Imustones

Imustones are unique relics of the vast, untamed world of Teralt, particularly abundant in the area known as the Grip of Sarvan. These precious purple gemstones are actually condensed forms of Ancient Elixir, a potent and mysterious substance birthed from the legendary battle between Andromeda, the Worldsoul of Teralt, and Aster, the Traveling Parent.
Appearing to glitter with an inner starlight, these stones are far more than just beautiful— they're also dangerous. The Imustones retain the transformative and corruptive properties of the Ancient Elixir, though it is buried inside them. Though uncommon, contact with them can result in horrible mutations, the bestowment or removal of existing magical abilities, and even death. As such, those who seek to use or even handle Imustones must do so with extreme caution.
The rich, purple-hued soil of the Grip is laden with these precious but perilous stones, making the area a treacherous and tempting place. For all their risks, the promise of the powers that Imustones may grant can be a lure too great to resist for the daring or desperate.

Properties

Material Characteristics

Imustones, in their physical form, are an enchanting spectacle to behold. They possess a crystalline structure, their surfaces smooth and polished by the very forces that brought them into existence. Their size can vary, with some barely larger than a pebble and others as massive as boulders, a testament to the varying concentrations of Ancient Elixir that formed them. They sparkle with an iridescent sheen, reflecting light in such a way that they appear to hold a constellation of stars within their depths. This otherworldly shimmer lends them an ethereal quality, as though they were fragments of a celestial body, lost and found in the soil of Teralt.
Imustones radiate a soft, soothing glow, not unlike the light of Teralt's two moons. This soft illumination adds an aura of mystique to their appearance, further enhancing their ethereal allure. It’s a captivating sight, one that both enchants and warns of the formidable power held within.
The color of an Imustone can vary, but most share a hue that ranges from deep indigo to vibrant violet, mirroring the color of the landscapes they influence. The variety in their coloration is akin to the shifting hues of a twilight sky.
In their raw form, Imustones may exhibit rough edges, their crystalline faces angled and sharp. However, the forces of nature, time, and the unique energy pulsating within them often work in concert to smooth these edges, resulting in stones that are as fascinating to touch as they are to behold.

Compounds

Through a method kept highly secret by those that understand it, Imustones can be converted back into Ancient Elixir.

Geology & Geography

Imustones permeate the upper strata of Teralt's crust, scattered generously throughout its geology. Certain regions, particularly the Grip of Sarvan, see a higher concentration of these gemstones due to seismic activity propelling them to the surface. Regardless of their location, though, the presence of an Imustone can always be identified by its signature effect— the profound transformation it imparts on the landscape around it. The soil, vegetation, and even the very stones near an Imustone take on a distinct purple hue, a visual echo of the stone's arcane energy.

Origin & Source

The creation of Imustones is due to Teralt's immune system. When the Ancient Elixir seeped into her body, Andromeda reacted to this foreign substance harshly. As it caused her immense pain, like splinters moving through a stomach, Andromeda forced the Elixir together, crystallizing it into condensed, gem-like formations and pushing it to the surface of her body. These resulting formations are known as Imustones.

Type

Mineral