Crystal Construct

(Quick Picture done in 30 seconds.)
Another world building bit.

The standard method of storing magic in a ready to use medium, and programed for non-magic users and practiced.

The crystal's size directly corresponds with the possible energy stored and total programmable channels on the crystal.

Standard created sizes run from civilian size at around one's thumb, to work and military that range around three times that.

The type of stone used increases in quality as it goes from civilian to military. From simple rocks, crystals, and refined glass and metals. The constructs once prepared have a fine layer of runes, to hold on to the magic of the owner and allow it to be programed.

The effectency of cost of creation and use ratio evens out around high end work crystals. Military grade crystals are actually specifically commission for war mages that have trouble controlling more than 3 crystals and still need more output of power for their job.

Use for the crystal is mostly limited to mages, however a attuned crystal a non-mage can be programed to shield the user from outside harm, but the use is limited due to the untrained mana recovery rate of the owner.

Civilian crystals are used by inexperienced mages learning the ropes, so that they can actually experiment with their power. Though these crystals do not require much licensing, the greater power available for young practitioners really help them on their way. The crystal however does drain the innate recharge rate of the mage, practicing that bit of their ability that is normally impossible constantly strain on low budgets.

Work grade crystals are used for long work hours, excelling on normal drain like handling in house and on the field magic. They do not have any more output than the normal civilian crystals, but they can store many times more energy. It is best of the owner keeps them on his person at all times, so they can be charged off the job.

Military grade crystals are similar to work grade, however their output is much greater, allowing a mage to pour every scrap of energy into its destructive job to overwhelm their target.

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The crystals are at most used in threes, but experienced mages can use more than a dozen with proper management. Past three crystals direct management is possible but very hard to use in stressful work to effective levels.

Depending on the users type of magic the energy and color of the crystal is different. Some sources of arcane power cannot be stored as effectively, but they can still be used as shield buffers like non-magic users.

Not much else to say, but I think any trained users can use another's crystal and the power taken can be from any donor. Willing or not... bwahhahahaha.