Crystals

Immortal Freedom > Materials

Crystals are similar to the gemstones to which they resemble, except that they are capable of storing and generating magical energy. Magic stored in a crystal has an extremely long half-life, capable of retaining its charge for thousands if not millions of years. The magic stored in a crystal is strong enough to power the smallest technological device to the largest starship engines, while only being harmful to organic beings through prolonged exposure.

Crystals are the cornerstone of civilisation in the star cluster, making them the most important natural resource in existence to the civilised species living there. They power starships, provide usable energy, and grant magical powers to those sensitive to such things. Crystals have been at the centre of countless conflicts throughout the history of the star cluster, thanks to their dwindling abundance as much as for their ubiquitous utility.

The application of crystals varies, but they are most often used in weaponry and starship construction as power sources. They are also used as power sources in every aspect of civilised life, and some individuals even consume or embed crystals into their body to increase their magical prowess—at the cost of their physical health.

Crystals were first introduced to Artilum Tem by the Creators, who used them during their initial seeding of Artilum Tem to power warp gates, terraforming engines and the Nebaz. After the completion of their work, they intentionally left crystals throughout the galaxy for civilised life to find once it could reverse-engineer Creator technology.

The presence of the Nox’zh’r in Artilum Tem passively encouraged the formation of new crystals, especially when in the vicinity of large Nox’zh’r masses. These naturally forming crystals began to appear around 73,000 BC—the same time Nox’zh’r lluw started to amalgamate into large masses. It is in part because of the abundance of these newly grown crystals that the Nebaz became aware of the Nox’zh’r.

Crystals grown by the Nox’zh’r are nearly indistinguishable from crystals left behind by the Creators. Nox’zh’r-grown crystals are more variable and natural in appearance than the crystals used by the creators, which appear manufactured and artificial by comparison. Nox’zh’r-grown crystals also tend to be chaotic in shape and have a wider range of colours, in keeping with the nature of the Nox’zh’r.

Like with most things the Nox’zh’r do, their propagation of crystals isn’t a conscious choice. Rather, it is because it is much easier to corrupt and assimilate sapient life if it is using crystals and crystal technology. Crystals encourage the use of magic, and crystal technology allows for the rapid development of a civilisation, including the construction of starships to travel to other worlds.

Prolonged exposure to the magical radiation emanating from crystals can cause physical and mental harm, with symptoms similar to sea sickness, vertigo and déjà vu. Everyone reacts differently to crystal radiation, with those with pre-existing conditions most often feeling the effects much faster than beings with a higher constitution. Crystals also accelerate Nox’zh’r infections.

Pure Crystals

Pure Crystals are crystals in their rawest form, directly excavated from the ground, without any processing or refinement. Pure crystals are highly unstable and their magical energy output is equally as volatile. Most pure crystals are grown in the presence of the Nox’zh’r, with very few of the crystals brought into Artilum Tem by the Creators being pure.

The most popular applications for pure crystals is as an aesthetic addition to architecture and light fixtures, as the gently fluctuating light which emanates from pure crystals is considered soothing to most. Their volatile nature also means they are sometimes used in explosives, though crystal dust is generally preferred for that application. Pure crystals are also a favourite among magic users looking for a boost to their magical capabilities—especially recondites.

Refined Crystals

After a pure crystal is refined, energised and cut to size, it becomes a Refined Crystal. Refined crystals are used throughout civilised life to power every manner of device, from the smallest datapad to the largest starship engines. They are also used in energy cells—a common power source replacement for everyday devices, as well as advanced energy weaponry.

The power of refined crystals increases with their size, meaning that the largest refined crystals are usually reserved for space stations, starships, shuttles, and other structures, while smaller ones are used for everyday portable devices. Refined crystals also tend to emanate less magical radiation and are more stable than their pure counterparts, making them generally safer overall.

While refined crystals can be used by magic users to increase their magical prowess, they are aren’t as effective as pure crystals, and so do not see widespread use.

Crystal Dust

Crystal Dust is crystals which have been crushed into a coarse powder with the consistency of sand. Most crystal dust is a by-product of the refinement process which produces refined crystals, though it’s not unusual for some civilisations to purposefully grind up crystals to make crystal dust. Terrans were known for manufacturing large quantities of crystal dust early after their discovery of crystal technology, as a way to power combustion engines. Very few modern starships and shuttles use crystal dust, though some older models may still have crystal dust as a secondary power source.

Crystal dust is surprisingly stable, despite its combustibility and the pollutants generated by its combustion. Microscopic crystal particles are discharged into the air whenever crystal dust is burned, making any apparatus reliant on crystal dust combustion incredibly dangerous to organic beings nearby who might breathe in the exhaust. Crystal particles retain trace amounts of magical radiation, with all of the health effects associated with it. Some planets have implemented strict anti crystal dust pollution measures to curtail the use of crystal dust combustion, especially in shuttles and starships.

Magic users often partake in crystal dust as a magical enhancement drug—recondites in particular. Crystal dust is generally easier to acquire and transport when compared to pure or refined crystals, and its consumption provides a chemical high in addition to the increased magical prowess crystals normally provide.

Crystal Plasma

Under the right temperatures and the correct amount of pressure, crystals can liquify into Crystal Plasma—a not quite solid, liquid or gaseous, state of matter for crystals which is highly volatile and unstable. Crystal plasma gets the most magical energy return out of crystals, while being incredibly easy to circulate within an apparatus. However, crystal plasma is incredibly radioactive and corrodes most other materials with which it comes in contact.

The Hold was the first to create a successful application of crystal plasma, which it used in combination with nanobots to power its sycophants, in a delivery system akin to a cardiovascular system. Nox’zh’r lluw would later be added to the mixture to aid in assimilation and compliance.