Moonstone

Moonstone is a rare, extremely valuable gemstone (considered a cardinal gem), most notable for its ability to aid the concentration of psychic or magic powers for those gifted with such talents. Although found (albeit very rarely) around the world, the major centre of excavation and refining is the Freethinker Commonwealth, and the importance (and potential power) of the gem itself has had a major impact on the people and cultures that have sought to utilise it's unique properties.

Used as a singular noun, Moonstone can also be used as an informal name for the Light of Navarre, the large Moonstone jewel set within the Spire Star in the Hall of the Ancients, and also to describe the gem that sits on the tip of the Spear of Reverence, the ceremonial sceptre of the Priestess of the Reverence.

The modern day production of the gemstones is fully regulated by the government, and only one company, the Combined Moonstone Enterprise, Inc is allowed to process and distribute these gems, with significant oversight by the Moonstone Regulatory Commission, a powerful government body operating under the Ministry of the Interior. However, given the spectacular price paid by private collectors and religious leaders for these precious stones (especially large specimens), there is a small but significant black market in these stones which is a notable cause of concern for the Freethinker government.

Physical Characteristics

Psychic Enhancement

Current Usage

Cultural

Moonstone gems forms an important part of ancestoral worship in the Reverence, the major faith of the Freestian Vampires. The stones are used in many artefacts used by the Priestesses of the Reverence (and accordingly by the Syrens of the Spire), who use the gems to enhance their own limited psychic talents to a significant degree.

Because of this cultural significance to the vampire community, these gems are also used to adorn many other important items and weaponry, mostly ceremonial or decorative in purpose although some units use them in weapons.

The use of Moonstone gems in foreign religions and cults, particularly those concerned with magic or the enhancement of psychic powers, has also been documented.

Commercial

Given the inherent danger in the distribution of these gems, only small quantities of these are released for commercial use within jewellery and industrial applications. All stones produced for these application must be under a certain weight classification (currently set at 5.0 carats for jewellery and 25.0 carats for other (almost all industrial) uses), in order to ensure that their ability to focus external power is negligible at best. However, given the money offered for these rare gems, some private producers have illegally sold much larger specimens on the black market.

Military

Because of their magical properties, there is some military use of the gemstones.

The Moonstone Wars

Main Article: The Moonstone Wars

The Moonstone Wars are the collective name for the two major conflicts between the Freethinker Commonwealth and The Greater Kingdom of Midlonia, which derive their name from the important underlying role the control of the production of this mineral had in creating and perpetuating the conflicts.