Corestone

Properties

Material Characteristics

Corestone takes the form of reddish rock with a consistency not unlike granite or basalt.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Corestone resonates heavily with fire on a very literal level. When exposed to ambient environmental zeon (which is to say, anywhere that is not a dead magic zone), magical energies that permeate through the stone convert into heat, much like sunlight would upon a black stone surface. This seems to create a sort of vacuum effect that draws in more zeon, allowing heat to be produced continuously. This process is slow enough for the loss of environmental magic to be negligible, thankfully. At the same time, the heat produced is also fairly minor, good for keeping small areas warm but not reaching temperatures that cause physical harm.

Geology & Geography

Corestone is found in the Elemental Plane of Fire , and near places where portals to it exist or did exist. Over decades and centuries, it tends to rise towards the surface more quickly than the stone around it.

Origin & Source

Some theorize that what the Dwarves have dubbed Corestone is actually a solidified form of elemental Fire, though this does not explain all of its stonelike properties. The truth is likely between the two, a compound of crystallized elemental Fire contaminated by terrestrial rock.

History & Usage

Discovery

Corestone was first discovered by the Dwarves of Argenduum during their early expansion, and rapidly became prized in the cold mountain climate. These Dwarves called it Innelēd, a word roughly translating to 'stone of the world's heart', which ultimately became the more familiar Corestone.

Everyday use

The Dwarves of Argenduum commonly use Corestone for heating, given their enclosed homes do not lend themselves well to smoke-producing flames and wood is in short supply. Nalanosans use it for similar purposes, and some have found that small, enclosed boxes hewn of Corestone can produce enough internal heat to evenly cook certain foods, especially when filled with water.

Manufacturing & Products

While Corestone can be used in its base form, it is also commonly used for its supernatural properties in the manufacture of minor artifacts. When its power is focused in this way, a head-sized chunk of it can provide up to 100 Power Points at Level 1 for powers connected to Fire. With the diminishing returns of the zeon-draining nature of the stone, however, using more of it in the same item confers no further benefit. For larger artifacts, such as those on the scale of vessels or buildings, more Corestone may be needed for the same effect.
Skilled alchemists can separate and condense Corestone down to a powder that strongly concentrates its elemental properties, providing up to 60 Power Points at Level 2 (with the connection to Fire remaining). This requires a risky alchemical process, and the resulting compound is highly explosive even before the process is completed. After this, it is typically dissolved into a potion or oil, though alloying into some metals is theorized to be possible.

Distribution

Trade & Market

Corestone has become a valuable import in Nalanosa due to its brutally cold climate. The demand has caused the price of the stone to increase in recent times, and there is interest in finding sources besides the Dwarven Peaks.

Type

Stone

Common State

Solid