Aspium (AS-pee-um)

Located only within the Valdare Mountains of Polira, and their southern counterpart, the Ravunak Hills of Khaldai, the mineral known as Aspium is possibly the most valuable substance known to our society. This substance, difficult to locate and mine, is the only known effective treatment for the magical condition known as the Shards of Zolgar.   First located by what would be the founders of the Mahada in Khaldai, Aspium was kept by them as a closely held secret. It became known to the Poliran monarchy in the 3rd century AS when a disowned member of the Mahada came to Polira with the intention of sharing the Mahada's biggest secrets. Soon, the mineral was located in the southern stretch of the Valdares, and were quickly made property of the crown.   The raw material is generally transported in large chunks, then ground down into a fine powder. Mixed with wine, it becomes a potent tool for combatting the acute symptoms of magic use. Unfortunately, it cannot combat the long term effects of magic on the user, but it does allow the monarchy to use and control magic casters for the good of the realm.   The ownership of Aspium in Polira is strictly controlled. Only casters from the Sanguine Tower, those who are property of the crown, are allowed to use this precious resource. Any non-tower caster, or even ordinary citizen, caught with Aspium can be sentenced to up to ten years of hard labor. In Khaldai, Aspium is also very tightly controlled, being the province of the ruling Mahada family, alone. Anyone else found to have it is instantly put to death.