Meson Crystal

If we can unlock the secrets of these crystals, we just may unlock some secrets of the Ancient Order.

— Emma Ironweaver, Artificer

Overview

The meson crystal is a rare kind of crystal that can only be found in the surviving remains of Ancient Order machines. How they were made may never be known to us, but the few specimens that retain arcane energy are considered invaluable by many. The Queendom of Lunaria is particularly interested in the Meson Crystal and its potential applications. Meson crystals are considered to be a type of Magic Crystal.
One will not find these crystals growing the wild. Research has concluded that meson crystals are an artificial construction. More specifically, they appear to be made of an element not found naturally. It is an indication of the how advanced material science was in the Ancient Order.

Depleted State, Charged State

While many hope they can find something intact from the Ancient Order, but the calamities of the The Great Collapse as well as time seem to make finding intact items a rarity if not an impossibility. Most meson crystals discovered are entirely depleted of arcane energies. It was relatively recently that a crystal still storing some arcane energies was discovered which greatly increased the interest in the curious dark crystals. When depleted, the crystals are black in color. When partially charged they take on a dark blue appearance. It seems that the more magics is stored within the crystal the brighter the blue color and the more luminous the crystal. It is theorized that a fully charged meson crystal would glow with a vivid sky blue color.

I've never tried to use a meson crystal myself in spite of my fascination with them.

— Sanev Vensandoral, Master Mage

A Dangerous Prospect

Advanced spell casters can siphon the arcane energies stored in a meson crystal to cast powerful spells. However, the act risks the destruction of the crystal and injury to the caster. It is the same story with all other uses. Research is being conducted to determine how to better and more safely use the energies within meson crystals. If the secrets of the crystal can be unlocked it could lead to truly fantastical uses of the crystal or so the current thought goes.

Rarity of Intact Specimens

While ancient ruins are not that rare in our world, the Ancient Order having tamed everything, the discovery of intact meson crystals is. Most of the time, meson crystals are discovered in small fragments or in a powdered state. The leading theory is that the frenzied wild magics of the collapse may have destroyed most artificial crystals. Indeed, there may have been types of crystals utterly lost to us due to their supposed sensitivity to the state of arcane energies. Needless to say, many organizations would pay handsomely for new discoveries concerning ancient crystal making.

Life to Ancient Warforged?

It is possible that meson crystals were used to give life to Ancient Warforged, but this has not been confirmed. In fact, it is believed that the Ancient Warforged were not given life through magic at all as unlikely as it seems. Research in this area is ongoing.

Distribution

Trade & Market

Meson crystals are quickly bought by wealthy high mages or the elite ruling class. The mages tend to keep their crystals guarded and secret if possible. The wealthy elite tend to hold auctions selling the rare crystals for large sums of money. Prices in these auctions reach ridiculous levels with charged meson crystals.

My family had three of the beautiful crystals as family heirlooms, and in the past year the collectors took them away. They did not offer an explanation. I can only trust that it's in the best interests of Lunaria.

— Naevys Phiran, Painter (1266AGC)

Law & Regulation

In the past, meson crystals were once considered a good omen for the individual who discovered one. This is especially true in the case of magically charged meson crystals. As more was learned about the crystals sovereign authorities have increasingly stepped in to collect any meson crystals found, especially the magically charged variety. This is especially true of the two leading powers of the Quassus Continent.
The Kingdom of Helia and the Queendom of Lunaria have sought to gather meson crystals wherever they can be found. This policy is driven by the increasing prospect of all out war between the two powers. New rules have been enacted that punish anyone caught illegally possessing meson crystal and refusing to give it over to an official collector. In Lunaria, the punishment often involves shame. In Helia, the punishment ranges from incarceration to death.

Type

Elemental / Molecular

Rarity

Rare

Odor

Charged state: Electric, Depleted state: Crystal

Taste

Charged state: Sweet, Depleted state: Crystal

Color

Black to Sky Blue

Common State

Solid

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Common Aspects

• Average size: 10 centimeters (4 inches)
• Average weight: 23kg (0.5lbs)
• Common shape: Octahedron

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In a Crown?

Rumor has it that the crown of Queen Shava Lunaria includes a meson crystal as its central gemstone rather than the commonly held belief that it is a blue-sapphire gemstone.
This would make it one of the more unusual specimens of meson crystal as its shape, an oval, would be entirely different to the commonly found octahedron.

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Confusion with Sapphire Gems

Most people could easily confuse a charged meson crystal with blue sapphire gemstones.
As most meson crystals surviving today would only be partially charged, their appearance would be similar to that of a pure blue sapphire gemstone.

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Note(s) from the Archivists:

The Meson Crystal we have is pretty cool. Doesn't have any magic of course. - Archivist Edward
If it did have magic then someone would've claimed it from us. Perhaps with violence. - Archivist Enna 
Really? - Archivist Edward
Really. - Archivist Enna