The Bizlands: Crystalian Report

As early as the Atriox war the Bismuth Realms had been using the chaos and their role in quelling it as a way to expand their influence. Destroyed cities had been rebuilt in bismuth style, educational reforms had brought bismuth ideas into the mainstream, and a temporary protectorate had quickly turned into a full blown alliance of satellite states. Dozens of smaller nations and a handful of major nations.

Beyond changes to the governments and architecture the bismuth had even set about changing the environment and people itself. Specimens of life were ferried into secret groves for preservation and stasis while crystal and metal life forms took their place. Trees of wood were replaced with those of Silver with glass leaves. Water slowly changed to become more clear or became like flowing mercury. Small non precious gemstones lined the rivers instead of normal river stones.

And finally the Crystalians. They were mortals who had undergone a ritual where they consumed an elixer of bismuth and ground up gemstones that had been bathed in Ten Sun's light. Once changed no currently discovered magic could reverse the transformation. Unlike many other blessings this transformation is not a select prize. Instead Ten Suns sought to make sure as many of the people who fell under their satellite states took the ritual as possible.

Appearance: A Crystalian bares the same shape they had before the ritual with a few exceptions. Their skin changes into a smooth stone or metal hue and toughness while keeping whatever their original skin color or features (scars might show up as tiny surface cracks) they had pre transformation.

Their hair takes on the shape of either clusters of square gems/metal, long links of small crystals forming a hair shape, or long strands of metallic or crystal thread.

Biology: A Crystalian has all the organs of the original creature though some have become redundant. Their skin, hair, and eyes are far more durable than flesh against most types of damage though they show no extra resistance against sonic damage.

They do posses blood though it has been thoroughly infused with the elixir and Ten Suns power. They can still be affected by blood magic though they show a high resistance to it. Additionally any vampire that drinks their blood gets affected as if they had drank pure sunlight usually resulting in instant death.

Disease and poison are rare amongst Crystalians and they tend to life many times the length of their original species (potentially indefinite lifespan)

Powers: All Crystalians are imbued by Ten Suns with an increased magic capacity and a talent for earth magic, light magic, and transmutation. Some choose to focus on only one of Ten Suns suns and gains a focus on only that sphere of magic. All Crystalians can store spells in their bodies like scrolls to use later with maximum capacity based on the power of the individual Crystalian. Their souls are also protected by Ten Suns and will always go to them in death (not unlike a pact)

Finally their combination of blood and the elixir has given them a unique ability. They can use a small amount of their blood to summon a great pool of liquid metal/crystal to use in battle. Some form it into weapons while others use it as a remote attack drone. A strong enough Crystalian can even imbue their blood with magic to give it extra effects.

Psychology/culture: Crystalians retain full memory from before their transformation. They have the same personality, interests and quirks though people close to them have noted distinct shifts towards being lawful. They certainly fall closer to humans on the emotional spectrum even if they are less likely to have emotional shifts because of biology (being hungry, tired ect...)

Crystalian culture is characterized by their desire to fill the extra time their transformation has given them. This manifests in the short term with them not eating or needing to attend to their biology as often this having more time each day and in the long term because of their unaging biology. Because of their mortal origins they often use this time more aggressively than elves might. Unless a Crystalian has a personality that enjoyed rest they would spend little time idle instead being engaged in a variety of activities. Working or training is the most common activity followed by entertainment and philosophy/prayer.

Crystalians venerate Ten Suns as a spiritual guide and powerful void entity. They refuse the use of the term God for unknown reasons. Sun imagery is common and bismuth life tends to be given small honors by the normal citizens. Because of this some members of the Crystalians have come into conflict with followers of more traditional faiths who believe the Crystalians to be corrupt. Because of the influence of the Bismuth realms and the lack of organization in the traditional churches the Crystalians tend to win these conflicts.

Conclusion: Crystalians do not pose an expansionist threat to nearby nations. However because of their transformation and connection to the Bismuth realms is is unlikely any nation that comes under Ten Suns sway and accepts their blessing will ever leave the Bismuth alliance. Combined with Ten Suns constant offers and gifts towards smaller nations it is likely that the number of Crystalians and the Nations that turn into them will grow rather than shrink in the coming days.