Verstakine

Verstakine is rare in occurrence, in that it does not occur naturally in the environment. Rather it is produced by subterranean creatures known as ‘Crystal Eaters’. These creatures consume naturally occuring minerals as sustenance, then reuse the raw material to produce verstakine crystals from their skin, growing it as natural armor.

"With further observation and testing, it is likely a selective breeding process could be constructed in order to produce specific varieties of verstakine for common use."
— Kale of Ashhand, director of Wildlife Preservation in the Mt. Aglaia mining operations.  

Properties

Material Characteristics

Verstakine in its raw form appears like crystalline growths on the dorsal shell of its host.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Verstakine is a magical amplifier. Magical energy that is transferred through the crystal increases in power and focus. However, the crystal appears to only interact with certain schools of magic depending on its color. Varieties have been given names associated with their color for ease:
Abjuration - Undiscovered
Conjuration - Pearl Verstakine
Divination - Honey Verstakine (discovery credited to an adventurer, Marvil Flamewood)
Enchantment - Undiscovered
Evocation - Cherry Verstakine
Illusion - Azure Verstakine
Necromancy - Undiscovered
Transmutation - Lavender Verstakine

History & Usage

Cultural Significance and Usage

Arcane Focuses

Embedding a cut verstakine crystal into an arcane focus will amplify the power of the focus for the relative school of magic, but magic of other schools tend to become wild or fizzle out. Hence, it is ideal for a focus that will cast only one type of magic.
Spells amplified by verstakine appear more potent and take effect faster, making it harder for a target to avoid or resist the effects of an amplified spell.

Magic Detection

Verstakine crystals react strongly when exposed to magic of their associated type, and therefore act as reliable detection tools. For instance, when azure verstakine comes in close proximity to an illusion, the crystal hums and vibrates, indicating that an illusion is nearby.

Refinement

In order to be used safely, Verstakine must be delicately cut with only mechanical tools. Using magically enhanced implements could result in a volatile reaction. Typically, one would cut a gem in a teardrop shape in order to converge and focus magic energies as they pass through the gem from base to point.

Byproducts & Sideproducts

Dimeritium was once thought an infallible anti-magic solution, but the discovery of Verstakine has shaken up the hierarchy of exotic materials. In rare cases, mages amplified by Verstakine crystals have been able to overpower the restraints of Dimeritium, even when in direct contact.

Hazards

When amplified by verstakine, spells have occasionally become volatile and uncontrollable, at times reflecting back on the caster or dispersing their effects among all creatures within range. The exact chances of this occurrence are unknown. Studies have reported that the accuracy of the cut in a crystal has affected spell control, but the results were largely inconclusive.

Distribution

Trade & Market

Verstakine is incredibly rare, and its acquisition comes with a measure of danger, and so it has not appeared on any markets as of yet. The bureau of Wildlife Preservation at Mt. Aglaia is studying the Crystal Eaters in attempts to learn their origins and conservation status before they can approve any operations of mass production.

Type

Biomaterial

Rarity

Near-mythical

Odor

Mildly ammoniacal in its raw form. Odorless once cut.

Taste

Mildly salty

Color

Dependent on type

Common State

Crystalline

A depiction of a Crystal Eater with dense growth of verstakine crystals.