Aetheric Crystals
Also known as: Arcane Prisms, Celestial Power Crystals
Dense, violet-tinged prisms imported from the Celestial Order and purchased by the Aqua-Consortium through its inter-regional trade agreements, Aetheric Crystals are the highest-capacity magical power sources available to Naiad engineers. Unlike Crystal Cores, which store Aqua-Essence specifically, Aetheric Crystals hold undifferentiated arcane energy compatible with virtually any runic system. Within Naiad infrastructure they are reserved for devices that exceed the power ceiling of standard Crystal Cores: deep-aquifer drilling rigs, the Aqua-Essence Reactors that power Aqualis, and the most advanced Submersible Phalanx vessels.
Artifact Details
- Type
- Power Source
- Rarity
- Rare
- Origin
- The Naiads first acquired Aetheric Crystals as part of the Twin-Current Accord (1302 AE) with the Eldorian Republic, which facilitated indirect access to Celestial Order supply lines. The Aqua-Consortium's Ministry of Currents now maintains a strategic reserve of Aetheric Crystals in the Underglow Bazaar's restricted vault, replenished annually through diplomatic purchase. Their import volume is deliberately limited to prevent dependence on an externally controlled power source.
Overview
Aetheric Crystals is a rare power source in Landorya. Its known origin is The Naiads first acquired Aetheric Crystals as part of the Twin-Current Accord (1302 AE) with the Eldorian Republic, which facilitated indirect access to Celestial Order supply lines. The Aqua-Consortium's Ministry of Currents now maintains a strategic reserve of Aetheric Crystals in the Underglow Bazaar's restricted vault, replenished annually through diplomatic purchase. Their import volume is deliberately limited to prevent dependence on an externally controlled power source.. Its most cited abilities include Stores and releases raw arcane energy compatible with any runic system, not limited to water-aligned magic, Provides sustained output at intensities unreachable by standard Crystal Cores, enabling the highest-tier Naiad machinery, and Can be attuned to a specific runic frequency by a skilled Current Weaver, after which it interfaces seamlessly with Aqua-Essence circuits. Accounts also warn of a drawback: Aetheric Crystals resist natural recharging through water contact; they can only be replenished at a Celestial Order facility or by a practitioner of celestial…
History
The single most consequential use of Aetheric Crystals in Naiad history occurred during the Great Flood of 1120 AE, when pre-existing reserves at Aqualis powered the emergency Aqua-Essence Reactors long after local Flow-Wells were overwhelmed by the deluge. Without that reserve, historians estimate the capital's flood-control infrastructure would have failed entirely within six hours. The event prompted the Ministry of Currents to formalise the strategic reserve policy that persists to the present day.
Powers & Abilities
- ✦ Stores and releases raw arcane energy compatible with any runic system, not limited to water-aligned magic
- ✦ Provides sustained output at intensities unreachable by standard Crystal Cores, enabling the highest-tier Naiad machinery
- ✦ Can be attuned to a specific runic frequency by a skilled Current Weaver, after which it interfaces seamlessly with Aqua-Essence circuits
- ✦ Functions as an emergency backup for the Ripple Net's central relay stones during Aqua-Essence shortfalls
Curse or Drawback
Aetheric Crystals resist natural recharging through water contact; they can only be replenished at a Celestial Order facility or by a practitioner of celestial-aligned magic. A depleted crystal that is mistakenly subjected to Aqua-Essence infusion techniques will violently reject the foreign energy, producing a small but dangerous arcane detonation capable of destroying nearby runic equipment.