Crude gold
Crude gold is an alloy of gold with copper and other minor metals, that generates spontaneously in the underground of Phaldorya, with a fairly uncommon geographic diffusion. This material has a function of strong catalyst for magic power, arcane and divine as well. The knowledge of the technologies required to use it at its best is mostly lost and only a few specialized artisan have, in recent times, managed to tap into its power creating objects that take advantage from the use of this material. The mere presence of the alloy without the appropriate type on incantation and magic control is expensive and not useful.
Physical characteristic
Crude gold in nature can be extracted in form of nuggets, or even smaller fragments. Those nuggets can be melted, purified and shaped into ingots, that are used as the typical commercial format of the material. In a pure form, it is a bright, reddish yellow, dense, soft, malleable, and ductile metal, resistant to most acid therefore very long lasting.
History
The usage of this material was really diffused during the high magic period in the Akharmur empire, before the Great War of the Mages. Occasionally, ancient artifacts reappear today from these ancient times, discovered by explorers or adventurers. In the present times, it is mostly used in forms of pendants as a magic catalyst, in order to amplify the power and control of a magician trying, for example, to learn a new spell. Due to the absence of knowledge, only a few expert artisans are able to use this material to imbue magic power into objects at the present.
Death of a dragon
It is commonly believed that when dragons die due to age (thing that occurs only after several millenia) their scales spontaneously detach from their bodies seeding the underground and creating a vein of metals or gems according to the type of dragon. E.g. When a ruby mine gets discovered it is believed to have been the place were an ancient red dragon has spent the last part of its life and has reunited with nature. Believers of the Tuatha de Danaan will generally produce a ritual of thanksgiving to the soul of the dragon, even if it was believed to be an evil one, but will not be refrained from using the materials because it is considered to be the greatest gift from those creatures.
Really interesting - I like the side information about dragons a lot. :)
That one came from an improptu thing during a session in the, now stalled, campaign I was mastering in the Phaldorya setting... Sigh!