Celestium: A Dangerously Beautiful Crystal

Dangerous crystals that have the capability of growing on their own. Highly valued for use in art and crafting, they are particularly harmful when exposed to the body.

Celestium crystal is a rare type. It has a blue, semi-opaque, glassy like complexion, but has a more formidable strength similar to stone or metal without the weight.

Though many have attempted to sort these crystals into similar groupings, they seem to be in their own unique field. They have become integral to our land. We have learned to use them to their fullest here for not only shaping to structure and creating beautiful homes and additives with, but also in crafting of our weaponry.

The Celestium was discovered in the recesses of Manahine cavern.

The Celestium crystal is a rare, hard, blue-hued crystal that undergoes a breathtaking transformation in color depending on its age, strength, and density, shifting to vibrant shades reminiscent of a sunset. These crystals grow in various shapes and sizes, adapting to their environment by replacing the surrounding material—whether stone, flesh, or plants—as they expand. While they can be farmed, the process requires skill and precision, as handling them improperly can be hazardous. The Celestium crystal is highly versatile, valued for its density, which makes it ideal for structural decoration, weapon parts, accessories, and other crafts. However, it is incredibly dangerous to handle without proper care, as it can unexpectedly pop, grow uncontrollably, or shatter. Once the crystal attaches itself to a person’s body, it continues to grow, leading to certain death. Because of its ability to consume living tissue, it is unsuitable for medical use. Once lost to time, these crystals are now making a slow return to the world, with very few skilled enough to cultivate them safely, making them a rare and coveted resource.

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Indoji Survey Team Log Dr. Edward Wright - Survey Team Lead

"After the recent expedition into the Jarelect ruins of the Indoji people we discovered old research notes describing a crystal that they once used to grow and thrive in their time, though based on the state of the people and the ruins their fate is all to be speculated. Though no conclusion can be made just yet. The ruins are home to what little is left of the crystal. The time and isolation have killed off most of the crystals in the area, though the eeriness in the air lingers. Statues of the Indoji people made of the detailed crystal take up the space of inner preserved rooms within these ancient walls. Incredibly lifelike they capture motion, but emotion as well. Fear, sorrow, and fleeting hope. As if they knew their destruction was on the horizon when creating these Statues."

"As we continue to walk the halls, remnants of the architecture, weaponry, craftsmanship and more have persisted in this tomb. As we continue to uncover the truth to this piece of history lost, I have set my men to preserve, record, and translate all they can. If we wish to know what became of this hidden civilization we must first understand its history before the end."

—- notation for this day ends —-

"It's been a little over a week since we arrived on site and began following the translated notes of the people before. Recreational use of these Crystals has been fruitful as of this moment. Though the warning of danger was never to be taken lightly. We had several blown crystals by the end of day one as we adjusted output to the crystals. Though eventually we saw progress. As we continue to follow the trail I've put an understudy of mine in charge of translating and following the notes over the integration of man and crystal as the shown and recorded medical that was performed with these Crystals could be revolutionary. I trust them greatly with this task as we continue to dig deeper into the mystery of these people."

"We have made simple tools and simple shapes so far from the crystals growing in the area. The notes were easier to follow than expected and allowed many of our top scholars here on the expedition to adjust and flourish under these conditions. Even I have made a small crystal grow and I have a more shaky state of mana. Though it does take great concentration. For the pursuit of knowledge we will uncover everything at this site. Learn their secrets. Use them to move forward in our own society. Bring this crystal back out of extinction. Though, one wonders why it didn't spread further into today's day as we know it? Maybe tragedy or natural disaster? We have yet to determine the cause of the downfall of these people."

"Though we will find an answer soon. We're translating the notes of what we can only suspect as their lead in this research. The place they were found was like a garden of crystal like flowers. A spectacle to be sure. Beautiful. Soon we will be able to do the same. We can only hope for the best."

—-notation ends for this day—-

"After a month at the site, we found ourselves in a new scenario. The translations finished, but far later than those of the experiments. In pursuit of knowledge I threw away caution. Because of that, I have become lost."

'We continued our research and testing into the Coexistence between man and crystal. A research that could have been a miracle to the medical field. At first it bore fruit. One of my own went from being unable to walk on his own due to a lost leg to being able to spring across the ruins with ease. It functioned as if his limb had been there all along. Success, what we thought it was. Others who had lost something during travels or fights began to continue the experiments. We couldn't see the downside to this treatment. We only felt worn and tired by the procedure, but otherwise we felt fine."

"We made a mistake. The crystal continued its growth. Consuming more and more of the flesh. We attempted to sever its connection, but that did little to slow the progress. For those with wills who underwent the procedure they were half man half statue by the end of the week. Raspy breaths, pained movements. They could barely think or speak once it hit their minds."

"Those who once could walk no longer could."

"Then we lost the first one. A statue. Pain, fear, sorrow, and hopelessness. My men are now becoming a part of history in the worst way. Repeating it. I should have made us slow down. I shouldn't have done the research of the crystals before the fate of these people. They are the statues. We're looking for a cure. Runes seem to slow it. Amputation was unfortunately a quite efficient last resort for some of the worst cases. We will keep looking for answers. I will for as long as I can…though I will fall to my own folly as well. I will leave all my notes that I can, if I cannot then my understudy who is slow behind me will pick up my notes."

"I pray we may find an answer soon, I cannot bear to lose any other good men. If the crystal doesn't consume them then the depletion of mana will."

—-notation for this day ends—-