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Crystal Cavern

The unnatural cavern beneath New Alexandria has been known by several names, from "Crystal Cavern" to "the Elysian Underground", with a few fanciful ones thrown in by the poets.

Its walls are lined with crystals of various colours that quietly hum, and the stalactites that drip from the ceiling often glow faintly.

Despite being underground, the ceiling looks like a natural skyline as the crystals there refract light from some unknown source. There are even clouds and rain on occasion, though the weather is usually perfectly clear (which makes for a tranquil, appealing atmosphere that is ideal for the luxury boutiques that have taken up residence here), and such quirks have given rise to plenty of legends and myths.

Some stories say that the crystals are magical and responsible for the false atmosphere, put there by Xanth either for the amusement of visitors or as a means of spying on them. Others claim those same crystals were cursed — again by Xanth — to prevent people from trying to take them.

One legend even suggests that the humming of the crystals is a reflection of Xanth's singing!