The Great Crystal of Light is a large diamond gem that was discovered in a mine on planet Ethra. It measures 5m across and weighs 290KG, having been cut, shaped and polished. In sunlight, the diamond reflects sunbeams and splits them into a prism around the diamond, giving the illusion that it has a rainbow-like halo.
The Great Crystal was discovered in year 8067 TDR by Rethan miners looking for deposits of platinum. Parts of the Great Crystal were cut away, before they discovered that what they believed to be several diamond deposits was in fact one single piece. While trying to extract the crystal, the miners discovered lava nearby, as well as more diamond deposits, and the mine was opened up for more workers. The Great Crystal was extracted and taken to the town of Timi, where it was cleaned, cut and polished by an expert jeweler and was put on display in the center of the town. Together with the creation of the diamond mine, Timi became both a popular tourist attraction and a huge economic boon to the still-developing Retha.
In year 8998 TDR, the town was attacked by Vohra, under the control of a group of Anexartitai. The Vohra stole the Crystal and were commanded to hang the diamond over Trehfot Volcano, an active volcano far in the north of planet Ethra, out of reach of the Retha. Although many of the Vohra responsible were swiftly captured and punished for their crimes, the Retha spent many months trying to figure out how to reclaim the Great Crystal, which was surrounded by not only lava but also a good number of Vohra.
On the eve of 8999 TDR, things came to a head. A small legion of Rethans acted as a distraction, battling the Vohra and scaring many of them off. As they fought, four Threan-types, wearing specially designed ‘winged jet packs’, sneaked around and flew over the back of the volcano. Using a mixture of telekinesis and miniature rockets, the four Retha managed to snatch the Great Crystal and silently escape into the night.
With the Vohra defeated and the Anexartitai without any mortals to back them up, the Retha returned home victorious. The crystal was secured in the middle of the city on a specially designed pedestal, and the four Retha who saved the gem were given the duty of protecting it for the rest of their lives, while also being given many gifts and privileges for their triumph.
From then on, a team of four specially trained Threan-type Ksa has defended and maintained the Great Crystal of Light, genetically engineered to have wings, mimicking the four original Retha. Although the diamond mines may have dried up, the Great Crystal is still a major tourist attraction and a symbol of not just the power of the Retha, but their intellect and will too.