Elemental Mote

Written by EmperorCharlesII

The heart of the mountain was almost within grasp. After travelling into the deep parts of the Craggy Peaks, far from the dwarven cities and scattered monasteries, the group had reached the ruins of an ancient stone temple that a scout claimed to be pre-Sundering.
You've fought past the giants that plague this area of the mountains. You've gotten past some of the traps that the temple's previous occupants have left behind. And you've finally arrived at the central sanctum.
Sitting on a pedestal is a small glowing gem, a light brown colour. You begin to step towards it, but another trap goes off, and the stone walls of the room begin to close in. You run forward, and grab ahold of the palm-sized gem.
The second you do, the stone walls of the room, begin to retract, and the deposits of stone begin to flake off the wooden walls like ashes from a wildfire. A small spark of energy flicks through your body like a shiver going down your spine. The dull glow of the gem begins to brighten, and you grin in anticipation.
Little do you know, the bottoms of your boots are already turning to stone...

Properties

Material Characteristics

Raw elemental motes look very similar to uncut gemstones, except for the dim glow they give off. They will often be embedded in rock and may have rough and jagged glyphs etched in them. Cut elemental motes resemble cut gemstones, with more defined edges. Well-cut ones often keep the glyphs of their raw brethren, although this is not necessary to channel their power.

Physical & Chemical Properties

An elemental mote contains the power of one of six elements: fire, air, nature, earth, water or darkness. An infinite source of that energy, they confer great magical benefits on those that use them; the most obvious benefit is that mages using the element can get a boost to their abilities and a replenishment of their mana.
The motes, depending on their size, may also have an effect on the surrounding terrain and the creatures living there. For example, a mountain containing a fire elemental mote is almost certainly a volcano, an air elemental mote might cause dangerous storms in the area, etc.

Geology & Geography

Elemental motes are scattered throughout Orkanis, with the various types occurring with approximately the same frequency. They are unsurprisingly very rare overall, with the locations of about a dozen confirmed across Sedesta. They tend to be found most commonly in caves and caverns, but those whose locations are known might be brought above ground to be guarded.

History & Usage

History

The Great Sundering fundamentally changed the nature of the world, giving rise to the modern continents and drastically changing their history. The power required by the gods was so great that some parts of that power became solidified into the six types of elemental motes, which were then refined and hidden by Pa'ilver so that only the worthy would be able to wield their power.
Over the centuries, various groups have found and collected the elemental motes, with the two in Mor-Fal and in Lerdelore being the most famous discoveries. A few have been found and then later lost again, like the disappearance of the galley The Wind Walker leading to the loss of an air elemental mote.
A few stories have also spread of new types and more powerful elemental motes being found in Kerath.

Everyday use

The properties of an elemental mote make it very desirable for mages and nobles. When placed in the hands of a powerful mage, they can use the mote’s power to cast very powerful elemental spells or replenish their mana reserves when they become depleted.

Refinement

Elemental motes are naturally found as raw chunks, so refinement of the found mote is a common practice. Only magically enchanted blades can harm them, and the sliced shards of a mote contain significant power in themselves.

Hazards

The potent dust created by the production of cut elemental motes has the ability to infect unprotected artificers with a disease known as Elemental Wasting. This disease causes the sufferers body to become more attuned to the element involved, becoming more susceptible to magic using that type.
In addition, those who have carried powerful elemental motes for too long may begin to suffer mental traumas such as hallucinations and personality changes. Only those who have long term physical contact with the motes are subject to this condition.

Type

Metaphysical

Rarity

Very rare

Color

The six types of elemental mote each have a specific colour attached:
- Fire ~ Orange-red
- Water ~ Greenish-blue
- Air ~ Pale yellow
- Earth ~ Dull brown
- Nature ~ Mottled brown-green
- Darkness ~ Jet black

Related Locations

• Orkanis

Distribution

Trade & Market

The selling of pieces of elemental motes is very rare, but not unheard of. The vast majority of sold “motes” turn out to be specially cut plain gems or even worthless glass, but occasionally an actual piece of a mote is sold.

Storage

Larger elemental motes are stored in lead-lined rooms so they cannot be scried upon. Smaller elemental motes can usually be carried around without issue, and they can be found in the treasuries of powerful nations and city-states.

Laws & Regulations

Anyone caught planning or attempting to steal a larger elemental mote will face the death penalty, as they are usually property of powerful nations and organizations. Smaller ones can be sold and traded without issue, although each nation may have different rules in this regard.

Art Credit: emperorcharlesii (me!)