Coal
Coal is one of the most well known of the sources to produce light, heat and energy. Particularly popular among the dwarfs, coal is a precious resource to heat forges, housing and even power up mechanical contraptions. However, as most races do not have the dwarf's resistance to toxic gases, or access to coal, many have searched alternatives to the substance.
Properties
Material Characteristics
Coal is a black or black-brown sedimentary rock. Depending on the quality of the coal some are harder than others, but generally speaking coal is hard and solid. Usually, the rocks are quite dull in colour, yet some have glossier surface than others.
Physical & Chemical Properties
Uncharacteristically to most rocks, Coal can actually be burned and turned into smoke, warmth and energy. Compare to charcoal, coal is better suited for furnaces that require very high temperatures to function.
Geology & Geography
Coal is found from underground sediment layers, rock strata, many times on areas that in history had swamps and woodlands on top of them. To discover some requires quite a bit of exploring and digging. Coal tends to be better quality when found from deeper underground.
History & Usage
Everyday use
Coal is used for warmth but also to fuel other en devours, most commonly working metals. In dwarwen cities and increasingly is several places of North Velkas, coa is used to fuel mechanical machines.
Cultural Significance and Usage
For dwarfs whose culture has a special connection to the earth, soil, crafting and especially smiting, coal has a significant role in dwarven cultures. Many things in dwarven cities are powered with enchantments, magical rocks or coal. More traditional dwarven societies require that the temple forges for Moradin are always heated with coal, unless it is for special occasion. Rock Gnomes also have long history with coal as the creative tinkerers.
Coal has become increasingly important in North Velkas, where humans have been increasingly interested on the metal working and usage of non-magical contraptions.
Industrial Use
Coal is used to fuel some processes in factories, as well as to heat metal warm large spaces and power up contraptions. While mechanical machines are often clunky and in need of refining, so far the results have been very promising. There have been first experiments of making carts that move with coal, but these tests are still early in prototyping.
Hazards
One of the most unfortunate side-effects of using coal is the noxious fumes that it produces that have long term effects on the health of the people who are handling the substance. While the effect is less pronounced among dwarfs, it certainly has more detrimental effects on other humanoids using it. It also has a negative effect on air quality, something healers are quite concerned about.
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