Storm Crystal

Storm Crystal is a precious magical stone that is found deep within the Storm Peaks, a treacherous clutch of mountains in the north of the Zahdoni wilds. They are prized for their elemental power, rarity, and unique appearance, making them a symbol of status and power to those in the know.

Properties

Material Characteristics

The stones have a unique appearance, with a translucent, swirling core that shimmers with vibrant hues of blue, white, and silver. Their outer layer is jagged and rough, resembling frozen lightning in its raw form and taking on an aquamarine quality when being worked.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Storm Crystals possess a potent affinity for elemental magic, particularly the forces of electricity, wind, and weather manipulation. Past the magical uses, this physically manifests in static electricity channelling through the stone. They resonate with the atmospheric energies, attuning themselves to storms and channelling their power giving off a small hum when in the presence of major weather events.

Geology & Geography

Storm Crystals are found exclusively in the Storm Peaks, formed within the mountains themselves, or upon the peaks of the innermost mountains.

Origin & Source

These crystals are formed through a combination of the powerful natural storms that populate the Storm Peaks and the concentrated elemental energies within the mountains themselves.

History & Usage

History

During a period of exploration and expansion, the Air Genasi kingdom of Aetheria sent expeditions to the treacherous Storm Peaks in search of new resources and opportunities. These explorers discovered the first Storm Crystals hidden deep within the heart of the mountains. Recognizing the crystals' affinity for elemental forces, the genasi began to experiment with their power.
Over time, Aetheria's connection to Storm Crystals deepened, as they learned to channel and amplify their own natural abilities using the crystals' energy. With Storm Crystals in their possession, the air genasi nobility could summon and control storms, using them for beneficial purposes like irrigation, weather-dependent agriculture, and protection from external threats. This brought them into a golden age with focus and energy being able to be moved from the common needs of agriculture and defence, into artistic and diplomatic efforts instead. Trade flourished, and the kingdom became a centre of knowledge and magical prowess.
Storm Crystals were revered as symbols of the kingdom's power and were used in the construction of magnificent structures, imbuing them with an ethereal beauty and enhancing their stability against the elements.
However, as time passed, the once-mighty Aetheria faced internal strife and external pressures. The rulers' arrogance and thirst for power led to a decline in governance and the erosion of public trust. Desperate to cling to power, a power-hungry faction within the nobility sought to exploit the Storm Crystals' power for their own gain, delving into forbidden magics that pushed the boundaries of what was ethically and morally acceptable.
The abuse of the Storm Crystals unleashed uncontrollable storms and havoc upon the kingdom creating natural disasters that ravaged the land, destroying crops, homes, and weakening the populace's faith in their leaders. It was at this time that Storm Crystal mines were cut off from the kingdom, the weather above the Storm Peaks becoming the worst in the kingdom.  Aetheria fell into disarray, as rebellions and uprisings spread throughout the realm. The once-great kingdom fragmented, shattered, and dissolved.
In the aftermath of the kingdom's collapse, surviving air genasi sought to make amends for their ancestors' hubris and misuse of the Storm Crystals. They hid away the remaining Storm Crystals, and spread out in caravans, vowing to safeguard what remained and prevent the misuse of the crystals in the future.

Everyday use

Storm Crystals possess an innate conductivity to electrical energy. They can absorb and store electrical charges, harnessing them for various purposes. 
Some of these include utilising the rock as a core component in the creation of enchanted weapons, armour, and wonderous items that manipulate or enhance the power of lightning and wind. In fact, when infused with spells or incantations, Storm Crystals can amplify the potency and range of magical abilities related to electricity, wind, or storm-based spells, making magical items more potent than they otherwise would be.
Skilled magic users can tap into the Storm Crystal's energy to manipulate the weather patterns in localized areas summoning storms, creating lightning bolts, or dispersing clouds, depending on their mastery. This makes Storm Crystal wands or staffs a potent magic focus for elemental wizards or sorcerers.

Cultural Significance and Usage

Storm Crystal is almost a myth in the cultures that know about it now, connected to the legendary kingdom of Aetheria. At the kingdoms height it was used in everything from jewellery to architecture to weaponry. In modern day, the small fragments that remain are hidden in aquamarine jewellery for air genasi caravan elders or as decoration on ceremonial pieces to demonstrate rank and act as reminder of the dangers of unchecked power.

Refinement

Storm Crystal can be used both raw and refined, although its worked form is more durable and controllable by the possessor. The process of cutting and refining the Crystal, or splitting it, is easiest and safest done immediately after removal from the mountain, although risk and damage can be mitigated by carefully overcharging the crystal with storm magic.

Hazards

There are some hazards to Storm Crystals. They are inherently tied to the chaotic forces of storms and so their energy can be challenging to control, and potentially dangerous for inexperienced or reckless individuals. Linked to this is the Storm Crystal's fragility; despite their potency, Storm Crystals are exist in a fragile balance with their magic and can be easily shattered if mishandled or subjected to excessive force, releasing their stored energies in one moment.

Reusability & Recycling

The elemental energy within Storm Crystals is renewable, but produce=diminishes quantities without external charge. It is also impossible to seperate or reduce the size of storm crystal without damaging it, unless it is overcharged, as it is found naturally in the Storm Peaks.

Type

Rock