Crystal

Fictional record. This page describes a mining commodity from a fictional setting, not a real material. Information is based on the cited canon, with adaptations and interpretation distinguished where necessary. It is kept separate from the real MineArchive corpus — see Fictional.

One of the most valuable materials known in Valisthea, prized for its ability to channel ambient aether from the air, allowing people without innate magical power to cast magicks.

Where it occurs

Occurs as the substance of the Mothercrystals themselves -- five enormous glassy mountains scattered across Valisthea, each the heart of a great nation. Smaller shards are cut or broken from the Mothercrystals for everyday distribution.

How it's obtained

Shards are mined directly from the body of a Mothercrystal; supply and distribution is heavily regulated by the government of whichever nation controls the source mountain.

Properties

A given shard can only channel a finite amount of aether before it shatters and is spent, making demand for freshly mined crystal constant and, per the game's own late-story revelation, tied to the Mothercrystals' true and sinister purpose: they were planted by the being Ultima specifically to draw aether from the earth, the same process responsible for the spreading, life-killing Deadlands.

Why it's valuable

The material underpinning Valisthea's entire magical economy -- without it, those unable to manipulate aether directly (the majority of the population) cannot cast magicks at all.

Uses

Rationed to ordinary households as 'municipal shards' to fire forges and power wells; also channelled through Dominants and Eikons at far greater, weaponised scale. Penalties for illicit trade are severe, yet a black market persists because demand so heavily outstrips supply.

Recorded claims

Each claim is marked with its basis — explicit canon, MineArchive inference, adaptation only, or fandom interpretation — and attached to the source(s) below. Where tellings disagree, both are kept.

• Crystal's supply and distribution is heavily regulated by governments across the Twins; the penalties for illicit trade are severe, yet demand far outstrips supply and a black market persists regardless. (explicit canon) ¹
• Clive and Joshua learn that the Mothercrystals were planted in Valisthea by the being Ultima specifically so that it could draw enough aether from the earth to eventually cast a world-remaking spell; the same aether-leaching process is responsible for the advance of the Deadlands. (explicit canon) ²

Fictional mines producing this

Included only where MineArchive's own research gives a reasonable evidential basis.

• Drake's Fang
  Drake's Fang is one of the five Mothercrystals from which crystal shards are excavated across Valisthea.

Sources

1. (interpretation) Crystal — Gamer Guides
2. (interpretation) The Mothercrystals — Gamer Guides

Record created: 30 August 2026 · Last researched: 30 August 2026