Magicite Crystal

There are numerous sources of potent magical energy throughout the world, coming in all kinds and strange and sometimes unassuming forms. From jewels and precious stones, to trinkets and deceased remains. Each containing a certain level of magical potential that can utilised to channel and weave through it as a conduit these are known as focuses or Foci for short, called so because it is used to focus magical power and potential. Utilised in the assistance of amplifying the magical potential of the magically gifted, or to grant those of a none magical background the ability to use magic, dependant on what element resides within the Foci itself.

Amongst all of these, there is perhaps one material in there construction that is dee, more valuable than any other, due to its potency and magical resonance that seldom diminishes with persistent use, Magicite Crystals. Numerous premium grade magical apparatus and tools are utilized by renowned and experienced magic practitioners, the skill and craftmanship of the artisans and enchanters involved must be exact, for fear of fracturing the crystal and depleting its essence.
Deposits of Magicite are rare and far between upon the surface of the world, being only a handful of deposits found that are highly prized and sought after. The foremost of which lay in the Isle of Lorthwyn and the mountains of Mourdren

However, the most abundant source of these crystals are found in the depths of the subterranean world below. Here vast veins of magicite run deep throughout the underworld. The greatest and most fabled of these deposits it's known as the shimmering depths, a vast crystalline glacier that's fathomless size and scale is beyond compare to anything else yet discovered.
In the past, Magicite has sparked full scale conflicts in the sunless realms on multiple occasions. The vast majority of wars fought between the Dral'azie and Dvergar revolved around the access to the mines of the shimmering depths. The wealth and trade that has been generated by this resource is a highly lucrative business, and many of the leading trading consortiums and organisations squabble amongst themselves over rights to buying and selling the crystals and the products produced from them. It has been well known for underworld traders to make the arduous journey skyward, ladened down with boxes upon boxes of magicite crystals and bespoke items made from the master magicite artisans of the underworld to turn over a vast profit. of the shimmering depths.

Magicite is a common tool used by the Dravarii tribes of the Underworld. though crude and primitive looking compared the master craftsmen of more civilised cultures, that fashion the mineral into high quality items for mages. Dravarii magicite is no less potent, if not, resonate with far more magical essence than that of their counterparts. It's believed that due to the Dravarii tribes keeping to the old ways of their Aelfaune ancestors they are more attuned to the world around them, capable of senses the subtle nuances between the energies that radiates from these crystals.

by AstarothArcaine

Ecological impact.

Magicite crystals are usually found surrounded by lush and verdant landscapes, teeming with life all around them. Initially this was dismissed and put down as a coincidence. However, later studies would reveal that the affect, particularly the more inhospitable environments I'd been nothing short of remarkable. The underworld being a prime example, a place that is ignorantly considered by most to be a barren grey waste of monochrome caverns and caves has a vast tapestry of flora and fauna more abundant and diverse that even that found on the surface. What scholars of researchers that have delved that far have discovered is that these areas teeming with life are in close proximity to magicite crystal. The affect these crystals have on the ecology of an environment is entirely beneficial. They are in many respects life giving, everything around them flourish and grows in their presence. Which has posed am even deeper question regarding their origins and their purpose in the world. Clearly they are an remnant of the primordial world that came before, that the Fyllids in their surviving chronicles and histories mention. A question that has boggled the minds of scholars for generations and drive mad even the sanest of wizards in the Ivory tower. Even the great Dwarin stone shapers and singers whom are regarded as experts in such things have little knowledge about the birthplace of these extortionary minerals, to them they just are. One interesting insight comes from the mythology of Lorwthyn, which tells that the reclusive Dryads and Nymphs refer to them as Shilina grace or the mothers gift.

Type

Ore/Mineral

Crystal blight

Crystal blight is a common ailment suffered by crystal miners, where tiny fragments of crystal embed themselves into a miner, and begin to grow. The result sees parts of the miners flesh slowly being swallowed up and crystallised. It's reasoning is seem as a natural defence of the crystal, there are many that believe that the crystals themselves are alive and a part of a larger organism. The Shimmering Depths. is a good example of this, the blight here is rife to prospectors and explorer that go too deep. Many unfortunate soul had been found entirely encased in crystal that had begun to grow, and eventually completely enveloped them. Magicite that has been harvested does seem to lose this affliction over the course of a few hours. The blight is easily treatable if caught early, fragments removed and the areas sterilised by magic. Should it grow too much, though it can be made dormant many will have to live with these crystalline growths indefinitely.

Nature of the crystals

No one crystal is the same, each is brimming with endless potential and possibilities. The power determined by the size, age and location from which it was mined and harvested.