Quarus

Found predominantly on Hammerhenge Island and in the Void Lands, this thick, black, tar-like substance is extremely flammable, but is not easily consumed by the flames Thus, it is preferentially used as a fuel for lanterns, sconces and torches across Hammerhenge Island. Rarely do parties seek out the substance in the petrified and decaying forests of the Void Lands. Widow's Wood is the most accessible source of the substance on Hammerhenge, and large swaths of the forest have been set aside for the siphoning of this fuel.
The process for collecting quarus is similar to that of tapping trees for sap. First, a large diameter hand drill is used to open a channel deep into the center of the trees. The type of tree matters little in this process, as quarus is derived from the presence of significant void energy near or within the forest. Once the drilling is complete, a large-bore tap is hammered into place, to allow the substance to ooze out. Large pales and buckets are hung from the tap, to be collected at a later date. Being that the substance is slightly less viscous that regular tree sap, the buckets must be collected at least once per week.
The substance itself requires no additional processing, as its natural state is flammable, and reacts like most combustible oils. The substance itself, while flammable, appears resistant to the destructive elements of the flames, allowing it to continue burning for significantly longer periods of time, compared to whale oil or other combustible liquids. For this reason, quarus is exported throughout the Continent, and serves as a primary export of Hammerhenge Town.

Type

Organic