Vitrium Dust

Properties

Material Characteristics

Before it has been mined, Vitrium juts out of the rock faces, almost like a large formation of crystals. The formation is a base, pale grey with deep, dark red veins stretching out across the surface.
Once it has been mined and made into it's usual 'dust' form, the dust itself is mostly that dark red, but it does have a few specs of grey-ish, almost silver colour mixed in with it.

Geology & Geography

Vitrium dust is found within the mountains, not in the mines underneath them. The material forms higher up the mountain passes, or within the dwarven tunnels forged through the mountains themselves, as Vitrium formations prefer cooler mountainous climates. However, there is a cut off point where the mountain tops grow too cold for Vitrium to be found - particular once you start to hit the snowy peaks.
Vitrium deposits can be found on almost any mountain across Garlan.

History & Usage

Discovery

Many would expect the vitrium to have been found by the dwarves on one of their many mining expeditions, however due to vitrium deposits appearing high above the surface rather than below it, this is not the case for this discovery.
It was in fact discovered by a group of traders, braving the higher paths of the mountains to avoid a group of bandits who had settled near the bottom in 3661 IDY. The group noticed the unusual outcrops popping up along the mountain pass, become more frequent the higher they climbed. Once they were over the mountain, they decided to contact one of the dwarven settlements below the mountain to see if they knew what this strange material was, and whether or not it could be mined and used.

Refinement

The mineral needs to be refined from it's rocky state in order to remove the excess grey material (known as viterum noxus). This involves essentially grinding the mined material down to dust and applying small portions of water whilst grinding. By doing this, the viterum noxus is dissolved by the water once it is broken down into small enough pieces, and the vitrium itself is left behind in the form of a fine, powdered dust.

Manufacturing & Products

Once the vitrium has been crushed into it's dust form, it can be used by alchemists and those with magical abilities alike. Often, vitrium dust can be used as an ingredient in potions - usually those that have strength or endurance enhancing properties. It can also be used in some spells as a spell component.

Type

Ore/Mineral

Taste

Metallic, almost like you've bitten your tongue and can taste the blood in your mouth

Common State

Solid (as a mineral deposit and once mined and turned to dust)