Lumavrin

We have ever beheld magic around us. The crystals that contain it - you did not think them mere decoration?

— mage of the Alu'thaniel

Lumavrin, or aethercrystal, is a magical glass traditionally produced by the elves. It is considered to be a rare example of a technique exclusive to an entire species, as the elves brought the intriguing glass and its methods of creation with them from their prior world when fleeing through their elf-gates. It is, at its core, a glasslike, crystalline substance that can hold magical energy. The way it is created shapes what it may do with that energy.

This May Not Look Like A Cannon But It Is One by Hanhula (via Midjourney)

Elven glasswork is as famed as dwarven metalwork, and for good reason. Particularly talented glassblowers may craft elaborate lumavrin sculptures capable of altering the local weather, unleashing deadly fireballs through a delicate glass cannon, or teleporting folk around. Lumavrin is an intrinsic part of the construction of elf-gates; the complexity of that level of glasswork is one of many reasons elf-gates are no longer produced. It helps that the technique is also a major secret.
Lumavrin's creation and use is tied directly to the elven progenitor deity, Seren. As the goddess's worship has declined in Galasthin, so too has the nation's understanding of lumavrin dimmed. Though advanced creations are still being made, there are few new innovations coming from Galasthin.
Other elven groups, such as the Querei of Iskaldhal and Rhaead of Takawaoku, have begun to pull ahead of Galasthin in their innovations with the odd material. Galasthin, however, remains queen of technical skill, likely due to its historical backing and magical prowess.

As with every strange material linked to the elves, there are - obviously - scholars suggesting that Jäätta's fall was caused by their skill with lumavrin; there is, as usual, no evidence of such a claim.

Properties

Material Characteristics

It's pretty much just glass, but magical. I, uh, don't know what else you want me to say.

— baffled glass craftsman

Lumavrin is, as the poor craftsman being quoted indicates, startlingly similar to the usual silicate glass one might be familiar with, despite its very different origins. It does, however, begin its existence with a rainbow-hued iridescent sheen that is seen as an identifier of correctly-made lumavrin. It cannot be coloured with mundane dyes; any colouration in lumavrin comes from the magics involved in its working.

Its density is derived from the magic that shapes it. Talented mages and artisans creating lumavrin pieces can create lumavrin that is over six times the density of standard glass, though this is often an excessive expense in terms of energy, and can result in lumavrin that is incredibly hard to work.
Unlike glass, lumavrin does not need to be heated to be worked; once it has been created in its liquid form, it will only solidify through magical energy. Creating dense lunavrin causes far more skill and energy to be needed in forming the lumavrin into any particular shape.
Along with the density comes durability. While lumavrin is still fragile, it is nowhere near as fragile as glass, and magical protections are usually woven into lumavrin sculptures to prevent damage to either the sculpture or those around it.
For Lumavrin is quite dangerous when it comes to shattering. The magical energy stored inside it risks exploding outwards.

Lumavrin Leaves by Hanhula (via Midjourney)

This would be no ordinary explosion: it would be a rush of magic akin to that in the sculpture left completely uncontrolled, and would also throw tiny shards of lumavrin into any nearby surface, Thus, most lumavrin structures are pretty well-protected as a serious safety measure.

Origin & Source

Eccentricities of Lumavrin Engineering by Hanhula (via Midjourney)

That's a secret. And not one you can learn.

— elven society

The origin of lumavrin has been long debated by non-elves, much to the consternation of elvenkind. Lumavrin's existence is well-known through Istralar, but the secret of how it is made is one so inherent to elves as a species that they are physically unable to speak it to others. This odd limitation is supposedly a gift of Seren's to protect lumavrin, which is supposedly one of her gifts to her children, from outsiders.
Common theories range from unique kinds of sand to fragments of the goddess herself. It's considered rude to speculate on these theories in front of any elf, much as it's rude to debate how long the dwarven progenitor deity spent figuring out the appearance of dwarvenkind.

History & Usage

Everyday use

It's sort of just.. everywhere. Not really worth remarking on, I thought.

— shrugging elf

Lumavrin's uses range from siege weaponry - as mentioned before, the fireball cannons do exist - to small house lamps. It is often fashioned to look like natural crystals and even nestled among crystals to provide ambient effects such as lighting or mood boosting. As it is by no means a cheap or easily accessible material, it tends to only be found in public areas or the homes of nobility, especially in Galasthin.

In Rhaead, it is the subject of many debates on whether drow can be allowed elven secrets. Thus far, the answer is 'no'. Therefore, it is largely used for industrial purposes or in public works on the surface, with most innovation taking place in Rhaead's research labs and not particularly becoming visible to most of the nation.
Upon Iskaldhal, the snow elven tribes have historically sold small works of lumavrin to other nations as one of their few methods of making money; Polyhedra took lumavrin as inspiration to create polyhedric powerglass due to this.
Ilendras, formerly a nation on Valathe and now merely a large settlement, prefers small lumavrin crafts that are far safer - protective items or decorations, mostly.
Lumavrin is rarely used in weapons. Even when well-protected, it is still a form of glass, and the risks of its breaking are far too high. If used in war, it is used in distant weaponry that has little risk of detonation, and is spread out across defence points to prevent the lumavrin's destruction from wiping any others out.

Weatherbringer by Hanhula (via Midjourney)

Iridescent Beginnings by Hanhula (via Midjourney)

Type

Glass

Value

Varies

Rarity

Uncommon

Odor

None, unless created to have one.

Taste

Blood, probably. Don't eat it.

Color

Any; starts off iridescent.

Boiling / Condensation Point

2,230 degrees Celsius (4,046 degrees Fahrenheit)

Melting / Freezing Point

1,400 to 1,600 degrees Celsius (2,552 to 2,912 degrees Fahrenheit)

Density

From 2.2g per cm cubed to 16g per cm cubed

Common State

Solid

Related Species

• Elf

Related Technologies

• Elf-Gates

Storage and Regulation

Lumavrin is a hard material to be consistent with. The results of each and every sculpture are different every time.
When this uncertainty is combined with the material's explosive potential. two key issues arise: how to store it safely, and how to regulate it without crippling its use.
Regulations on lumavrin differ between nations. Many nations with small-to-no elven populace forbid lumavrin's export entirely or restrict it to key industries. The danger isn't worth it with no easy access to any repair folk.
Elf-dominated nations permit lumavrin as a general rule, but regulations exist around what magic can be infused into it. Superweapons are generally banned. Extremely powerful magical infusions are usually reviewed and watched or assisted by the nation's magical forces.
Those who can craft lumavrin must hold license to do so, and must have passed strict magical aptitude tests to get that far. While these details again differ between areas, they are roughly the same - for an unskilled artisan could cause catastrophe.
As for storage, unworked lumavrin is traditionally stored in lumavrin - or glass, if no lumavrin is available - amphorae. This allows protections to be layered without altering the new lumavrin.

I have a lumavrin necklace! My mother gave it to me. It's said to protect me from poisons - unfortunately, that does mean it attempts to destroy any glass of alcohol I pick up...

— pouting elven noble

Lumavrin Idol by Hanhula (via Midjourney)

It survived the death of world after world, and the technique is still ours today. Lumavrin is a miracle material, it seems.

— pondering elf