An aletheia crystal is a crystal used to hold memories.
Description[]
Aletheia crystals are many-faceted crystals made of adamas[1] that are about the size of a child's hand. They have a smooth, stone-like surface.[2]
Function[]
Aletheia crystals are used to capture, store, and even physically transport the stored memories. When the crystal is dormant, the memories contained within it flash across its surface. Once activated through a Latin incantation, the crystal begins to glow until it releases a focused beam of light, which acts as a projector and casts moving images across a nearby wall. The held memories can either be viewed on the projected image and on the stone's surface.[2]
Typically only Silent Brothers or magic users, such as warlocks, can release the images within.[1]
History[]
In the past, around the 1800s, aletheia crystals were used by the Clave to hold evidence of memories to be viewed again later.
An aletheia crystal was kept in the study of Chiswick manor by Tatiana Blackthorn. It showed an unknown person's memories of Council meetings regarding Annabel Blackthorn in the early 19th century. Grace Blackthorn, in order to gain Malcolm Fade's cooperation, gave it to him as proof of Annabel's death.[1]
In September 2012, the same aletheia crystal was discovered there by Ty Blackthorn, Livvy Blackthorn, and Kit Herondale. Thanks to this crystal, they were able to piece together what had happened to Annabel and Malcolm and how to proceed in helping the resurrected former.[2]
Trivia[]
- On the occasion of their fiftieth anniversary, Will Herondale, with the help of Magnus Bane, gave his wife Tessa Gray a golden aletheia crystal containing a happy memory of them.[3]
- Aletheia crystals appear to darken the room they are in when activated, as the one found in Blackthorn Hall extinguished surrounding candles when activated by the warlock Shade; however, this could also only have been due to the warlock's magic.[2]
- Aletheia crystals are named after the Greek goddess of truth, Aletheia.