Diamond

The Morning Realm    Magic and Technology      Diamond

Diamonds are precious gemstones used in protective and restorative magic. They are valued both for their beautiful shine, their magical properties, and their natural hardness. Diamond is one of the hardest materials in existence, and often used by artisans to cut or polish others. Natural diamonds are mined and extracted from deep underground. Only about a fifth of natural diamonds are fit for use as a decorative gemstone, and most are instead used by mages or industry.
Gem-quality diamonds have a beautiful rainbow luster. While they are less colourful than other gems, they remain popular in jewelry. Diamonds hold wards and protective enchantments especially well. Gem-quality diamonds are far more expensive than those used in magic or industries, and their price is not equivalent to their value as a magical component.
With the advent of stratigraphy and alchemical diamonds, it has become a common theory that diamonds are created when a significant quantity of long-dead spirits are compressed by rock and exposed to intense heat and pressure over an extended period of time.

Alchemical Diamonds

Alchemical Diamonds are alchemically and physically the same as mined diamonds. There is no proven difference in magical efficiency despite multiple studies. While there is no upper limit to how big an alchemical diamond can be, they are prohibitively expensive to create. Most diamonds of a size and value above 500 gp are natural diamonds.
After the discovery that diamonds were pure Aether in 47 IE many attempts were made to attempt to create them from spirits. Claims to have successfully distilled diamonds are frequent since it's discovery, but attempts to create a reproducable alchemical process first began proper in 145 IE, funded by the Church of Coin, and culminated in 194 IE.
These first alchemical diamonds were created by capturing or conjuring spirits en masse, and then compressing them down into solid form. Some of these early alchemical diamonds are rumoured to whisper to those who wield them, as well as causing disturbing dreams for those ressurected using one. Concerns about the ethics of the process were raised, and studies into alternative methods began.
Opinion of how best to improve the process was split. Some alchemists claimed it was prudent to look for a new source of aether, while others instead sought to find a way to kill or deafen the spirits and therefore any side effects of the process. Both methods bore fruit.

Despirited Diamond

Alchemists discovered an effective way of both killing and compressing the spirits; detonation. By creating a minor explosion, any sentience would be quickly wiped and a diamond left in it's area. These alchemic diamonds are often called despirited diamonds.

Auric Diamonds

Alchemists seeking a new source of aether soon discovered a method of harvesting an individuals aura. These alchemical diamonds are often referred to as auric diamonds. The discovery that auras can recover up to a tenth in one moon cycle was especially promising. Many temples set up donation banks were volunteers could offer some of their aura for pay or out of generosity. The compression is done much the same as the earlier alchemical diamonds.

Diamond

Diamonds by Brockhaus' Konversations-Lexikon

Type	Gemstone
Properties	Protection and Ressurection

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Table of Contents

1. Alchemical Diamonds
2. Despirited Diamonds
3. Auric Diamonds

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Spells that Require Diamonds

Whole

• Chromatic Orb — 50 gp
• Revivify — 300 gp
• Mighty Fortress — 500 gp
• Raise Dead — 500 gp
• Ressurection — 1 000 gp
• Clone — 1 000 gp
• Gate — 5 000 gp
• True Ressurection — 25 000 gp

Powdered

• Nondetection — 25 gp
• Stoneskin — 100 gp

Mixed

• Glyph of Warding — Up to 200 gp
• Symbol — Up to 1 000 gp
• Sequester — Up to 5 000 gp