Cobalt

History & Usage

History

Cobalt is named for the Kobolds, a small people somewhat rodent-like in appearance and marvelously clever crafters. They claim to have discovered the ore in the northern mountains long before the Empire reached them, and they found other peoples were eager to buy things tinted with the blue pigment made from the ore. Kobold merchants and tinkerers still trade in cobalt and cobalt colored glass, but it has become rare due to the old mines being located in the mountains on the northern end of the Dragonwastes.

Everyday use

Cobalt was a luxury item in the old Empire and used to create a vivid blue pigment, especially in glass. Kobolds also used it to create a number of highly effective poisons. Finally, cobalt infused glass is a highly potent focus for spellcasting and remains reliable even after the Dragon Madness.
As a metal, cobalt is effective at receiving runes, though not nearly so fine as tekros. However most of the cobalt in distribution is as a tinted glass rather than metal, and the remoteness of the known mines hinders efforts to make more. Kobold merchants seem always to have some, and this has led some to believe that a tribe of kobolds have either discoered another source or reopened some of the old Imperial mines. Ask a kobold where they got it and they will give you a story about the trader who found it in the ruins of such and such a place, but is this the truth, or is there something to hide.

Cultural Significance and Usage

While the ore is named for them, kobolds do not place any special importance on the ore except as a useful trade good.

Byproducts & Sideproducts

The process of refinement has been discovered to produce poisonous vapor. Some time long ago a resourceful kobold alchemist discovered that the vapor could be distilled and mixed with other ingredients to create a potent toxin. Stories are even told of kobolds carrying small vials that expel a cloud of this toxin when broken and using them to escape danger.

by Midjourney

A goblet with cobalt glass

Color

The raw ore is blue in tone. When refined into metal it is a silver-blue.

Related Species

• Kobold