Essence Crystals

"Here you are, a fifty-measure of essence. Some words of warning before you part! Do not open the vial, and if you open the vial do not inhale what is within. If you fail to listen to these two warnings, then a third one isn't going to do you much good - we'll be laughing at the loss of someone exceedingly stupid."

— Rubius, Master Alchemist

There are few places which trade in magic which are unfamiliar with essence crystals, to the point it can be used to barter with as readily as gold at such places. Often it is sold in sealed vials or pouches, measured by potency as opposed to amounts. Anyone with arcane magic can inspect a measure of crystals and tell exactly how powerful they are - a useful trait in something which has become a trade good itself. But more importantly is the potential of using essence crystals in order to work arcane magic which reaches greater heights of power and effect.

Origin

It is well-documented how magical energy exists within the world, often times bound into living things. Sages and mystics have long pointed to the various creatures which can perform acts such as breathing out fire or vanishing from sight in a blink of one's eyes. Theories about the nature of these unusual innate talents have abounded, but alchemy has found an interesting answer. With a particular application of reagents and solvents, it is possible to "distill" the magical energies bound in biological life into a powder of fine crystals. This material has been found to retain few properties from the origin, but it reacts to magical energies in a fashion which amplifies even a small spark into a fire.

The original breakthrough came when applying principles used in breaking down processed metallic alloys into their components, a task which is possible but not often recommended. This process has been applied to enchanted materials, and a curious unexpected effect was the generation of a softly glittering dust containing magical energy. When the experiment could be replicated, this breakthrough allowed a process to be developed for "recycling" enchanted objects which were no longer useful. The application of the process to living (or once-living) materials was inevitable as an experiment, and it was yet still surprising it both worked... and the result was compatible with the residue from metallic or non-living materials. Collectively, both have been labeled as "essence crystals" by alchemists and arcanists who make use of them.

Usage

Essence crystals serve a number of purposes, as a measure of the powder can be used to augment one's own arcane power. This allows a caster to maximize their potential when casting magic, or more commonly to allow a permanence and persistence of effect when an enchantment is focused through essence crystals. Without the use of essence crystals, enchanted objects are currently known to be unstable and lose their power as the objects are used. Several sages have presented the opinion this is a limitation of human magical arts, as other cultures which preceded humanity's ascension created enchanted objects which still function at their full potency.

Although the powder is stable, and safe to be transported, it is advised to be cautious handling essence crystals. The amount of magical energy which is bound within the small motes can be released accidentally, and this often can have a catastrophic effect on the physical world. When interacting with what mystics call "the fabric of magic", the effect is said to be far more disruptive and destructive - few are willing to entertain the idea of willfully "igniting" essence crystals as a means of weaponizing this aspect of their nature.

Quintessence Crystals

Much as the way essence crystals are a refinement from raw magical potential, quintessence crystals (sometimes referred to as simply "Quintessence") are a further refinement of the theory. The intent was to create something more powerful while making it easier to tap into the stored energy, in order to make it possible to build devices designed for a constant flow of magical power. The results of the experiments were often a disappointing failure more than a spectacular one; essence crystals often fused into a single object and lost all their potential. When the first breakthrough presented a finished product which had retained the energy, the method used to create it also left the proto-Quintessence ready to shed its energy with little provocation. The attempt was made three times, and safely discharged twice.

More recently, there have been attempts to repeat the experiments and process. Experiments within the deep laboratories of the Imperial Arcanists were successful in creating a stable crystal about the length and thickness of a human index finger. This was the first true Quintessence created, and now a Quintessence is part of what makes the Arcane Tower possible.