Magestone

>    “The wild Magestone doesn’t kill us; it’s nothing but the truth. That’s why my folk are valuable to the Empire.” *He spat.* “Of course, whatever the wild Magestone gives off kills every other living thing and turns animals into monsters. And if they don’t get us, there’s always the overwork and the slave-drivers to take care of it.”
> - Tinker Sigwold
>
>

Magestone is a living, tangible form of magical energy found beneath the ley lines of magically potent areas of the Land - it serves as the cornerstone of Technomancy and it's miraculous properties were first discovered by Grand-Magus Tezla, who also invented said school of magic. Magestone is usually in blue or green hues, with red magestone being exceptionally rare. Magestone crystals can be both big and small - some are big enough to make shields out of them.

While only the Atlantis Guild uses the precious crystal to power their magics, the other factions often fight to deny the Empire this critical resource. But the arrogant, oppresive Atlantis Guild, self-proclaimed masters of the new world, have perpetrated an abomination on both the Land and a race of its people - the Dwarves.

## Effects

Magestone, as it's name suggest, amplifies magic usage and allows those that previously didn't show any capabilities for magic to cast spells within the school of Technomancy. Despite that, it has baleful effects on those that are exposed to it for too much time, gradually weakening the body, accelerating aging and leading to a slow, painful death in the end.

Magestone also dampens magic around it, which is why Magi of the Atlantis Empire can't just blast the ore with their spells and why Golems can't be used in the mines as either overseers or excavators - the Imperials rely on Dwarven and Human slaves to do the dirty deed, as such. Magestone technology, long-lasting spells and magical artifacts that spend too long in a Magestone mine also become eroded, losing their magical properties.

## Usage

Many factions across the Land have usage for this wondrous mineral, some more malicious than others:

* Atlantis Guild relies on Magestone far more than any other faction - it could be even said that it's built on it. Technomancers of the guild use it to conjure spells, mechanics shape Magestone spines out of it to power their golems and the Magus caste implants them directly into their skulls for great magical power - casting spells this way is agonizing, but the Magi consider it worth the pain in the end. Demi-Magi have one Magestone implant in their heads, Magus can have two or three, Prophet-Magi (example - Osiras, Karrudan) have four and the only one to have 5 in the history of the Land was Grand-Magus Tezla himself. Atlanteans also have invented Magestone scrying stones that allow them farseeing, being able to observe what's happening on great distances.
* Draconum lead their whole lives in pursuit of evolution and constant betterment - both physical and mental. When the time comes, each Draconum undergoes Chrysalis - by finding a place where ley lines are strong and the magestone is plentiful, a Draconum can transform into a new, more powerful form.
* Orcish Shamans chew magestone to gain superb magical powers. The Orc Raiders subfaction of Chaos Shamans crush Magestone into dust and inhale it to enter a state of berserkish fury or magical enlightment, enhancing their physical and magical capabilities. As such, they often work as mercenaries in exchange for Magestone to power their battle trances. The shaman Bloodhawk was the first one to invent this outlandish technique.
* Magestone Storms are a natural occurence - high, swirling clouds of purple and gold that, when passing warriors below, throw flashes of unholy lightning, blasting men and monsters alike with bolts more powerful than any Magestone rifle. They do not occur where Magestone Strip-Mines are and Wylden Forest, and are directly linked to the ley lines of the Land, since when there are none in sight, a Magestone Storm cannot occur.
* While Magestone energy can provide enough energy to levitate a small object, the force is not enough to puncture armor or cause even the most minor damage. But when used correctly, Tezla's Principle of Deflection can allow a Magestone wielder to ward off even the most serious of blows - this is used in, for example, the Wands of Fencing.
* Magestone Bracers are a favorite of rich Atlanteans. These trinkets bear the taints of distant Magestone mines. The crystals are processed to remove almost all of their dangerous magical energies, but a glimmer of force remains, to grant the wearer a subtle resistance to spells - as well as a sparkling attire.
* Bullets carved from rare red Magestone impact with explosive force - such bullets are used, for example, in Dragonsbreath.
* Magestone Armor is a prototype crafted by Grand-Magus Tezla. This breastplate could imbue even non-mages with the power of Techomancy, allowing them to lead Atlantis to victory against even the most lethal of enemies.

## Types

Aside from the usual Magestone, there exists a special, non-magical Magestone, cultivated by the Crystal Bladesmen of the Elemental League. Save for its resistance to damage, a Crystal Bladesman’s Magestone sword has no special powers; however, a few of their blades “sing” when wind runs across their edges. The crystal sword of a Crystal Bladesman is lighter, and, therefore, more responsive than a metal sword, and holds an edge better than steel. Such swords are grown, not forged, and like their wielders, they are as fragile as they are deadly. A crystal sword deteriorates quickly if it's taken from its owner - it loses it's healthy luster and edge, and is likely to shatter if used in combat.

Black is a very rare hue of Magestone and unlike it's brothers who serve as magical conduits, black Magestone devours magic - one such Magestone is carved into the top of the staff Mageblight.

***Atlantis Guild***

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Rebel Thunder (Bill McCay), Prologue
2. ↑ https://www.mageknight.net/wp-content/uploads/Mage-Knight-Comic-Book-Rebellion.pdf
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 https://www.mageknight.net/wp-content/uploads/Mage-Knight-2.0-Card-Set-Relics.pdf
4. ↑ Mage Knight Stolen Destiny #2
5. ↑ Rebel Thunder (Bill McCay), Chapter 7
6. ↑ https://www.mageknight.net/wp-content/uploads/Mage-Knight-Lore-Expansion-Rebellion.pdf
7. ↑ https://www.mageknight.net/wp-content/uploads/Mage-Knight-2.0-Card-Set-Domains.pdf
8. ↑ https://www.mageknight.net/wp-content/uploads/Mage-Knight-2.0-Card-Set-Items.pdf