Spyro: Legends of Truth
Magical Crystal Gems
In the Yairth dimension, there are various types of magical crystals, some even containing unborn souls, known as Creation Crystals. In general, they grow quickly, and are rather common. When compared to the presence of non-magical crystals, they rival quartz in abundance. Because they are not only beautiful but magical in nature, they are considered very precious, despite their commonness. Gnasty Gnorc once stole 14000 worth of treasure from the Dragons, using the crystals for his own selfish motives, before Sparx and Spyro recovered the gems.
~ ~ ~ Spirit Gems ~ ~ ~
“These are Spirit Gems, a gift from the Ancestors. [...] A gift that speaks across generations, a gift that empowers you with the Spirit of the past, strengthening you with the Wisdom of the ages.”
~Ignitus, The Legend of Spyro: A New Beginning
Spirit gems, a gift from the Ancestors, a pure heart, a pure gem,
without contaminations, a steadfast spirit, a spirit of hope.
~Ancient Draconic text
Cor mundum crea in me, Deus, et spiritum rectum innova in visceribus meis.
~Old Dragon prayer
Spirit Gems growing in Dante's Freezer.
Spirit Gems depicted by Mark Hansen.
Spirit Gems are the valued Life source of the Dragons and other creatures. They give LIFE to the one who opens them and takes them in. The crystals reflect certain colors when a Dragon’s spirit is nearby; the glowing of Spirit Gems is caused by a similar effect to ultraviolet fluorescence. One type of Spirit Gem, called a Tzo Crystal (see below), is especially tough to shatter, and only certain beings can smash them without the use of specialized explosive devices.
The WISDOM and STRENGTH given by Spirit Gems comes from the Ancient Ancestors. Without access to Spirit Gems, Dragons and other creatures can die, and Dragons need the magic from these specific gems (whether from the gems directly or indirectly) in order to live. There is a Dragon proverb mentioning this: "A Dragon cannot live off berry and river alone, but by the Wisdom of the Spirit."
~ Health Gems ~
Health Gems are red Spirit Gems which restore health and energy. Larger crystals can permanently improve overall health. They do not restore mana (magic energy). Color ranges from a cloudy coral, orange, or persimmon, to a bright, shiny crimson red. Some Dragons claim that absorbing these gems induces a taste sensation mildly reminiscent of the fruit of roseberries.
A small cluster of Health Gems.
A large cluster of Health Gems.
~ Mana Gems ~
Mana Gems are green, blue, or purple Spirit Gems which restore elemental magical energy (mana). They do not restore health nor physical energy. Some may permanently improve overall magical reservoirs.
Breath Mana Gems
Breath Mana Gems are green Mana Gems which restore elemental breath power. Larger crystals can permanently improve overall magical reservoirs. They do not restore Fury energy. Color ranges from a cloudy kiwi, lime, or pear, to a bright, shiny grass green. Some Dragons claim that absorbing these gems induces a mildly sour-sweet taste sensation, akin to that of an acidic fruit or leaf.
A small cluster of Breath Mana Gems.
A large cluster of Breath Mana Gems.
Fury Mana Gems
Fury Mana Gems are purple Mana Gems which restore Fury energy. They do not restore breath power, nor do they permanently improve overall magical reservoirs. Their color is a usually of a bright Fuchsia, with a cloudy appearance. Some Dragons claim that absorbing these gems produces a strong taste sensation like that of fresh vinedrink.
A small cluster of Fury Mana Gems.
Power Mana Gems
Power Mana Gems are blue Mana Gems which permanently improve overall magical reservoirs. They do not restore spent mana. Color ranges from a cloudy blue like that of the sky, to a bright, shiny blue like that of glacial ices. Some Dragons claim that absorbing these gems induces faint taste sensation reminiscent of the minerals found in freshwater.
A small cluster of Power Mana Gems.
A large cluster of Power Mana Gems.
~ Tzo Crystals ~
Tzo Crystals are hard, electrically-charged purple crystals which grow to large sizes. Found growing on certain skylands (such as Concurrent Skies), only some beings are able to naturally break these giant glowing gems. Technically a type of Spirit Gem, however the wisdom obtained from Tzos is not easily nor readily accessible. Tzo Crystals are also sometimes found in geodic pseudometeors, such as the one Flashwing hatched in.
Tzo Crystals growing in the Molekin Mine within the Isle of the Citadel.
~ The Heart of the Chronicler ~
A unique Spirit Gem called the Heart of the Chronicler ties the soul of the Chronicler to the White Isle.
~ Creation Crystals ~
"The Spirit can make life. Sheer muscle and willpower don’t make anything happen."
An Air Creation Crystal in a lantern-style case.
Creation Crystals are Spirit Gems which contain an unborn dormant soul without a body. They are linked to specific elements and the magic they contain allows someone in possession of it to mentally design the spirit a body for it to live in. They—like all Spirit Gems—are gifts from the Ancient Ancestors, the Ancient Spirit who created the worlds. The Beastmakers are Dragons famous for creating creatures out of these Spirit Gems. To build a body for a Creation Crystal, one picks up the crystal, holds it in one's hands, and then uses Mind Magic to design the creature's appearance and physical abilities. After one has finished designing, one releases the gem, and then both the magic and the soul contained within are released, and the creature will move with the Breath of Life.
~ ~ ~ Time Crystals ~ ~ ~
Time Crystals or Time Ambers are large golden crystals created during a Purple Dragon's Time Fury. Within a time crystal, time is slowed considerably, protecting whatever’s inside. But this standstill takes its toll on the beings encased in it, creating a time-vacuum and after the crystal is broken, the creatures inside begin to age according to the missing time.
Spyro, Sparx, and Cynder stayed in the same moment for three years, the same age, the same fears, the same hope. Once free of the crystal, their bodies began growing to what age they would be if they hadn’t been in the time crystal. However, the Dragons' size was smaller than that which they should have been had they not been incased. This size-hindering effect wears off eventually.
~ ~ ~ Gems Used as Currency ~ ~ ~
Several varieties of gem are used as currency, mainly by Dragons, but also by those in Avalar and the Forgotten Worlds; Fairies often accept gems as currency, as well.
Aerial view of Glimmer, an area known for its crystal growths and Gemcutters.
~ Values ~
These are the standard values:
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1 (rubies, emeralds, quartz most common)
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2 (emeralds most common)
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3 (today extremely rare)
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4 (today extremely rare)
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5 (sapphires and amethysts most common)
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10 (citrines and emeralds most common)
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25 (amethysts, beryls, sapphires most common)
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50 (amethysts most common)
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75 (gem fruit most common)
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100 (diamond most common)
1gems
2gems
5gems
10gems
25gems
Other Values
Some of the larger values are widespread, while some—like 3gems and 4gems—are rarely seen at all.
~ ~ ~ Dark Gems ~ ~ ~
“It isn't natural! That crystal radiates with dark magic: destroy it—quickly!”
~Hunter of Avalar, The Legend of Spyro: Darkest Hour, Dragon's Dawn
Potent little balls of wickedness, the Dark Gems sucked light and goodness from the world, contorting Dragon Realms into a putrid, scary den just right for Red's domination.
~Red's Dark Gems
Dark Gems or Dark Crystals are unnatural, shadowy purple crystals which radiate Evil like spiritual vacuums. Also known as Petrified Darkness, they are Darkness in solid form, and capable of either weakening victims, or transforming them into demented tools of war. Malefor had used Dark Gems to create new weapons and devices of torture. The Darkness from these crystals can also feed Dark Vines.
A small cluster of Dark Gems.
A large cluster of Dark Gems.