Toffee 2843 Popular Post Share Posted April 21, 2025 Spoiler https://youtu.be/U4AB8dYwOhk?si=nQfUDa-_YgpiB6Mm THE TRADITIONAL OF THE ALMENODRIM All of their works were highly treasured, for they were crafted with arts which were not known to other wrights, and have been forgotten. It must, too, be noted that steel was scarce more than a servant to them—and it was in the working of silver, gold, and precious gems that they truly excelled, ultimately peerless. The Tale of Dagnir, Part I in the Lay of Aegrothond For the Elves of the Almenodrim, the crafting of gems and jewellery is not merely a trade, but a living testament to our spirit and artistry. From the earliest days, when the world was young and the secrets of the earth lay hidden, our people possessed the wisdom to coax beauty from stone and metal, rivalled only by those of Dwarven-kind. Now our hands transform silver, gold, and jewels into wonders of dream and legend, guided by traditions older than living memory. Jewelcraft encompasses more than simple adornment for the Almenodrim. It is the language of heritage and identity, and a bridge between one’s spirit-essence and the tangible world. ✦───────────────────── ✧⋅ ҉ ⋅✧ ────────────────────✦ Within every living being there lies a spirit-essence—a secret fire, unique and unrepeatable, that is the wellspring of thought, desire, and memory. This essence is the true self, veiled from the eyes of others, yet shaping all deeds. In some, it is as clear and bright as the morning star; in others, it is a deep and hidden current, known only to the heart’s own counsel. Metals are what form the body of an item of jewellery, but it is the gemstones, resplendent and enduring, that truly capture one’s spirit-essence. The Almenodrim believe that jewelsmiths can sense the inner workings of a person’s being and choose gems and stones to reflect this and show it to the outside world. ADAMANT Of adamant, which some among Men name diamond, much is spoken in the lore of the Almenodrim. For in that most enduring of stones is held the memory of eternity—a quality most dearly cherished by the Elves, whose lives are as long as the world endures. Yet, adamant is not lightly bestowed, nor is it set in ornament for the young or the unproven. Only those whose spirit has come to rest, whose character is steadfast and unchanging as the stars, are deemed worthy of such a gift. Thus it is that among the Almenodrim, adamant is seldom wrought into jewel or circlet for any who have not seen the passing of a hundred years, for in that span they are yet counted among the young, their hearts still in the keeping of mortal days, unformed and untested. Many are the hues of adamant, and each bears its own secret meaning, known to the loremasters and the jewelwrights of old. Yet, in all its colours, adamant proclaims that the wearer has become one with the virtue it represents, the essence of their spirit made manifest in stone. Clear or white adamant is rare and revered, a symbol of purity unblemished and spirit without flaw. Only those whose hearts are noble beyond reproach may bear such a gem, and it is a sign of high honour among the Almenodrim. Yellow adamant, shining with the light of the sun, is the jewel of joy. It is often given in token of a friendship unbreakable, when the bond between jewelsmith and recipient is as enduring as the stone itself. Blue adamant is the mark of wisdom and serenity, bestowed upon those who are counted as teachers and counsellors, whose calm spirit brings peace to others. Pink adamant, in its many subtle shades, is the stone of romance and passion. It is most often set in tokens for those whose lives have been touched by great love, for such tales are treasured among the Almenodrim. To warriors and champions is given red adamant, the stone of strength and courage. Often is it set into the hilt of a sword or the pommel of a dagger, for it is believed to lend valour and fortitude to its bearer as well as embody their martial spirit. Green adamant is the emblem of nature and renewal, and is given to those who devote their lives to the care and keeping of the living world. Black adamant is rarest of all, and it is said that only those of the most powerful spirit may wear it. Such a gem is held to be a mighty talisman, warding its bearer against shadow and harm. Brown or russet adamant is the stone of humility, given to those who have embraced simplicity and service, and who walk the earth with gentle tread. Lastly, adamant of purple hue is the mark of spiritual depth. It is reserved for the elders, those who have seen four centuries or more, and is a sign of status and experience among the Almenodrim. BERYL & TOPAZ Beryl and topaz, though counted among the fairer gems and treasured by many for their beauty and rarity—indeed, some kinds surpass even adamant in scarcity—are not held in equal reverence by the Almenodrim. For these stones, while radiant, do not bear the same weight of eternity. Thus it is that beryl and topaz are more oft employed in the crafting of jewellery where the meaning is lighter, the promise less enduring. Such gems are chosen to signify qualities present in the wearer, yet not fixed at the heart of their being—gifts of the hour, perhaps, or virtues that may wax and wane with the turning of the years. In this way, beryl and topaz are set in pieces designed to mark the passage of time, to commemorate a season or a deed, or to hold the memory of what once was. A circlet of blue beryl may grace the brow of a scholar or one who seeks knowledge, while blue adamant is reserved for those who have attained wisdom and become teachers of renown. Thus, though the hue of beryl or topaz may echo the greater stone of adamant, the meaning is gentler and more fleeting. There are, moreover, certain varieties of beryl and topaz whose colours are not found among adamant, and these bear their own significance. Orange topaz, bright as the flame of autumn leaves, is cherished as the emblem of creativity. It is given to those whose hands are skilled in craft, whose minds are ever kindling new designs, and whose spirits delight in the making of fair things. Smaragdus, which Men and Dwarves call emerald and the Elves know as green beryl, is the stone of renewal and foresight. It is set in rings and tokens to mark new beginnings—the forging of a bond, the turning of a life’s path, or the dawning of hope after sorrow. For this reason, it is often woven into the bands exchanged by those who wed, as a sign of the journey begun anew. Golden beryl, though akin in hue to the yellow topaz and adamant, speaks not of the joy and gladness found in those latter gems. Rather, it is the stone of self-mastery and confidence, bestowed upon those whose spirits burn with inner strength and resolve. Its warm light is a beacon to those who walk their own path with courage and assurance. OPAL Much is spoken of opals among the jewelwrights, for these stones are unlike any other in all the wide lands of Descendantkind. In their depths, a shifting of colour may be seen, as if the light of many dawns and dusks were captured and set to play within a single gem. Thus, opals are held to be the emblem of complexity and hidden depths, suited to those whose spirits are manifold. To gaze upon an opal is to behold a beauty that changes with every turn, a kaleidoscopic marvel that defies simple telling. Among these, the black opal is most prized by those who walk in shadow and mystery, whose hearts are veiled and whose purposes are seldom known. Such a stone is given to the enigmatic, those whose presence stirs wonder and speculation, as the night sky stirs the dreams of poets. In contrast, the white opal, pure and radiant, is set aside for those whose honesty is beyond question, whose motives are as clear as the morning sun upon the sea. These are the souls whose every word and deed may be trusted, and whose hearts are open to all. The fire opal, ablaze with hues of scarlet and gold, is the jewel of the passionate and the bold. It is given to those whose spirits burn with a fierce and unquenchable flame, whose very presence enlivens the company and whose energy is felt as keenly as the heat of a midsummer’s day. Honey opals, glowing with the warmth of golden light, are cherished as tokens of sunlight and gentle warmth. They are bestowed upon those whose kindness comforts all who dwell in their presence, as the sun brings life and gladness to the green earth. Yet there are opals of pink, blue, and green, which, though fair to behold, are less laden with meaning. These are oft set as adornments to enhance the beauty of other stones, lending their shifting light and subtlety to the greater tale told by a piece of jewelcraft. They serve to amplify and complicate the nature of the gems with which they are joined, weaving together the many facets of the wearer’s spirit into a single, harmonious whole. SPINEL & TOURMALINE Spinel and tourmaline, like beryl and topaz, are found in many hues, their colours spanning the breadth of the rainbow. Yet, while beryl and topaz are oft employed to echo, in gentler measure, the virtues embodied by adamant, spinel and tourmaline are seldom burdened with such weight of meaning among the Almenodrim. Rather, these stones are chosen for the delight of the eye, their selection guided by the jeweller’s craft and the wearer’s own fancy. Thus, the beauty of spinel and tourmaline lies chiefly in their visage, and the joy they bring is of a more personal kind, unbound by ancient lore or deep tradition. Yet not all varieties are without significance. Among the Almenodrim, there are certain shades that are held in high esteem. Mauve spinel, with its gentle glow of purple and rose, and plum spinel, deep as twilit wine, are set aside for those whose lives are marked by resilience. These stones are bestowed upon souls who, through many trials, have shown a spirit unbroken and steadfast. Tourmaline, in its warmest shades of yellow and orange, is given to those whose hearts are ever buoyant, whose hope endures and whose laughter is not easily stilled. Such gems are most often wrought into tokens for the young, for whom the more solemn yellow adamant would be ill-suited. AGATE Among the many marvels forged by the secret fires of the earth, agate is counted most wondrous for its bands and swirling hues, which wind and flow like the courses of ancient rivers. This stone, a fair kindred of chalcedony, is found in a hundred colours, each veined and marbled in patterns both strange and beautiful. In the hands of the master jewelwrights, agate is prized not only for its beauty, but for the meaning it bears, for it is the stone of balance, beloved of those who walk between worlds and reconcile what is divided. To wear agate is to proclaim a spirit at peace with contradiction. It is the chosen gem of healer-warriors, whose hands bring both harm and healing; of warrior-poets, whose hearts are as keen as their blades, yet as gentle as their songs; of rulers who are also humble servants, and of teachers who remain ever eager to learn. So too does agate suit those whose spirit-essence is woven of opposing threads: strength and vulnerability, creation and destruction, wisdom and wild emotion. In all these, agate is a fitting emblem, for its very nature is to unite what is sundered and to find harmony in diversity. Yet among the stones of chalcedony, sardonyx stands apart, its bands running true and straight in hues of white, red, orange, brown, and black. Where agate’s whorls speak of balance and the mingling of many things, sardonyx is the stone of steadfast virtue and dignity. It is worn by those whose hearts are guided by an unerring sense of right, whose honour is unyielding, and whose lives are marked by strength of will and clarity of purpose. In the lore of the Almenodrim, sardonyx is a visible sign of those who hold fast to their convictions, come what may. GARNET, RUBY & BLOODSTONE Garnet and ruby, the deep-red jewels of legend, have long been entwined with the memory of blood. Amongst the Sylvaeri especially, these stones are cherished for their symbolism of the unbroken chain of kinship stretching back to the elder days of Malin. Princes and lords of old would set rubies and garnets in their circlets and Oath rings as a sign of their heritage. Yet there is another stone, darker and more sombre in aspect; bloodstone, which to some is known as heliotrope. This stone is marked with flecks of crimson, as if the memory of a battlefield were held fast in the green stone. Among the Almenodrim, bloodstone bears a heavier burden, for it is not merely the symbol of blood, but of bloodshed and violence. It is said that to wear bloodstone is to bear the mark of a grievous deed, just as Sylvaen bore the shame of his kinslaying. CARNELIAN Carnelian, the stone of burning ember and sunset’s glow, is held in high esteem among the Almenodrim for the virtue it embodies: boldness of heart. Its warm and vibrant hue calls to mind the fire that dwells within those who dare greatly, and yet, unlike the red adamant or the crimson beryl and topaz, carnelian is not reserved solely for those who bear arms. In the halls of the Almenodrim, carnelian is bestowed upon all who show courage in the face of shadow, whether they wield spear or word. It is the stone of those who speak when silence is demanded, who venture forth when others falter, and who stand firm in the storm of doubt. Poets, healers, wanderers, and rulers alike may wear carnelian, for boldness is a flame that may kindle in any heart, regardless of station or craft. JASPER Jasper is beloved for its quiet strength. Deep-hued and unyielding, it lies close to the heart of the earth, and in its presence one may feel the slow, patient turning of the world beneath their feet. To Almenorean jewelsmiths, jasper is the emblem of those whose spirit-essence is rooted and unshaken, and who draw their strength from the deep places of the world. It is also called the steadfast stone. CINNABAR Cinnabar, a mineral of deep vermilion, is held in peculiar reverence among the Almenodrim, for it is bound by tradition to the secret arts of alchemy, which some of their number pursue. Unlike the gems of the earth, cinnabar is the emblem of transformation and hidden knowledge, its very nature steeped in mystery. For the sake of jewelcraft, cinnabar is ground to a fine powder and mingled with oils, the mixture yielding a pigment of shifting hue, alive with restless motion. Oft is it trapped within globes of crystal or glass, where, suspended in water, it dances and coils in ever-changing forms—a living symbol of metamorphosis which alchemists relentlessly pursue. It is for this reason that jewelsmiths will use cinnabar for those whose spirit-essence is touched by strangeness and curiosity, who stand apart from the norm. PERIDOT It was Aegnor who found it, riding upon the great northern hills with his banners—and ever after for this reason he was oft-called by the name Elpharon, which means ‘star-finder’. Marveling at the desolation, he delved into the blackened cavern at its center—and though it burned his hands, he could not find the will to leave the glede-star behind. The Tale of Dagnir, Part I in the Lay of Aegrothond Peridot is cherished among the folk of sea and shore, for it is the stone of abundance, worn primarily by fishermen whose nets return heavy and whose tables are never bare. It can also be worn by other providers and gift-givers. Yet there are peridots of rarer kind, stones not born of earth alone, but fallen from the heavens in the wake of a wandering star. These are called Aegnorons, in memory of Aegnor Starfinder, who, in the days of the early Almenodrim, beheld a star fall from the black vault of night and was the first to find such a jewel among the smoking stones. The Aegnorons are held in highest esteem, for they are thought to carry within them the blessing of the stars. Those who wear them are thus those who are believed to be star-blessed and lucky beyond compare. JADE Jade is seldom set in the jewellery of the Almenodrim, for it is held to be the emblem of ultimate peace. Its cool and gentle sheen is like the stillness of a forest glade untouched by wind or war, a beauty that speaks not of action nor quest, but of harmony and quiet fulfillment. Among the Almenodrim, such peace is rare. Ours is a people renowned in song and tale for our valour, ever contending with the darkness that stirs in forgotten places, and ever setting forth upon long and perilous journeys to reclaim the treasures of our ancient people. Few among us, therefore, attain the serenity that jade demands, for our spirits are restless, kindled by longing and the call to attain our legacies. To wear jade among the Almenodrim is to be marked as one who has found that which many seek but few attain: true and lasting peace. LAPIS LAZULI & SAPPHIRE Lapis lazuli and sapphire, stones of deep and star-flecked blue, are held in high honour among the Almenodrim, for they are the emblems of wisdom. Their hues recall the fathomless depths of ancient waters and the boundless vault of the sky, and thus they are representative of those whose spirit-essence calls them to seek understanding and communion with the world’s mysteries. Yet, unlike the rare and hallowed blue adamant—bestowed only upon those whose wisdom is profound and enduring—lapis and sapphire are granted to those whose insight is keen, though not yet peerless. It is custom to wear but a single piece adorned with adamant, for such a gem holds a depth of meaning not lightly multiplied. In other adornments, lapis lazuli and sapphire are set, their beauty and virtue enhancing the dignity of their bearer without the burden that adamant represents. Thus, these stones are found in many a ring, brooch, or circlet, believed to capture the spirit of the sea within their facets. ONYX & OBSIDIAN Onyx and obsidian, though markedly different in make and splendour, are alike in the symbolism they hold within the jewelcraft of the Almenodrim. Deep as moonless nights and polished to a shadowed gleam, these stones are nonetheless set apart from the shimmering mystery of black opal. For while black opal is the gem of enigma and hidden depths, onyx and obsidian speak rather of secrets kept by will, of truths veiled not by fate but by choice. To bear onyx or obsidian is to bear a shield against the gaze of others, for their dark and unyielding faces reveal naught of what lies within. These gems are chosen by those who would guard their hearts, who walk among others with their true selves shrouded, and who weave veils of silence and secrecy about their spirits. Yet not all who wear onyx or obsidian do so for guile or concealment. Among the Almenodrim, these stones are also wrought into mourning necklaces and tokens of grief, for in sorrow the heart withdraws from the world. Thus, to wear onyx or obsidian in times of loss is to declare one’s grief and solitude, and to mark the passage through darkness until the light of hope returns. ✦───────────────────── ✧⋅ ҉ ⋅✧ ────────────────────✦ There are the gemstones born of fire and pressure, hidden in the bones of the world and shaped by the slow and secret labour of stone and time, yet not all that is fair and precious comes from the silent halls beneath the earth. There are also those jewels shaped by the gentle hand of the natural world, wrought by the passage of life and the memory of what once was. AMBER Amber is used for pieces where the purpose is to capture a moment in time, just as the resin traps insects within it. For in amber, one may behold a moment stilled forever, and it is therefore the stone of the unchanging, those whose nature remains unmoved by the passage of time. Amber captures the spirit-essence of those whose hearts are set and whose ways are fixed, whether by the stubbornness of youth or the weight of many years. Just as amber preserves the memory of a vanished summer, so too does it honour those who have ceased to grow or change, or in some ways, to reprimand those who live their lives unaltered. PETRIFIED WOOD Petrified wood is cherished for its power to hold the memory of a world long vanished. Like amber, it is a vessel of time, preserving the echo of ancient forests and all things that grow and fade beneath the sun. Amongst the Almenodrim, petrified wood is bestowed upon those who are keepers of tradition and guardians of the old ways. To bear such a stone is to possess a spirit-essence which honours the past and stands as a living bridge between what was and what yet may be. In particular, willow bark, of the pale and graceful tree, is the herald of those who will promise to revive the old traditions. The pear tree by contrast is the emblem of femininity and grace, and it is her petrified wood which is the sign of those who preserve the knowledge of the women of the Almenodrim and their part in our ancient history. IVORY Among the Elves, the birth of an Elvenchild is a marvel and a joy beyond measure after the Curse left us barren. Rarer still is the mother or father whose house is filled with more than one such light. Ivory, therefore, is not lightly bestowed, nor worn without cause, but is reserved for those who have done the rare and wondrous; brought forth not one, but many precious Elven children. GLIMMERSTONE Far beneath the earth there lies a curious marvel known as glimmerstone. Though oft mistaken for a stone, it is not stone at all but a humble fungus that clings to cavern walls, revealing its hidden wonder as subtle flecks of captured starlight. The learned among the Dwarves have long prized these luminous motes, for when carefully gathered and rendered into a rare paint, they bestow upon metal and jewel a gentle, otherworldly glow—each ornament adorned with glimmerstone shimmers as if dusted with the memory of the night sky. ✦───────────────────── ✧⋅ ҉ ⋅✧ ────────────────────✦ When the ancient Almenodrim were sundered from fair Malin’s kingdom, cast adrift by the shadow of Sylvaen’s kinslaying and sent into the Great Exile, they turned their hearts and prows ever seaward. Long and weary were their voyages upon the untamed deeps, yet the waves became both their lament and their solace. Far from home, upon the margins of the world, they raised their towers of pearl-strewn stone and alabaster, their harbours alive with the silver glint of hulls and the murmured lays of mariners who knew the sea’s tongue as their own. The jewels and treasures of the sea therefore leave their mark on the works of an Almenorean jewelsmith. SEA GLASS & CORAL The greater renarias, those vast and luminous mosaics that adorn the halls of the Almenodrim, are born of sea glass and coral, whose colours are as varied as dawn’s first light or twilight’s fading ember. Though they bear no strong colour symbolism of gemstone-kin like adamant or beryl, their worth is clear; what is broken may yet be remade, and what is cast aside may gleam anew. In the lesser renarias, the art of small things, these same materials find purpose more intimate. It is to mark the hour of transition; when a youth returns from their rite of passage, a lover pledges their troth, an Elf becomes a mother or a father, or the Oath is taken and the Oath ring forged. PEARL Common are those pearls of pallid hue, white as the foam upon the breakers or lavender-soft as a subtle gloaming, threaded upon chains of silver or set in rings of driftwood-bone, worn by mariner and child and artisan alike as common tokens of a life lived on and by the sea. Yet among these, rarer gems carry heavier lore. Black pearls are deemed as emblems of the unfathomable, the sea’s memory of grief and loss. To wear such a gem is to bear the weight of the abyss, and is therefore worn only by those who have lost a loved one to the sea at her fiercest. Metallic pearls, cold as sword-edges and bright as starfall upon midnight waves, are the talismans of shipwrights, believed to be born of the sea’s pact with subterranean fires. To carry a golden pearl is to carry the sun’s last glimmer beneath the waves, and is therefore worn by those who have survived drowning or another somesuch near-death. ABALONE SHELL In the tradition of coastal Tiva, practiced by those Elves of Illivira who walk the path between sea and shore, blending the lore of the Almenodrim with the green wisdom of the Wood Elves, abalone shell is held in gentle reverence. Its surface, shimmering with all the hues of day and deep water, is said to mirror the tranquil heart of the world, where storm and sunlight are woven into a single, iridescent gem. To the Illiviran Elves, such shells are tokens of tranquility and inner peace. To the ancient Almenodrim and in the traditional ways of our people, abalone is said to reflect the spirit-essence of those who have undergone much change, particularly from darkness to light. ✦───────────────────── ✧⋅ ҉ ⋅✧ ────────────────────✦ Quartz of all varieties is held as the mirror of unseen energies, a vessel not of the wearer’s spirit but of the essence found in the wider world. For whereas other gems are cut to reflect the inner fire of the wearer—honey opal for kindness, jasper for those of steadfast nature—quartz alone is deemed a receptacle of external forces, a stone that drinks the light of deeds and days gone by, and the echoes of those who have borne it. MILK & BLUE QUARTZ Pale and opaque as the moon, milk quartz is rarely worn, but rather shaped into floors or set within mosaics. So too is blue quartz, despite its beauteous appearance, seldom ever set in silver or gold. To wear such a stone is to risk drowning in memory, for blue quartz is said to hoard the sigh of the sea and the cry of gulls, too potent a reminder of the Great Exile for those who already bear the sea in their blood. ROSE QUARTZ Carved into brooches clasped above the heart or strung upon cords, rose quartz is the keeper of kith and kin. It is given to mothers in childbirth, to lovers at their betrothal, and to those who mend rifts between siblings, for its blush is the shade of unconditional love. GOLD QUARTZ Where aurum threads through the stone like veins of sunlight, gold quartz becomes a ward against shadow. Such talismans hang at the throats of those who fight creatures of the dark, which is the calling of all Elves of the Almenodrim. It is furthermore used as a blade whose light cleaves the gloom, but only ceremonially, for such a stone is brittle and prone to break. SMOKY QUARTZ Grey as storm and subtle as a half-truth, this stone is the counsellor of princes. Passed from ruler to heir, it is set in the pommels of daggers or the bands of signet rings, its haze a reminder that clarity comes not from certainty, but from the courage to choose. PHANTOM QUARTZ Within the depths of this quartz lies ghostly strata, the imprint of lives long spent. To hold it is to stand at the threshold of oblivion, where the voices of the departed murmur in crystalline tongues from the beyond. It is sometimes called ancestor quartz for the belief that it holds the forgotten memories of those who have come before, capturing the spirit-essence and wisdom of its past bearers. It is therefore a common feature of Almenorean heirlooms. STAR QUARTZ Star quartz is otherwise known as the mariner’s lodestone, for the asterisms at its core gleam like far-off constellations. Sailors, navigators, and star charters will wear this stone or string it upon the mastheads of their ships, for it is said to bind the wearer’s sight to the oldest stars, those that guided the early Almenodrim to sanctuary in the Great Exile. AMETHYST Amethyst, a variety of purple quartz, is held by those who have suffered loss but have come to terms with their grief. Though its violet depths promise acceptance and peace, to gift it unbidden is a grave affront, for the Almenodrim hold that peace must be claimed, not bestowed. Only those who seek it themselves may find the solace it bestows. CITRINE Golden as a harvest moon, citrine is also known as the merchant’s stone, held by traders to secure an advantage in bartering. Merchants by trade will wear this stone as a talisman, while others will only bear it from time to time. ✦───────────────────── ✧⋅ ҉ ⋅✧ ────────────────────✦ THE To the ancient Almenodrim, who in their exile learned to read the language of waves and wind, the luminary stones were no mere crystals but vessels of a light beyond reckoning—fragments of that which lies past the edge of the world. Though they bowed to no temple nor named any religious creed save a whispered reverence for the spirits of the deep and sea goddess Thalassa, the Almenodrim harboured in their hearts a knowing, that beyond the veil moved a presence vast as the ocean, older than the first star, and as fathomless as the abyss. In the luminary stones, they saw this mystery given form, gems that held a glimmer of the unspoken divine. MOONSTONE Moonstone is as pale as a ghostly tide and shimmers with a subtle inner radiance. It is worn by those with the gift to foresee the storm’s approach ere the gale stirred, to hear the murmur of distant currents, and to walk the shore at midnight knowing the hour of the tide’s turn with no chart nor device. Belethil, the lost gem of legend crafted by Dwarven hands, is said to hold the memory of the first moon, that which hung above Malin’s kingdom. It is therefore the most eminent among moonstones, and when the moon is high, the light path on the surface of the ocean will lead a sailor to Belethil’s secret resting place. SUNSTONE When clouds choke the sky and the sun’s face is veiled, it is sunstone with its amber-bright hue that is said to dispel all mysteries and allow sailors to find their path again. Thus, to peer through a sunstone is to find light in darkness, and to hold the belief that no shadow can extinguish the dawn. It reflects the spirit-essence of those with unerring optimism and who can banish shadows and uncertainty. STARSTONE Starstone is held to be the firstborn of the cosmos, older than the earth, the seas, and the kindling of the stars. In its inky dark depths, filaments of gold and blue mirror the void before creation, the hour when our mortal plane was yet a whisper in the mind of the Creator. It is an exceptionally rare stone, capable of holding the spirit-essence of only the rarest and most special of individuals, or decorating particularly significant artifacts. ✦───────────────────── ✧⋅ ҉ ⋅✧ ────────────────────✦ CARBARUM Carbarum is as hard as adamant yet thrice the weight of mortal-forged steel. If prepared by unsure hands, carbarum shatters like ice upon the anvil, but under the hammers of masters it becomes a metal of the sea, its surface gleaming with the blue of deep waters. It is common to see jewellery wrought from carbarum for its hue alone and its gemlike lustre. Among those who revere the sea spirits, carbarum is thought to be the ossified breath of Thalassa herself. STARSTEEL Starsteel, known to some as lunarite, is a metal forged in the heart of fallen stars, and is thus a shard of the night sky made tangible. When Malin, King of the Elves, loosed arrows tipped with starsteel from his bow, they blazed across the heavens like meteors, and to see such a sight was to see the sky weep argent fire. Long, too, have the Elves sought starsteel for their diadems, for the sake of its luminance ANORUM A marvel of craft unseen since the Dwarven-smiths of legend, Anorum is as ferrum, unyielding as the bones of the earth, yet its form is that of a gemstone. In the hands of an Almenorean jewelsmith, Anorum flows like molten glass and is fashioned into all manner of jewellery and craft, or set into silver filigree. GOLD & SILVER Gold, or aurum, is used to grace the warm-skinned and golden-haired, chosen more for its colouring than any deeper symbolic meaning. Almenorean jewelsmiths have ever acknowledged the mastery of the Dwaves, whose hands beneath the mountains draw forth from gold a splendour no Elf may match; delicate filigree like frost upon leaves, and beaten sheets that shimmer as the setting sun upon the sea. Although the Almenodrim use gold in much of their jewellery, it is the sons of Urguan who are its true lords, and in this art, claim no parity. Silver is the metal of moonlight, used in jewellery for those whose skin is pale and touched by the cool hues of midnight. For those with dark hair spilling like ebony, silver is the metal most fitting. OTHER METALS Not all metals are chosen for their ancient lore or secret powers. Many are chosen simply for their visual appeal. There are jewelsmiths who turn to platinum for its steadfast lustre and unyielding strength, or to copper, whose warm glow echoes the last embers of sunset. Brass and bronze, carefully alloyed, offer hues of gold and earth, pleasing to the eye and easy to shape beneath the hammer. Nickel, pale and hardy, and pewter, soft as river clay, find their place too in the jewellery and smallcrafts of the Almenodrim. ✦───────────────────── ✧⋅ ҉ ⋅✧ ────────────────────✦ Spoiler Clear or white adamant (diamond) The most noble hearted Yellow adamant The most joyous (and as a symbol of enduring, unbreakable friendship) Blue adamant Teachers of unparalleled knowledge and wisdom Pink adamant Those who have experienced a great love story Red adamant Those who fully embrace the warrior’s spirit Green adamant Those who devote their lives to the protection of nature Black adamant People with very powerful spirits Brown or russet adamant The ultimate humble person Purple adamant Elders (over 300 years) Clear beryl/topaz Innocence and being noble of heart, but not to the extent that it would warrant clear/white diamond Yellow topaz Happy, joyous people Blue beryl/topaz Smart people, scholars, those with wisdom Pink beryl/topaz Romantic and passionate people Red beryl/topaz Warriors and fighters, but where it is just part of their personality, not where they are wholly devoted to it like with red adamant Green topaz Protectors of the natural world Smaragdus (emerald, green beryl) Marking new beginnings, often used in wedding rings Brown beryl/topaz Orange topaz Humility and service Artisans and creators Golden beryl For those who embody confidence Black opal Mysterious and enigmatic people White opal Honest people Fire opal Passionate, bold people who are instantly noticed when they enter a room Honey opal Very kind people Pink, blue, and green opals General decoration, to complement similarly coloured stones of greater meaning Spinel and tourmaline (all colours) Just for aesthetics Mauve and plum spinel Those who have shown great resilience Yellow and orange tourmaline Truly joyful people where yellow adamant would not be appropriate (a step above yellow topaz which is for people who are generally happy) Agate People who embrace opposites and contradiction Sardonyx Those with an unwavering moral compass and stick by their convictions Garnet and ruby The symbol of House Sylvaeri Bloodstone A mark of a kinslayer/someone who has done bad deeds and needs to atone Carnelian Courageous people (not just in battle, but just people who are generally bold) Jasper Steadfast, grounded, sensible people Cinnabar Alchemists and otherwise strange individuals Peridot Master fishermen Aegnoron (peridot that comes from a meteor) Very blessed and lucky people Jade Very rare; for people who have found true and lasting inner peace. Generally only seen in very old people Lapis lazuli and sapphire Very wise people, scholars at the height of their craft and teachers. Often worn by people who qualify for blue adamant but want to wear it in other pieces of jewellery Onyx and obsidian Purposefully deceitful people or people who hide their true selves; also used in mourning Amber People who are set in their ways, for better or for worse Petrified wood (generally) Keepers of tradition Petrified willow bark Those who promise to revive the old ways Petrified pear tree wood Those who preserve specifically the knowledge of Almenorean women Ivory Those who have more than one child (if an Elf) Glimmerstone Generally decorative, used for its sparkles Sea glass and coral Used for lesser renarias decorations and in moments marking transition e.g. rite of passage, engagement, becoming a parent, taking the Oath Pearl (general) Very common jewellery material Black pearl Worn by people who have lost a loved one, usually to the sea Metallic pearl Shipwrights Golden pearl Survivors of near-death experiences Abalone People who have undergone significant change like a redemption arc Milk quartz General decoration, not for jewellery Blue quartz Deemed too powerful a stone to wear, that it holds painful memories of the Great Exile Rose quartz Unconditional love Gold quartz Talismans against darkspawn and other evil Smoky quartz Worn by rulers or heads of house, believed to hold the wisdom of those who wore it before Phantom quartz Believed to capture the spirit-essence of ancestors who came before Star quartz Believed to aid in star navigation Amethyst Acceptance of grief; cannot be gifted Citrine The merchant’s stone, believed to bring advantageous trades Moonstone Worn by those who have a very good knowledge of the sea Sunstone Those with unerring optimism even in the face of darkness and uncertainty Starstone ((IRL, nuumite)) A very rare stone, reserved for exceptional individuals or very special artifacts Carbarum Pretty and blue Starsteel/lunarite Pretty and sparkly Anorum Crystal-like metal Gold For warm-toned, light haired people (generally) Silver For cool-toned, dark haired people (generally) Other metals Whichever colour suits the piece of jewellery All art by wavesheep on X, tumblr, and DeviantArt. ✦───────────────────── ✧⋅ ҉ ⋅✧ ────────────────────✦ Written by daughter of Curufinwë, son of Fëanor, son of Belestram, son of Renarion, son of Eleron, son of Aegnor, son of Sylvaen, firstborn son of Malin. 43 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Navigator 4260 Share Posted April 21, 2025 "Don't know what an 'Almenodrim' is, but, this is really well done!" mused Arcaeris Drakon, giving the jewelcrafting table a Fennic thumbs up. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unwillingly 18123 Share Posted April 21, 2025 Spoiler this is really cool and I like this a lot, I'm quite the fan of cultural posts like these that serve to expand on things we otherwise wouldn't think about in day to day rp. makes the world feel so much more lived in and real 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MercyAzalea 405 Share Posted April 21, 2025 ⫸⋙✦⋘ ᛁ ⋙✦⋘ "Items of significance embed themselves throughout history.. perhaps this document shall aid in expressing the sentiments that my words cannot. " ⫸⋙✦⋘ ᛁ ⋙✦⋘⫷ Ivona von Ostturm reviewed the document, brows knitted together as she methodically set her items of jewelry within a secure crate; soon would the tribe migrate, and she sought a head-start on packing her belongings. Her thoughts then shifted to the Fürstin; a woman she had shown devotion in act alone. A gift was a fine idea, she decided. "I'd best ask around for a craftsman.." ⫸⋙✦⋘ ᛁ ⋙✦⋘⫷ WER RASTET, DER ROSTET. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jqsmlne 460 Share Posted April 21, 2025 Liriana rubbed her head in distress as she looked into her storage room filled with Amethyst. She looked down to her friend, "Surely I get a freepass? I mean my eyes have been as purple as the quartz, ne?" she joked. The Screowl simply stared her down. "Fine. Pearl earrings it will be" she said, but secretly placed a bunch of Amethyst quartz in her pocket before they continued on with their day. Spoiler HELLOOO??? Fire as always Toffee <3 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mothsthetic 2250 Share Posted April 21, 2025 Spoiler as an irl jeweler this post is fckn dope man keep up the incredible work 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hearth_ 1023 Share Posted April 21, 2025 Spoiler Incredible writing and decadent flavor. Joy to read, thank you! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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