Bloodgem

'Perfectly perserved, yes. It still contains a strange large amount... i was able to sense it minutes before you arrive. Now then, let's see what we can make out of those...'

Properties

Material Characteristics

The stone is looking like most mundane handful of quartz or a raw piece of amber, having a rough texture and density. However, the soul essences inside gives a reaction that makes the rock translucent, being able to see a generated light from inside it.

Physical & Chemical Properties

The main use of those stones are when they contain one or numeral soul essence. Their creation process comes from using various precious or semi-precious stones which soul essence is lured on it to fuse inside. The process changes the physical properties of the original gemstone and the density becomes more condensed to it's edges, leaving an empty space for the essence to occupy, if the stone is broken or used (such as for ritual demanding souls) to its full capacity, the shell disintegrates, becoming mundane powdered dust which doesn't offer any special properties if reused. It can also happen that a soul's strength is too strong to contain in a smaller bloodstone, as such, size and density/resistance to pressure can help hold more.

Compounds

Most uses of the charged bloodstone are for keepsake of magical energy contained in species' souls for a future use. The plasmic essence doesn't deteriorate over time by itself, and as such, they can be used for further demands.

Geology & Geography

Man'gaihi Island is known to have been the origin of the creation of the stones, during the (era) where Serpentfolk were using it for religious and magical purposes. They used mostly garnet as their main stone to make the transformative process into a bloodgem, as the island had some fertile veins to exploit around. However, any advanced practician of necromancy and/or geomancy could manage to create one, if they are supplied with fitting gemstones.

Origin & Source

Only through a magical effect can someone originate a blood gem, as they are not found in the wild.

Life & Expiration

The blood gem will only deteriorate if the soul plasmid inside its core is removed, either through magic use for a catalyst or under sufficent pressure/trauma.

History & Usage

History

Due to their use by a tyrannical race in origin, and their necromantic influence, those gems have a bad reputation among most people knowledgeable about it. Some countries legislated against the use and creation of those stones, with varying punishment usually leading to the criminal's execution. However, others allow the use of those only, and even some place like have them traded openly in markets.

Hazards

While it can offer a spellcaster the capacity to reach beyong their limits and casting impressive spells, the soul plasmid connection to the outer planes can help users to create a blood portal, a unique ritual leading to a demi-plane attuned to (deity). This process can be damaging for the spellcaster as their own incense could be pulled, or partially drained, leaving them to a vulnerable state. To paliate this issue, Mesmer serpentfolks sometimes used students under their leadership to hold these gems of energy and use them in numerous amount, so reduce possible failure of rituals, or at least let the lesser ones die of it, having it culturaly ingrained that does that cannot channel one properly are 'unworthy'.

Odor

Odorless, but sometimes can have been coated in old blood from humanoids

Color

Vivid red with transluency

Common State

Solid, however the inside is more similar to a gas, being made of physicaly manifest soul plasma.