Warning
This page contains minor spoilers that are not hidden from view.
Description
Named after the castle where they were discovered, Blackstones are extremely potent magic crystals that can be harnessed for all kinds of purposes. Their origin is still unknown, and have only been mined below Castle Blackwater until now. Only a few are currently in circulation, and acquiring one is considered a great achievement.
Origin
From the few samples that could be analysed, scholars believe Blackstones to be unnatural in origin. Some believe them to be man-made, some believe they come from different realms.
DM Note
The Blackstone is a product of the Myrtis’ experimentation. It used to grow in her lair below Castle Blackwater, and has since spread to the caves below the Castle, where Lord Blackwater discovered its existence. Mount Hotenow’s eruption caused the earth to shift, pushing the crystals closer to the surface.
Power & Usage
A Blackstone’s potency is wildly unpredictable. A small stone could offer more power than one thrice its size, and there is no way to measure a stone’s potential before using it. Their power output, however, is always the same, regardless of their potency.
Once a blackstone has been emptied of about half of its power, the usually shiny and hard surface will start to degrade, becoming slightly dusty and coarse. Shortly before being empty of power, the stone’s surface will start to show small, spiderweb-like cracks. Once fully emptied, the stone disintegrates, turning to soot.
If a Blackstone is exposed to sufficient force or magical power, it will release all of its power in a single, explosive burst that takes the form of a (relatively, cannot be outrun) slow, ashy shockwave, similar to a volcano’s pyroclastic flow. This explosion is proportional to the stone’s potency, and can reach a size of a few hundred meters.
The power output of a Blackstone is unmatched. Machines may malfunction if not built to handle such amounts, and unprepared mages will faint from the sudden influx of magical power. As such, a less potent stone may crumble in seconds, as the output far exceeds its power reserves. Stones of the highest potency may continually produce power for weeks, even months before crumbling. If a mage were to overuse Blackstones for their own gain, they’ll likely become addicted to the unmatched and sudden rush of power.