City of Crystal Bones

I wouldn't go near that city, and especially the bones. Assuming Xeta didn't get them all already.

— Vesna Mercury, Messenger for Hire

Overview

  The ruined remains of this Ancient Order settlement tells of a most unusual fate for its inhabitants; their remains have turned to crystal. These crystal bones are viewed in a variety of ways depending on who one asks. Some believe they are cursed, others believe they are worth a lot of coin, and still others believe they are essential in the casting of magics.   Preserved journal entries from the time of the ruin's discovery some 800 years ago suggest that the City of Crystal Bones, also known as the Ruined City of Cristallu, had millions of skeletons scattered throughout the streets. These streets were of course buried in a variety of debris and had to be excavated to enable continued discovery, though many crystal bones were still visible on the surface. These days, the city is well explored and few crystal bones can be found.   The City of Crystal Bones is located along the eastern shoreline of the Continental Island of Lluvia, within the borders of the Xeta Magocracy.

 

The Crystal Bones

  The appearance of these crystal bones vary wildly; from translucent to perfectly clear and in a variety of colors. Some bones are polished with perfect smoothness while others have a rougher texture to them. It seems that whatever happened to turn bones to crystal had happened slightly differently to each person.   It is largely accepted that the onset of the The Great Collapse was responsible for the curious change of material. What has not been decided on is whether the change from bone to crystal happened before or after the inhabitants perished.

Powerful Components of Necromancy

  The crystal bones have proven to be extremely useful if not greatly desired in necromancy, a highly valued magical practice in the Xeta Magocracy. This practice has garnered great consternation from Xeta's neighbors. As for the crystal bones, it is believed that the crystal bones have played a crucial role in the development of necromancy in the magocracy. Because of this, Xeta has been collecting crystal bones from the ruined the city for many years. This is why so few crystal bones are left.

The City

  If the true name of this city has been discovered, it is being kept a secret by the Xetan government. Crystallu was a name given due to the crystal bones. Beyond the name, the city itself must have been a thriving metropolis in its day thanks in no small part to its location. The pattern of the ruins seems to indicate that Cristallu once had a immense harbor. One can only imagine how busy trade must have been in an empire spanning the globe.