Shards

Shard crystals, which are found across the realm, are used as a power source that can regenerate itself through exposure to high concentrations of Luma, and/or through Umbra infusion, as well as store essences, aid spellcraft, etc. They grow very slowly, and must be exposed to a stable ratio of Umbral and Luma energy in order not to become dysfunctional.

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Materia Shards seem able to draw energy even in places seemingly nearly devoid of Luma, such as deep within cave systems. It has been proven that their growth rate in such environments is closely linked to their proximity to magma floes.

*The deeper their colour, the more potent their spellpower output, and the more volatile it is as a substance.

Essence is measured in sychs, named for Amer Sychoni, who founded Trinology while on a royal expedition to Fhaelian ruins discovered in the Underway. The study of Trinology involves measuring the ratio and proportion of energy, essence, and/or force applied to a Materia shard.

The level of Luma applied to materbound things varies with intensity/purity of sunlight. For instance, it is strongest above the cloud line.

The base level of Domina applied to all materbound things is 1 sych.

Materia shard 1L:1D:1U

• Materia whose growth has been fairly evenly influenced by Luma, Umbra, and Domina. This basic form serves as a modest source of energy, but it can be modified to suit other purposes if either grown in an environment that favours one essence over others, or manually infused with a particular essence by a spellcaster.

SHARD VARIANTS

Mana Shard 3L:1D:1U

• If a greater portion of luma influences a crystal's growth, it takes on an increasingly brilliant prismatic sheen. Mana shards are the most sought-after form of materia crystal, as they are a powerful energy source for spellcasting and industrial purposes.

Qualities: The more potent a shard is, the more hot, fragile, unstable it is as well. If struck with sufficient concussive force or if it experiences a rapid change in temperature, a Mana Shard will explode.

Shardsteel 1L:1D:1U + [n]F

• When applied precisely, sufficient Forma pressure can cause materia crystals to compress into an incredibly dense liquid. In order to achieve this effect, the Materia must be pressurized in near-total darkness to prevent light exposure (which would cause it to solidify). Once it is poured into the forger's desired mould, the liquid solidifies once pressure is lifted and it is exposed to Luma. The Fhael crafted weapons, armour, and even some powerful machina from this substance, which is known to us today as Shardsteel.

Void Shard 1L:1D:3U

• If a Materia crystal is exposed to far greater sychs of Umbral energy than Domina and Luma, it takes on a black hue and can be used to create a portal between any two physical locations the wielder can imagine. As it requires a living threshold to function as intended, it is most commonly used on wooden archways. In order to prevent Luman energy from converting the Void shard into a Mana shard, it must be encased in occlusion glass, a specially-tempered material designed to only permit 1 psych of Luma or less.

• Very cold to touch.

Shard Surge 3U:3L:1D

• Should the ratio of applied Luma and Umbra outpace the amount of Domina acting on the shard, it is theorized that a massive explosion will occur.

Power Shard [x]T:3F:1L:1D:1U

• If Therma is channelled into a materia shard.

RUNIC VARIANTS*

*These require not only an infusion of the associated essence to function, but also a skilled Crystalmancer to inscribe the appropriate spell rune(s) to achieve the desired effect, as well as any essences required by the spell proper.

Evershard 1L:1D:1U + [n]C

• An Evershard is a Materia shard infused with Chrona. It can be used to power spells concentration spells, maintaining their effect duration for much longer than a mortal spellcaster.

Spellshard 1L:1D:1U + [n]K

• A Spellshard is a Materia shard infused with Krea. It can be used to cast spells far beyond the user's ability. It can hold a spell un-cast until certain conditions are met (such as the proximity of a vital being of a certain size or larger, or the expiration of a time delay set by the crystalmancer)

Bloomshard 1L:1D:1U + [n]A

• A Spellshard is a Materia shard infused with Anima. It is primarily used to slowly dissipate Anima essence to nearby vital beings; and is mostly used in farming, medicine, and warfare.

A Brief History of Shards

Monsters seemed to congregate near caches of them, to feed on their essence. The stronger the monsters, the more potent the shards. Civilizations who made a habit of clearing monsters from Precursor ruins would reap the rewards in claiming shard caches which greatly bolstered their spellcraft and later industrial capabilities, allowing them to out-compete rivals. Most nations of today owe a significant degree of their success thus far to the power granted to them by the shards.