Crystalline

## Introduction

Crystallines, Equus Mana Crystalline, are a long forgotten race of pony said to hail from the Arctic Wastes. There was little to no information on them prior to the return of the Crystal Empire in 1002DCE, and most of that was simply the fact that they existed, and that relations had begun to form between the Empire and Ancient Equestria. However, this information was mainly used in speculation between niche historians, and thus Crystallines were far from common knowledge to the average pony.

## The Crystal Heart and Crystalline Magic

The central point of their magic is their Crystal Heart, an artefact found thousands of years ago by the First Crystal Empress, who had united the Crystallines and helped form a symbiotic relation with the Wind Bringers. But even prior to that, the Crystallines relied on general light, love, and Crystalline magic, hence their name. As there is Solar Magic and Lunar Magic (even if this distinction is terribly under researched until years after Queen Luna returns) there is also Crystalline Magic. This sort of magic is the heart of not only Crystallines, but also Equestria's artefacts, which is what gives them such high Mana content and potential. One such example is the Elements of Harmony and their ability to banish and imprison even the most powerful of foes. Crystalline magic is the most powerful magic in the world, rivalling that of Draconequus' Chaos magic.

Healing magic is also much higher among Crystallines. Meaning that they are able to safely use their magic to heal creatures of varying degrees of sickness or injury. C. Terra have this in a more passive sense; being around them can increase healing, though more so if that is their Special Talent and with almost no risk. C. Unicorns can actively encourage and speed up healing through spells, however this does have a higher risk, though not as much as Equestrian Unicorns. Crystallines have this ability due to the innately harmonious energy of Crystalline Mana, meaning it very rarely conflicts with a creatures own Mana.

## Physical Attributes

Crystallines looks are affected by their state of mind and mana; when they are full of negativity and/or are separated from the Crystal Heart, their usual crystal coat and metallic manes dull severely. Their mane loses its volume, and the hexagonal light reflections in their eyes dim. When the Crystal Heart's power is boosted, their coats shine with renewed splendour, their manes and tails are almost crystallised into beautiful works of art, and their crystal hooves leave hoofprints of their respective gems, creating a kaleidoscopic floor along the Empire. Usually their coats and mane do shine, and their body is faceted like a gem.

The hooves of a Crystalline are made of their birth crystal. Along with this, they have parts of their birth crystal growing around their body. A Crystallines' birth crystal is not chosen by the parents or even by genetics, though it isn't uncommon for a foal to have the same crystal as one or both parents. It acts similar to a regular pony's magical reserve and as such is almost an extension of a Crystallines' Special Talent. Unlike Special Talents, multiple Crystallines can be made of the same Crystal type. It's more so an indication of the kind of magic they will be drawn to, and it's based on what a gem symbolises. For example, Rosebud Quartz and Princess Mi Amore Cadenza are made of rose quartz, meaning their magic is more rooted in boosting love, acts of self-love, etc. etc. However, their Special Talents are not the same.

## Races

While a large part of the Crystalline population are Terra, it wasn't uncommon for there to be Crystalline Unicorns or Pegasi...at least before King Sombra came into power.

### Crystalline Unicorns

C. Unicorns were quite different to their Equestrian counterpart, not only in magical ability, but their horn is different as well. Instead of skin and keratin, C. Unicorn horns are made of their birth stone (the gem they are made from) and they have two separate horns: the main one on the centre of their forehead and a smaller one behind the main one. Their horns are also jagged, like a larger version of the crystals that grow around their body.

## Life & Culture

### Birth

Crystalline birth is quite different to the average pony's, and is also known as the Shattering. This is because, after conception, a Crystalline will begin to be covered in the crystal that their foal is made from. Their coat shimmers and becomes more facet-like, especially in the beginning. However, it also causes them to stiffen at the joints and makes moving around very difficult, up until their due date. While a Crystalline gives birth, the crystals that had grown on them throughout the months shatters and cracks off.

## Celebrations

### The Crystalling

When a Crystalline is born, their eyes are covered in their crystals, and takes a few days to naturally crack and fall off. Once this happens, a Crystalline foal now has their Crystalling! The specifics of this fantastical ceremony will be touched on later, however the most important part is the Charged Crystal that foals get after their ceremony. This crystal holds a small amount of the Crystal Hearts Mana as well as the light and love shared by the attending Crystallines as it travels to the Heart itself. The purpose of the Charged Crystal is to ensure that the Crystalline will always have the Hearts power flowing through it, which allows them to travel away from the Crystal Heart without negative repercussions. Similar to Grogar and his bell, it's the source of a large amount of their power, and can also be used as a last resort boost of magic when cracked open, sort of like a shot of adrenaline in a life or death situation. It's also a way for the Hearts power to spread strongly across the wide Crystal Empire, expanding the borders through the community Crystallines share. Each Crystalline keeps their charged Crystal on them for their entire life, usually as some sort of accessory or pendant. Empress Amore kept hers as a pendant for her horn ring, and it sat within a citrine shard on her forehead. Other types include head bands, necklaces, bracelets, tail accessories, etc.