Singing Crystals
Singing Crystals are a Domian invention and likely once had a different name as their appearance is more that of an old and extravagant mirror, rather than a single gem. Not much is known about them beyond their ability to instantly connect one end of an empire to receptive figures on the other end.
Many examples are ovoid in size, roughly 3 feet long and 2 feet wide, although the one mounted in Minamist is a mite bit bigger and possibly the original. They've a backing of burnished silver, set with a clear quartz disc of a slightly smaller diameter. A single gemstone is placed at the crown and smaller stones run around the rim of the quartz, these smaller stones vibrate and transmit sound, whilst the quartz disc produces a watery visage of the messenger.
Utility
Around a dozen Singing Crystals have survived through the centuries. Most of them are products of their age and produce only visual or audial, with the exception of the one in the Imperial Council Chamber.
Nevertheless, they aren't permitted to just sit in the Imperial Palace's vault like other Domian artefacts. Every single one of them is still in use. Albeit, that use is for alerting officials of important matters near the borders and any unrest in larger cities, such as Nulshar.
Like the mirrors they resemble, the technology works best when mounted on a wall. Activation on both ends is required, which is done by pressing the correct sequence of gems on the sender's end to contact the correct Singing Crystal whilst the receiver must place their palm on the topmost gemstone. This limits their use to deliberate messages, although some more discreet folks have managed to use them in uncovering scandals and revolutions by clandestinely activating the top stone.
by Aldrea Alien
Access & Availability
Like many of the Ancient Domian artefacts claimed by their enemy, the process to craft more, or even the required knowledge to have them properly function, was lost to history. As such, they are maintained as the property of the
Mhanek.
For the most part, few common folk are aware of their existence.
Discovery
As the Udynea Empire invaded Domian territory, they found a Singing Crystal in each town's and village's government building. At first, they were smashed or carted off as spoils of war. When the knack of activating them, a code still only given to a chosen few, the Udyneans began to horde them, using the Domian device against its creators to send false messages.
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