A category of ores that act as potent natural Lenses in their environments representing their corresponding Prismatic Expression. Animite is a foundational component in an Artifice utilizing Prisma.
Prominent Types of Animite
Lower Order Animite
The most abundant and well-documented Animite are those stained by the World’s three fundamental forces. Loamstone, Cinderstone, and Tidestone - each a product of Creation, Destruction, and Change respectively - are found wherever their corresponding force holds dominance, and are collectively considered the foundation of practical Prismatic craft. Their prevalence, combined with the reliability of their staining properties, is widely believed to be one of the reasons Lower Order Expressions are considered fundamental in the first place.
Loamstone
Hefty rock formed through the aeons of stone and decomposed matter being packed together. When refined, Loamstone manifests as an amber glass or metal with a subtle orange undertone and lends itself well to sturdy and Prisma-infused artifice, such as gauntlets, armor, shields enchanted weapons, and edifice.
Cinderstone
Rugged stones formed through the aftermath of heat, magma and ash. When refined, Cinderstone manifests as a silvery glass or metal with a rich green undertone, and lends itself well to simple and effective artifice, such as swords, axes, longbows, and siege vehicles
Tidestone
Malleable rock formed in large bodies of water, carved by the winds and waves. Tidestone, when refined, manifests as a dark glass or metal with a deep purple undertone, and lends itself well to intricate artifices such as daggers, firearms, rapiers, and currency.
Higher Order Animite
Where Lower Order Animite emerge from the World’s most ancient and pervasive forces, Higher Order Animite are rarer by nature - products of environments where two forces act in equal and sustained measure. For centuries, Composite Expressions were understood primarily as a product of artifice and refinement rather than something the World produced on its own terms.
The discovery of the Prismatic Wilds complicated that assumption considerably. In these anomalous regions, where competing forces have reached a kind of equilibrium, the World has begun producing native Higher Order Animite - stones that bear Composite Expression without any intervention at all. They remain poorly understood, and rarer still outside the Wilds themselves.
These valuable variants of Animite are as follows:
Cyclical Clay
A type of clay that is naturally very spongey, absorbent, and soft - but becomes incredibly dense and fortified under kinetic pressure, with the useful ability to completely restore to its original form once pressure is removed. Cyclical Clay is a trademark of Temporal Waste environments, where the natural cycles of light and heavy gravity cause the entire landscape to almost breathe in accordance.
Though this clay is most prominently used in Artifice designed to channel Cyclical Prisma, particularly wealthy kingdoms use this material to create structures that are naturally very breathable and light, yet incredibly resistant to the cannon fire of enemy invaders.
Surging Gemstones
Radiant gemstones formed in the uniquely heavy pressure of elemental, prismatic storms such as those native to The Churn, these gems carry an electrical charge and heat signature that stands in direct opposition to their environment - where a Surging Gemstone in a Tundra with frequent electrical storms will be hot and insulated.
Though their most prominent use-case is Artifice designed to Channel Surging Prisma, many warriors will adorn their gear with Surging Gemstones as a way of protecting against elemental spellcasting, as an electric spell will make this gear insulated against any follow-up attacks.
Fomenting Bark
Petrified wood from the oldest trees of non-Euclidian environments with rapid proliferation, this stone is most prominently found deep in Verdant Maze environments. Fomenting bark carries faint traces of the vivacious desire to grow and evolve embodied by the trees it was once a part of, and as such is extremely sensitive to charms, enchantments, and curses.
The most prominent use-case of this material is Artifice designed to Channel Disruptive Prisma, though particularly skilled craftsmen will use this material to create furniture, gear, and armor designed to be Prismatically Augmented - such as a bed that toggles between being warm and cold, or a bow whose arrows are empowered when knocked.