Black Ice Crystals
Found deep within the Maw, these strange formations do not melt, even under extreme heat. Their presence distorts reality, creating illusions or warping perception.
Basic Information
Ecology and Habitats
Black Ice Crystals are a rare and mysterious phenomenon found deep within the Frozen Maw, particularly in the eldest glacial caverns and the forgotten ruins entombed within the ice. Unlike normal ice, these obsidian-dark formations do not melt under heat or direct sunlight, and in some cases, even grow denser when exposed to flames. Their surfaces are strangely smooth, reflecting no light, yet they cast shadowy refractions that distort the air around them.
Some scholars theorize that these crystals are not natural ice at all, but rather solidified echoes of the Everstorm’s chaotic influence, or remnants of a time when the Frozen Maw was shaped by something beyond mortal comprehension.
Additional Information
Uses, Products & Exploitation
Black Ice Crystals are highly unstable in their effect on the world around them, warping perception, time, and even space. Their presence causes:
- Visual & Auditory Illusions – When standing near Black Ice Crystals, individuals report seeing things that are not there—phantoms from the past, strange symbols shifting across the walls, or even their own reflections moving independently. Some hear whispers in forgotten tongues, or their own voices speaking secrets they never knew.
- Time Dilation – In areas heavily concentrated with these crystals, time seems to flow irregularly. Some travelers have walked through the same passage for what felt like minutes, only to emerge days later, while others claim to have aged years in mere moments.
- Spatial Distortion – The caverns surrounding the crystals often seem to shift unpredictably, with paths looping back on themselves or doorways leading to impossible places. Some who venture too close are said to have vanished entirely, their fates unknown.
While dangerously unpredictable, Black Ice Crystals are highly sought after by sorcerers, scholars, and warlocks for their unique magical properties:
- Illusion Enchantment – When properly contained and refined, fragments of Black Ice can be used to create powerful illusion spells, allowing the user to craft hyper-realistic mirages or bend light and shadow at will.
- Dimensional Magic & Teleportation – Some believe the crystals hold the key to unlocking portals between realms, though most who attempt such experiments are never seen again.
- Mental Manipulation – Infusing a weapon or artifact with Black Ice shards can allow its wielder to induce hallucinations in their enemies or obscure their own presence, making them invisible to normal sight.
- Cursed Relics – Some reckless individuals attempt to forge Black Ice into jewelry or artifacts, but such items are often unstable, causing the wearer to experience visions, paranoia, or the sensation of being watched.
Civilization and Culture
Common Myths and Legends
There are old stories told by the ice-dwelling tribes of the Wildlands about the origins of Black Ice Crystals. Some claim they are the frozen remnants of a god’s tears, shed when reality was first woven into existence. Others whisper that they are the fractured remnants of a being trapped between worlds, struggling to escape.
Those who spend too long near the largest deposits of Black Ice often lose themselves to madness, forgetting who they are or becoming obsessed with deciphering the “truth” hidden in the ice. Some say the crystals are alive, feeding on the thoughts and fears of those who come too close, growing stronger with every mind they consume.
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