Lead

Lead in Trevisa

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Overview:
Lead is a versatile but undervalued material in Trevisa, used primarily for its density, malleability, and resistance to corrosion. Though not as glamorous as gold or as functional as steel, lead plays a key role in construction, trade, and alchemical practices. However, its toxicity is known in certain circles, limiting its use in personal items.

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Uses

1. Construction:
2. Roofing: Used for waterproof linings and sealing joints in stonework.
3. Pipes: Lead pipes are common in urban areas for water transport, though their potential for contamination is not well understood.
4. Windows: Used in framing stained glass in cathedrals and noble homes.
5. Weights and Counterbalances:
6. Employed in clocks, pulleys, and siege equipment for precise balancing.
7. Commonly used as fishing weights or in anchors.
8. Weaponry and Ammunition:
9. Cast into bullets, arrowheads, or sling ammunition due to its density.
10. Alchemy and Magic:
11. Lead is a critical material in alchemical transmutations, often seen as a base metal in the quest for gold.
12. In magic, lead is sometimes used as a protective material to shield against divination spells or other magical influences.
13. Artistic and Decorative Uses:
14. Occasionally used in sculptural accents or for mold-making.

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Properties

• Dense and Heavy: Ideal for counterweights and ammunition.
• Malleable: Easily shaped, but lacks the strength of other metals.
• Corrosion-Resistant: Holds up well in damp environments, making it suitable for roofing and pipes.
• Toxicity: Prolonged exposure can lead to health issues, though this is poorly understood in Trevisa.

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Rarity in Trevisa

• Geography:
• Lead is moderately abundant, often mined alongside silver.
• The Grey Veins of Rukath are a primary source of lead in Ko-Aton, with smaller deposits scattered in other regions.
• Availability:
• Common: Lead is readily available due to its abundance and relatively simple extraction process.

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Price (On Average in Trevisa)

• Raw Lead Ore:
• ~2-5 copper pieces per pound.
• Refined Lead:
• ~10-15 copper pieces per pound.
• Finished goods, such as lead-lined pipes or weights, cost more based on craftsmanship.

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Cultural and Economic Context

1. Everyday Use:
2. Lead is used in practical, everyday applications such as water transport, construction, and fishing.
3. Alchemical Symbolism:
4. Represents transformation and potential, as the base metal in alchemical pursuits.
5. Mystics and scholars often associate lead with Saturn or the element of earth.
6. Fantasy Integration:
7. In Trevisa, lead is valued for its ability to block or resist magical influences, leading to its use in enchanted containers or vaults.
8. Lead-lined coffers are common for storing cursed or dangerous items.
9. Folk Beliefs:
10. In some regions, lead is believed to trap spirits, making it useful for sealing tombs or binding malevolent entities.

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Symbolism of Lead in Trevisa

• Color: Its dull gray tone symbolizes obscurity, protection, and raw potential.
• Cultural Associations: Seen as a workhorse metal, unremarkable but invaluable for certain tasks.
• Role: Lead is a practical material that bridges the mundane and the mystical.