Frencal Marbil

Marbil

Marbil is a thought-after stone for construction, sculpture and general decoration. It can be polished to a shine and gives long-lasting colours to floors in particular.

Since the instauration of the peace between Alven and The Southern Kingdoms two centuries ago, the marbil trade has taken off in a significant manner. Some marbil can be found in Alven, but not in great quantity and of poorer quality than in the south of the continent.

The opening up of the borders between north and south has given an opportunity for rich Alvenites to avail themselves of this beautiful stone.

The craze for marbil is particularly strong in the capital, Highfort, where rich families of clansmen will spend a fortune in redecorating their floors and sometimes walls with the imported stones.

For the less fortunate, marbil objects can be purchased at a reasonable cost and displayed at home. Marbil hearth surrounds, bath pools, plates and dishes are particularly thought after at the moment.

However, one type of marbil has been coveted more than others. The gold and black marbils from The Frencal Republic have made a big impression on the Alvenites since its introduction thirty years ago. So much so, that the late Thane reserved all the Frencal stones for himself in order to transform The Thane's Keep in Highfort.

Appearance and Material Characteristics

The Frencal marbil looks particularly opulent: black and brilliant as onyx veined with gold, sometimes white as well. Alvenites are often disappointed when looking at the rough stone. A block of marbil straight out of the ground is grey and uninviting. It is only when it is polished that it starts to shine and take its fabulous appearance.

The stone itself can be used outside and inside and will not be stained or damaged by the weather. This property has enticed some religious organisations such as The Sanctuary, to commission stone sculptures in the new medium.

Geography

Marbil can be found in Alven in the south of The Great Towers Range. Mining towns such as Riggend and Netherigg in The Rigga Valley, have always mined for marbil.

The unpolished stones are used to build stairs, window frames, facades. The stone buildings in the area have a well-known pink, distinctive colour due to the extensive use of the local marbil.

With the renewed interest in marbil, The Volvians, an influential family of Clan Hawkend who owns the mines in the region, has doubled up the production of the stone. The rough blocks are shipped to Highfort, or east to Hollyholm to be polished by the newly arrived craftsmen from Frencal.

The most beautiful marbils are found in the mines of Frencal. For centuries, Frencal had been part of a coalition of kingdoms who sought to conquer the rest of the continent.

Wars between Frencal and Alven was a constant. Two centuries ago, the northern kingdoms of Francal revolted against the imperialist southern king and became a republic. From that time on, relationships between Francal and Alven have thawed, and exchange of goods - marbil being one of them - have been particularly buoyant between the two countries.

Cultural Significance and Usage

Only skilled stoneworkers have the skills to produce high-quality marbil. This is why some rich Alvenites have given incentives to Frencal stoneworkers to move and settle in the Alven urban centres to produce the polished version of the stones.

Once very closed in, the Alvenish cities are becoming more cosmopolitan every year. Foreigners are still generally viewed with suspicions but the increasingly well educated middle classes are keen to learn about different cultures and ideas. The use of marbil is significant insofar as it is a by-product of peace and progress.

The foreign stonemasons who settled in Highfort and Hollyholm will soon pass on their techniques and craftsmanship to their children or apprentices and these techniques might reach the whole of the country in a few decades.

Type

Stone