted regarding the guide (or implementation if it isn’t needed) shortly.