Runic Crystal

Described in journals belonging to Protectors of the Valley, the runic crystals are said to have been the primary ingredient of Ancient Runes. A Rune Master would grind them, mix the powder with several other ingredients, then use the resulting compound to draw runes. These runes heavily depended on the crystals, with some comments suggesting other materials would lose their strength within a matter of months. In contrast, many ancient runes are still active despite having been painted over a century ago.
While some details of the process and the required ingredients are known, unfortunately a lot was lost to history. The scholars of the Ravenmight Institute suspect that this is deliberate, as all libraries were cleared of information regarding them. Some journals found refer to books that were supposed to be alongside the journals, even in some personal possessions, yet to this point none have been discovered. They did piece together some information, but at this point all is mere conjecture.

Type

Unknown, suspected ore or mineral

Value

High

Locations

Unknown

Properties

The crystals are said to be mostly transparent, with only impurities giving them colours. The crystals themselves absorb light and just come across as a milky white, but somehow any impurities would be amplified in brightness.
Sizewize the crystals may have been incredibly large, as a few notes talk about how they had to be mined and that some carts broke trying to transport larger pieces. While easily shattered if treated the right way, normally they were quite sturdy.
The mentioning of carts also suggests they are located underground. All Explorers are encouraged to report any potential mines they find, so that these can be investigated as soon as possible. Finding these crystals may be the key to protecting all of us against whatever secrets the valley holds.

Usage

The crystals have to be shattered and grinded into a powder. Then they had to be combined with a mixture of several minerals, gemstones, and metals. Only a few of these, namely Jade and Silver, are known. The other ingredients are still merely theorized or completely unknown.
The resulting mixture had to be combined with an unknown liquid to draw on fabrics and such, such as the undershirts of Runic Paddings. Alternatively, engraved patterns were filled before the material was heated to harden them.
While it is not yet known what the runes were exactly for, it seems one of their purposes was to ward against negative corrupting energy. The scholars heavily recommend finding these crystals as soon as possible, so that they can continue their studies.