Crystals

In lieu of armor and weapons, the companion Shale has crystals the Player Character can equip him with. Shale has 50 equipable crystals in the game, and you can gain them from several sources: loot drops throughout the world (PC version only); items found in the Village of Honnleath, Wilhelm’s Cellar, and Cadash Thaig; and available for purchase from Garin’s Gem Store in Orzammar Commons. (Each time you enter the Orzammar Commons, a random set of six crystals will generate in Garin’s store inventory.)

Crystals come in two sizes: large and small. Large crystals act as armor and appear on Shale’s shoulders and feet. Small crystals act as weapons and appear on Shale’s fists. Each crystal comes in one of five elemental types: fire (orange), ice (white), electrical (purple), natural (green), and spirit (blue). If you match a large and small crystal of the same elemental type on Shale, the golem receives a special item set bonus. There are also five degrees of crystal quality: chipped (lowest quality), flawed, clear, flawless, brilliant (highest quality).

As with other characters’ equipment, Shale’s crystals dynamically scale based on the golem’s level.