Obinite

Often found surrounded by a variety of different materials such as mafic and basalt, Obinite is a hardened blue rock that appears geometric in shape. It's hard, but lightweight material makes it useful for objects but tends to be a bit weaker than weapons made of steel. It is sought after due to its innate characteristic that gives off an aura of light.

Properties

Material Characteristics

Obinite is a dense material that is slightly cool to the touch. Its color is a light blue that is slightly transparent, giving it an almost magical appearance. Though the surface can be naturally jagged when split the inside is quite smooth and marble-like in appearance.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Due to a reaction from the radiant light of Peloris and the kinetic entry through Oryth's atmosphere, a chemical reaction takes place that causes Obinite to oxidize the air around it as the atoms of the material speed up and slow down at the molecular level. This reaction translates into an aura visible to the naked eye, illuminating its surroundings.

Geology & Geography

Though the chances of finding Obinite is a very slim one, it can theoretically be found anywhere. Due to the impact, it is usually found in craters if not submerged in water. There is a plant that strives near these called a Rybis Flower that gives off a subtle blue glow when in the vicinity of Obinite. These plants are called this due to the old moon, Rybis, and its symbiotic connection to Obis in tales of old. It can sometimes be found while excavating if the particular ore fell eras ago, causing it to be buried and eventually covered by layers and layers of earth. It was actually first discovered this way and thought to originally be of Oryth origin.

Origin & Source

Obinite comes from its namesake, Obis, the moon that orbits Oryth. During the Divine Wars when Heironeous and Hextor destroyed its sibling moon, Rybis, it collided with Obis causing pieces to crash into the surface of the planet. After many millennia, the ore would be covered by layers and layers of other Orythly materials and eventually be discovered during an excavation on the continent of Ochrid.

Life & Expiration

The half-life of Obinite is estimated to be around 1.38_Ga (billion years), but seems to lose its reactive glow only about 1.342_kyr (thousand years) after being exposed to oxygen. If buried or kept in a vacuous place, this time can be greatly extended, but will eventually lose its property nonetheless.

History & Usage

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Photo By: Stan Celestian

Type

Ore/Mineral

Odor

Burnt Gunpowder

Taste

Gunpowder

Color

Sky Blue

Boiling / Condensation Point

1260° Celsius (2,300° Fahrenheit)

Melting / Freezing Point

984° Celsius (1,803.2° Fahrenheit)

Density

216.55_g/m

Common State

Solid

Discovery

The first chunk of Obinite was discovered in Ochrid during a gnomish excavation on Raddis the 12^th Day of Ehlobis in the 85^th Year of the Godless by the team's leader Hodin Feperlump when mining for mithral ore. Much to his surprise, he discovered a bluish ore that seemed to react to air, lighting the vicinity. Due to the blueish aura akin to the moon, he dubbed the mineral "Obinite" which, coincidentally, was later discovered to be the origin of the material.

Everyday Use

Only the rich nobles can afford to buy items of Obinite due to its rarity. The ore is often fashioned into jewelry or display pieces to show off its aura while showboating one's wealth and prosperity. Sometimes an adventurer is lucky enough to find one in their travels and fashion it into a weapon, making torches obsolete on their journeys. Though this can often make them targets for vagabonds and cutthroats who wish to make a quick coin by selling the rare blade. However, many of these cutthroats and vagabonds meet unfortunate fates for their greed.

Cultural Significance & Usage

Many tribes and religions that revere the moon as a divine entity seek pieces of this rare ore to use in their rituals and spellcasting. Pacts of were-creatures will often seek them out as well, using the ore to control their shapeshifting outside of the full-moon. There is also a sect of assassins known as the Obis Assassins who carry a concealed gem made of the material to prove their status in the guild. These trained individuals will attempt to steal this precious and sacred ore from others they deem unworthy to possess it.

Refinement

Refining Obinite is a difficult task that requires a skilled smelter and special equipment to handle the material. By itself, the material is far too reactive and weak to forge into a weapon so it is often smelted with iron ore and corundum to fashion into Moon-Touched steel. An easier form of refinement is jewel crafting which can be cut like any other gem would.

Art By: Greg Opalinski

Manufacturing & Products

As stated previously, the most common products that come from Obinite are weapons and jewelry. Though there have been occasions where a particularly flamboyant or flashy noble will have an entire suit of armor forged from Moon-Touched Steel.

Sometimes it can also be woven into tapestries and rugs to allow for ambient lighting without the need for mundane methods such as candles or sconces.

It is rare to see Obinite used practically due to the price it can fetch, but some adventurers will actively seek it out due to its ease of fashioning into magical items and other such wonders.

Hazards

The biggest hazard of having something fashioned from Obinite are other sentient creatures. Having an item of this ore on display can often make a person a target of theft or other crimes of passion due to its value. If using the object practically, it is often wise to keep whatever part is made of Obinite hidden when not being used or to hire additional bodies to help protect from possible crime.

Environmental Impact

The environmental impact of Obinite is a quite literal one as the only way to obtain the item is for a chunk of Obis to break off of the moon, enter the atmosphere, and hope that it doesn't completely break apart on entry. Once it hits the ground, it can create quite a crater depending on the size and cause a great deal of damage to anything that might be unlucky enough to be in its path.

Reusability & Recycling

The reusability of Obinite is mostly due to its value as a trade item, but once forged into a weapon or jewel, it is unlikely to ever be changed into anything else, often remaining in its form for ages at a time. Once the light runs out on an item made of Obinite, its value drops dramatically and is often discarded without a second glance.

Distribution

Trade & Market

The distribution of Obinite is a rare one. If it is seen by a merchant, it is usually due to them not knowing what they have, assuming its magical properties. However, the value of Obinite is that its glow is mundane and scientific in nature, making it extremely valuable in places that subjugate or forbid the use of magical spells and weaponry like the Nation of Tok.

Storage

Storing items of Obinite is fairly easy and only needs basic coverings to prevent its light from escaping. A thick cloth over a jewel or a proper scabbard is all it takes to store the Moon-Touched weapon and prevent onlookers from knowing of its origin and make. Storing it in these ways where it is not reacting to the air around will actually extend the life of the light it sheds by tenfold.

Law & Regulation

This no current law or regulations on Obinite and is one of the few magic-like effects that are not viewed as illicit property in the Tok Empire. Anywhere else and they are oft to think that is just a simple wondrous item fashioned by an adept magic-user.