Athradite

Athradite is a semi-precious ore that is mostly found in three locations throughout the Quäenaï; Í Gularë du Kvÿskva in the north of Irëduin, the Catacombs of Eledra in central Kárydir, and the Rift Core. Although the largest concentration of athradite is found in these places, small deposits can be found elsewhere.

Properties

Although quite rare, a chunk of athradite the size of one's head is not even worth a few copper coins to those who are unaware of its properties. As jewellery, athradite is fairly useless; the colours are widely considered unattractive, and refining the ore without damaging it is difficult.

However, athradite does have a few precious properties. The mineral attracts pure magical energy, which takes the form of lightning. As such, Í Gularë du Kvÿskva is one of the few places where an all-year round lightning storm exists. In the Catacombs of Eledra, this attraction takes the form of bolts of lightning arcing between athradite deposits in the walls of the caves. In the Rift Core, the attraction causes a flux of lightning similar to waves on beaches; sheets of lightning rippling in random directions around the Innermost Core.
This property caused a few mistakes in history, most notably the Recession of 1380 Second Age. The king of the Kárydiran Empire at the time discovered the Catacombs beneath Eledralë, the capital, and devoted all of his attention to utilising the athradite, neglecting the rest of the Empire. However, this allowed several of the southern states to recede from the Empire. This caused a chain reaction in which the entire Empire fragmented into hundreds of small city-states, each warring among themselves. The former king's attempts to utilise the athradite failed, and he was assassinated soon after by the warlord of a neighbouring state.

Source

Although a secret known to few, Ralthyr revealed this to Tywell and Zÿ after they crossed Í Gularë du Kvÿskva; athradite is made from elf blood. When elf blood is spilled in the right place and soaks into the ground, it turns into athradite. Ralthyr cryptically hinted that there are a few other minerals needed to allow the transformation to take place, but refused to name them. One thing he would say was that the athradite in Í Gularë du Kvÿskva was the result of a great battle between elves and Men.

Etymology

Courtesy of its source, elves have another name for the mineral, but share it with no one outside their race. The word athradite comes from the language spoken in Tílunur during the first few centuries of the Third Age; it means power stone.

Type

Ore/Mineral