Black Amber

Black, glossy, liquid-like stone; translucent, faintly veined with shimmering dark red or purple streaks.

Black Amber is harvested from ancient Denjrumba trees growing underground in lightless caverns, often deep within labyrinthine cave systems. Extractors, known as “Darktappers,” use enchanted lanterns to locate the resin, as conventional light sickens the trees. The material is transported through the “Nightshade Passage,” a network of dangerous subterranean tunnels patrolled by guilds who ensure safe passage in exchange for a cut of the profits.

Jewelers prize Black Amber for its haunting beauty, using it in amulets and rings that symbolize mystery or power. Poisoners and alchemists seek it for its mild toxicity, which can be distilled and concentrated into potent potions or poisons. Some nobles collect and display Black Amber pieces as status symbols, claiming it reflects their resilience or control over danger.

Black Amber is slightly toxic to touch, requiring handlers to wear gloves or use tongs during transport. Its sheen dulls if exposed to bright light, so it must be stored in lightproof containers. Additionally, the faint fumes it emits can cause nausea over time, necessitating regular ventilation for those traveling with it. Caravans often hire specialists skilled in subterranean navigation and defense, as the caverns are home to creatures drawn to the resin’s strange allure.

Black Amber carries an innate connection to darkness, making it a potent focus for shadow magic. It can be made to absorb small amounts of light, creating an aura of dimness around the wearer. This quality makes it useful in stealth enchantments or rituals seeking to conceal or obscure. Additionally, its toxicity is magical in nature, meaning it can bypass some standard resistances to poisons when prepared by a skilled alchemist. When powdered, Black Amber enhances curses or hexes, amplifying their reach and duration.

From a practical standpoint, alchemists value Black Amber for its ability to stabilize volatile mixtures, particularly in the crafting of shadow-infused potions. Enchanters often embed slivers of it into items intended for assassins, such as daggers that are difficult to locate when hidden on one's person. Some mages know the secret for burning the stone, and the fumes can create a protective veil of shadow around a ritual site, shielding it from detection.

Despite its danger, Black Amber’s glossy, liquid-like appearance makes it a prized gemstone. Its unique black translucence, faintly veined with shimmering dark red or purple streaks, is said to represent the beauty of hidden dangers. Wealthy patrons often wear it as a statement piece, enchanted to neutralize its toxicity, or use it as a centerpiece for collections of curiosities. Due to its light sensitivity, such jewelry is only warn at night, adding to the stone's mystique.