Blacksand

Blacksand is more than just a resource—it is the backbone of the Darktow Isles economy. The foundation upon which pirate power, trade, and warfare are built. This fine, black powder, created from crushed dark stones, is one of the most sought-after materials in the region, valued not only for its explosive properties but also for its economic and strategic importance. The ability to control Blacksand production is often the difference between a pirate clan’s dominance or its downfall.

Properties

Material Characteristics

Blacksand, in its raw form, appears as a dark, obsidian-like volcanic rock, rough to the touch and often streaked with veins of ember-red, deep purple, or smoldering orange minerals. It is typically dense and heavy, with jagged edges that crumble under force, releasing the fine black powder that gives it its name. The stone has an almost metallic sheen when caught in the right light, resembling something between obsidian and coal, yet it holds a latent energy within it, as if the fire of the earth still lingers beneath its surface.
When crushed and refined, Blacksand becomes a grainy, deep black powder, shimmering faintly as though infused with traces of hidden fire. Under moonlight, some claim it sparkles with tiny red flecks, a sign of its volatile nature. When ignited, the powder burns with an intense, crackling flame, releasing a brief flash of violet sparks before exploding into a thick, acrid smoke.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Blacksand is a highly reactive, volatile material with unique physical and chemical properties that make it both dangerous and valuable. It is primarily known for its use in explosives, firearms, and alchemical weaponry, but it also has mystical properties that some scholars believe are connected to deep volcanic and archane forces.

Chemical Properties:

Highly Flammable & Explosive: Blacksand powder is extremely reactive when exposed to heat, pressure, or certain catalysts. A small spark can ignite it, causing a brief violet or blue flash before it explodes violently.
Electrical Conductivity: Certain veins of Blacksand, particularly those mined from Stormspire Isle, have shown a unique conductive property—they can briefly hold and release electrical energy, which has led to experimental archane-infused weaponry.
Toxic Vapors: When burned or exposed to acidic environments, Blacksand releases a thick, dark smoke that is highly toxic if inhaled, causing hallucinations, nausea, and, in prolonged exposure, madness. Some pirate clans have weaponized this effect, using it to create smoke bombs and poisonous traps.

Geology & Geography

Blacksand is an extremely rare material, found only in specific volcanic regions within the Darktow Isles, Asheron and close to other volcanic regions. It is not a naturally occurring sand but rather a byproduct of ancient volcanic activity, archane disturbances, and deep-sea pressure reactions.

Origin & Source

Blacksand is found within a rare volcanic mineral known as Black Rock ore, a dense, obsidian-like stone that only forms in highly volatile infused environments. This ore is found in deep volcanic fissures, hardened lava flows, and coastal cliffs where ancient eruptions once reshaped the land.

Life & Expiration

Blacksand is a paradox of stability and danger—harmless when wet, deadly when dry, and capable of storing both physical and magical energy with proper handling. This makes it one of the most sought-after yet hazardous materials in the Darktow Isles.

History & Usage

Refinement

Black ore mines

The Black Rock Mines are a network of underground caves, hidden deep within the volcanic isles of Darktow. These mines are where the raw Black Rock ore is painstakingly extracted and refined into the coveted Blacksand. The mining process takes place in dimly lit caverns, illuminated only by the flickering light of torches and steam-powered lanterns that cast long shadows across the jagged walls. Rails similar to those used in coal mining snake through the tunnels, guiding carts laden with the ore as they are hauled to the surface. The sound of creaking iron and the rhythmic clanking of mining tools echo throughout the caves as workers, clad in thick leather and iron, chip away at the hardened volcanic rock. Steam vents constantly release bursts of hot air, adding to the suffocating heat of the mines, which are notorious for their scorching temperatures. Once extracted, the Black Rock ore is carried to refining chambers, where it is crushed under the weight of large steam-powered mills and presses - of course water is used to neutralize the exploding property of material. The crushed ore is then sifted, separating the Blacksand—fine grains that glow faintly with a mystical energy. This refined Blacksand is carefully packed into barrels and bags, ready for transport. The mines are harsh, dangerous, and drenched in both heat and the heavy scent of sulfur, but the wealth they generate makes them a coveted and perilous place to work.

Distribution

Trade & Market

Blacksand is sold almost exclusively by pirates and black-market traders from the Darktow Isles. It is a highly dangerous and valuable commodity, used for firearms, explosives, and archane weaponry. Most of the trade happens in hidden ports, pirate strongholds, and secretive markets where smugglers and warlords barter for it. While some merchants deal in it discreetly, possession of Blacksand outside of pirate-controlled territories is often illegal, making it a rare and exotic material sought after by mercenaries, rebels, and rogue alchemists.

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Type

Mineral

Value

It cost little less then price of silver per kilogram

Rarity

Very rare

Odor

Sulphuric

Taste

Salty, bitter and sulphuric

Color

Black

Boiling / Condensation Point

Unknown

Melting / Freezing Point

Material freeze under 0 celsius but it has no effect on it

Common State

The raw form of Blacksand appears as dark, jagged stone, often warm to the touch due to residual volcanic activity, and can sometimes contain glowing veins of ember-like minerals, indicating a connection to deep geothermal forces.

Related Locations

• Darktow Isles

Blacksand

Refined and crushed black stone ore, known as Blacksand, is a highly sought-after material, typically transported in sealed barrels and sturdy bags to ensure safe handling and prevent accidental detonation during trade across the dangerous and volatile regions of the Darktow Isles.

Blacksand’s Role in Darktow Society

Blacksand is the one of most valuable resources in Darktow, and pirate clans go to war over control of its production and trade. The Leviathans, ruling from Crown's Island, maintain a tight grip on distribution, ensuring that no single faction can rise above them. Smuggling rings operate in the shadows, trading Blacksand to merchants, warlords, and black-market buyers in exchange for gold, weapons, and influence.
Because of its importance, Blacksand mining operations are heavily guarded, and those caught stealing or selling it without permission often face swift and brutal executions. Some legends speak of entire islands being razed because a pirate lord sought to hoard Blacksand for themselves.

The Future of Blacksand

With the rise of firearms and gunpowder-based weaponry, the demand for Blacksand continues to increase, and some fear that the limited supply will drive the clans into all-out war. Others believe that deeper, more dangerous sources exist—perhaps within the Shifting Watters or beneath the ruins of the ancients. However, those who seek new veins of Blacksand often find themselves disappearing into the mist, never to be seen again.