Sihiri Crystals

It was once said that the sihiri crystals were the homes of the lesser gods of the world. Unfit to live among the creators in the world above, they took up residence in the world below, carving their eternal palaces from the crystals growing beneath the earth. Those who believed these ancient legends knew that when a crystal was used to power divine magic, the user was actually draining the power from the divine beings interred within.
It was long thought that it was possible to conduct this draining of the crystals' power in a sustainable way. That if the correct veneration was given to the demigod within, their power would wax and wane, but be replenished by the devotion showed by the crystal's user. Some believe it was also possible to release the demigod within from its crystalline home entirely, at which point it could be communicated with directly, allowing its magics to be wielded in a much safer and more reliable way.
However, with the rise of the Khana empire, both of these ancient practices eventually fell into disuse. The messages lost in translation, the empire's priests came to believe that the true power of the crystals was simply the ability to convey their prayers to the gods above. As a consequence of these beliefs, many crystals were completely drained of their power in order to fuel the rapid expansion of the empire's might. Discarded as used up husks, whatever the divinity within these crystals once was, it remains withered beyond revival.

Properties

Material Characteristics

Sihiri crystals were said to appear colorless and transparent, with a subtle glow, like soft sunlight, emanating from their centre. This glow would dull and redden as the crystals' power was depleted, eventually fading completely, at which time the crystals would appear to be stained black from within, and occasionally they would shatter. They were said to be take the form of six-sided prisms, terminating in six-sided pyramids at either end.

Origin & Source

The cosmic origins of the sihiri crystals remain unknown, but they were said to arise from the floors of the caverns beneath the volcanic island of Mana Nui, where they were originally worshiped by the indigenous tribes, and later mined by the Khana empire who harnessed their power to great effect during the closing centuries of the Age of Light.

History & Usage

History

Sihiri crystals were mined from the twisting tunnels beneath of Mana Nui before the Age of Ash. They hold a portion of the power of the empyrean, but no new crystals have been mined since the sacred island erupted and destroyed the crystal caves. In addition, almost all of the crystals which had already been mined were turned black with the skies as volcanic ash rained down across Mahai. Only one crystal is known to have survived, and it is rumored to have been used by Awa to grant xir immortality.

Cultural Significance and Usage

Sihiri crystals were used by the priests of the old world as a link between the earthly realm and the powers of the empyrean. When placed upon the alters of those the priests worshiped it is said that they acted as conduits, allowing the prayers of mortals to reach the ears of those on high, and in so doing, the crystals allowed those prayers to be fulfilled.
The power of the sihiri crystals was poorly understood for most of history, and their use could be highly dangerous to those untrained in the correct methods and rituals needed. Even to those who had studied the art of properly using crystal magic, a lot of the time the results could be wild and unpredictable. It took years of practice to accurately interpret the correct veneration a given crystal would require, and how simple or grandiose a prayer it would be capable of reliably fulfilling.
Because of the immense level of knowledge requisite for their safe operation, the Khana empire originally restricted the use of sihiri crystals to only the most elite priests. However, as the empire grew more powerful, and it established its own mines within the crystal caves, these restrictions were lifted, and access to the use of their power was granted to lower ranking members of the clergy too.

Industrial Use

Towards the final days of the Age of Light, it is believed that the Khana empire began experimentation with the industrial use of sihiri crystals. Their experiments into the crystals' application to secular society is said to have included testing into their use to assist in the manufacture of goods, the purification of waste water, and the growing of grain. It was even documented by several sources that in the later years of his reign, the last emperor had invested considerable effort into the effective weaponisation of the crystals.

Distribution

Law & Regulation

Possession and distribution of sihiri crystals was highly regulated by the Khana empire. Once the crystals had been mined from the caverns of Mana Nui, they were immediately surrendered into the possession of agents of the imperial treasury. All crystals were regarded as the exclusive property of the emperor. As such, the crystals were illegal to trade in any of the Khanan provinces, and so it fell to the treasury agents to distribute the crystals among the various branches of government who's roles required their use.

Type

Metaphysical

Related Locations

• Mana Nui