Caskega

The discovery of coal was one of the biggest changes in the history of Cultivo. Suddenly, the world had a source of reliable, long-burning energy which was soon harnessed to propel vehicles, power towns, and warm its inhabitants.
Caskega makes the discovery of coal look like the change from vellum to paper. Important, but ultimately not very impressive.
The capture and utilization of elemental energies through special crystals changed the world basically overnight. Suddenly, the luxuries of city life were not only affordable, but easily implemented in even the most remote of settlements. Heat, electricity, clean water, and even indoor plumbing were simple to set up for any frontiersman with a bit of technical knowledge.
No longer were steam trains slowed by being shackled to huge heavy cars full of coal. No longer were the sight and pollution of huge factories a necessity for anyone living in a city.
No longer were weapons required to simply cut or pierce, instead they could shock, freeze, melt, or burn in addition.

Utility

In order to utilize any elemental technology, the Caskega crystal needs to be charged with the energy from a Cultivim. This energy, depending on the quality of the crystal and the Cultivim, can vary in intensity and duration.

Manufacturing

/*The Caskega crystals are thought to be the remains of a truly gargantuan prehistoric Tierramente. As such, the supply of true Caskega is finite, however in the late 400s BI scientists discovered a process to create artificial Caskega crystals.
The artificial crystals aren't as efficient and they eventually degrade and need to be replaced.*/

Inventor(s)

/*Technically a natural phenomenon, but Basilico Riez was responsible for the initial research into the utility of the Caskega stones. Once their utility was discovered, dozens of manufacturers began funding research into harnessing their power for their own products.*/

Access & Availability

/*Caskega crystals were abundant in antiquity, new deposits were found frequently and deposits were generally very large. Without new deposits, the amount of raw caskega is nearly nonexistent. Artificial Caskega are in high demand, though and have become the norm. Objects using True Caskega sell for a high price and raw Caskega is nearly unheard of.*/

Discovery

/*The discovery of the stones can be attributed to Falsiden Hellstone, a relatively unknown (at the time) mining company. In 936 BI, the small mining operation staked a claim on a barren mesa about two hundred miles northwest of Castillo de Nubes. After several years of poor yields, the company was considering abandoning the mine, until one day they struck figurative gold. A large series of caverns were discovered, brimming with crystals.
The miners, happy to have something to sell, began breaking pieces off of these crystals and loading up their Stone Bison, however as soon as the crystals touched the animal, they began to react, the clear stone changing to a dark amber color. After a dozen or so crystals turned deep amber, the Bison let out a weak bleat and fell dead to the ground.
The foreman and owner, Pira Falsiden sent out an ad for a scientist, not knowing just how big of a discovery she had on her hands. A Quetzal scientist, Basilico Riez answered the ad, and the rest, they say, is history.*/