Zarkel Gems

Zarkel Gems are considered a luxury among both jewelers and magic users of all sorts. Renowned for both their magical properties and their beauty and the difficulty that comes comes with harvesting them. In fact they are part of the reason for the empire's, arguably, most dangerous job: Zarkel Bait.

Properties

Material Characteristics

The gems themselves vary in size and shape though they are most commonly the size of a Variseans' hand and oval like in shape. They rather light despite the solid quality and resemblance to gems that are found in mines. To those who have never encountered them before they even appear to be wet and slippery to the touch even when perfectly dry. This is aided by their coloration and patterns that are remenicent of the light playing on clear pools of water.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Despite their resembalance to stone Zarkel Gems are actually more akin to bone than actual gems. Though they resemble bone in their physical and even chemical make-up they show the qualities of stone in their response to actions such as breaking or grinding them, and can even be cut and polished like other gems. They are also inexplicably warm to the touch and ever smooth, no mater what is done to them.

Geology & Geography

They can only be found in regions where Zarkel have been spotted, as the only way to obtain them outside of a hunt is to find a deceased Zarkel's remains.

Origin & Source

As the name implies these gems can only be harvested by hunting Zarkel, they are not found in any other place nor are they produced by any other creature. Interestingly, on the few occassions a Zarkel has gotten away but the gem has been harvested from them, they have lost their antlers temporarily but regrown both antler and gem in time.

History & Usage

History

Zarkel Gems have been in use for as long as history can remember, and were possibly utilized long before then as well. While new uses and ways to enhance their properties further are still being developed, Zarkel Gems have continued to be hailed as one of the most useful, if rare, magical components found in Vasea.

Discovery

Unknown, lost to time.

Everyday use

Zarkel Gems have an enhancing property to magical energy as well as a focusing element. They are highly sought after by magic users as adding them to any magical ritual, spell, or creation at least doubles the potency. In addition for those who struggle to focus their magic into a usable state they are invaluable as they serve as medium that allows for controlled use of one's ability.
They are also used by the aristocracy, politically imporant, and wealthy as jewelry and decoration in a show of status. This is due in part to their beauty and rarity, but also in a display of power that they have such useful items around for meere decoration. Though often times these embelishments and ornamentation is enchanted with the use of the gem as well, commonly with protections.

Cultural Significance and Usage

While to most cultures they hold no special significance outside of their use and as show pieces to highlight wealth qand status, they fold an imporant place within the cultures of the denizens of Trenlodge Province and further more to the Rebuki culture in particular.
To the people of the Trenlodge Province Zarkel Gems are considered a sign of one's prowess at both hunting and home defense. They are often made into family heirlooms, a tradition that spawned from the days where a Zarkel attack often meant that few, if any, in the area were spared. They are reveered by the peoples of the region for those reasons and considered an important artifact to the family, comperable to one's family geneology documents
To the Rebuki in particular Zarkel Gems, particularly old ones, are almost synonomus with clan prestige. This is because among all the beings in Vasea, the Rebuki are proven a favorite meal of the Zarkel. In fact there is more than a little historical evidence that suggests that if given a choice between any creature known in the world and a Rebuki the Zarkel will ignore the rest and attack the Rebuki first. Because of this the more gems a clan owns the higher they rank in terms of clout and prestige, they are also considered especially romantic gifts for a Rebuki's partner. This is in part to the presentation of one being a vow, that in dire situations the one presenting will protect the other, at all costs.

Hazards

The hazard with Zarkel Gems is just how dangerous Zarkel are and how dangerous hunting them can be.

Odor

They produce a smell similar to that of a sea breeze, bubbling brooke, or a rushing river

Color

They range in shades of blue and green with an iridescent shine to them veins of paler shades decorating them which give a similar appearance to water.

Common State

Solid