Topaz (Domhan)

This rare gem pulses, an amber brown light flickering within it, the power and energy of the Domhan, purer than is ever found in the leylines since the Sundering

Properties

Material Characteristics

Shimmering a golden-brown, thrumming with Domhan's energy, these rare gems draw the eye in a way mere normal cut stones cannot. For these are no mere crystal. These are Topaz, bits and pieces of Domhan in its purest form. These rare stones are stand out from other minerals that look similiar due to the shimmering light within them, which lights up even the darkest places with a dull amber glow.

Physical & Chemical Properties

To most and to the untrained, this gem glows, and seems very warm to the touch, but that's about it. However to a magi trained in the magicks of the leyline of Domhan, these crystals are a filter and an energy source. They normally can only hold enough energy for a spell or two, though bigger ones exist. However they can be recharged if one takes them somewhere with a particularly strong vein of Domhan energy coursing through it, to the site of a leyline perhaps. That energy, though forever tainted and touched by chaos, is cleaned through this crystal, somehow, in ways beyond our understanding, these elemental shards have the power to purify such energy. To filter out the taint of the Abyss. A true gift, though through study and many a failed attempt, it is common knowledge that one should attempt to cast through such a stone, or to charge it ones-self. The results are oft fatal and always catastrophic.

Compounds

Dwarven and Gnomish craftsmen however, have found another less dangerous and in their opinion, more efficient use of such crystals. Through a careful and well guarded secret process they can grind such stones into a fine powder. This powder remains charged with Domhan energy. When rune-crafting, through a painstaking ritual that can take days, they can imbue the runes they etch, filling the etchings with this powder, and through this rune-crafting, and indeed, magick like ritual, they can imbue an item with the blessings of the element. This art has always been rare and practiced with the utmost caution, as it is exceedingly taxing, pushing the craftsman to, and perhaps past, the absolute limits. More than one relic of a bygone age has its story of origin in legend involve the death of the smithy whom made it, trading life for perfection of craft. Such an idea is not just mythical fancy, and because of this, only true masters of the forge may take students and train them in this art, and even then, they may only take one in their entire lifetime.

History & Usage

Everyday use

When used by a magi trained in manipulating the energies of Domhan, of the earth, these crystals allow them to manipulate and harness some energy untouched by the chaos of the Abyss. The amount will vary, depends upon the size of the gem, it may only last a spell or two, but it is a massive advantage, the chance to cast without risk of the Gods of Chaos somehow ripping asunder your magick with their taint. But these crystals, used properly by skilled gnomish or dwarven runesmiths can also enhance and enchant all manner of item, weapons and armor being most common. This gift inevitably varies, based upon the skill of the runesmith, and upon the runes being inlayed with this gems carefully prepared dust. In armors, for example, a common use is to enhance protective runes, and by effect it will oft imbue the armor itself with a bit of the hardiness and quality of the mountains, strengthening the material. This is but one example, as though many associate Domhan with stone and soil, it is earth in all forms, and the effects can be strange, wonderful and unexpected. Runesmithing is as much art as it is science once one involves elemental crystals.

Refinement

The process for turning it into the fine dust for runesmithing is a closely guarded secret of the dwarven and gnomish masters, they do not share such trade secrets. So none truly know how it is done.

Reusability & Recycling

Though runesmithing is the preferred use of those whom mine such material, academics would argue that magi make better use of such materials, since they can recharge and reuse a crystal in their possession over and over again. Once it has been ground down and used in rune creation, you can never get it back. You are committed at that point.

Value

Even the smallest chip of this stuff, barely the size of ones fingernail, is worth a gold crown easily, even more if you seek the proper buyer.

Rarity

Rare-Exotic Rare