Whispercoal

Known Region

Whispercoal is known to form in places where wells of magicks or leylines withered and died, where the absence of the magic creates holes and pockets of pure silence. It draws sounds in and devours them, leaving nothing. This makes it quite essential for any potions or things regarding stealth, whispers, silence and death magicks. Mining it can be quite dangerous and one should never seek it out by oneself. If you get lost no one will hear you scream for help. Besides getting lost, if you spend too much time within or near a vein, they say it drives one mad. Hearing only the thoughts in your mind can do some nasty things for people. Mined in the Silent Hollows.

Properties

As mentioned, Whispercoal draws sound in and neutralizes it to create a deafening silence. When warmed or i na fire, it acts as a great sound insulation for private discussions. Just sprinkle some into the fireplace or braziers. It makes no sound when struck and is quite nice to grind due to that. It is a perfect reagent for spells and potions that have anything to do with Death magicks, divination concealment and even illusion dampening.

..As An Alchemy Ingredient

Whispercoal is essential to the Draught of Silent Footfalls, Shroud of Voiceless Mist, and the Shadowveil Elixir. The first being an easy way for assassins or mercenaries to move silently for a short time. Shroud of Voiceless Mist which can create a bubble of silence where one may speak privately with another individual during interrogations or private business meetings. Lastly, Shadowveil Elixir is primarily used by theives and ruin divers. It obscures the sound around the drinker and allows them to move freely and silently like the Draught of Silent Footfalls, but it also obscures echolocation and sound-based scrying.

Gathering and Preparation Instructions

Gather with obsidian picks or picks made of bone, Whispercoal is very brittle and Iron can damage it. Store in a felt-lined box and in a cool, dry place. Preferably, keep in a sound-proofed room where it wont have to use its latent powers to dampen the sound around it. When preparing it for use, place a black cloth into an obsidian mortar and pestle and grind it slowly, as to not disturb the Whispercoal with sound. Once ground, store in bottles in the same sound-proofed room, with the bottle covered with felt.