The Last Crystal

There is a myth widely believed throughout Ayora that when the last crystal is taken from the earth's crust, magic will fail. Once magic has failed, the ties that bind Ayora together will fail as well. The mountains will crumble. The seas will roil. Earthquakes will become an everyday occurrence. Gravity will begin to loosen its hold. Eventually Ayora will break apart and cease to exist as a planet.

Summary

The myth states that when the last crystal is taken from the earth, Ayora will fail because of the loss of magic, which binds it together. The key component of this myth is the taking of crystals and gems from the earth. It is a myth that cautions against taking too much from the earth despite the draw of powerful magic.

Historical Basis

The myth has been strengthened at different periods over the years when catastrophic events have occurred, such as tectonic plates shifting that led to earthquakes or avalanches or even volcano eruptions.

Spread

It is a widespread myth, found everywhere on Ayora. Even the most remote indigenous community has some version of it.

Variations & Mutation

There are several variations to this myth that have spread to certain area. One is that the magic will remain as long as the crystals are not destroyed. Another states the crystals will retain the magic as long as they are not used for malevolent or destructive purposes. Yet another states that even removing most of the crystals will weaken the magic to the point where it fails.

Cultural Reception

In cultures where magic is against the law, this myth is only whispered in dark taverns and back alleys. In cultures where magic is accepted and expected, this myth is well-known, if not always accepted. Some believe that the world will go on as before and the non-believers and the believers look down on one another.

In Literature

There are many songs written about the end of the world, sung by bards. The last crystal is romanticized. In one song, the last crystal is harvested by a lonely maiden who seeks her long lost love. She digs the crystal, a rose quartz, from the earth and keeps it under her pillow. He returns to her in her dreams, for he is dead. Soon she is sleeping more than she is awake so she can spend time with him. Her grandmother sees this and returns the crystal to the cave the maiden took it from, saving her granddaughter from the world of the dead and the world from doom.

In Art

There are paintings showing the taking of the Last Crystal, as well as paintings showing the destruction of the world after it was taken. There are also tapestries hanging on lords' walls showing the dire results of taking the Last Crystal.

It is interesting to note that some crystal hunters will bring tiny crystals with them. When they take a crystal from the earth, they replace it with a smaller one and cover it back up. It is unlikely that conditions will be right for the crystal to grow but at least they aren't responsible for taking the Last Crystal.

Date of First Recording

1394