The Magical Properties of Gems

Introduction:
It has come to be known that certain materials exist in the great realm of Fou Lu that enhance, entrap or dispel various types of energy. These materials have long been a mystery in the eyes of mortals and some have even become an enigma to the Gods themselves. Many of these materials will be exhibited in this document and explained to the furthest possible point.

The Creation:
The Gods did not create these materials, as many believe, rather it was Primus himself who unwittingly manifested the gemstones and jewels that exist today. In the great nothingness beyond the recognition of mortal minds, Primus created all that is. His thoughts became reality and in this reality there was a great intermingling of thoughts to create all things. Chaos and Form were to be Nature and so forth, but this is no rendition of the Scroll of Primus. It was Spirit, the fourth thought and Form, the third thought, that came together and created these gems. However, as one can imagine, this did not take place before Unity had come to be. So it was within Unity and two other thoughts of Primus that gems came to be.

The Gems:
Emerald – Dio, Earth, Nature

Topaz – Volkain, Air

Ruby – Mercu, Fire

Sapphire – Aidon, Water

Amethyst – Thanatos, The Mind

Quartz - Althena

Diamond – Primus

How They Work:
All of the stones, as exhibited above, have the ability to trap, absorb, amplify or nullify the elements they have been linked to. This effect is produced by the ebb and flow of magic that is released within them. A wise magician can use the stones to produce a desired effect by controlling the amount of energy poured into the stone and the way in which it is poured. The reason that the rare gems and jewels of the world are capable of such power is due to the actual structure of the gem. One cannot think in the usual method when speaking of the structure of the gems because we are not speaking of the physical structure but rather the underlying Spirit-Structure of the gem at hand.
As said above, each of the gems was formed by a combination of Spirit and Form. This means that while the gem exists in the physical world, it has a spiritual counter-part which is responsible for the actual abilities of the gem. By no means are these rocks living entities, nor is there a finite amount of any particular gem… Except in some occasions. How they continue to be produced within the womb of the Earth cannot be said. There are complex things at work and continually are the thoughts of Primus mingling to create new entities.

The Effect:
The effect of any given gemstone upon the forces at work is determined merely by the size of the stone itself. The larger the stone is, the more energy it can absorb, nullify or amplify. One must never forget, however, that the larger the stone is the more difficult it is to use. A weaker magician fooling with a fist-sized ruby could cause a catastrophic backlash.
It is also important to keep in mind that gems are primal forces of existence. They cannot be used for clever spells or minor altercations in magic. They are simple in their use but in all their simplicity, they make a large difference. The use of a ruby the size of a golf-ball could double or even triple the power of a fire based spell… Depending upon the power and intelligence of the magician who is using it.
Runes are not gems. They are different things with different purposes. Runes serve an exact purpose with a complex and clever outcome. They are designed to serve a unique purpose and more often than not, gems or gem powders are used in the creation of runes. Trying to reduce inebriation with a gem will get you dead whereas trying to do the same with a rune crafted for that specific purpose may or may not work… Once more depending upon who created the rune and who is using it.

Enigma Stones:
These are the stones that are wrought in shadow and mystery. These vessels are known to contain powerful magic when wielded in the proper manner, but the truth of these powers is yet to be discovered. In the fullest possible manner, the abilities of these outsider stones have been described.

Onyx – A dark rock that seems to be somehow linked with the Realm of Shade. These stones are often used in complex Necromantic rituals and seem to be a sort of bridge between the Realm of Existence and that darker place.

Quartz – For some mysterious reason, this material is used to represent Althena. The reason for this is not known.

Diamond – Diamonds are used to represent Primus because they are a collection of all things unto one. They, however, have limited uses in the world of magic. They can only trap and nullify magic, not expand and amplify it. Once again, no one knows why.

Amber – Amber is related to the complex theory of time. Often stones of amber are found with insects or other creatures preserved within them. No one can grasp quite how this occurs, but it has been used to look back into the past of Fou Lu. Amber is most prominently used in the art of scrying because of its unique Spirit-Structure.

The Orb of Althena – Said to be a crossroads between Althena’s realm and ours. There is only one of these in existence.

-Kahztharid Mistandor – Jewel Crafter