Aetherquartz

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Aetherquartz of Hysh

Aetherquartz, also known as Hysh Crystal is the prismatically pure realmstone of Hysh.

Appearance

Aetherquartz is different from the other types of Realmstone as it does not exist naturally in solid form, instead taking the form of beams of yellow-white illumination that travel the realms. Aetherquartz beam move so quickly that they could not be trapped or siphoned until Teclis taught the seers of Hysh how. After being captured, the light turns into a magical translucent material whose esoteric configurations can only be understod by the aelves of Hysh.[1][2][3a]

Properties

Aetherquartz has strange prismatic powers which can concentrate, dissipate, absorb or dispel magical energies.[2][3a]

Uses

A common use of aetherquartz is in devices which can concentrate or dissipate arcane energy, and the Lumineth have developed many such devices, ranging from handheld geometric prisms to enormous spires like the Tower of Prios. The realmstone is also used to etch mystic patterns on tools or weapons, and it is believed by outsiders than Lumineth use aetherquartz in the forging of sunmetal.[5a]

Aetherquartz, when used on a person, can fill its bearer with Hysh’s light, giving them heightened senses, rapid reflexes and faster thinking. Therefore, it is most useful to users of magic but anyone from an artist to a simple guard watching over a street could benefit from it. The Lumineth in particular are known for embedding the realmstone in jewelry and the hilts of weapons, but in the past went as far as piercing their skin with aetherquartz or placing it under their tongues to continuously experience luminous clarity. However, such use comes at a high cost, as when the light within the crystal is used up it absorbs compassion, caution, and other distracting emotions. After the stimulation wears off, the world becomes grey and lifeless, forcing addicts to use more aetherquartz, with highs getting increasingly shorter while lows get deeper. Spent crystals do not radiate light but instead begin radiating psychic anguish. The Lumineth created the caste of Scinari Cathallars to safely dispose used aetherquartz, as otherwise it tears at the fabric of reality, attracting Slaaneshi daemons. Poor disposal could also result in disastrous consequences, as demonstrated by the formation of the Pit of Cathartia, a landfill of spent aetherquartz that imploded and replaced the city where it once stood with a pit of shadow that paralyses those near it with overwhelming sorrow.[5a]

Notable Objects

  • Tower of Prios: An enormous tower built by Teclis out of Aetherquartz. It's purifying beam was used to lessen the effects of Nagash's Necroquake on Realm of Light.[2][3a]
  • The Evershroud: One of the legendary compound-artefacts created by the Arch-Domini of the Agloraxi Empire, a blinding crystal of aetherquartz and falsestone that turns its bearer invisible except in direct sunlight. It also makes them ethereal and impervious to attack and incapable of attacking. Prolonged exposure makes it impossible for the bearer to age and no one will be able to touch or hear the bearer, dooming them to an eternity of impenetrable isolation.[4a]

Sources

Magic of the Mortal Realms and Beyond
Lores of Magic Magic Spectrum Heavens {{{3}}}Beasts {{{3}}}Fire {{{3}}}Metal {{{3}}}Life {{{3}}}Death {{{3}}}Light {{{3}}}Shadows {{{3}}}
Chaos Beasts of Chaos (Twisted WildsDark Storm) • Chaos Ascendant (Ruinous Sorcery) • Disciples of Tzeentch (FateChange) • Hedonites of Slaanesh (SlaaneshForbidden Sorceries of SlaaneshPain and Pleasure) • Maggotkin of Nurgle (MalignanceVirulenceFoulness) • Skaven (RuinWarpvolt Galvanism) • Slaves to Darkness (Damned)
Death Flesh-Eater Courts (Madness) • Legions of Nagash (Sorrows) • Soulblight Gravelords (DeathmagesVampires) • Nighthaunt (Underworlds) • Ossiarch Bonereapers (MortisansNecro-Alchemy)
Destruction Gloomspite Gitz (MoonclansSpiderfangs) • Ogor Mawtribes (GutmagicSun-Eater) • Orruk Warclans (WeirdSavage Waaagh!Savage BeastSwamp)
Order Cities of Sigmar (CinderCollegiate ArcaneLeavesSmogPhoenixDark SorceryWhitefireEaglesUmbral SpiteIlluminationGhurish Heartlands) • Daughters of Khaine (Shadows) • Idoneth Deepkin (Deeps) • Lumineth Realm-lords (HyshHigh PeaksWindsZaitrec) • Seraphon (Celestial DominationCelestial Manipulation) • Stormcast Eternals (DrakesStormInvigoration) • Sylvaneth (Deepwood)
Unaligned Realmsphere Magic (EightpointsShadespire) • Ice
Realmstone AetherquartzAmberboneCelestiumChamoniteCyclestoneEmberstoneFalsestoneGrave-SandNullstoneVaraniteWarpstone
Magic Crafts Alchemy (Aether-KhemistryDark AlchemyNecro-Alchemy (Soul Alchemy)) • ChantooRunecraft
Other BloodGrudgeMinor CantripsNull
Arcanum OptimarEndless SpellIncarnateSpells (Common SpellsUnits Spells)