Fade Seeds

Fade Crystals

Fade Crystals differ greatly from dream seeds, both in terms of power and function. Fade crystals, which begin as tetrandite crystals, are formed through the accretion of high concentrations of mana. These crystals are most often down directly above nodes or along ley lines, though they can form in other areas as well. As the amount of power within the crystal grows, it becomes more and more susceptible to the mental energies of nearby living creatures and begins to attune itself to the thoughts of those creatures. As this occurs, the fade crystal begins to alter reality around it, creating what is known as a 'Fade'.

Once tetrandite begins to generate a Fade, it is considered a Fade Crystal. Fade crystals are bound to particular locations. Larger fade crystals emit powerful auras over a long range that can alter reality within the confines of their fade. Inside a fade, the rules and logic of the world can be bent. Some things may be augmented, others may be suppressed. Even physical reality can be altered.

It is not uncommon for fades to generate structures around the fade crystals. These locations are sometimes referred to as 'dungeons', though not all of them fit that description as some are quite beautiful and beneficial. Regardless, the existence of these structures is contingent upon the continued existence of the fade crystal that lies at their heart. Interestingly, the dungeon around a fade crystal grows in size relative to the crystal itself.

In fact, most major settlements on Duende have a fade crystal at their heart. The benefits of a fade to a population are many and unique, and because of this they are both prized and often heavily guarded. It is also not uncommon for the dungeons surrounding a fade crystal to be groomed to provide a training ground for adventurers or other interesting structures. Some have been left in place for so long that it is nearly impossible for the heart of the dungeon to be reached.

Typically, in the process of grooming a fade crystal, runes are inscribed on the crystal to amplify and infulence particular aspects of the fade. One primary benefit of this is that even if the crystal is fully depleted, which is no small feat, when it recharges the fade it generates would still operate under the influence of the inscribed runes. Regardless of how powerful a boon this can be, it can also be a tremendous bane. If a sabotuer or malicious actor were to inscribe nefarious runes upon a fade seed, the impact would continue to reoccur until the runes could be removed or the crystal was destroyed.

Fade Seeds

The act of inscribing or destroying a powered fade crystal is exceedingly dangerous. Entire cities have been destroyed by careless engraving of fade crystals which shattered the crystal in a cataclysmic release of power. Because it is so dangerous, techniques were developed to drain the crystals temporarily of their power, allowing them to be inscribed more safely.

When a fade crystal is drained of its mana, the mana is typically so concentrated that "Fade Seeds" can be produced in the process. This process leaves the crystal in tact, but removes the energy from the crystal temporarily and nullifies the attunement. If the crystal is not disconnected from its power source or destroyed, it will eventually recover over time, reattune itself, and generate a new Fade. When a fade crystal is destroyed, the fade around it will begin to dissipate. Within 24 hours the entire fade and all of its structures will disappear. If the fade crystal is not drained prior to destroying it, the power within the crystal will be released instantly and with devastating force.

The fade seeds produced from draining a fade crystal are themselves a type of 'crystal' formed of purified condensed mana. The energy from these crystals is so potent that it can be used to permanently alter certain characteristics of a creature, including their Flagstones, Heritages, and Pools. The adventurer's guild on Duende assists adventurers in this endeavor by teaching them how to do this, and often times overseeing the process for those that are still novices and unsure of what to do.