Thaumic Crystals
Properties
Material Characteristics
Smooth and matte purple crystal. Always round edges when chipped.
Physical & Chemical Properties
Properties similar to glass.
Refracts little light.
Remains inactive while under about 30 degrees, activates if raised above this temperature to capture and guide magical energies within itself.
Compounds
Commonly melted along with glass to create thaumic tubing.
Geology & Geography
These crystals can only be mined from within the @[Needles] or the @[Thaumaturge's Teeth].
Life & Expiration
Thaumic crystals never lose their properties, remaining as active now as they were millennia ago. They're not particularly tough, so their physicality can be damaged, but they can be easily melted and reused.
History & Usage
History
Before their magical properties were discovered they were used as cheap jewellery. Sailors sailing past the Thaumaturge's Teeth and chip away a few crystals, both for good luck and to sell them for some coin when they returned. The Aura-bending effects of Thaumic crystals have been discovered by Marion, a dwarvish scholar of the Academy. He says he had a dream in which he took one of the crystals, held it tight in his hands, and made a strange series of motions. Upon completing these motions, a single candle wick lit on fire. He awoke and tried it – much to his surprise, the wick truly lit on fire. He marveled upon this discovery with fellow scholars. One of them, an Ork, knew the motions for what they truly were – Weaving. Thus began a long collaboration in discovering the properties of these crystals, which eventually lead to the development of Thaumaturgy.
Industrial Use
The thaumic crystals are a key part of any thaumaturgical devices, not only as their core, but also being melted into glass to create special tubing.
Refinement
While the crystals can be used in any state, they are often refined into either smooth balls or rods, or melted in with glass to create Thaumic tubing.
Hazards
With the use of Thaumic Crystals comes a great danger. Any Aura affected by them is Tainted - that is, unusable. While this effect does seem to last only for about an hour, the overuse of thaumaturgical devices can lead to temporary depletion of all Aura in the world. On top of that, the Tainted plains of Ruin serve as a reminder of what can happen when Thaumic Taint goes out of control.
For this reason there are heavy restrictions on mining, owning, and distributing Thaumic Crystals.
Reusability & Recycling
As the crystals never lose their magic-bending properties, they can be easily reused if somehow shattered.
Distribution
Law & Regulation
The Academy has an exclusive right to mine and manipulate the crystals (see Hazards). Illegally mining and/or distributing the crystals to other regions is punishable by a fine and imprisonment.
Type
Ore/Mineral
Odor
None
Taste
Tangy. As heating it up activates it, it can leave one's tongue stiff.
Color
Purple
Melting / Freezing Point
Melting: around 1500 degrees
Common State
Solid
Related Locations
Related Species
Related Technologies
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