Ashvar Mine

== Chapter One: Discovery and the Founding of Ascension Academy ==
Following the founding of the Cross-Allied Forces in 1855, new sources of valuable resources and money were sought out by the young alliance that dreamed of sustaining itself in perpetuity. Part of this initiative was the formation of Academies across the world, to train the brightest mages and strongest fighters.
One location of interest to the Cross-Allied Forces was a lonely valley in the heartland of Southern Valendor. The region had been lightly prospected for a rare crystal known as Attunement Crystals in the years prior, but was believed to have been mined dry. However with diligence and use of Earth Magic, new caverns and cave systems were uncovered revealing a wealth of these Crystals which supplied the Cross-Allied Forces with the funds needed to construct their first Academy, within that very same valley. This was Ascension Academy.
== Chapter Two: Value and Uses ==
The Attunement Crystals were discovered to have a very vital use- maintaining protective Barriers. In a post-war world where humanity once more had to truly fear the monsters of the wild, and other reawakened threats, this was invaluable. The largest Crystals were mined and shipped to critical sites such Ancestra, and other strongholds of civilization. Smaller crystals were sent to surviving religious sites and temples, to preserve them. The largest crystal by far however was kept, and placed upon the roof of Ascension Academy following it’s construction. It remains the largest single crystal found intact to this day.
Further, Attunement Crystals were found not only to be very potent for mass produced staves, wands, and weaponry, but they were also found able to be attuned to the elements. Once a crystal is attuned it worked as a very efficient conduit for this element. They are also able to be used to detect an individual’s own Affinity very easily, simply by pushing a small amount of mana into the Crystal. Even those unskilled in using Activators and casting are able to be tested in this way.
== Chapter Three: Esperia and Keystones ==
A final use for Attunement Crystals was discovered some years after, by the small island state of Esperia. This state valued its scientific research greatly, and because of this made many leaps in their development. One of the most important was the invention of Keystones. Keystones are an incredibly complex creation using Attunement Crystals engraved with complex rune matrixes. Put simply, they are capable of drawing in mana from their surroundings and casting a set spell in perpetuity.
This discovery grew the small island state into an archipelago kingdom in just a few short years as their power and influence grew. This discovery led to the invention of various mana-powered machines and even rudimentary constructs, both of which they iterated on and developed further with time. Esperia was brought into the Cross-Allied Forced soon after, and trade deals were arranged between the monarchy and Ascension Academy personally. Ascension Academy would provide the nation with Attunement Crystals, in exchange Esperia would provide the Academy with Keystone.
The creation of these Keystones is the best kept secret of the Esperian state, and they are currently still the only ones capable of creating these wonders- though not for a lack of trying. Other groups’ attempts to replicate these Keystones have often ended in disaster, but occasionally the effort leads to a new, albeit less impressive, discovery.
Category:Ascension Lore
Category:Books