Sabulum

The cornerstone of Litoria's naval dominance, Sabulum is a light blue crystalline salt found in the deserts in the south of Litoria.

Properties

Material Characteristics

Sabulum is a light blue crystalline salt that exists in two forms: Aqueous and Leaden. Aqueous Sabulum takes on a deeper, darker blue color and has a slight shine to it. Leaden Sabulum is a lighter blue and more salty and chalky in appearance.

Physical & Chemical Properties

When Sabulum touches water, it quickly hardens to become Aqueous Sabulum, where it is essentially ineffable and lightens until its density drops to the level of cork (approx. 240 kg/m³). This makes it an extremely useful material for shipbuilding, seaside construction, and magical items. After being wet, it takes approximately an hour to lose these properties. When dry, Sabulum (referred to as Leaden Sabulum) can be easily shattered with a strike from a hammer or similar tool and takes on the density of lead (approx. 11340 kg/m³).

Compounds

Sabulum imbuing Most crystalline materials can be imbued with sabulum to enhance them with magical power with a fairly simple process. Sabulum-imbued crystals then apply their magical effects to weapons and equipment forged with them.

1. Submerge the crystal in a pool of water
2. Add crushed leaden Sabulum to the pool of water, in at least a 1:2 Sabulum:Crystal ratio by weight
3. Cover and heat the pool of water

Higher heat allows for more absorption of Sabulum by the crystal, strengthening the magical effects (which comes at the cost of stability in extreme amounts).

Geology & Geography

Large deposits of Leaden Sabulum are found in the southern deserts of Litoria. Small deposits of Aqueous Sabulum can be found in the river north of those deserts, in the sea, and on the shores of the holy islands in the southeast.

Origin & Source

Leaden Sabulum is found in large slabs buried in sand. These slabs may be broken by extreme weather events, but are generally protected, either by sand or by human means. Broken pieces of Leaden Sabulum may erode into nearby rivers, coasts, or even seas, creating floating deposits of Aqueous Sabulum. These deposits are not as valuable due to their smaller size, broken nature, and rarity, but are easier to harvest if found.

Odor

Salty

Taste

Salty and metallic

Color

Light blue

Boiling / Condensation Point

2670°F (1465°C)

Melting / Freezing Point

1474°F (801°C)

Density

240 kg/m³ (Aqueous)/11340 kg/m³ (Leaden)