Gem

Origin: Created by Polaena and her gemsmith Lovitavo Associated With: Gemwielders, Polaenian Church

Overview

The ten holy catalysts placed across Alatrya at the beginning of the Magician's Era. Each Gem is tied to one of the ten elemental gods and their respective element, and functions as a permanent broadcast of that element's mana across the entire continent, enabling mortal attunement. Without the Gems, widespread elemental magic would not be possible.

Each Gem is small, a precious stone of a rich color corresponding to its element, with mana held inside in a visible flow-state. Even when bonded to a bearer, they emanate a detectable field of Natural Mana Density (NMD) that can be located with a Manometer.

Properties / Abilities

• Passively broadcasts its element's mana across all of Alatrya, enabling attunement in the population
• When bonded to a bearer, the Gem is absorbed into the body and stored within the Mana Bank; the bearer can summon its physical form at will, usually manifesting from the palm
• Bonding occurs on first contact: the Gem surges its power into the holder's blood and Bank in an intensely painful burst
• Amplifies the bearer's elemental power significantly beyond what an ordinary person can achieve
• If a bearer dies alone, the Gem's power dies with them. If the Gem is forcibly taken from a living bearer, it bonds to the one who takes it, transferring all power to the new holder
• A Gem that is distorted or neglected by its corresponding deity can cause the bearer's spells to weaken and distort

Known Holders or Locations

• Arveshia's Gem (Shadow) — Anue Beidaka, bearer; previously held at the Arveshian Shrine in Lumen
• Vathem's Gem (Wind) — Chuntian Zhenfung, bearer
• Kashtet's Gem (Fire) — Huolong, bearer; stolen from its original resting place on an offshore island
• Faemelia's Gem (Water) — Dhathrir Szakuvya, bearer; stolen from and at the cost of Lynaria Praczaya
• Ulmanae's Gem (Light) — Lycheseia Athalnus, bearer
• Dvanithe's Gem (Earth) — Mataki Naleva, bearer
• Lavi's Gem (Nature) — Nara Zamolvga, bearer; given directly by Lavi
• Seville's Gem (Magnetism) — Tahlii A'Trentao, bearer; given directly by Seville in a cave on the Tuithe Islands
• Gyoledt's Gem (Electricity) — Alvayr Vahamenr, bearer
• Erimevia's Gem (Healing) — Maresi Gratalza, bearer

History

Conceived when Vathem wished to gift his power to his betrothed, Trovia. After deliberation among the Eleven, Polaena directed her gemsmith Lovitavo, a Dragonkin, to craft ten stones, one per element. These were placed in locations across Alatrya and their power was bound into them, broadcasting mana to the world. The ten elemental gods then personally taught the mortals how to use their respective elements. The Gems have remained active ever since, and their bearers are chosen by the gods themselves.

Notes

• The Gems are among the most closely guarded secrets on Alatrya; knowledge of them is restricted to organizations like Cavant A-Meftua and the Polaenian Church
• Fire mana from Kashtet's Gem emits a faint reddish glow when buried; it was located by Huolong using a Manometer to track NMD
• A Gem in distress (when a god is withholding communication from their bearer) manifests visually as a distorted, fluid shape rather than its normal organized octagonal form (except for the Shadow Gem, which is shaped fluidly by default)