Crystalline Formations of Diamondgate

These formations appear to be composed of a mostly transparent material, though vision through thicker sections quickly becomes impossible due to internal facets. See the maps available on the Diamondgate article for information as to the location of these formations within the city.

Theories

Unlike true diamond, the material is incredibly resilient, so much so that many scholars speculate that the material is in fact protected magic similar to a Wall of Force. This theory correlates with the strong magical aura given off by the material, and it is largely agreed to be the result of powerful magics in ages past.

Usage

The most obvious way that the inhabitants of Diamondgate have capitalized on the unusual qualities this material exhibits is in their incorporation of large formations in the city walls, including the entry to the city.

The Diamond Gate

The eponymous gate is actually more of a tunnel, winding its way through a massive chunk and 60 feet wide. Offshoot passages were walled off long ago, and though there is much speculation as to where they lead no known attempt to map them has been made; the local government takes a very dim view indeed of the occasional enterprising individuals who attempt to investigate, preferring to leave the thoroughfare undisturbed.

The use of magic attempted within the formation behaves erratically if at all, and sentient beings who pass through it find themselves succumbing to weakness or a lack of ability in areas where they usually excel. It is common for travelers to be overcome by an inability to speak untruths or act against others, sometimes for days. As such a strong service industry has risen up around caring for new arrivals to the city, usually taking up lodgings around the gate until they are able to properly defend themselves against those who might seek to take advantage of them in this state.

Given the obvious defensive benefits that such a point of ingress provides against an invading force, the city enjoys a high level of security against such threats, which explains the inhabitants fierce opposition to anything that they perceive might jeopardize it.

The Teeth

These two formations are the largest by far, jutting out of the ground very close to the coastline, stretching out over the waves each at a similar angle. Over the years the inhabitants have formed a partly-enclosed harbour by building walls which rise up most of the way along these massive shafts. Each of these walls is in truth a fortress in its own right, riddled with rooms and corridors and peppered with observation windows and arrow slits. Though they would be intimidating enough in their own right, the true reason that Diamondgate is seldom assaulted from the sea is in the harnessing of the formations themselves.

Through the use of powerful artifacts within each of the hulking sea-forts, defenders of Diamondgate are able to channel incredible amounts of arcane power through the tips of these formations, raking these beams across their enemies ships to devastating effect. Understandably, the need to utilise such measures is remarkably infrequent; rare is the foe foolhardy enough to send a force against the city by sea or air.