Name of the Lodestone

[Catapult]

like Moose is saying, "stone" and "crystal" are a pretty far stretch from one another

To the contrary. The term "crystal" actually has great geological significance.

When a body of magma cools to form an igneous rock, it undergoes crystallization. Yes, that is the technical term. Rocks are made up of lots of minerals, their crystals interlocked. The slower a rock cools from magma, the larger its crystals will typically be, helping us learn more about how, when and where the rock formed. There are some crystals that got freaking huge throughout history - this article shows some of the largest crystals found.

Crystals are made of rock. And stones are essentially pieces of rock. (There is a more technical definition, but I won't go there.)
I wouldn't hesitate drawing a connection between "stone" and crystal when discussing the "lodestone".

[Myranda]

To the contrary. The term "crystal" actually has great geological significance.

When a body of magma cools to form an igneous rock, it undergoes crystallization. Yes, that is the technical term. Rocks are made up of lots of minerals, their crystals interlocked. The slower a rock cools from magma, the larger its crystals will typically be, helping us learn more about how, when and where the rock formed. There are some crystals that got freaking huge throughout history - this article shows some of the largest crystals found.

Crystals are made of rock. And stones are essentially pieces of rock. (There is a more technical definition, but I won't go there.)
I wouldn't hesitate drawing a connection between "stone" and crystal when discussing the "lodestone".

Wouldn't that more appropriately be rocks are made of minerals, and minerals form as crystals of various sizes? Saying crystals are made of rock sounds backwards to me.

Anyways when it comes to the Lodestone name, I personally am one that wouldn't read too far into it besides the original suggestion of magnetite or other similar magnetic substances being used for compass navigation, helping us adventurers find our way. Any more general, alternative definitions of lodestone/lode/mother lode as something, anything, of great value or import are likely just derived from the original specific meanings as a magnetic rock or an ore/mineral deposit.

[Fantasia]

I personally am one that wouldn't read too far into it besides the original suggestion of magnetite or other similar magnetic substances being used for compass navigation, helping us adventurers find our way. Any more general, alternative definitions of lodestone/lode/mother lode as something, anything, of great value or import are likely just derived from the original specific meanings as a magnetic rock or an ore/mineral deposit.

Yeah, I think I'm inclined to agree, it makes more sense that it's used as a method of helping us journey than an actual 'being'.

It was just nice to see semi-intelligent discussion on these forums for a change ^^

[finiteHP]

It was just nice to see semi-intelligent discussion on these forums for a change ^^

That's what the lore forum is for. A breath of fresh intellectual air amidst the miasma of some of the other forums.

[Mjollnir]

It was just nice to see semi-intelligent discussion on these forums for a change ^^

That's what the lore forum is for. A breath of fresh intellectual air amidst the miasma of some of the other forums.

Heh heh, heh heh. "Lode" heh heh, heh heh.

[Catapult]

Wouldn't that more appropriately be rocks are made of minerals, and minerals form as crystals of various sizes? Saying crystals are made of rock sounds backwards to me.

Well, yeah, but I was trying highlight my point through the inverse.