Crystal Cores
Also known as: Aqua-Cores, Flow-Cells, Energy Cores
Smooth, egg-shaped cylinders of compressed river-crystal roughly the length of a forearm, each filled with a measured quantity of Aqua-Essence extracted from Flow-Wells and Current Turbines. When held to the light, the interior appears to contain a miniature, endlessly circling current. Crystal Cores are the primary unit of energy storage across the Aqua-Consortium, powering everything from the Ripple Net's relay stones to the enchanted Propulsion Runes of Aqua-Galleons. Their purity is verified by Current Weavers using Lumen-Runes before each transaction, and they serve as the physical backing for the Naiads' Flow-Mark currency.
Artifact Details
- Type
- Energy Vessel
- Rarity
- Common
- Origin
- Crystal Cores emerged as a practical necessity during the Age of Currents (300–700 AE) when expanding Naiad settlements outgrew the range of existing Flow-Wells. The Guild of Hydro-Artisans developed the compression-growth process using naturally forming river-crystals as seeds, cultivating them in high-flow channels until the Aqua-Essence density reached usable levels. Today the Guild maintains standardised Core sizes, Small, Standard, and Tidal-Grade, each calibrated to power specific classes of device.
Overview
Crystal Cores is a common energy vessel in Landorya. Its known origin is Crystal Cores emerged as a practical necessity during the Age of Currents (300–700 AE) when expanding Naiad settlements outgrew the range of existing Flow-Wells. The Guild of Hydro-Artisans developed the compression-growth process using naturally forming river-crystals as seeds, cultivating them in high-flow channels until the Aqua-Essence density reached usable levels. Today the Guild maintains standardised Core sizes, Small, Standard, and Tidal-Grade, each calibrated to power specific classes of device.. Its most cited abilities include Stores a stable, measured quantity of Aqua-Essence that can be tapped by any compatible runic device, Releases energy at a controlled rate when interfaced with Propulsion Runes or Lumen-Rune circuits, and Emits a faint harmonic hum that functions as a portable Ripple Net relay in remote areas. Accounts also warn of a drawback: A Crystal Core that is drained completely without being recharged within a lunar cycle will fracture, releasing its remaining Aqua-Essence in an uncontrolled s…
History
During the Great Flood of 1120 AE, a cache of several hundred Tidal-Grade Crystal Cores stored at the Silverstream Basin depot was used to power the emergency Flow-Release Gates that diverted the floodwaters away from the Sylvan lowlands. The cooperative effort between Naiad engineers and Sylvan Guardians that day is commemorated annually at the Festival of the Flow, and a ceremonial Core from that cache is displayed in the Confluence Hall at Aqualis.
Powers & Abilities
- ✦ Stores a stable, measured quantity of Aqua-Essence that can be tapped by any compatible runic device
- ✦ Releases energy at a controlled rate when interfaced with Propulsion Runes or Lumen-Rune circuits
- ✦ Emits a faint harmonic hum that functions as a portable Ripple Net relay in remote areas
- ✦ Can be drained in a single burst to power an emergency healing pulse or a short-range Hydromancy strike
Curse or Drawback
A Crystal Core that is drained completely without being recharged within a lunar cycle will fracture, releasing its remaining Aqua-Essence in an uncontrolled surge that can flood nearby rune-circuits, destabilise vessel hull-plating, or trigger localised Ripple Overload if multiple cores fail simultaneously.