Tears of the Gods

Tears of the Gods are stones that provide power or energy from an unknown source.
Found throughout the world, these stones are usually smooth and oval shaped. They typically range from pebble– to palm–sized, although larger ones have been discovered. They provide energy or power on an apprent elemental basis. That is, fire/heat, water/cooling, electrical, wind, etc. The true range of energies available is not currently known, as the method of operation of these stones has never been completely identified.
From what the best magical scholars of the world have been able to determine, these stones appear to act as one-way portals from other realms, allowing only energy (usually elemental or magical) through. The energy can be harnessed, causing these stones to act as a sort of infinite battery.
While no evidence of a stone losing its power has ever been found, it has been shown that attempting to draw too much energy through a stone can destroy it, along with some sizeable portion of the surrounding area.
Experimenters have recently been able to begin tapping into the power of the tears of god, utilizing it for something other than simple heat or cooling. A small number of devices have been constructed that utilize the power of a tear to operate.

Properties

Material Characteristics

All tears are found as a smooth, elongated oval-shaped stone, as if it has been smoothed and rounded by the erosion of a river. The most obvious difference it the symmetry of a tear. They are perfectly symmetrical where as most river stones are not. Each also has a nearly identical shape to other tears, even at different sizes. They are brown to gray in color, with the mottling typical of river rocks.

History & Usage

Discovery

The first tear of a god was likely found by an individual who had some attenuation to magic. A fire tear can be activated by someone holding it and thinking of warmth. It will put out an amount of heat relative to its size.
Once the existence of Tears was known, they became a object of desire, and started to be collected. As more were collected, it was discovered that not all of them were fire tears.

Refinement

While attempts have been made at various times to improve the abilities of tears, no one has succeeded in modifying one without destroying it. They appear to be indestructible except for their own ability to overload their own power limitations.

Color

Gray to brown