Orcish Blackwater

The demonic tar-water that burns so hot it can burn the unburnable

Properties

Material Characteristics

Orcish Blackwater is a thick, oily subtance that floats on water that is often described as "Demon Tar" - but it is not nearly as viscous as tar. It is a liquid similar to water, if not slightly thicker, and can flow nearly as well as water - when catching the right light, it can appear to be many different colors and gives off incredibly powerful vapors many would describe as unpleasnt(though some disagree and find it pleasant), but are universally considered harmful.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Orcish Blackwater is less dense than water, so it will often be found coating the water's surface when found in pockets of water. When found on its own, it burbles and bubbles like tar and is hot and burning to the touch, as if it carries an inner warmth that yearns to be set alight. It is not normally acidic, but is insanely flammable - the slightest spark can set Orcish Blackwater into a roaring inferno capable of melting even metal - and through methods only known to its orcish masters, when treated and put through unknown processes, it can be refined into an even more dangerous substance used exclusively by the Bonesmolder Tribe of Orcs to set fire even to the fireproof .
In its refined state, it is a substance capable of burning through even the skin of the normally fireproof Eldragi, and in both refined and unrefined states It is even capable of burning on the surface of the ocean and the water - a property often used by the Bonesmolder Tribe Orcs to win naval conflicts.

Geology & Geography

The inner workings of Blackwater as well as where it can be found are mostly a mystery - none but the Bonesmolder Tribe Orcs know how to handle it properly, and those who come into possession of their Blackwater are invariably slain shortly thereafter by a rampaging horde of the Bonesmolder Orcs, as if they can sense when others have their Blackwater. They have been known to fling themselves into suicidal wars and sacrifice entire tribes to obliterate those who get their hands on it, no matter the cost in bodies, meaning only the insanely stupid or the insanely brave dare to handle it.

Origin & Source

The inner workings of Blackwater as well as its origin are mostly a mystery - none but the Bonesmolder Tribe Orcs know how to handle it properly, and those who come into possession of their Blackwater are invariably slain shortly thereafter by a rampaging horde of the Bonesmolder Orcs, as if they can sense when others have their Blackwater. They have been known to fling themselves into suicidal wars and sacrifice entire tribes to obliterate those who get their hands on it, no matter the cost in bodies, meaning only the insanely stupid or the insanely brave dare to handle it.

History & Usage

History

The history of Orcish Blackwater is mostly a mystery - it appears in the historical record at almost the same time as the Bonesmolder Tribe of Orcs, and has remained as an ancestral weapon of their people since ancient times, used in all manner of skirmishes both land and naval - it has won their tribe countless wars and has deterred aggression against them for centuries untold, for fear of its unholy power - even the mighty navy of the Ustanan Concord's Merchant Fleets, feared around the world, is wary of war with the Bonesmolder Tribe, for fear of their Blackwater which scalds even the water's surface.
Many have tried to unlock its secrets, but all have failed - to do so is to invite the maddening wrath of the Bonesmolder Tribe, and more than one city or tribe has been laid to utter ruin overnight by the freakishly suicidal assaults of the Bonesmolder Tribe's legions of warriors, screaming unholy cries as they charge headlong into earthen ramparts, burning with blackish-red flame that twinkles against the night sky, set alight by the blackwater such that they melt straight through solid stone walls and detonate in a hail of furious rage, spreading the blackwater to all nearby. Such is that the blackwater has remained a tribal secret of the Blackwater tribe for centuries.

Discovery

Unknown. It was assumedly discovered by the Bonesmolder Tribe long ago, but the details are a mystery.

Everyday use

The Bonesmolder Tribe uses their Blackwater in all aspects of their life, from utility to combat - their warriors coat their weapons and armor in it to set them both alight to attack with flaming weapons and to give them protection against flame, and the legendary "Screaming War Rollers" of the Bonesmolder Tribe that burp and belch columns of smoke as black as a living nightmare, fueled in some way by the Blackwater, are so feared that even the normally apex predators of the desert, the Eldragi, are hesitant to fight them wantonly.
In extreme tactics, legions of Bonesmolder Tribe warriors will set themselves alight and charge the ramparts of their enemies, burning through stone and even metal walls in a matter of minutes to allow their allies behind them to chance to charge through the holes they burn through them.

Cultural Significance and Usage

The Blackwater is synonymous with the Bonesmolder Tribe, and it is central to their beliefs and culture - it is believed by them to be a gift from the spirit king of fire, Huofeng, to symbolize his favor of their tribe.

Refinement

Though a refinement method is known to exist, it is a cultural secret of the Bonesmolder Tribe.

Hazards

The fumes given off by Blackwater are legendarily toxic, as is the blackwater itself - ingesting or consuming it or even smelling it is lethal to all but the hardiest lifeforms.

Environmental Impact

Orcish Blackwater, true to the Orcs themselves, is incredibly harmful to the environment - it is pollution incarnate, and if allowed to seep into living soil will taint it for centuries and render it barren and lifeless.

Distribution

Trade & Market

This item is not sold, for fear of attracting the wrath of the Bonesmolder Tribe.

OB

Type

Organic

Value

Extremely Valuable

Rarity

Extremely Rare

Odor

Painful, Burning smell that singes the nostrils. Described as strangely 'sweet' by some and found to be pleasing.

Taste

Incredibly bitter and painful like burning tar

Color

Typically black or dark brown

Melting / Freezing Point

410 F (210 C)

Common State

Usually Liquid, sometimes can be found as a jelly-like substance.

Related Species

• Orc