Lirilite
Lirilite, also commonly referred to as Star Opal, is a naturally occuring mineral gemstone that has similar properties to an opal with a physical appearance that is similar to that of a cross between a moonstone and a white opal; it is a very rare gemstone which is highly prized for both it's beauty and it's magical properties. The location to mine it is a closely guarded secret, and new infusions of raw material to the market is infrequent.
These stones are hard to work with. While they are fairly easy to polish smooth, they are quite brittle when one attempts to cut or facet them. As such, it is more common to find them in round and ovoid shapes, and in freeform faceted shapes. A very patient and talented gemsmith can perform some standard gemstone cuts, but it is almost unheard of to find them carved into any other shapes by hand. If they are carved, it is by magic, and takes a steady hand, a steady output of magic, and a long time.
Once a spell or magical effect has been anchored into a piece of Lirilite, most any mage can use it and in some case even some non-mages can use it, such as when a basic spell is triggered with a spoken trigger word. It's not usually worth the hassle of working with Lirilite unless it's a large or complicated spell work, needs to last an incredibly long time, or some other specialized reason. Magic Reservoir or Focus
Due to the tricky nature of working with Lirilite, and how expensive it is, it's not most magic-user's first choice of focus or reservoir. There are exceptions, of course. Some mages have a particular connection to it, need it for the level of magic they are practicing, have an affinity for it for religious reasons, etc., etc..
Description
These gemstones form in layers of milky white and a clear with a rainbow sheen, with a natural opalescent luster. When polished to a rounded shape, they tend to have a softer, more matte finish and less of a rainbow prism. When cut and polished with faceted edges in more "traditional" gem shapes, they have much more striking rainbow prism effects.These stones are hard to work with. While they are fairly easy to polish smooth, they are quite brittle when one attempts to cut or facet them. As such, it is more common to find them in round and ovoid shapes, and in freeform faceted shapes. A very patient and talented gemsmith can perform some standard gemstone cuts, but it is almost unheard of to find them carved into any other shapes by hand. If they are carved, it is by magic, and takes a steady hand, a steady output of magic, and a long time.
Magical Properties
Lirilite is highly prized by magic-users across the world. This gemstone can hold more magic by sheer volume or complexity than any other known gemstone. But working with Lirilite is tricky, and not for the novice; in most cases using Lirilite requires a lot of training and even attunement to different strands and batches. Spell Stone or Spell AnchorOnce a spell or magical effect has been anchored into a piece of Lirilite, most any mage can use it and in some case even some non-mages can use it, such as when a basic spell is triggered with a spoken trigger word. It's not usually worth the hassle of working with Lirilite unless it's a large or complicated spell work, needs to last an incredibly long time, or some other specialized reason. Magic Reservoir or Focus
Due to the tricky nature of working with Lirilite, and how expensive it is, it's not most magic-user's first choice of focus or reservoir. There are exceptions, of course. Some mages have a particular connection to it, need it for the level of magic they are practicing, have an affinity for it for religious reasons, etc., etc..
Sources of Lirilite & Mining Lirilite
Lirilite has only ever been mined in Mare'n, and the mine locations are a closely guarded tribal secret. Outsiders are never taken near the places where Lirilite is found, and the outflow of Lirilite into the world economy is kept at a trickle. They consider themselves stewards of the gemstone, not owners of it. Lirilite is found in cave systems. Most of those cave systems are found on the outlying islands of Mare'n, though there are one or two underground cave systems on the mainland. The stone is mined by hand, generally by specially trained miners who dedicate their lives to the task, but almost all teen Tribespeople are assigned a rotation of learning this task as well. How much of the gemstone is harvested, stored, and traded is governed by Starguides, in turn acting under the direct guidance of Liril.Superstitions and Stories
(to be continued)
Image AI generated at gencraft.com
Lirilite
Also Known As
Star OpalType
GemstoneNative Locations
WestraUnited Tribes of Mare'n
Kingdom of Delryn
Rarity
Very RareValue
Very Expensive - price dependant on size of stone, cut of stone, and whether it has been magic'd beforeColor
White with a Rainbow Sheen
Shar's Cave
A hidden cave mine of Lirilite crystals, Shar's cave is actually tucked away on Delrynian land, just cross the border from Mare'n. Perhaps the Tribespeople knew of it at one point before borders were as formal as they are now or perhaps it has gone unremarked for all of these years, but it sits fairly untouched by aught except the occasional curious traveler. For some time it has been occupied by the sentience of a Tribal child who was trapped there, giving the cave a spooky or haunted vibe and perhaps contributing to why it has remained undiscovered for so long.
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