Scardust

1) Origin

Abyssal Lumen Crystals

Scardust is derived from rare, bioluminescent crystal formations found **deep within The Scar **, where no natural light reaches.

• These crystals emit a faint, pulsating glow (violet, teal, or sickly gold)
• They grow in jagged clusters along sheer vertical rock faces
• The deeper the crystal is found, the more unstable and potent it becomes

Miners claim the crystals “grow toward something below”… not above.

2) Why It’s Illegal

Scardust is outlawed across nearly all of Valecar because of its:

Neurological Effects

• Causes intense hallucinations tied to memory and fear
• Users report hearing voices from the Scar
• Long-term use leads to dissociation and personality fracture

Physical Effects

• Veins may faintly glow beneath the skin
• Eyes reflect light unnaturally
• Sleep becomes nearly impossible after repeated use

Existential Risk

• Some users claim they’ve “seen what waits below”
• A small percentage never return mentally… or physically

The Aegis classifies Scardust as:

“A Class VII Reality-Destabilizing Substance”

3) Market Value

• 1 vial (1 dose): 75–120 gold
• Refined bulk (10 doses): 800–1,000 gold
• Pure Deep-Scar variant: up to 300 gold per dose

Prices fluctuate heavily depending on region and enforcement pressure.

4) Description

A fine, metallic dust that shimmers like scattered starlight, Scardust clings to the air when disturbed. Its flakes catch the light in unnatural hues, drifting slowly as if suspended in thought rather than gravity.

5) Processing Method

Raw Abyssal Lumen Crystals are:

1. Fractured using vibration tools (never struck directly—this causes violent arcane backlash)
2. Ground into a fine particulate using rune-lined mortars
3. Washed in alchemical solvents to remove unstable energy surges
4. Dried in low-light environments to preserve luminescence

Improper processing can result in:

• Explosive arcane feedback
• Hallucinogenic exposure during refinement
• Crystal “screaming” (audible resonance that drives workers mad)

6) Alchemical Properties & Uses

Despite its dangers, Scardust is highly sought after for:

Potion Enhancement

• Amplifies potency of illusion and divination potions
• Allows temporary “true sight-like” effects (with severe drawbacks)

Ritual Catalyst

• Used in forbidden rituals to contact extraplanar entities
• Can “thin the veil” between planes in controlled environments

Arcane Fuel

• Powers unstable magical devices
• Used in experimental Monolith-related research

Weapon Coating (Black Market)

• Causes targets to experience disorienting visions mid-combat
• Disadvantage on next attack or save