[that... is not the question he expected. he giggles then, shaking his head.]

No, not at all. I think I was a little vague—the gemstone itself isn't what we use to regulate the altars. It's more of a... confirmation of our relation to the situation.

[resting his hand on the gemstone for a moment, he considers how much to talk about in this conversation.]

In part, it connects us to Eiden, and allows us the ability to use our essence—ah, our life energy, if that makes sense—to resonate with the altars themselves.