Bloodstones

The bloodstones are the center piece of the 'Den and the Wolves ' series, being the sought-after collection of magical stones that sends the protagonists on their epic journey across Arlok.

The bloodstones were created by the 81 wolves, specifically Mason, to house droplets of tainted blood from Other's infected wound, which he gained after an altercation with one of the wolves, Nightmare. The spell was initiated by his twin sister, One, who journeyed to the Great Hollow to plead with the gods for their mercy. The wolves granted her wish, and by sealing Other's blood drops in stones, they granted him perpetual immortality until the stones were destroyed and the blood was returned to his physical form. The stones were scattered across the world to be lost and forgotten.

Millennia later, Den (Other) attempts to remove his own immortality and break the curse, ultimately killing himself, by seeking each of bloodstones out and destroying them. This would, in turn, make Rane (One) mortal again so that she too can be killed.

Den locates one bloodstone per episode in the series. With each bloodstone he destroys, Den gains a little more 'mortality' and begins to suffer the affects of his injury. He grows weaker as the story progresses, as well as less sane and more hostile in nature, until he fully encompasses the Black Stranger image that he was originally described as. Simultaneously, Rane grows more aware of her mortality as her brother progresses.
 * 'Dragonshard ': The seclusive dragon tamer, Madame Lizbeth Grenada, possesses a diamond-like jewel in her necklace that she obtained from the treasure horde of a dragon. Den destroys it using dragon fire.
 * 'Queen's Crest ': Den finds an emerald-like stone in the wreath crown of Queen Mertiise, of the giant mantises. After playing as the queen's adopted pet, she hands him the stone out of love.
 * 'Lionstone': In the Ridaki desert, the mythical Red Engalion is found with a glass shard in its eye, causing its epic tantrums. Den removes it and befriends the beast.
 * 'Jewel of Thieves ': A fleet of pirates race to find buried treasure, said to contain the most stunning sapphire ever crafted. The ending of this story is not yet known.
 * 'Dreadsalt ': Den meets the queen of the Dovna, Iara, after falling into a deep pond. After pulling a legendary sword from an underwater stone, he is handed a pearl in return. The pearl seems unbreakable, so Millari dissolves it in vinegar and drinks it.
 * 'Chaos and Blood ': The final stone is found in a magical mirror that Den comes across while investigating the twisted dungeons of Diarma. Den duels a glass-like version of himself who emerges from the mirror and shatters his own image.