Khaydarin crystal

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"You must seize the Khaydarin Crystals. For within them lies power undreamed of by the Protoss. Go now, my Cerebrate. Secure the crystals, and bring swift wrath to all who oppose the Swarm! "

―The Overmind gives instructions during the zerg invasion of Aiur^[src]

Khaydarin crystals are monolithic psionic artifacts left behind by the xel'naga. They are composed of blue-hued organic stones. Their name means "focused of the heart" in the Khalani language.^[1]

The crystals were used by the xel'naga to facilitate their genetic experiments in an unknown manner. They are also psi-active. The protoss use them to strengthen their psionic bond and power their psionic technology.^[2]

Khaydarin crystals are frequently associated with xel'naga temples (such as those at Bhekar Ro^[3] and Nemaka).^[1]

Khaydarin crystals feel cold when touched, causing an aching pain and a 'tingling feeling', at least to terrans. Protoss feel the tingling sensation but without pain, though these differing feelings may be based on the size of the crystal as opposed to differing physiology.^[3]

Contents 1 Uses of the Crystals 1.1 Psionic Matrix 1.2 Control of Zerg 1.2.1 Warped Crystals 2 History 3 Known Khaydarin Crystals 4 References

[edit] Uses of the Crystals

Khaydarin crystals can perform multiple functions. The energies of the crystals can only be processed by creatures created by the xel'naga.^[2]

They have been used as "computers"; a particularly large crystal appeared to act like a xel'naga-designed artificial intelligence.^[1]

They have been used as "storehouses of information" by the xel'naga; they played such as role in the chambers beneath Aiur.^[1] Khaydarin crystals are part of the computer system of the warp prism.^[4]

Khaydarin crystals were used by Khas to restore the protoss psionic link at the heart of the Khala, leading to the end of the Aeon of Strife.^[2][1] They have been used by the protoss to enhance their psionic energies.^[3] (Several protoss unit energy upgrades use khaydarin components.)^[2] They can also help protoss focus and calm their minds.^[5]

Khaydarin crystals, such as the Khalis and Uraj, can become "altered" by their users and their environment.^[6]

The crystals of the moon of Ehlna were affected by unique energies found there, becoming very capable of storing memories but less good for other uses. The crystals varied in terms of the amount of data they could hold, and became "worn" when used, requiring transfer of the memories to new crystals.^[5]

[edit] Psionic Matrix

Main article: Psionic matrix

Protoss structures and units, to a lesser extent, draw their energy from a great psionic energy matrix that emanates from Aiur. While a nexus provides a link to this matrix, khaydarin crystal-based pylons are needed to actually tap into the energy required to provide psionic energy to new colonies. Each pylon generates a short-ranged aura of energy, which can provide the power needed by structures and warp gates. If a protoss building loses its connection to the psionic matrix, it will shut down until it is reconnected, and new units cannot be gated in if there is insufficient psionic energy to provide them with power.^[2]

[edit] Control of Zerg

To a limited extent, terrans have been able to use khaydarin crystals to control zerg - the most famous example being Alan Schezar's control of zerg on Aiur,^[7] who used protoss technology and ghosts to do the deed.^[8]

[edit] Warped Crystals

The powerful dark archon Ulrezaj created a series of six "warped copies" of khaydarin crystals from Dark Templar and zerg energy.^[9] These crystals could be used to control zerg.^[10][9]

The crystals could lead protoss from one crystal to another, and they could only be destroyed by the psychic fury of a dark archon.^[9]

One crystal was used to control zerg forces on Korhal, supporting Schezar's Scavengers.^[10] Ulrezaj used the other five crystals to control a number of zerg on Char.^[9] He planned to use the crystals to create "genetically" enhanced zerg which would be immune to the effects of the xel'naga temple of Shakuras, then unleash these minions onto the planet. The Dark Templar would flee to their hiding places, leaving the Khalai out in the open where they would be slaughtered.^[11]

However, this plan was foiled. Upon discovering the crystals, Zeratul ordered an assault force, including a Dark Archon Hero, to destroy the crystals. Upon their destruction, the enslaved zerg became dormant.^[9]

[edit] History

A fairly large amount of khaydarin was present on Aiur, homeland of the protoss, seemingly left behind by the xel'naga. The mystic Khas and his student Temlaa stumbled upon a group of them during their travels in the latter part of the Aeon of Strife and quickly discovered their ability to recreate the lost protoss psionic link.^[1]

Studying the crystals enabled the two to decipher numerous old xel'naga artifacts which they and the Shelak Tribe had guarded during the civil war. This led them to the Aiur caverns, an underground xel'naga city, and after using the crystals to gain entrance to the chambers, they found a giant khaydarin crystal in its heart. The crystal had been previously used to drain the lives of several protoss from different tribes, but Khas was determined to subject himself to the crystal's abilities. It started to drain him, after which Temlaa reversed the ability, causing it to heal Khas. When Khas awoke, he told Temlaa that the crystal had "shared" with him and taught him many things about the protoss psionic link and the xel'naga themselves.^[1]

The zerg Overmind were able to learn how to manipulate the energies of the crystals after absorbing many xel'naga.^[2]

Prior to the Great War, Tassadar's Expeditionary Force discovered a number of zerg probes near terran space. Unable to identify the organisms, they were at last subjected to the khaydarin crystals, which naturally reacted with the creatures, identifying them as creations of the xel'naga.^[2]

During the Fall of Aiur, the zerg were able to obtain small amounts of the crystals.^[12] The Overmind insisted that the protoss temple on the site where the xel'naga first set foot on Aiur be destroyed and the crystal placed onto the cleared site so it could manifest itself on Aiur.^[13]

[edit] Known Khaydarin Crystals

• Argus Stone
• Giant Crystal
• Khalis
• Uraj

[edit] References

This page uses content from the English Wikipedia. The original content was at Psionic technology (StarCraft)#Khaydarin crystals The list of authors can be seen in the page history of Psionic technology (StarCraft)#Khaydarin crystals. Wikipedia content was licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License prior to June 15, 2009 is. Wikipedia content from June 15, 2009, and StarCraft Wiki content, is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike License 3.0 (Unported).