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![[Iridescence] The Source Of Our Power](http://d.furaffinity.net/art/laurenrivers/1434843218/1434843218.laurenrivers_jewel.jpg "Click to change the View")
Traveling between settlements on their way to reunite with Kyle, Lauren stopped as she came upon something she had not seen in quite some time. A natural Talwyn crystal. She stopped to observe it while Chris consulted the map.
After a moment, she noticed Topaz's inquisitive expression as she leaned in to see what Lauren was looking at. "What is it?"
"The source of our power." Lauren touched it with her hand. "You know the crystals you use to train? As well as the ones that most users carry to utilize the craft?"
"I do, I have a couple on me right now," Topaz said.
Lauren ran her fingers across its smooth surface. It was a beautiful blue, almost appearing to be liquid yet with nothing one could perceive holding its shape. She motioned for Topaz to lean in closer. "This is the raw form of those crystals. Workers would retrieve these and refine them into a polished oval form that we use and carry to grant us access to the twelve styles of the craft. This is a water crystal."
"Your element." Chris approached from behind, a green crystal in his hand.
"Yes. I carried one of these during my training period. Crystals like these are common. The Keystones, on the other hand, are a little harder to find." Lauren lowered her hand and stood.
Chris looked at his watch. "We'd better get going if we're going to make the rendezvous on time."
Lauren conceded the point with a nod, and the trio resumed their walk.
Art by
squeakie
After a moment, she noticed Topaz's inquisitive expression as she leaned in to see what Lauren was looking at. "What is it?"
"The source of our power." Lauren touched it with her hand. "You know the crystals you use to train? As well as the ones that most users carry to utilize the craft?"
"I do, I have a couple on me right now," Topaz said.
Lauren ran her fingers across its smooth surface. It was a beautiful blue, almost appearing to be liquid yet with nothing one could perceive holding its shape. She motioned for Topaz to lean in closer. "This is the raw form of those crystals. Workers would retrieve these and refine them into a polished oval form that we use and carry to grant us access to the twelve styles of the craft. This is a water crystal."
"Your element." Chris approached from behind, a green crystal in his hand.
"Yes. I carried one of these during my training period. Crystals like these are common. The Keystones, on the other hand, are a little harder to find." Lauren lowered her hand and stood.
Chris looked at his watch. "We'd better get going if we're going to make the rendezvous on time."
Lauren conceded the point with a nod, and the trio resumed their walk.
Art by
squeakie
Category Artwork (Digital) / General Furry Art
Species Zebra
Size 1203 x 1280px
File Size 393 kB
Listed in Folders
Conventional users typically train and carry only one type of crystal. They're allowed to change during their training period until they decide which one they'd like to specialize in, and while you can train in multiple types, if you're using any of them you can only use one at a time. To use ice, you have to remove the fire crystal you're already using.
Masters have access to larger reservoirs of their powers so their abilities are greater, but it is so far not yet established if they can directly use the other crystals once they've become a master, but in theory if so they'd have the same rules as anyone else on the other types.
As far as the most powerful I'm sure each master would recommend their own element, though objectively speaking I'd say it depends on the user. An inventive user of one type can be more powerful than a higher rated individual of another type, depending.
Masters have access to larger reservoirs of their powers so their abilities are greater, but it is so far not yet established if they can directly use the other crystals once they've become a master, but in theory if so they'd have the same rules as anyone else on the other types.
As far as the most powerful I'm sure each master would recommend their own element, though objectively speaking I'd say it depends on the user. An inventive user of one type can be more powerful than a higher rated individual of another type, depending.
I know, she captured it so well. :) Topaz is sort of my character that guides the audience along in my universe. She's young and provides an opening to explain parts of my universe that the other characters already know, and the parental relationship that develops between Lauren and Topaz and that she already has with Chris helps facilitate that.
Topaz is in some ways a prodigy but in many ways she's inexperienced, and her tumultuous teenage period forced her to grow up quickly, but she still remains innocent in a way.
Topaz is in some ways a prodigy but in many ways she's inexperienced, and her tumultuous teenage period forced her to grow up quickly, but she still remains innocent in a way.
Neat. I had kind of wondered what the crystals might look like in their natural state, and where they might be found. I had kind of assumed they would mostly be underground, though I don't know why. But I really like the little wooden stand that these crystals have grown on. Or which, perhaps, has grown up around them. The pool of water underneath is a neat touch as well. Are all Talwyn crystals surrounded by their own particular element like this, or is that just something that happens occasionally? Either way, it must make collecting them a rather interesting experience for some of the elements!
The art is really pretty, and I love the look of awe on Topaz's face. She's adorable. I really like the reverent way that Lauren is reaching out to touch them, as well. It kind of shows you how much respect these crystals command even in their natural state. Which I suppose is only natural given how powerful they are, and how important they are to the people who use them.
The art is really pretty, and I love the look of awe on Topaz's face. She's adorable. I really like the reverent way that Lauren is reaching out to touch them, as well. It kind of shows you how much respect these crystals command even in their natural state. Which I suppose is only natural given how powerful they are, and how important they are to the people who use them.
I admit to being inspired by the sight of the materia fountain in Final Fantasy 7, on which this is loosely based. Presumably based on statements in Zenith and Nadir we can assume that the crystals grow naturally in the Talwyn nation in certain places, determining the location of crystal refineries and other Talwyn settlements. Odds are that this crystal has been here a while. As for whether they're surrounded by their element, it worked well here with water, but so far I haven't actually thought about it though it's more likely that they 'attract' their own element. Such as in the case of Fire, Healing, or Barrier, they may not be formed in any of the above but if there's a fire nearby it could be drawn to it, perhaps indicating how those that seek them find them in the first place. No doubt it would have to be someone's job, and require a good amount of experience cutting them into smaller shapes!
Topaz has likely never seen one before in its natural state, and she's been around the refined versions her whole life as her mom and dad are both heavily involved in the Talwyn affairs. I imagine it's like seeing a place in a photo and then being there firsthand. Nothing quite compares to the experience of seeing and feeling it. Lauren has great respect for her people's heritage and connection to the crystals, and this for her reminds her of her training and Lucas, both things she values a great deal.
Topaz has likely never seen one before in its natural state, and she's been around the refined versions her whole life as her mom and dad are both heavily involved in the Talwyn affairs. I imagine it's like seeing a place in a photo and then being there firsthand. Nothing quite compares to the experience of seeing and feeling it. Lauren has great respect for her people's heritage and connection to the crystals, and this for her reminds her of her training and Lucas, both things she values a great deal.
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