Arcanite
Concentration of pure Ley energy in a physical form, arcanite is one of the most sought after materials in the entirety of Orbith. Crystalline in it's base form, arcanite can be used in most any form of magical practice that requires a material, making it one of the most useful materials to found.
While very rare in nature, the peculiar sky-cities of Ceruleon seemed to have mastered the usage of arcanite. Vast stores of arcanite have been recovered from their cities, to the point that the worlds supply of arcanite relies almost entirely upon Ceruleon scavengers. In addition, all of the constructs or machines scavenged are powered by charged arcanite crystals, and many of theimore sought-after technologies relied upon arcanite as a material. Finally, beyond having vast amounts of arcanite, the sky-city society seemed to have derived a way to create liquid arcanite, though this version is more uncommon and unstable.
Properties
Material Characteristics
Arcanite is most often seen as deep blue crystals, most about the size of a human hand or smaller. While transparent blue in it's purest form, arcanite becomes more cloudy and opaque the more energy is contained within, to the point that "fully-charged" arcanite is solid cerulean and crackling with latent energy. It's always lighter than you would think, though not so light as to feel fake or weak.
Compounds
When ground into a fine powder, arcanite can be combined with most any material in a variety of ways. The most common way of combining materials is by using arcanite powder to impart magical attributes upon mundane items, a process referred to as enchanting. Beyond this, arcanite crystals are often used to power the constructs of the aptly named Arcanite Technology found in Ceruleon and beyond.
Geology & Geography
The vast majority of arcanite is scavenged from the various ruins that dot the landscape of Ceruleon, though they are often polluted or drained of energy. It is possible to mine arcanite from the earth, but the material only forms in areas where the Ley is focused to a point of being harmful to most creatures, making both finding and harvesting it practically impossible.
Life & Expiration
While the material itself doesn't degrade over time, the magic held within arcanite is known to steadily grow unstable if left stagnant over long periods of time. This can have a variety of effects, including: causing permanent damage to the arcanite housing, depositing arcanite miasma in the surrounding area, or exploding with violent force when disturbed or tampered with.
History & Usage
Everyday use
The most common usage of arcanite is as a material in magical crafts, ranging from enchanting to the construction and maintenance of arcanite technologies. This makes it relatively uncommon to most people, though this varies from region to region.
Refinement
If found in a diluted or impure state, there are ways to purify arcanite and return it to a usable state. Beyond this, arcanite is very uniform in form.
Hazards
Arcanite can become unstable if samples are charged with excess amounts of energy or left charged for extended periods of time. This unstable arcanite pollutes the area around it with Arcanite Miasma, a kind of arcane radiation, that damages living creatures and potentially mutates them if given enough time. In addition, unstable arcanite often becomes liable to explode if exposed to any sudden movement or action, releasing the contained energy in a localized burst.
Environmental Impact
If left to grow unstable, arcanite can alter any form of life within it's vicinity. This often results in "Arcane Deviants," peculiar creatures that possess seemingly random mutations and magical abilities, though it rarely has beneficial effects.
Reusability & Recycling
Practically all forms of arcanite can be ground into the powder that is used for basic enchantments and technology, making the grinding process the final stop for most samples of used or worn arcanite.
Distribution
Trade & Market
Arcanite scavenging, refinement, and distribution is the staple trade of Ceruleon, with no other region in the entire world possessing or producing as much usable arcanite.
Storage
Uncharged crystals are stable enough to be stored in standard containers, but charged crystals often require greater finesse in their handling.
Type
Ore/Mineral
Rarity
Rare, Uncommon in Ceruleon
Odor
Charged arcanite often smells of ozone and singed hair.
Color
Varying shades of Cerulean Blue
Density
Lighter than most crystals
Common State
Crystalline
Related Locations
Related Species
Related Technologies
