Arcainium

Arcainium, also known as mana crystals, are naturally forming crystals that appear in areas with high concentrations of magical energy. They are typically blue, though their hue and magical effects can vary depending on the elemental magics present where they formed.

Arcainium can be ingested, often causing physical growth and heightened aggression. Because they become increasingly dangerous in larger quantities, possession and use of these crystals may require a Mage license and specialized enchanting permits. Arcainium is frequently used to create or enhance magical items, though magic items can still be crafted without it—they are simply less potent.

On rare occasions, Arcainium crystals may grow near locations where powerful mages spend long periods studying or practicing their craft, sometimes even embedding themselves within the mages’ own bodies. These crystals are thought to absorb residual magical energy over time, forming like a slow, arcane mineralization. The phenomenon is slightly more common among long-lived races, such as ancient dragons, whose centuries of magical presence provide the perfect conditions for crystallization.

Legends speak of wizards whose fingertips shimmered with tiny crystals, granting them bursts of unexpected power—or, in some cases, corrupting their minds with an insidious magical resonance. Scholars debate whether these crystals are simply byproducts of sustained magical activity or if they are semi-sentient entities, drawn to individuals of exceptional talent. Alchemists and artificers prize even the smallest fragments, claiming they can be used to amplify spells, forge enchanted items, or create unpredictable magical effects.

However, the growth of Arcainium is not without risk. Crystals that form too close to living tissue can interfere with the host’s natural magic, sometimes twisting abilities in dangerous or uncontrollable ways. For this reason, the appearance of Arcainium on a person—or even near them—is often viewed with a mixture of awe and fear.