Creature:Solariean/Nobility



These beautiful caves of naturally occurring geodes and other gemstones is one of the most guarded areas on Planet Solariea. The explored areas of the caves are approximately two hundred and sixty kilometers long, with a width of roughly that same size. Gemstones that are mined here are often brought back to townships and cities to either be traded for a high price to other empires or are sold to local jewelry retailers for sale to possible tourists and locals alike. Prices vary from vendor to vendor, though most charge extra money for the rarest stones.

Discovery Myth
These caves were discovered by members of the Solarium Clan who were returning from a successful hunt. The story goes that the small hunting group sought shelter within the cave when it began to storm. While they waited out the rain, it is said that the hunters saw their reflections on the gemstone covered walls and broke off piece of a geode to bring back to the clan.

Formation of the Crystals
The cave lies on a fault above an underground magma chamber which is reportedly about ten kilometers below the cave's various systems. This magma heated the ground water which was saturated with sulfide ions, after this, oxygenated surface water managed contact with the saturated, heated water. However, their mixture was prevented due to a difference in density. The oxygen managed to slowly diffuse into the heated water and oxidized the sulfides into sulfates. The hydrated sulfate gypsum crystallized. This all occurred over a very long course of time - current age scientists estimate the cave to be well over seven hundred thousand years old.