Light-Stones

Light-stones are a common technology world-wide, especially in The Brilliant Empire and Kingdom of Delryn, where almost everyone with any means has them.

Access & Availability

Light-stones in this form are widely available to basically anyone who wants them, but they are not all made equally. The cheapest might have a short life of days to weeks, or be dim, barely illuminating the path or what the user is doing. The most expensive may last virtually forever, or be bright enough to illuminate great dance halls. They can be pocket-sized up to the size of a large melon, or larger. In this case, you get what you pay for.

Complexity

The spells used to create the light-stones are intricate and finicky, and take patience, time, and skill, but not a particularly immense use of the mage's power. An important factor is what type of stone, mineral, or crystal is used for the light. Some stones hold light brighter, or for longer; additionally, the mage's personal affinity must be taken into account, because mages have less success with stones they are poorly attuned to.

Discovery

While the magic to imbue stones and crystals with the ability to shine light is by no means new, but the ability to make these tools inexpensive, long-lasting, and usable by those without magic of their own was the drive behind those who engineered this variant.

Utility

There are many uses for the light-stones. Small ones are carried by people to use as a personal lightsource, or embedded in walls and stairs and such like night-lights. Large ones are used to light rooms or expansive areas. Powerful ones might be used in technical applications where bright light is needed, or as search lights. They exist almost exlusively in the homes of the wealthy and median-wealth families, and right alongside lanterns and more crude lights in the homes of the less well-to-do.

Manufacturing

A mage is the key ingredient to the manufacture of light-stones. It is said to be a meditative process, and one which is finicky and difficult to do well. Experts in making light-stones are those who practice regularly - it is possible for someone to create one or two for personal use, but even those who are magic-users will almost always buy their light-stones from an expert, because those who make them all the time simply do it better. It is not an on-the-go type of process; it takes several complex spells applied in a intricate pattern and order. Those who make these stones frequently often have a "signature".

Light-stones

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Type

Magical Item

Location(s) of Use

Worldwide

Rarity

Common

Value

Varies widely - dependent on size, power, and lifespan

Magical Properties

Casts Light

Color

Varies. Unless specifically produced for someone, typically the "purer" the light, the more expensive.

Image generated using Gencraft AI.