Arcanimium
Arcanimium is a rare crystal that needs a professional to be found and another to be turned into something useful. Its uses range from the building of staves to the building of staves.
Properties
Material Characteristics
Arcanimium has a photographic memory of its own, in that it never forgets any light cast on it. The more travelled it is, the more sources of light it will have seen, and thus the more colorful and powerful its glow will be.
Problem is: while trying to find it underground, it will not have any glow save some very rare circumstances. It is very difficult to distinguish earthed arcanimium from any other far more common crystal, at least until it absorbs its first light.
Physical & Chemical Properties
It is very difficult to heat up or cool down arcanimium. A shard can be thrown into a fiery pit or buried in snow, and its temperature will not change. Needless to say, its melting point is most likely non-existent.
Geology & Geography
Havenfell, as far as anyone knows, is the only place where arcanimium can be found, more and more so ever since the Arcane Calamity. Of course, you can also find it inside the boats that return from expeditions there (though you will deal with people who survived Havenfell, which are arguably more dangerous than the place itself).
Origin & Source
The Arcane Calamity devastated the land in such a way in its permanent storm. While the violence the earth withstood and withstands is unknown and impossible to replicate, it is most certainly the reason why these crystals appear underground.
History & Usage
History
Staff production was quite rare before the Arcane Calamity. Some elves did it, but it was so frowned upon and risky it was not really worth it.
Post-Calamity, with access to Havenfell limited and arcanimium growing into more than an extreme rarity, the first staves became true weapons of power and respect (even if their construction was still frowned upon).
As the Legion's laws became tighter, and so did Keltiran Institute's, staves became rarer sights over the years, both increasing the value of arcanimium and its power. Nowadays, only the boldest seek out the crystal, and even among them not all survive the expedition.
Everyday use
Staves, weapons to make staves and more staves. No, this is not a skippable ingredient.
Industrial Use
It takes a long time and a lot of patience to chip away at this crystal, and an amateur might botch it by breaking it into a thousand shards. The only way to use arcanimium is by sharpening it, which might take a month or two.
Hazards
Well, you might get killed by mages who catch wind of your plans to use arcanimium. You can die during the expedition too. The fight against the mage whose power you need to make a staff might also cost you dearly.
But, hey, by itself the crystal is harmless!
Reusability & Recycling
It is not unheard of mages gathering the remaining shards once a staff is built. While they are hardly enough by themselves for anything new, they can still be used to adorn regular weapons and might contain some power to serve as a subpar enchantment.
Distribution
Trade & Market
There are, ahem, some knowledgeable fellows (usually in alleys or other convenient places) that can sell it anywhere from Fortressia to Keltirak.
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