Draconic Plasma

Draconic Plasma is harvested from the throat glands of dragons after they have been slain. Since the plasma is likely to cool very quickly, the plasma is extracted last out of all draconic resources after a successful hunt and sells for high prices.
Whilst the dragon is still alive, plasma keeps a dragon's body temperature stable even in artic conditions, such as those present in the Northern Beastwilds, where dragons with this plasma are most common. These varieties of dragon also use plasma for attacking, setting any obstacle alight and burning their opponents.

Properties

Material Characteristics

It has a similar appearance to lava, but is distinguished by its eerie glow in low light and its shiny surface. When freshly cut from a dragon, the plasma glows yellow and has the consistency of honey. It grows slowly redder in colour when put out in the open until it hardens and becomes a dull brown in colour. When in this state, it can't be reheated.

Physical & Chemical Properties

It is warm to the touch and extremely flammable. These flames produce light, but the plasma is most commonly used as fuel for forges or to assist in setting fires across large areas. When drenched in hot plasma, a person will be ensnared and unable to move. Trees drop with the stuff, setting fire to the grass and plants beneath. Its potential for environmental damage is frightening.
Dry draconic plasma has uses as well, though far less common. One of the more common utilities is to fill up holes in roads or create paving. The plasma is poured into the hole in the road or a mould, where it is allowed to dry and oxidise into a somewhat robust compound.

Geology & Geography

This material can only be found in fire-breathing dragons, or those inhabiting artic climates. Though a hunter will come across much more in the former, any dragon living in a cold environment naturally will have a small amount of draconic plasma to keep their bodies warm. It isn't recommended to hunt these types because the time, money and resources put into hunting them isn't worth the amount of plasma in return.

Origin & Source

This plasma is produced within a dragon's throat glands. It is formed in a chemical reaction between the dragon's saliva and the energy generated from its fat reserves igniting. This heat is hard to replicate outside of a draconic body, so most of this is scavenged from killed specimens.

Life & Expiration

Draconic Plasma expires very quickly, since it hardens in only a few hours. Special preservation is required to keep the plasma hot enough for use in forges and therefore its market value.

History & Usage

Discovery

A hunter / scholar duo were travelling in the Northern Beastwilds to study beast specimens. During this expedition, they came across two dragons warring for territory. Once the fighting ended, the scholar conducted an autopsy to determine draconic anatomy. When he cut open the throat gland with a knife, the plasma melted it.

Everyday use

Since storage is difficult, there has been little advancement in draconic plasma technology. Wizards, who dedicate their lives to knowledge of all the universe, had created "automatons" and other nefarious devices using it as a fuel source.
Another common use in wizard and wiccan communities is as paving when it dries. Bricks made from draconic plasma are only for the obnoxiously rich and hardly ever used, though the appeal of such is natural. When hardened, it's rumoured to as sturdy as stone.

Industrial Use

The Institute of Wizards sometimes let monarchs use their prestigious, plasma-fuelled forges on a commission basis. The products of these are said to reach unknown heights of quality, but also unimaginable tragedy if let unattended. Other than this, most of the public would only have use for plasma to sell, whether that be to the Institute, Wiccan or overenthusiastic collectors.

Environmental Impact

Draconic plasma can cause widespread environmental damage. The most famous of these are forest fires that blaze out of control for several days. This is one of the reasons scholars speculate that the land is so barren north of the ice sheet.
When plasma dries, it can change the landscape - making it harder for plants to grow on top. However, when plasma is put into the ocean and cools, it can provide good starting habitats for marine life. Depending on how the plasma cooled upon death, it can reveal a great deal about draconic evolution and preserve their bones, making them into fossils. Sometimes, depending on how the plasma dries, it can ruin or even burn through a dragon's skeletal remains.

Type

Organic

Rarity

Demand outweighs supply

Odor

Constantly smells of burning flesh

Taste

Sour, hot, clammy (toxic)

Color

Burnt sienna

Common State

Plasma

Related Technologies

• Smithing