Star coral
Star coral is like any other coral: marine invertebrates that form compact colonies of many identical individual polyps. Coral species include the important reef builders that inhabit tropical oceans and secrete calcium carbonate to form a hard skeleton.
There are several properties that make star coral much different from any other coral found under the waters of Thyr, the first and foremost being the dim inner light that shines from within, which is only made all the more mystifying by the fact that the coral seems to be transparent. While most coral seems to grow in shallow waters so it can photosynthesize, star coral seems to be able to survive at greater depths, as it seems to be able to feed off of the light given by other coral in the colony.
Holding a piece of this strange coral in one's hand, it gently pulses with an inner light that seems to slowly drift within the colonies that form their hard skeleton. Due to this aspect, the Light Shoal clerics use it in their religious ceremonies and to commune with their goddess. The elves of the Sea of Light guard star coral very closely and control its distribution throughout Thyr; they punish thieves severely, and even go so far as to send out investigative teams when they find out about any unsanctioned trade of the stuff. A black market has popped up trying to sell fake star coral by making it out of hard glass and putting a minor light dweomer within it, and these hucksters have learned the hard way that even their forgeries attract the sea elves' attention.
Properties
Material Characteristics
Looks like normal coral, except it is transparent and glows with an inner light.
Geology & Geography
Star coral is only found in the Sea of Light.
History & Usage
History
Star coral has always been seen as a luxury item to those who live on dry land, and as an item that forms the basis of sea elf culture in the Sea of Light. This has not changed in the present day.
Discovery
First discovered by the Light Shoal sea elves, although this is disputed by the sahuagin from the Kingdom of Clotgush. Both cultures use it as a building material for multiple types of construction.
Everyday use
As a building material for construction, can be used to make weapons, and as a focus for the priests of Qiel'Sedar.
Cultural Significance and Usage
The Light Shoal sea elves's culture revolves around this material: they use it in their religious ceremonies, coming of age rites, and marriage rituals.
Industrial Use
Large masses of it are harvested to build sea elf dwellings, art pieces, and weapons. The sahuagin use it as well to create weapons.
Manufacturing & Products
Weapons, tool, works of art, and holy items.
Distribution
Trade & Market
The Light Shoal sea elves sell small amounts of the coral to a couple of cities on Halirune and Iodod; star coral is a symbol of wealth among merchants with shipping companies. Pirates consider it to be a symbol of their power and ingenuity if they manage to get their hands on it.
The sahuagin harvest star coral patches they control and sell the stuff to fund their war machine against the sea elves.
Law & Regulation
Sea elves consider all star coral to be their property if it is in its raw harvested state; anyone found with unsanctioned star coral is dealt with severly.
Type
Organic
Value
Can fetch up to 100 gp an ounce.
Rarity
Very rare, not found outside of the Sea of Light.
Odor
Has a faintly sweet smell.
Taste
Do not eat it!
Color
A light purple color, similar to lavender.
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