The Crystallization of the Machines (“the debacle of the machines”) is a cosmological event of the Fifteen-Year Hiatus that massively destroyed Rudishva technology in the domain of Ardis Vala.
| Type | Event (cosmological) |
| Survivor | Kerbog Khan, weakened and in refuge |
| Houses of the Cycle | ☯ House of the Twin Cosmos · ⏳ House of Carnal Time |
| Spanish entry | Cristalización de las Máquinas |
Mechanism
It follows a rule of the domain of Valakhan of the Mist: technology that does not match the level of the Ravenloft domain degrades and becomes unusable within weeks. It was caused by the earlier Ritornello, with the Egg of Ritornelo as the weapon used; the Defeat of the Varumani is a parallel punishment.
Effects
- The Gothic Rudishva armors of the Knights of the Scar of the Sun and Malakita are destroyed.
- The ships’ technology (Beacon, Rudishva modules, technical automata) was massively damaged.
- Kerbog Khan survived weakened and took refuge as a Troll Elf in Los Condenados (“the Condemned”).
- The Rudishva AIs RAJ-750 and AKL-600 survive, integrated into the cosmological system (as a seed of the Weapon Tree).
- Unfitting technology the Seekers bring will also degrade.
The elevation of Pope Alejandro Sixto coincides with the event; the Custodes Oculis Solis are possible executors of the cosmological punishment.
Possible traces
- On the return after the Hiatus, Alumine appears “with a semi-crystallized armor and an elven sword”. Possibly the crystallization partially reached his armor.
- On the same return, the demonic companion sword of Valerius half-petrifies when crossing the red, yellow and blue prismatic barriers of the Palace of the Prism, which petrify unauthorized crossings. Perhaps the Hiatus crystallization expands the same principle: what must not pass is crystallized.
Open questions
- Whether the far older solar rings are protected by their sacred origin, and whether the crystallization still acts.
- Whether Caladan suffered it; his feral post-Hiatus change suggests another corruption.
- Whether Bayrum, Valerius, Sixto, Melvino Calvino or Numa Pompilio carried Rudishva technology at the time.
- Whether the Quill of Thoth and other cult artifacts remain active.
- How much of the Beacon (Engine Room, Bridge Crew) survived.