Cerebromite (Sehree-bro-mite)

Cerebromite is an iridescent crystal that changes color depending on how you hold it. Over time, it is even possible to see the crystal change colors without moving it. Despite being a crystal Cerebromite has a slight "give" to it making feel slightly squishy. It also feels slightly warm to the touch. Of further note is the effects of extended exposure, it is said a strange "Music" can be heard emanating from the crystal. This is even more noticeable when in the horrid mines of The Conductor.

Cerebromite is a material that is necessary for the creation and modification of magical artifacts. When creating a magical item the artificer imbues a bit of their own divine spark into the material. However, the mundane materials they created the item from can only hold the spark temporarily, but this is not true for Cerebromite. This gem has the unique ability to hold the divine spark charge indefinitely, and even naturally recharge it. During the working of the gem into the item, the artificer can manipulate the properties of the Cerebromite so that it can regain charges in a certain way. This allows the gem to have a better output of power and thus create more powerful enchantments for less.

The origin of Cerebromite is a closely guarded secret of the dwarves of Hornlodhir. They would have you believe they find the gem deep underground in veins, but this is far from the truth. Hornlodhir is a strange town, which though it is located deep under a mountain, it lies on the edge of the Astral Sea. One can see the stars and nebulae from its shores, and it is in this sea that one will find the source.

Out in the endless expanse of the Astral sea lies a great unknown creature known only as The Conductor. As large as any planet it lies dead in an eternal sleep. It is inside this creature that the Cerebromite grows. The strange material is hard to find in the creature's body, and they need many scouting trips to find them. But those that have stayed in the mine for a long time will hear a soft singing which the Cerebromite emits. Following this song the miners will find the Cerebromite, which they can then extract from the horrid tissue of the eldritch beast. Remember, though you take a bit of him with you, he takes a bit of you with him..

If you hear the song return to the surface. Don't join the choir

— Old Miner Wisdom

Artificers use Cerebromite in the enchantment of magical items. Due to the nature of the divine spark, no mundane material can hold the charge for long. However, for an unknown reason, Cerebromite can hold this charge indefinitely. This has made the trade of Cerebromite a lucrative business for the Iron Republic. An artificer with the Cerebromite cuts it down and shapes it into a beautiful cabochon. The larger the gem the more charge it can hold and the greater in power the magical item can be. They must work the Cerebromite into the creation in one way or another, this can be as a buckle on a cape, the base of a wand, or even implanted inside a sword. Once placed however it is impossible to remove from the creation as the two have become one. In general, the size of the Cerebromite is no larger than a pea, for the clusters of Cerebromite are quiet small.

The Iron Republic holds a monopoly on the production and trade of Cerebromite. This has caused much animosity between the nation and its neighbors, who have discreetly funded smuggling operations within the Republic. The Ruby Children have cornered this smuggling market with many of their members having infiltrated the bureaucracy in the Iron Republic. Though steps have been taken to uproot them, The Ruby Children seem to be one step ahead of the authorities.

Because of Cerebromite's high value, paying for the gems with money is rare. The largest commodity which the Iron Republic gets in exchange for Cerebromite is Souls. A crate of souls is usually enough to get about 5 lbs of Cerebromite, but it is heavily subject to the purity of the souls and the means of harvesting.