Lalenthrium

“ . . It is difficult to write of lalenthrium in a purely objective and scientific sense. One cannot look at it as being nothing more that another densely structured metal. It has made our city what it is, it has allowed us to manipulate life itself, it has allowed us to raise corpse to life. So easily did I write about the iron, bronze, silver and gold. I told you about their structure, their melting points, and their value. But lalenthrium? Even I, a scientist all my life, cannot look into the blue depths of this metal and not feel my spirit stir.” From “ Alchemical Science - its Nature and Application” by Talnerth Evron.

Lalenthrium is doubtless the most valuable substance in existence. It is exceptionably beautiful being a deep electric blue and highly reflective. Men have been murdered to obtain the smallest amount. Its origins are peculiar. Rather than being mined from the ground, its ore seems to rise up through it like a bubble through water. It is found as a small globule, always flawlessly smooth, resting on or just below the surface. The Alchemists Guild has been trying to explain and as yet have failed. The Smith’s Guild spent a century learning to forge it.

It is essential for all Thread weaving, without their focus; even the most powerful Thread Weaver is powerless. Its inclusion in even the most mundane item will create something new and unique. It is said that a blade with a lalenthrium inset will never require sharpening. A set of mail with just one lalenthrium ring will never break. Only esteemed members of the Smith’s Guild are permitted to forge it. Working with the metal will eventually stain the fingers electric blue. In Lalenth this has come to be recognised as a sign of distinction. Indeed the head of the Smith’s guild is always given the title “Blue Finger”.

Lalenthrium is only found in the Wastelands forest. The Huntsmen have grown wealthy escorting expeditions to find it, charging extortionate amounts regardless of success. Only one in ten of these excursions into the Wastelands are lucrative. Only one man in Lalenth seems to always be able to supply the metal; the merchant Ekron Advanta.