Drowning Flame

Item

Image Crystal-Fire25.jpg
Description This strange crystalline fragment reminds you of a fire, but looking more closely reveals the strange echo of a face. It almost looks like a hologram, but why someone would imprint a drowning, panicked woman's face as a hologram is anyone's guess.
Type Weapon (No Trade)
Use Crystal-Face100.jpg

(The first paragraph of use text and the effect it gives you depends on your lowest stat; see "Uses" below)

Deep within the crystal you can see, or perhaps hallucinate, a faint face. It slowly shifts and fades as the crystal's energies flow into you.

The energies within the crystal cling to the face like fire as its mouth opens in a silent scream.

or

The face looks deep in thought. Behind it, you can see a strange pattern like a spider's web set ablaze.

or

The face stares past and through you, as though inspecting a distant future.

or

Around the face you see strange shapes that remind you faintly of birds. Crows, maybe, or ravens.

or

Around the face, you can see strange shapes swimming in the depths of the crystal. You can feel them singing, deep in your bones.

or

In the depths of the crystal, you can see ripples of energy moving like waves.

or

Behind the face, you catch a glimpse of something stranger: a single eye set in a swirling field of green. A moment later, it's gone.

or

It stares forward inertly as the light drains from the crystal.

or

The face seems to smile. Whoever she is… and you're suddenly certain it's female… she's happy.

or

Reflected in the depths of the crystal, you can see the burnt out husk of a building.

or

Behind the face, you catch a glimpse of a beautiful city… timeless and perfect. It takes a moment for you to catch your breath.

or

Behind the face, you catch a glimpse of an alien city. Its strange towers and domes seem wrong somehow, as though someone built it as an intentional insult to normal cities.

or

Behind the face, you catch a glimpse of an alien city. It seems wrong somehow, in that green light, like it was designed by a madman.

or

Behind the face, you catch a glimpse of an alien city. It seems wrong somehow, as though they were grown rather than built.

or

The strange light suggests seaweed and a great chasm. Supplicants surround the chasm, raising their heads in song.

or (sometimes, if you've seen the previous message?)

The strange light suggests seaweed and a great chasm. Supplicants surround the chasm, raising their heads in song. As you stare, tentacles snake their way out of the chasm.

or

After a moment, the face becomes a reflection of your own, staring into you.

or
The face fades, leaving a strange pattern behind. It's like an entire tree built from this strange branching crystal, reflected in the crystal like a hologram. That's just weird.

or (To get one of the following three messages probably requires the player to have been active during the Halloween Party 2009. Which message you get depends on the choice made in the Avatar of Flame encounter.)

A beautiful voice, so flawless it could never pass through a mortal throat, whispers into your mind. "You've seen it's no mere drug or contagion. You could no sooner cure me of my condition than I could cure you of yours."

or

A beautiful voice, so flawless it could never pass through a mortal throat, whispers into your mind. "How can you kill a thought? A dream? Hundreds have seen me… worshipped me. You could no sooner kill me than I could kill you."

or

A beautiful voice, so flawless it could never pass through a mortal throat, whispers into your mind. "You've done well. Remember who you serve and continue your work towards our new city."

or

A beautiful voice, so flawless it could never pass through a mortal throat, whispers into your mind. "It seems you've yet to be tested. Perhaps this gift will help guide your way."

You learned a new Technique: Voice of Wrath
You gain X energy of buff Y (see Uses)
Effects +9 Etheric Power
+5 Melee Power
+1 Eclipse Duration

Sources

Charging a crystalline flame with 32 energy of Ocean Sight by having it equipped during combats with the effect active. It becomes a whispering flame after 16 energy, but Etheric-fueled charges are transferable, so a glimmering flame could become a drowning flame if you get the skill Ocean Eyes and fight a couple times.

Uses

In addition to one instance of the Voice of Wrath technique, using this item gives X turns of a buff to your lowest stat, where X is the number of charges in the flame. This causes it to revert back to an uncharged crystalline flame.

(With Perception as lowest stat)

You stare deeply into the crystal, feeling its power pouring into your eyes. Neglect and lack of experience in your new life seem to wash away, rendering the world as clear as the crystal.

Gain X energy of Crystal Eyes

(With Reflexes as lowest stat)

You stare deeply into the crystal, feeling its power drive you and your body. A rhythm you hadn't noticed catches you, moving with the strange grace of the crystal's curves.

Gain X energy of Crystal Grace

(With Strength as lowest stat)

You stare deeply into the crystal, feeling its power pouring into your body. Little-used muscles tighten, becoming as resilient as the crystal.

Gain X energy of Crystal Body

(With Will as lowest stat)

You stare deeply into the crystal, feeling its power render you speechless for a moment. Weakness and doubt flee your mind, leaving you with a purpose as clear as the crystal you hold.

Gain X energy of Crystal Mind

Fighting with this item equipped can also yield special techniques. See the crystalline flame page for details.

Hammer25.jpg This item is not a component for any kind of crafting.
toolbox.jpg This item cannot be salvaged.
GoldCoins.jpg This item cannot be added to a gang stash.
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