Carcolite
"I heard you were selling carcolite by the sheet, sir," the hooded figure noted, keeping the bored pose of a man inquiring after the black market.
"Why yes, that is true!" exclaimed Barenthick, "I have everything you need, half the guild price!"
"That is unfortunate."
"What? Why? I don'-" he was cut off as the thick, stubby carcolite blade slammed into his chest. He sank to his knees and tried to protest, but the razor-sharp blade sent his head bouncing on the floorboards with one flashing swing.
"The Guild says hello."
Properties
Material Characteristics
Carcolite is brittle, smooth, and gleams like polished opal.
Geology & Geography
Carcolite is only harvested in the mines of Carcol, the town for which it is named.
History & Usage
Discovery
Grimhii appears to be the first country to mine carcolite. The elves that inherited Seaudyr mined it for a time, then the humans took over from them after the colonization. Strangely, none of these changing of hands appears to have been violent.
Everyday use
Carcolite is most often used in antimagic potions (as a powder) and pendants used to ward off magic. It is also used in weapons and armor, but these are expensive and time consuming to order.
Pure powdered carcolite is mixed with sugar to kill arcanohelminths and cure reconditosis
Cultural Significance and Usage
Refinement
Working with carcolite is extremely difficult, and in experienced hands about the only material that can be made from it is a powder used as a sort of dirty counterspell or for use in antimagic potions.
Distribution
Trade & Market
Selling carcolite without a Guild license is a good way to have assassins hired by the Opaline Guilds sent to your doorstep.
Type
Ore/Mineral
Value
Carcolite prices are regulated by the Guild, and local prices vary based on trade deals and complex back-room negotiations.
Rarity
Rare
Taste
Powdered carcolite and all of the potions that include it as an ingredient taste like squid ink.
Color
Carcolite has a banded opal sheen, reflecting light in blue, white, green, and red colors with everything in between.
Common State
Carcolite is always found as a smooth shale.
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