Onyx Sand

The deep, black sand seems really unimpressive to those that do not understand its full potential. Found in the deep of Walfeste Bay, onyx sand is one of the main resources that the Lutra folk harvest and sell. The lightly magical substance is able to blend with any other metal object and when heated correctly manages to enhance the properties of the original material. As leading arms and armor craftsmen explain, the onyx sand is an alchemical catalyst in the molten metal. Onyx sand is also able to be used to weld two different metals together rather then just brazing the joint between.

SECRETTED LOCATIONS

As the Lutra are the main purveyors of onyx sand, they guard its veins locations jealously. The aquatic delving Lutra make sure, whenever they go dive for their secreted onyx sand patches, that there are no outsiders anywhere near. They usually dive down at nighttime in order to ensure the safety of their deposits. Though they are the sole miners of onyx sand, the Lutra themselves do very little metalwork and thus find very little value in their resource but rather value its trade appeal. 

ALCHEMICAL TRAITS

When combined with different metals, onyx sand will leave black streak patterns in the metals. Strangely, the melting point of onyx sand is unknown. When on its own, onyx sand never melts, but when added to a metal, it will share the melting point of the partner material. Similar to other rare metals like mithril, onyx sand is lighter than most metals. This allows less burden with the same protection. Onyx sand also insulates from heat when applied to any material, thus making any armor it is made with more resistant to any damage from fire or heat. The bitter cold does actually play fickle with onyx sand as it increases the overall weight.

Type

Ore/Mineral