Gimyndine

Gimyndine [gih-men-dean] is a naturally occurring opal-like material commonly seen either accumulating on and around areas of high infusion, or buried in elden ruins, and is notable for it's ability to produce a distinct form of Soulfire--appropriately called gimynfire--upon various forms of interaction.

Different colors and crystal formations of gimyndine are known to have different soulfire outputs and ease-of-use, which influences which type a prospecting scriptlighter might choose. Generally, the most powerful crystals have vibrant hues with stunning patterns, but are also exceedingly rare. Each grade is also split into “low” and “high” (e.g. “high kingstone” and “low palestone”) for further granularity, and to nicely align the ranking to base 12.

Gimyndization

Matter can be converted into gimyndine if overinfused or subjected to intense infusion shock, referred to as gimyndization. According to the phlogistic model, this occurs when the volume of soulfire in some matter exceeds the volume of the atom causing it to essentially supplant it and take on a more permanent form. Notably, the process is irreversible, as it causes the overwhelmed matter to deconstruct into the soulfire itself, causing it to become the hybrid material that is gimyndine.

Aqueous Gimyndine

Although rare, gimyndine has been known to appear in aqueous form, typically within bodies of water with high amounts of colored gimyndine nearby, such as in Lake Provenance or the Eye of Tohnipras. It is of little exceptional note except for its ability to easily dissolve in water and other fluids, making it a dangerous contaminant if allowed to seep into groundwater.

As a Soulfire Source

In order to utilize dyed gimyndine as a steady source of gimynfire, it must be sufficiently resonated with. This process involves a user packing their own thoughts, beliefs, and emotions into a metaphorical box, causing their soulfire to become colorless. When this colorless soulfire overlaps with a gimyn (a sample of gimyndine), a stoneshade will manifest, often a similar personality to the resonator. The resonator must calmly convince the shade to bond with them, often done by compromising beliefs and personality traits present during resonance. Upon completion, a resonator may choose to activate the gimyn any time it is sufficiently near to them, which will result in their ability to wield gimynfire and the agreed upon mental shift. Some individuals, most notably the copperleaf tribes, are unable to resonate with gimyndine due to their naturally resistant constitutions.

For bursts of gimynfire, gimyndine can be put under intense compressive pressures which vary based on the color of the crystal. Upon crossing the breakpoint, a gimynfire burst of a corresponding intensity will expand out from the crystal, destroying it. This pressure is often higher than its shear strength, so it can be sliced into a fine powder for easier transport at the cost of efficiency.

Variants

Ashstone

Commonly referred to as simply “ash” or “dust," ashstone is the lowest grade of gimyndine, and the most common. Simply a dull black or other exceedingly dark color all within and without; not a hint of honesty. It is also by far the majority component in making gimpowder, as its only practical use.

Recent research has suggested that, rather than a mined mineral, ashstone is a human byproduct in some way. It is most commonly found encrusting surfaces where humans or dense life gather, as opposed to buried underground or strewn about ruins. A common theory is that it's actually a localized crystallization of soulfire from ambient life, where the high density coagulates with little available matter to couple, and so instead “precipitates” into physicality.

Dullstone

A middle ground between blackstone and palestone, though often simply blackstone with patches of dark color. Typically used to make mid-quality gimpowder.

Palestone

The common grade of gimyndine, with a pale hue and a monotone pattern. Often granted to scriptlighters in training or those of low standing, but still preferable to being unable to use firekeeping.

Purestone

The advanced grade of gimyndine, possessing vibrant colors but no play-of-color. The standard for professional scriptlighters and high-grade military equipment. ^4fb5c9

Blazestone

The elite grade of gimyndine, possessing a hue that seems to glow with play-of-color, and maintains a persistent halo of sparks. Often the centerpiece of a renowned scriptlighter's arsenal.

Kingstone

The highest grade of gimyndine, and so named because its power and rarity allow those in possession of one and the skills to use it to found nations. Even single toes of kingstone are regarded as world-class and fetch prices that rival entire estates. Physically, they resemble high-grade black opals with vibrant colors and patterns.

As of the writing of this encyclopedia, there are thought to be only 3 complete statues of kingstone in the world. Curiously, they have only been found as unbroken, completely whole objects in ruins, as opposed to shattered and piecemeal like other varieties.

The Skull of Vakatow

The largest and most powerful specimen of gimyndine in the world. It was discovered in the depths of a Kishian ruin, and is currently in the possession of the Ayangatalan royal family for powering their infamous “Scarlet Sky” city-scale defense engram. The skull itself has been encased mostly in a large tungsten sphere to protect those near from the burning intensity of its sparks.