Bloodstones

Found and mined exclusively within the The Crimson Canyons the Bloodstones are crystals of varying sizes that cannot be shattered, marred or broken. They can, however, be molded using magic and incredible heat by master smiths and crafters.

The Red Ushad considered these rare finds religious artefacts for a long time and took extra care to store them in an archive in Dawn's Watch. However since a mine in the town of Dustholme opened a cavern full of Bloodstones they are treated with less reverence. Another factor in their downgrade from religious icon is the discovery of incredible magical power chained within each crystal. This has sent the price of Bloodstones skyrocketing and caused a small rush of miners to the Crimson Canyons.

Use

The process to extract and process Bloodstones is long and complex, but there are no shortage of miners fighting to become part of the process. After harvest they are moved to Saltfort and shipped away to The Dwarven Enclave and The Dracis Collective where master smithers and crafters shape and bend the crystals through magic and natural means. These are then used as power sources throughout the kingdoms and are being used to fuel increasingly powerful and arcane weapons, like arcane cannons and bombs alongside use in protecting ships and fortifications with onboard magical shields. Currently their use has been tied more to military and combative forces, due to the price of the crystals, though a few artificers have managed to craft other items and objects that are more for use amongst the citizenry.

The Source of Power

The Bloodstones are not what the people of Lenwir think. Nothing so mysterious and powerful appears after centuries of barely a trace and yields the gift of such power. The Bloodstones are in fact prisons, created by the ancients and buried in a warded mountain. Over the years the wards dissipated and since the discovery of the caves and tunnels, none have taken the time to investigate, too pre-occupied with the wealth uncovered.

Each contains the soul of a powerful horror from beyond the planes and this soul is the essence of magic that can be felt within. This was a tact by the ancients to lessen the tide of horrors in their battle, for most slain would re-form in their own realm after a period of time and the ranks would never lessen. With each use of the Bloodstone some of the horror's soul within is discharged as magical energy, lessening the creature's essence. This is not necessarily a bad thing, though when the essence is expelled completely the horror can once again re-form in its original realm. There is also the chance in the crafting process that the Bloodstones might crack of break, releasing what was held within once more into the world. As of yet there have been no mishaps but continual use of the Bloodstones could have a dire effects onthe future.

Trade

Sent to allies of the Unitum Pact like the Dwarven Enclave and Dracis Collective for master smiths and crafters to utilize in their crafting. The powerful weapons and magical items are then sent back and traded on to other members of the Pact to foster unity and security.

Type

Mineral

Scarcity

The Red Ushad is keeping a tight grip on the trade of Bloodstones making sure few are transported together and usually guarded by a portal mage able to whisk them back to The Crimson Canyons should ships or caravans holding them be raided. They also make sure only so many are sent out of The Crimson Canyons at a time. The Red Ushad know the boon these fuel sources can provide, giving them a leg up on the other nations.

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Credited artists: Alanfrijns