Deepsalt

Overview

Deepsalt is a silvery mineral compound harvested from deep within the Dwarven mines beneath Khul Boldir. Among the general populace, Deepsalt is used to season rations, especially meat, while those in the know regard it as far more than that. Though it appears coarse and unremarkable at first glance, it highly prized by Dwarven Scholars in particular, who are the only ones who know its secondary function.

Appearance

Deepsalt is a grey crystalline material, with a faint metallic glint. It is solid but easily broken. It forms in narrow seams near geothermal pockets, where mineral runoff mixes with the natural salts in the area before being pressurised.

Properties

When added to food, Deepsalt not only enhances the flavour, like any salt, but extends preservation dramatically - more so than regular salt. This makes it essential in long mining expeditions or journeys into the unknown. The minerals within the Deepsalt also have minor energising effects, that help stave of fatigue to a small degree.

The true value of Deepsalt lies in its application by the Scholar's Guild. When ground into a fine powder, and combined with a solvent whose make-up is known only to the Guild, it forms a kind of paste. This is left to dry. The dried paste can be burned, and it burns slowly. The resulting smoke reveals any magical essence in the area, be it secret writing or enchantments. One does not need to be arcanely talented to be a Dwarven Scholar, so this Deepsalt Paste is a useful addition for those that aren't amongst the guild members, but also means those that are don't have to waste their own magical capabilities on detection, preserving their wells for dispelling potential dangerous magic instead.

Acquisition

Deepsalt isn't particularly rare, rarer than regular rocksalt, but not overly so. However, its proximity to geothermal activity means the seams are usually in potentially unstable areas, and certainly in the warmer branches of the mines. Miners have to be prepared for the heat, and risks of pressure venting when mining Deepsalt.