With movies extolling magic rings and wands, nearly everyone has become familiar with the idea of talismans, if not their actual use. A problem associated with such items is that they tend to draw attention to themselves when active. Too, not everyone has the knowledge or ability to activate that sort of thing. Finally, talismans tend to require energy; eventually, when the source is exhausted, the talisman stops working until recharged, unless it breaks outright.
Life-forms, on the other hand, may or may not draw attention to themselves. Living entities do what their biology urges them to do, without requiring command words, activation phrases, or any encouragement beyond a hospitable surroundings. Given an appropriate food supply, living entities create their own bio-energy. And, as long as they remain living, life-forms naturally heal and renew themselves under the right conditions.
As a whole, Lebenkristallen, or living crystals, can be thought of as the carbon cousins of the coral family, with different stones having different qualities. In their usual form, they resemble gemstones which feel strangely slippery; most emanate faint yet pleasing warmth when held in the hand. These living crystals feed from atmospheric carbon compounds: carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide readily sustain living crystals.
This
Lebenrubin, grown in the lab as a gift for the occasion of Yule, most closely
resembles a brilliant ruby which glows with a warm inner light. The facets
suggests a stylized teardrop approximately 10mm in diameter by 15mm in length. A
gossamer web of woven gold strands surrounds the crystal, about 5mm from the
upper point of the teardrop to form the finding, through which a slender golden
chain has been threaded. When worn, the teardrop hangs down to center itself
against the wearer's breastbone, nominally above the heart, when worn.
As an exotic living organism, a healthy crystal contains 5 health levels (or blood-points, for those accustomed to thinking in such terms). The relative health of the crystal may be gauged by the color of the stone: an untapped stone glows brilliant red, with the glow fading as life-energy is pulled from the stone. Health levels may be drained and recovered as long as at least one level of health is left in the crystal. Transferring life-energy (as blood points) from the crystal may be accomplished by holding the crystal in the mouth. Transferring health levels as healing may be accomplished by touching the crystal to an open wound. They recover one level of health (or blood-point) at local (solar) noon and another at local midnight.
In creating living crystal, Matter and Prime form a carbon crystal matrix. When complete, this matrix is indistinguishable from naturally occurring or otherwise synthesized diamond, ruby, emerald, or any of the other carbon based gemstones. Life and Prime transforms the static quintessential pattern found in non-living matter to a dynamic, living quintessential pattern and infuses it with a distinct life-force. Thus created, the living crystal possesses an intellect roughly equal to coral or a fern: it automatically performs those biological functions dictated by environment and necessity.