Starium

Starium clusters can be found growing above ground at high altitudes. Larger crystals give off a faint glow and are incredibly tough. The first cluster to be discovered was 14 feet tall and it was easier to break the stone it was growing from than it was to break the crystal.

Properties

Material Characteristics

Starium is a crystal-like material that is most often a dark blue with bits of what looks like starlight.

Physical & Chemical Properties

It gives off a faint light that is reminiscent of a starry night. It does not provide any significant light. Starium is also uniquely able to absorb magical energy.

History & Usage

History

Long before the elves split into different factions and spread out into the world a group of exiled dwarven mages stumbled upon a cluster of Starium as they searched for a new home. They discovered that Starium absorbs magic and began using it in their experiments. The dwarves would unfortunately not live long but by then word about Starium had spread to the elves, humans and other races. Starium was also discovered in other places throughout Aloran as well. During the Crystal and Silent Ages, some used Starium to create swords that were designed to cut through magic and magic users alike. Given the rarity of Starium, objects built with it are incredibly rare and those that know how to work with it are rarer.

Discovery

A group of exiled Dwarven mages discovered Starium clusters high in the The Zadin Mountains .

Everyday use

Starium is most commonly used by magic users as an arcane focus or in the creation of magical objects

Cultural Significance and Usage

When Starium was first discovered it was believed to only be in the Zadin Mountains. When the dwarves that lived there and harvested the crystals mysteriously vanished, one of the Elven city-states sent a large number of their citizens there to colonize the area and to continue harvesting the crystals. Not long later the city-state collapsed and the citizens would go on to create the Zadikari Realm.

Refinement

While it can be used in its found state, it was discovered that enchanted lava can be used to melt it down into a liquid form for casting. Melting it down and then allowing it to cool down breaks Starium into two different materials. The first is refined Starium which is more durable, lighter and not as dark as natural Starium. The second is Void Metal.