Runestone

Runestone is rocky substance that is found across the continent. Mining this is extremely profitable and incredibly dangerous. Runestone resembles ordinary limestone, though it does register to a Detect Magic spell. The stones are covered in ancient, fading runes whose meaning has evaded even the most dedicated scholars. It is believed that Runestone was initially created by the same unknown ancients that created the legendary dungeons of Illiria, as it is found in highest concentrations near known dungeons. Runestone, despite resembling rock, is able to be melted down like metal if the fire is hot enough and the smith is able to use arcane magic. The runes remain in place even when heavily reworked in a mage's forge. Runestone is valued for it's extraordinary strength and durability, as well as for it's ability to be incredibly easily enchanted. Battlements and towers are commonly crafted of this substance and filled with enchantments meant to deflect projectiles.

History & Usage

History

While once used as the primary construction material of a forgotten empire, Runestone was only rediscovered 17,000 years ago by Dwarvish miners. It's mystical properties were not fully understood for another five thousand years after that. It has since been found as the foundation of ancient structures such as the walls of Dragonscale or the Titan of Old Tal.

Everyday use

It is very rare for Runestone to be used outside of the construction of structures, however several wealthy people have sword by enchanted Runestone dishes and cutlery. Aside from that, the substance is sometimes used to reinforce the flight engines of gigantic aircraft. Mostly, the bricks themselves are purchased as a one time curiosity or as a way to passively "absorb bad magic" around a place. Sometimes amulets of Runestone are sold as anti-mage charms though these provably do not work. A few efforts have been made to make Runestone caps for longhammers and similar bludgeoning weapons in order to capitalize on the explosive power of the material, though this has never been managed in a way that did not also kill the weapon's bearer.

Refinement

Runestone chunks are sent to large refineries that have teams of specialized mages present. This refinement process is typically run by local or governmental spellcasters, much to the consternation of the Order of the Eye who would otherwise hold a monopoly on the process. The raw material is smelted down and reforged into one-pound ingots that quickly reform into stone bricks marked by the namesake runes. The process of refinement is mystical by nature and somehow results in bricks that weigh immensely less than the raw material. This can be repeated to make the new bricks even lighter, though this is dangerous and rarely done. The most refinements ever successfully completed was six, and the thousand bricks wrought from that endeavor each weighed about as much as a feather while still being just as durable as any other Runestone brick.

Byproducts & Sideproducts

Water used to wash the raw Runestone sometimes absorbs latent magic, resulting in a potion-like substance that glows red. When consumed, this Runewater will restore vitality to the drinker, though it is incredibly toxic in large doses. Similarly, smoke produced by the forges and refineries occasionally awakens latent sorcerous bloodlines in those who inhale it, but is much more likely to kill them.

Hazards

Mining and refining Runestone is an incredibly dangerous operation. When struck at the wrong angle or with too much force, the substance released a burst of held magical energy. Sometimes this wild magic is harmless and just causes unusual things to happen, but more often than not they simply explode. The stone reforms itself after a day or so, but anyone nearby is likely to have been vaporized.

Type

Stone

Odor

Runestone is odorless until struck, at which point it emits an ozone smell

Taste

Bitter, metallic

Color

Beige

Boiling / Condensation Point

Runestone does not boil

Melting / Freezing Point

Can only be melted by an arcane practitioner

Common State

Solid