Antecedently, on Fargo
SPECIAL FEATURES
- Richly detailed internal carving.
- Retains an individual's personality.
- Can be used as a lightsaber's primary focusing crystal.
- Much more durable than a holocron.
- If the memorialized individual was strong in the Force, can sometimes enhance a characteristic ability.
- Much less capacity than a holocron - personality, not detail; good advice, not long conversations; wisdom, not knowledge; memory, not sapience.
- Unlike a holocron, can't be taught new knowledge.
DESCRIPTION
A cenotaph gem is a precious stone, typically medium-high hardness like emerald, amethyst, or upari, that features rich internal carving and a crystal-based memorial function similar to a holocron.
Cenotaph gems often echo the personality of a deceased friend or family member. A cenotaph gem differs from a holocron's gatekeeper in that it does not move and it retains personality rather than detailed information - 'wisdom rather than knowledge,' and not inclined to long conversations. A cenotaph gem can be a standalone keepsake, feature in jewelry, be worn otherwise (e.g. mounted in armor), or serve as a lightsaber's primary focusing crystal.
Cenotaph gems are rare. They were first created by Wookiee upari-cutters before the 400-Year Darkness as a method of memorial. Many from that time are inert and much-loved works of art, their personalities dormant or faded away. The Order of the Selab and certain crafting communities in the Wookiee diaspora retained the knowledge to make cenotaph gems, and Jend-Ro Quill learned and enjoyed this skill during his decades as a Selabite Keeper.
Today, a few old and new cenotaph gems can be found circulating among Wookiee communities, Selabite archives, and Jedi Orders and enclaves.
It is important to note that cenotaph gems do not align with Jedi tenets about mourning and attachment; cenotaph gems did not arise from the Jedi, but from a wholly separate tradition (upari gem cutting) with its own relationship to the Force. Jedi opinions on cenotaph gems can vary widely. However, it's not unheard of for a Jedi Master's passing to be commemorated by commissioning a few cenotaph gems for their apprentices and closest allies. In such cases, it's also not unheard of for the gem to resonate with and enhance an ability that was especially characteristic and personal to the deceased.
While Dark Side-aligned cenotaph gems are vanishingly rare, they do exist - a Sith Lord commissioning a gem in memory of a sacrificed loved one, perhaps, or an attempt to preserve one's own personality as the only ally one can trust.
Out Of Character Info
Intent:
New horizons in lightsaber gems
Image Source(s):
https://www.wallace-chan.com/
Primary Source(s):
The Wallace Cut: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wallace_Chan#Wallace_Cut
Technical Information
Affiliation:
Various
Model:
Cenotaph Gem
Modular:
No
Material:
Gemstone (e.g. emerald, amethyst, upari)
