Iskra

Iskra (pronounced Ee-skrah, plural iskra) is an amaranth-colored material similar, in its natural state, to rock. Not native to the planet of Elohii, it's theorized that iskra develops in space and is deposited naturally as falling debris. While appearing inanimate, iskra displays varying levels of what can be described as sentience through limited psychic abilities and the ability to manipulate reality immediately surrounding it. Capable of being focused, or channeled, through concentration and communication, although expresses erratic behavior. A corrosive substance, iskra causes various toxic effects on contact with different species expressing varying degrees of resistance.

Physical Properties
Iskra is a crystalline substance with qualities similar to quartz, which occurs naturally on Elohii, and is most often a deep red color though may also range to purple, or rarest yet, gold. It is typically transparent and glass-like however internal fractions and imperfections are very common. Even in small quantities, iskra produces a small, steady vibration that may create a hum of varying pitch given fractures or other imperfections making perfect or silent articles of iskra highly valuable. This vibration is thought to be some manner of communication or self-expression as articles are known to change the pitch of their vibration (as if speaking) when placed near one another, or simply when introduced to a new person or situation. Pieces of iskra may harmonize or compete, producing either sweet music or ear-splitting screeches when placed near one another. The largest known set of harmonized iskra, located in Udara's central chapel, is known as the Queens' Voice, consisting of over a thousand pieces.

Though similar to quartz, iskra is treated like metal during refinement, having a melting point close to that of iron. Melted iskra may be reformed similar to glass, however loses its crystalline structure and strength, becoming incredibly brittle when cooled again. Though still partially active and capable of reacting to triggers, refined iskra is weak at best and does not possess the vibrations or corrosive nature of raw iskra, and is much more simple to control.

Nature and Abilities
Iskra is a powerful, otherworldly thing thought to feed (this term used passively as feeding does not seem to cause depletion) on experiences and energy, maturing from the highly common, dangerous, relatively weak articles of raw iskra into powerful, articulate cores. Expressing what is often described as sentience and even identifiable personality quirks through the manipulation of reality around it, iskra is thought to be highly complex and perhaps even communal, though understanding is limited and much of the population of Elohii is at least wary of the strange humming rock.

Being capable of manipulating reality, iskra is full of incredible power potential, though the best pieces are those that have been raised and nurtured by the experiences of their owners. The process of maturing raw iskra may take anywhere from a decade to a lifetime, or more, making the resulting cores both powerful and rare. Although iskra seems limitless in ability, its reality-altering properties are decidedly corrosive and demand equality, rendering iskra both incapable of healing or otherwise promoting growth, as well as making it incredibly dangerous to wield, requiring any and all aspiring iskra users to be careful and capable of forethought as to avoid any dangerous situations.

It may be important to note that iskra's reality-manipulating qualities are the cause for most cultures on the Amarantine Coast to dispose of their dead in manners that destroy the body entirely (such as cremation) as iskra is known to reanimate the deceased occassionally. Though the reanimated corpses are rarely aggressive, they may speak or move about some, rarely achieving locomotion. In such cases the reanimated body may exhibit some jumbled sense of self similar to that of the person it was in life, or it may exhibit an entirely alien personality.

Iskra Toxicity
Being naturally corrosive, direct, physical interaction with iskra with iskra for most living things results in symptoms similar radiation poisoning, including, but not limited to, skin irritation, rashes, stubborn wounds, discoloration, lesions and burns ranging from first to third degree burns. Ingestion of iskra may result in psychological anomolies such as schizophrenia, paranoia or hallucinations while potentially causing seizures, necrosis, or even death. Over the course of evolution, many species and races have developed varying levels resistance or tolerance to iskra, while others have not. This resistance level may also influence an individual's ability to channel the power of iskra by thought.