# Great Elutherian Mine (GEM)

## Summary

The Great Elutherian Mine is a massive catacomb of tunnels, mineshafts, pits, and chambers in the Southeastern region of Elutheria. Each area is distinct with its glowing crystals all glowing a unique color. Its entrance is sealed off, with warnings of infestations and dangerous creatures. The entire cavern is extremely vertical, and to progress forward the player must continue to push downward.

The player enters GEM after needing to find another way through the Temple of Valstar, entering a crystalline tunnel. Afterwards, they reenter GEM proper via the top of the shaft. They cannot fully explore GEM until after they unlock a hidden passageway from the Steampipe Springs, preventing access to Crucimorph.

## Notable Events

* The player enters this area for the first time via a detour in [ToV](https://bluesod.gitbook.io/soulblaze-gdd/playable-regions/the-temple-of-valstar-tov).
* After defeating [Capitaine Chevalier](https://bluesod.gitbook.io/soulblaze-gdd/characters/antagonists-and-bosses/capitaine-chevalier), the path to GEM's proper entrance is opened.
* The player can obtain [Fire Bolt](https://bluesod.gitbook.io/soulblaze-gdd/planned-features-and-mechanics/abilities/zedekiah-abilities) and [Ancient Ring](https://bluesod.gitbook.io/soulblaze-gdd/planned-features-and-mechanics/abilities/alina-abilities) here.
* After being frustratedly blocked off from battling [Crucimorph](https://bluesod.gitbook.io/soulblaze-gdd/characters/antagonists-and-bosses/crucimorph), the player is detoured to [Mecnos Town](https://bluesod.gitbook.io/soulblaze-gdd/towns/mecnos-town) and therefore [Steampipe Springs](https://bluesod.gitbook.io/soulblaze-gdd/playable-regions/steampipe-springs-sps).
* After defeating Crucimorph, [Flick](https://bluesod.gitbook.io/soulblaze-gdd/characters/protagonists/flick-the-sprite) prompts the protagonists to return to [SPS](https://bluesod.gitbook.io/soulblaze-gdd/playable-regions/steampipe-springs-sps).

## Lore

Ever since the age of the Precursors, the Great Elutherian Mine has been supplying the land with fresh building materials. The mineshaft is seemingly limitless, as it's been mined for over 2,000 years and is still rich in resources. However, there's a catch; the mine is home to the largest concentration of Crucimen on the entire planet.

The science behind why is not fully understood. However, it is theorized that the abundant, magical-energy-radiating glowing crystals may play a part, as the mine is the only known location where the crystals are naturally-occurring-- but to what way they contribute to condensing and collecting Crucimen is unknown. It is also known that depth plays a major role, as the amount of Crucimen exponentially increases both in quantity and in severity.

Around 30 years before the game's events, the amount of Crucimen in the caverns began to steadily multiply. The workers in the cave were used to attacks by Crucimolds, but the frequency and ferocity of the attacks were beginning to be too much for them. The King, believing it to be due to the depths the mine had been recently achieving, assigned a division of the military to the mines. However, around 10 years later, this had been proving too much for even them. Seeing that the depth was not a major factor in the Crucimen outbreak, the King launched a formal investigation on the caverns; unfortunately, each expedition either resulted in failure or severe casualties. Seeing no other option, the King decided to seal off the cave.

As the Crucimen infestation exponentially worsened, Crucimorph was born, and though he had no access to the outside world, his masterful leadership worsened Crucimold attacks all over Elutheria, seeking the balance of good and evil he desired. This eventually culminated with Dimas's loss of humanity, granting Crucimorph an unlikely ally. Dimas struck a deal with Crucimorph; Crucimorph's army must submit to her, and in return, when Dimas claimed the Unyielding Flame and razed Elutheria, Crucimorph was promised the fertile, freshly cleansed land for his Crucimold army to establish a perfect equilibrium of good and evil. Of course, this was a blatant lie; Dimas would never leave any living being alive to see her new Hell.
