Lythic Stone

A buoyant purple crystal that converts arcane pressure into directed force.

Lythic Stone

A magically reactive crystalline mineral notable for its anomalous buoyancy and directional force output.

Lythic Stone, or Lift-Stone as it is colloquially reffered to, is a naturally occurring crystalline structure, most commonly found in shades of deep violet to luminous amethyst. While visually similar to refined arcane crystals, its most distinguishing property is its inherent resistance to gravitational pull, exhibiting buoyancy disproportionate to its mass.

In its raw or lightly polished state, Lythic Stone will hover when unrestrained, maintaining a stable altitude relative to the strength and orientation of nearby gravitational forces. When physically or magically anchored, this buoyant impulse expresses itself as sustained upward lift rather than displacement.

When refined or geometrically shaped, Lythic Stone exhibits controlled force projection. The crystal converts internal arcane potential into directional force, which may be expressed linearly (thrust), radially (pressure), or rotationally depending on its cut, lattice alignment, and magical treatment. Artificers and arcanists often describe this behavior in mathematical terms, comparing it to the conversion of flow and pressure into motion.

In finalized applications—such as engines, lift arrays, or propulsion systems—Lythic Stone is capable of producing significant lift, stabilizing mass far beyond mundane expectations, or imparting controlled kinetic force. These properties make it foundational to airships, floating platforms, and advanced arcane machinery

Despite its power, untreated Lythic Stone remains inert to most casual manipulation, requiring deliberate shaping, inscription, or magical tuning to reach its full potential.

Optional Short Variant (Index / Tooltip Friendly)

Lythic Stone: A violet crystalline mineral with anomalous buoyancy. When polished or shaped, it converts internal arcane energy into directional force—commonly lift, thrust, or rotational motion—making it a core component in airship and arcane engine construction.

Annotated Entry from On Non-Newtonian Arcana and Persistent Force Phenomena

by Arcanist-Adjunct Heliora Venn, Third Chair of Applied Thaumaturgy

“Lythic Stone does not defy gravity. It argues with it—and often wins.”

Scholarly Commentary

Early attempts to classify Lythic Stone as a simple levitation crystal are inaccurate and dangerously reductive. Through sustained observation and controlled experimentation, it has become evident that the stone does not merely rise, but instead expresses force along internally coherent vectors, the orientation of which may be altered through cut, polish, inscription, or magical resonance.

In its unworked state, Lythic Stone maintains a stable buoyant equilibrium, hovering as though suspended upon an unseen lattice of opposing pressures. When anchored, this impulse is redirected, resulting in continuous lift rather than displacement. This behavior strongly suggests that the crystal converts latent arcane potential into persistent directional force, rather than momentary kinetic output.

Refined specimens reveal more complex behavior. When shaped with sufficient geometric intent, the internal lattice of the stone begins to behave as a force manifold, allowing pressure, flow, and arcane charge to be redirected into linear thrust or rotational motion. Properly tuned, this conversion is stable, predictable, and—within limits—remarkably efficient.

It must be emphasized that Lythic Stone does not generate energy ex nihilo. It channels and amplifies ambient arcane pressure, drawing from sources both local and diffuse. This is the source of both its utility and its peril.

Observed Chromatic Instability (Danger Indicator)

Under normal conditions, Lythic Stone exhibits hues ranging from deep violet to soft amethyst, often with internal luminosity that pulses gently when active.

However, repeated field reports confirm a distinct and hazardous chromatic shift when the stone is subjected to improper constraints or excessive force recursion:

This color shift is not cosmetic—it reflects lattice shear within the crystal, where force pathways intersect, fold, or loop back upon themselves.

Formal Warning to Artificers, Arcanists, and Shipwrights

Under no circumstances should Lythic Stone be:

Failure to observe these constraints has resulted in recorded incidents including:

Of particular note: attempting to forcibly immobilize an active Lythic Stone is more dangerous than allowing it to move. The stone will always express its force. If denied motion, it will seek release through catastrophic means.

Marginal Note (Handwritten, Unattributed)

“If the stone turns red, stop. If it sings, run.”