Frostite
Frostite is a very rare material that is only found in colder and mountainious regions. Its unique formation process and the specific conditions required for the process to work is the reason Frostite is such a rare material.
Properties
Geology & Geography
Geological process
A few conditions are required for frostite to form naturaly. The first is the presence of a large and dense glacier. The second is an exposed deposit of Lycanite crystals under these glaciers, which are eroded into tiny shards, along with the surrounding rocks. The third is time. The longer he glacier flows above the lycanite, the more time it gives the shards to transform into Frostite. The process begins when eroded lycanite shards mix with super cold water at the bottom of the glacier. Frostite forms around the crystal, consuming it in its entirely and converting it into Frostite.Geographic distribution
Frostite can only be found in cold regions where large glaciers form and flow over decades. These glaciers also have to be in lycanite-regions, which are rare. Currently, there are only 3 reliable sources of frostite in the world, 2 of them located in the Confederation of Ru'mensh, the Vekhonian mountains and the Dragon Mountains both contain numerous frostite producing glaciers. The third major source is located on the other side of the world, in the Continent of Osian, specificaly somewhere in the Howling peaks range in the Land of the Wildmen.Life & Expiration
Frostite decays in about a year in normal conditions, and about half of that time while inside a regularly used Talismans. This is why talismans made to be used by ice-mages are crafted in a way that makes it easy for the frostite crystals to be easily replaced. Frostite does decays slightly faster when exposed to constant sunlight, open flames, or very hot temperatures.
History & Usage
History
Frostite seems to have been discovered on two separate occasions throughout history. The first was during the First Age, in Osian. There is documentation that mentions the material and the confusion it provocked in scholars. Traders from the continent even showed a few piece of the material to a king of a Nharish city, in south-east Enaskia, which was also documented. However, there is no mention of it being used in any capacity, and so it is possible Talisman technology just wasn't advanced enough at the time. This would change in the Second Age, as even early on, we have rumalian texts that mention the process of extracting and storing mentions of frostite crystals in Northern Rumalia, specificaly, in the city of Tavisk in northern Rumalia. There's evidence that Frostite was already being used for both Talismans and Frostite Boxes by the time of the Essanian Empire.
Everyday use
Frostite is a rare material, and so it's use by the general public is nearly non-existant. Where its usage is more common is with Ice mages, who use that material within a Talismans to boost their elemental powers. Some ships bound for long voyages as well as nobles also use Frostite boxes to preserve perishable foods for a longer period of time by freezing it.
Distribution
Trade & Market
The Confederation of Ru'mensh is the main exporter of Frostite for Arros, and trade of the material has made some principalities of the confederation very rich. Frostite crystals are rarely sold as is, and are usualy refined into polished crystals meant to be used in an ice-mage's talisman, or crated within an Frostite box.
Law & Regulation
In the Confederation of Ru'mensh rumalia, frostite storage and extraction is heavely regulated and store houses are guarded with almost as many soldiers as Lycanite storages. That is not because its dangerous like Lycanite crystals, but simple because it is highly valuable.
Known Hazards
Prolonged direct exposure to frostite crystals can lead to frostbite as the cold temperatures from the crystal is stronger than a person's body heat. Ice mages are completly unaffected by its cold, even after many hours or days of exposure.
Type
Elemental / Molecular
Color
Frostite has a bluish hue, similar to blue ice but a bit darker.
Melting / Freezing Point
Frostite remains frozen even at room temperatures.
Common State
Crystals, similar to Lycanite.
Related Locations
Related Species
Related Technologies
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