Tan-Mor
Properties
Material Characteristics
Tan-Mor are most commonly found in spherical form between 12 cm and 1 meter in diameter. Tan-Mor range in colour from lemon yellow, the dimmest and most common, to brilliant silver-blue, the purest and brightest.
Physical & Chemical Properties
Tan-Mor accumulates the potential energy of the tides and the Foyson of storms, becoming larger and brighter as it consumes this energy. Naturally buoyant, the pod will grow large enough to pop off its stalk and bob to the surface, or be snapped off by particularly strong currents. The pods glow with luminescence, but increase as they mature, maintaining their glow after detaching.
The pod will bob to the surface and drift, gradually decaying and shedding its energy before depositing its core, a heavy seed, that drops to the sea floor to begin a new plant.
Geology & Geography
Tan-Mor is most commonly found in the Gwantenn of the Mor Bras, but colonies of the plant have been found in lesser quantities in the Mor Ailhenn, Mor Breizh and Mor Bihan. Attempts to cultivate the plants naturally in the Mor Marv and Mor Kreizdouar have not been successful, although small wild colonies have rarely occurred in these waters naturally.
Origin & Source
Tan-Mor grows on kelp-like stalks gathering the rolling power of the tides and currents, as well as the Foyson of Wyldstorms. In particularly strong currents, these balls of plant-matter will break off and bob to the surface, where they can be harvested.
History & Usage
History
While the properties of the Tan-Mor have been observed for centuries, their use is more recent.
The Marie-Morgane of Ys-Beneath-the-Waves were the first to make use of the pods, securing them underwater to light their buildings, where they would be kept low with nets or allowed to bob to the ceilings. As the Beacon City grew, so did the cultivation and use of the Tan-Mor, with the creation of a robust aquacultural industry on the Garden Hill.
The Marie-Morgane introduced the technology to the Jetin Kriores in early trade deals. The Bediz later discovered the refinement process to create the magically potent liquid, and, together with the Tempestarii, its ability to conduct and store lightning. This latest revolution has widely increased the calls for this material.
Refinement
Tan-Mor quickly rot when taken out of the water, so they are typically transferred to large tanks until they can be refined. The material is cut, pressed and dehydrated, the glowing liquid captured in quartz-crystal bottles and stored.
Manufacturing & Products
Tan-Mor dims quickly, even in liquid form, but can be used to store and refine Lightning, maintaining impressive amounts on luminescence and magical power, used for lightglobes as well as power sources.
Bottles of Tan-Mor are often carried in large quantities by Sparkcatchers, specialized Windships designed to sail into thunderstorms to harvest lightning.
Byproducts & Sideproducts
The dried, pressed husks of the pops, once drained on their foyson filled liquid, are often pressed into briquettes, and sold as firewood. Tan-Mor fires glow with flashes of brilliant colours, mostly shades of greens and blues, like driftwood, but prolonged and more vibrant.
Some bottles of Tan-Mor make their way into public consumption, touting seasoning (a bitter, sour lemon flavour) or health benefits. While alchemists believe their are some benefits to drinking Tan-Mor, most claims are utter fabrications.
Hazards
An overdose of Tan-Mor can lead to a wide variety of mental or physical ailments, ranging from the mundane, such as headaches, tumors and seizures, to the magical, in rare cases even leading to full Milliget status. Glowing skin, eyes, or hair is the most common sign of Tan-Mor overdose.
Environmental Impact
Overharvest of the pods can reduce the spread of the kelp-forests they grow in, which in turn leads to stronger and more erratic Wyldstorms, without the plants to suck in excess magical power.
Distribution
Trade & Market
Tan-Mor are harvested from The Armorican Peninsula to Silvercoast, typically be small craft that can move freely among the drifting pods. Harvest is most common between Bleuñvadegou and Du, but peaks in Gwengolo, as the storms break the pods loose.
Storage
Tan-Noz pods must be kept in large tubs of salt water, preferring moving water to maintain their light. Once drained of their liquid, they are typically kept in quartz-crystal jars until they can be refined with the introduction of Lightning.
Type
Biomaterial
Color
Lemon Yellow
Density
Lighter than water
Related Locations
Related Species
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