Glimmer Stone

While fire based lighting is the standard and likely will remain so until it is safer to enter The Otherlands, glimmer stones are a popular lighting source among those regularly exposed to The Otherlands, those on the peculiar Isle of Nox, and those that are wealthy enough to afford it. A Glimmer Stone has properties that make it an ideal light source. Firstly is the fact that it is flameless and therefore there is no risk of fire and it is smokeless and odorless. Secondarily it also produced little to no heat; however, this may be seen as a negative trait in colder climates and seasons. Another useful trait of Glimmer Stones are that, while they do require recharging, they do not use fuel and last a long time. The Glimmer Stone is also self regulating as it only glows when not exposed to sunlight; therefore, if used in the right places they can eliminated the need for lamplighters and will provide light only where it is needed. This self regulating behavior combined with no other way to turn them off, does make them less suitable for places that never see sunlight and are rarely visited. The final trait of Glimmer Stone is its light is a vibrant violet color that many find asthetically pleasing. This purple coloration is seen as a negative by some as while it is more stable and consistent than flame based lighting it can be less intense and the violet coloration can hide certain features.

History

The first Glimmer Stones were discovered quite by accident. After The Isle of Nox was fully settled and starting to become self sufficient, a desire among the people for luxury and comfort began to rise. Reclusive jeweler and Order of Nox occultist, Atticus Schmuck began looking for materials to make jewelry on the Isle. Gold and silver were both available on the Isle but a lack of precious stones made it hard to produce anything other than the simplest pieces. Knowing the Indigo Stone splintered into crystal when mined he gathered some and attempted to cut and polish it. Upon doing so he found the material to be an attractive blue and violent hue and promptly made a necklace with it. The fragile glass like nature of the stone made it difficult to work with but the final result was worth the effort. In an effort to show it off and generate market interest he wore the necklace out under The Glimmer of the Isle. When he returned to his darkened home later in the evening he found the stone lit up with a dim violent light. After several more experiments he discovered somehow the cut and polished Indigo Stone would absorb and store The Glimmer and radiate it out when in darkness. To this day scholars are unable to explain exactly why it works but it appears to be another natural law of The Otherlands.

Manufacturing process

The process of making Glimmer Stones is fairly simple; however, the materials needed are difficult to come by, they require exposure to The Glimmer, and the fragility of the material requires a skilled craftsman.

1. Mine Indigo Stone for the raw crystals
2. Cut and polish the crystals as you would any precious stone
3. Expose the polished stone to The Glimmer on either The Isle of Nox or directly in The Otherlands. Otherlands exposure results in brighter and longer lasting stones.
4. Craft or acquire a suitable housing for the stone, Glimmer Stones can be made in any size the raw crystal can be acquired in.  Full size standing lamps exist, though are expensive and property of the richest lords only, and hand held lanterns are fairly common, though not nearly as much so as a mundane lantern.

Item type

Furniture

Raw materials & Components

Indigo stone - cracked open, cut, and polished

Tools

Jeweler's Tools